Do You Need a Backflow Preventer for a Faucet With a GAR?

GAR Faucets

• GAR faucets utilize a green light, yellow light and red light to notify users of the hot water temperature and caution against potential scalding risk. The green nozzle is typically for cold water, the yellow nozzle is for warm water and the red nozzle is for hot water. While the green and yellow nozzles are placed at a child’s level, the red nozzle is placed much higher where only an adult can reach, thereby reducing the possible risk of burns or scalding from hot water.

Backflow Preventers

• Primarily used in areas where chemicals are used for irrigation, a backflow preventer keeps water moving in one direction but does not pull water in reverse in order to prevent possibly harmful chemicals from entering the home water supply. Most backflow preventers are comprised of one or more check valves and water release valves.

Determining Need for Backflow Preventers

• Most local authorities will require the use of a backflow preventer if water for the irrigation water source comes from potable water. Potable water means water that is safe for drinking, which may or may not include water safe for animals to drink. In addition, if you use pesticides, fertilizers or other chemicals in your irrigation water, a backflow preventer is likely required.

Backflow Preventers and GAR Faucets

• The purpose of a GAR faucet is to separate the hot water nozzle from the warm and cold water nozzles in a home. While this is a safety feature, the placement of hot water is not necessarily connected to the possibility of irrigation water contamination. If irrigation water is in use near the home or chemicals are used nearby for irrigation, a backflow preventer is recommended to make sure the water that enters the home and the GAR faucet does not contain chemicals.

The Bottom Line

• Consult your local authorities regarding water regulations in your area and whether or not a backflow preventer and/or a GAR faucet is recommended or required. Consider adding a GAR faucet in homes with small children as a safety feature. In addition, ask about what type of backflow preventer is recommended, as several variations are available.