Backsiphonage may be prevented by all of the following methods except?

Backsiphonage is a potential backflow condition in which contaminated water can be drawn back into the potable water supply, often due to a drop in water pressure in the system. Preventing backsiphonage is critical in protecting public health, and various methods are employed to achieve this.

The method identified as not effective in preventing backsiphonage is hydrostatic loops. Hydrostatic loops are used in certain systems to maintain pressure and can help with general water movement, but they do not directly prevent backsiphonage situations. In contrast, methods like vacuum breakers, air gap separation, and backpressure units actively serve to block the backflow of potentially contaminated water into the drinking water supply.

Vacuum breakers function by allowing air into the system when negative pressure occurs, preventing siphonage of any backflow. Air gap separation establishes a physical space between the water supply and the potential contamination point, which is a highly effective method of preventing backsiphonage. Backpressure units, designed to handle pressure changes, help ensure that higher pressure is maintained in certain systems, thereby preventing the reverse flow of contaminants.

Thus, the distinction of hydrostatic loops not being a suitable method for preventing backsiphonage emphasizes the necessity of dedicated devices and systems