Nashville council to reimburse removal of residential backflow devices, tables water‑heater claims for review

On Jan. 6 the Town of Nashville council voted to reimburse customers who want previously installed backflow preventer valves removed and to give residents 90 days to return devices or request town credit. The decision followed reports that some devices froze during cold weather and two customers later had hot water heater failures.

Kirby Winstead, a resident who installed three devices, told council his net cost after a buyback would be about $240 per location and said he preferred removal: "That's why we wanna just have them removed, have the pipe put back in the ground like it was for the last 30 years." Lane Robertson, who operates meters serving multiple customers, said freezing was a concern and supported removal.

Council members discussed whether plumbers should have advised customers to install expansion tanks to prevent pressure damage. Legal counsel said assessing possible claims for hot water heater damage raises causation and settlement issues and recommended further investigation, including permit status and whether plumbers followed code. The council approved reimbursement for removal and set 90 days for returns, but tabled any decision about reimbursing new hot water heaters until staff can investigate and counsel can advise on potential claims.