Backflow is a silent threat to potable water systems, capable of allowing contaminated water to reverse flow into potable water systems due to backpressure or backsiphonage. That’s why backflow prevention assemblies — like Reduced Pressure Zone (RPZ) devices and Double Check Valves (DC) — are critical in maintaining drinking water safety across both residential and commercial sectors.
And the stakes are growing. According to a recent forecast, the North American backflow preventer market is projected to reach USD 194.3 million by 2035, up from USD 131.3 million in 2025, reflecting a steady 4% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) according to Future Market Insights.
FMI further indicates that growth in the U.S. backflow preventer market is a result of increased demand from stricter plumbing code enforcement, upgrades to aging infrastructure and the rise of smart city projects that require advanced, Internet of Things (IoT) enabled solutions for water safety and sustainability.
You may know this by now, but here at Safe-T-Cover, we’re not just enclosure manufacturers. We’re educators and advocates working alongside municipalities, engineers and water authorities to protect public health and sensitive natural resources. Let’s take a look at some top trends informing the water infrastructure sector and backflow preventer market in particular.
Underground vaults used to be the default for housing backflow prevention assemblies. But their risks are well documented: confined space entry, flooding hazards, cross-connection issues and difficult access for maintenance.
A growing number of water system jurisdictions have made or are making the switch to above-ground backflow enclosures. Why? They're safer, faster and easier to install and more cost-effective.
Safe-T-Cover’s ASSE 1060-certified aluminum enclosures are tamper-resistant, insulated for freeze protection and designed with easy access to help protect backflow prevention devices. Municipalities and jurisdictions such as Arlington, Texas, and the Las Vegas Valley Water District are already ahead of the curve, saving time, money and lives by abandoning vaults.
What it means for you: Design engineers can simplify submittals. Water districts reduce liability. Property owners avoid flood risks and costly vault rehabs.
Freeze damage is a costly, preventable failure. It’s often overlooked until it happens, at which point it can destroy valves, rupture pipes and trigger expensive repairs.
That’s why freeze protection is a cornerstone of modern backflow prevention systems. Class 1 ASSE 1060 enclosures are built to withstand temperatures as low as -30°F and keep internal temps above 40°F. Safe-T-Cover offers slab-mounted heating elements designed specifically for damp environments, a feature many generic solutions lack.
Bottom line: Freeze protection isn’t optional. It’s a smart investment that extends valve life and protects water distribution systems in unpredictable climates.
Double-check (DC) assemblies were once common, but more jurisdictions are now mandating RPZ valves and their fail-safe design. RPZs include a relief valve that discharges contaminated water if one or both internal check valves fail, offering enhanced protection and promoting potable water safety.
However, RPZs come with a trade-off: they must be installed above-ground to prevent catastrophic flooding from relief valve discharge, which can be up to 375 gallons per minute.
Best practice: Install RPZs in ASSE 1060-rated enclosures with adequate drainage. Safe-T-Cover offers guidance and CAD templates to help design these systems right the first time.
Even in the current political environment, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state authorities continue to focus on cross-connection control and prevention, particularly as contaminated water and aging water systems continue to impact public health.
Many local water jurisdictions still lack formal guidelines or up-to-date standard details. As a result, engineers often default to outdated or unsafe designs. Safe-T-Cover’s Standard Details Guide helps bridge that gap with real-world examples, editable CAD templates and ASSE-compliant specifications.
Trend takeaway: Expect stronger scrutiny and enforcement around mechanical backflow prevention assemblies, especially in commercial plumbing systems and municipal water systems.
While backflow prevention systems protect drinking water, they also are a significant contributor in mitigating flooding and liability. Indoor installations or vault-based systems are especially vulnerable when pressure vacuum breakers fail or RPZ relief valves open unexpectedly. Structural damage, lawsuits and insurance claims often follow.
Modern backflow prevention systems use aluminum enclosures with built-in drainage to eliminate these risks and keep contaminated water out of potable drinking water lines.
What this means for your project: Better, more thoughtful designs reduce environmental impact, lower legal exposure and protect infrastructure investments.
Backflow cages once dominated the market as a basic theft deterrent. But they do little to stop vandalism, offer zero freeze protection and can violate code compliance requirements.
Compared to cages, aluminum enclosures are:
More secure (they obscure the device entirely)
Easier to maintain (with full access panels)
Longer-lasting (marine-grade aluminum won’t rust)
ASSE 1060 compliant (cages aren’t)
Key insight: Cages are being phased out in favor of full enclosures that meet safety, compliance and performance needs right now.
Standard details aren’t just for major municipalities. They’re a vital tool for every jurisdiction seeking consistency, speed and safety in their water infrastructure designs.
Safe-T-Cover works with utility planners, design engineers and water authorities to develop downloadable, editable CAD files for various backflow preventer installation scenarios — from fire lines to irrigation systems.
The benefits: Faster plan review, clearer designs, fewer mistakes and better protection for public water systems.
These trends all point to a single outcome: smarter, safer and more sustainable potable water systems and water management. Whether you're overseeing a new construction development, updating specs for a municipal water system, or ensuring compliance in the commercial and residential sectors, staying ahead of these trends will protect both people and infrastructure.
We're here to help. With free resources, expert support and proven field-tested solutions, we’re helping jurisdictions across the country raise their standards.
Download our free Standard Details Guide and get 5 editable CAD files to modernize your specs.