An insertable
backflow preventer is presented. The
backflow preventer is provided with a cylindrical housing. The housing has a flow transition zone, a proximal orifice / ball seat, a ball with a
specific weight that equals or is close to the
specific weight of the surrounding fluid, and a distal retaining screen. The housing can have a
flange provided on the outside of the housing at one end to facilitate securing the valve in a
pipe. The valve is self-cleaning, can be placed in any orientation in a
pipe and has low hydraulic head-loss. The valve's unique cost-effective design provides for easy and relative quick installation, eliminates the need to reconfigure existing plumbing, and can be performance tested remotely. Properly installed, it can dramatically improve the security of, for example,
potable water sources in a building or other context, and inasmuch as when installed it is not visible, it is tamper proof. The valve can be scaled to any size
pipe or tube, and due to its internal flow dynamics is
self cleaning. Multiple valves can be installed in series, and balls of varying
specific weight can be used in each valve in such a series to allow for contexts where a range of fluids are sent through the same line, or to provide fail-
safe operation in the event that contaminants change the
specific gravity of the fluid.