What is back pressure?

Back pressure refers to a situation where the pressure in a user's water system exceeds the pressure in the public water supply system. This can occur when customers have devices or systems that elevate their water pressure, such as pumps or pressure boosters. When back pressure is present, it can lead to contaminated water flowing back into the public water distribution system, which poses a health risk.

Understanding back pressure is crucial for preventing issues such as backflow, as it can compromise the safety and quality of the drinking water being supplied to the community. By controlling pressure and ensuring that the public system maintains a higher pressure than individual user systems, water quality can be effectively safeguarded against contamination from backflow situations. The correct answer provides a clear definition of the term as it specifically relates to the dynamics of pressure differences within water distribution systems.