Under which condition are wells not required to be protected by man RPZ?

Wells are not required to be protected by a reduced pressure zone (RPZ) backflow preventer when used for agricultural purposes. This is primarily because agricultural wells often draw water from sources that are naturally less susceptible to contamination and are typically used in a manner where the risks associated with backflow are lower compared to other uses.

For instance, agricultural practices may involve irrigation or stock watering, where the water is less likely to interact with or contaminate potable water systems. As such, the regulations governing water safety tend to be less stringent for agricultural purposes, acknowledging the different water management frameworks in place for farming compared to residential, industrial, or commercial uses, where the potential for cross-contamination poses a higher risk to public health and safety.

In contrast, residential, commercial, and industrial uses typically have more contact with public water systems and therefore necessitate stronger safeguards, including the installation of RPZs, to prevent any possible backflow that could lead to contamination of safe drinking water.