What is the purpose of a pressure vacuum breaker?

The primary function of a pressure vacuum breaker is to prevent back siphonage in irrigation systems. Back siphonage is a condition that can occur when there is a sudden drop in water pressure within the system, which might allow contaminated water from the irrigation system to flow back into the potable water supply.

The pressure vacuum breaker effectively protects against this by creating an air gap that disrupts the siphon effect, ensuring that contaminated water cannot re-enter the clean water source. This is crucial for maintaining the integrity of drinking water supplies and preventing the transmission of harmful substances.

In contrast, while some might consider the regulation of water pressure, increasing efficiency, or monitoring water quality as possible functions of irrigation components, those roles are not specific to the pressure vacuum breaker. Its design and mechanism are specifically focused on preventing back siphonage, which is essential for safe irrigation practices.