Backflow prevention by containment places a backflow preventer where?

Backflow prevention by containment involves setting up a backflow preventer at a strategic point in the plumbing system to protect the public water supply from contamination. Placing the backflow preventer at the water meter is a common practice because it creates a barrier between the potable water supply and potential contaminants in the plumbing system of a facility or home.

By installing the backflow preventer at the meter, it ensures that any backflow from the building does not travel back into the public water supply. The water meter is often the point where the utility's water supply connects with the customer's piping, making it an ideal location to prevent any potential reverse flow that could carry harmful substances back into the municipal water supply. This setup is crucial for maintaining the safety and cleanliness of the drinking water provided to the public.

Places like every faucet, at the main pipeline in a redistribution manner, or at the water heater may provide some level of backflow prevention but do not serve the overarching purpose of containment at the entry point of the service line.