Info on Safety and Emergencies
For Residential Water Customers
Customer Service 8:00 a.m.
to 5:00 p.m. Monday - Wednesday; 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Thursdays; 8:00
a.m. - 3:30 p.m. 451-2480
Customer Service after hours or weekends 451-1616
Power outage reporting and information 451-1616
Hazardous situation 451-1616 or 911
OPU is committed to making our system safe and reliable for the good of customers and employees. Please report all Utility Safety Concerns to OPU at (507) 451-1616.
Backflow is the term used when the water flows in the opposite direction from its normal flow. This can happen when the supply is somehow interrupted and pressure drops and in fact goes negative, drawing water back from the end user. This water could contain chemicals or be otherwise contaminated and end up contaminating the entire building, block, or City water system.
There are several assemblies, devices and methods to help prevent BACKFLOW:
| DEGREE OF HAZARD | ||||
| Device, Assembly, or Method | Pollution (Low Hazard) | Contamination (High Hazard) | ||
| Back Siphonage | Back Pressure | Back Siphonage | Back Pressure | |
| Airgap | X | X | ||
| Atmospheric Vacuum Breaker | X | X | ||
| Double Check Valve Backflow Preventer | X | X | ||
| Reduced Pressure Principle Backflow Preventer | X | X | X | X |
GOOD REMINDER: If you don't want to drink it, don't connect your water system to it!
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Owatonna Public Utilities
P.O. Box 800 Owatonna, MN 55060-0800 |
Phone: 1-507-451-2480
Fax: 1-507-451-4940 |