Arizona backflow testing rules
Arizona Administrative Code R18-4-215 (Department of Environmental Quality, Safe Drinking Water rules) makes each public water system protect itself from backflow by requiring installation and periodic testing of backflow prevention assemblies; the water system runs the local program. Rule text read from the Cornell LII copy because the official Secretary of State and ADEQ sites block automated access.
Who sets the rules in Arizona
R18-4-215(E): the minimum protection level follows Section 7.2 of the USC Manual of Cross-Connection Control (Ninth Edition); a water system may require a higher level.
R18-4-215(I): the person directly responsible for the backflow program of a water system serving more than 50,000 people must be licensed as a cross-connection control program specialist by CA-NV AWWA, the ASETT Center or another ADEQ-approved certifying authority.
City of Phoenix program page; it cites Arizona Administrative Code R18-4-215, the Phoenix Uniform Plumbing Code sections 602 and 603, and Phoenix City Code Chapter 37, Article XII.
Sources: State rule requires every public water system to require backflow assemblies and periodic tests; Phoenix runs a containment backflow program under its plumbing code
Is an annual test required?
R18-4-215(F): each required assembly is tested at least annually, or more often if the water system or ADEQ directs.
R18-4-215(F): an assembly may not be placed in service until it has been tested and works as designed; a defective assembly must be repaired or replaced.
Which properties need a backflow preventer
R18-4-215(B)(1): the listed substances include chemicals, chemical or biological process waters and water that has entered a fire sprinkler system.
R18-4-215(B)(2), (B)(3) and (B)(4): an assembly is also required where an unprotected cross-connection exists or occurred before, or where restricted access prevents adequate cross-connection inspections.
R18-4-215(B)(1).
R18-4-215(C).
R18-4-215(E)(2)(d): irrigation-only use, installed per the manufacturer, no backpressure and no chemigation; otherwise a reduced pressure principle (RP) assembly is required.
Source: Assembly required where a substance harmful to health is handled
Who may do the test
R18-4-215(F)(2): testing is done by a person currently certified as a general tester by the California-Nevada Section of AWWA, the Arizona State Environmental Technical Training (ASETT) Center, or another certifying authority ADEQ approves.
Source: Tester must hold a current general tester certification from a recognized body
How the test report is filed
R18-4-215(F)(1): the water system notifies the water user when testing is due and sets the date by which the test must be done and the results forwarded to it.
R18-4-215(G): records include each assembly's location, test dates, repairs and the tester's name and certificate number, and are available to ADEQ on request.
Source: The water system sends the customer a notice with the test deadline; results go to the water system
If a test is missed
R18-4-215(E)(1): a water system may make a required assembly a condition of service.
Source: Failure to install a required assembly is cause to end water service
Finding a tester
In Phoenix, the city's Backflow Prevention Program (Planning and Development Department) posts a Backflow Tester List, tester requirements and the test report form on its program page. Other Arizona water systems run their own programs.
Common questions
Is backflow testing required every year in Arizona?
R18-4-215(F): each required assembly is tested at least annually, or more often if the water system or ADEQ directs.