Florida law requires an air gap or back-siphoning device between the water supply and the application equipment to prevent backflow into the water supply.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not required by law
• D. Depends on the pesticide

Answer: (A)

Backflow protection of the water supply is required whenever applying pesticides. Florida law mandates a physical separation (an air gap) or a backflow prevention device between the water supply and the application equipment to prevent backflow into the potable water. An air gap provides a gap between the water source and the equipment input, so contaminated water cannot siphon back. A backflow preventer serves the same purpose by stopping reverse flow if pressure changes occur. This requirement applies to all pesticide applications to keep drinking water safe, regardless of the pesticide type. So the statement is true. The other options aren’t correct because the law requires backflow protection and it isn’t dependent on the pesticide used.