What common practice is recommended for drainage in water systems to prevent contamination?

Utilizing a floor drain with an air gap is a recommended practice for drainage in water systems to prevent contamination. An air gap creates a physical separation between the water supply and any potential contaminants, ensuring that no backflow can occur. This is crucial in maintaining the safety and quality of the potable water supply, as it prevents any waste or contaminated water from entering clean water lines.

When a floor drain is equipped with an air gap, it provides a reliable method to manage drainage while safeguarding against the risk of contamination. The air gap must be designed and maintained properly to ensure its effectiveness over time. This practice reduces the chance of harmful substances from wastewater or other sources contaminating the drinking water supply.

Other methods, such as running drains directly into sewers or using single-barrier systems, do not provide the same level of protection against contamination. While backflow preventers are important devices, they are not primarily designed for drainage systems; they serve to prevent backflow in the water supply system rather than addressing the safe drainage of wastewater. Thus, the air gap method is the most effective and widely recommended approach in this context.