Arkansas backflow testing rules
Arkansas 20 CAR 140-115 (Rules Pertaining to Public Water Systems, State Board of Health, adopted Aug 1 2019) prohibits unsafe connections and requires service to be terminated at a cross-connection unless an ADH-approved backflow device is installed. It does not itself set a program, annual test, or tester rule.
Who sets the rules in Arkansas
Part 140 applies to all public water systems with at least 15 service connections or serving an average of at least 25 individuals daily at least 60 days a year.
20 CAR 140-115(b)(1) bars supplying domestic water to any device or connection that may permit contamination by backsiphonage or backflow.
Hot Springs Water Utilities states ADH in 1995 amended the public water system rules and mandated that all public water utilities institute a Cross-Connection Control Program (utility document, not the rule text).
Sources: State rule on cross connections for public water systems; Rule covers all public water systems with 15 connections or 25 people; Utility describes ADH 1995 mandate for cross-connection programs
Is an annual test required?
Hot Springs Utilities says state plumbing and health codes require RPZ assembly testing within 10 days of installation and annually thereafter. Utility statement; we did not find annual testing in Part 140 itself and the Arkansas Plumbing Code (ICC) text was not accessible.
Central Arkansas Water program requires a certified test within 10 days of installation and at intervals not to exceed one year; local authority may require more frequent tests for greater hazards.
Sources: Utility states state plumbing and health codes require RPZ test at 10 days and annually; Local programs set the frequency: Central Arkansas Water requires a test within a year
Which properties need a backflow preventer
Hot Springs Utilities treats underground irrigation as a high health hazard needing an RPZ assembly with annual testing (utility rule, not state).
Central Arkansas Water manual (2024) says for residential lawn irrigation annual testing is recommended but not required at this time; commercial irrigation has stricter rules.
ADH cross-connection page uses residential lawn sprinkler contamination as its example; assemblies are described as testable RP and DC types.
Example: Central Arkansas Water classifies lawn irrigation with below-ground piping as High Hazard needing an air gap or RPZ assembly; Hot Springs requires RPZ for underground irrigation.
Sources: Hot Springs: underground irrigation requires installation and annual testing of RPZ assemblies; Local variance example: CAW says residential irrigation annual testing recommended not required; ADH overview names automatic lawn sprinklers as a backflow route
Who may do the test
Arkansas Plumbing Law exempts from plumber licensing an individual certifying or repairing backflow devices only if holding a certificate of competency from the ADH Plumbing and Natural Gas Section.
Hot Springs Utilities allows only personnel with Backflow Assembly Tester Technician certification from ADH, registered with the City, to test in its service area. Local registration is a utility rule.
Hot Springs notes only personnel with a valid licence from the Arkansas Fire Protection Licensing Board and the Health Department may test assemblies on fire protection systems.
Sources: State statute: certifying or repairing backflow devices needs ADH certificate of competency; Hot Springs: only ADH-certified testers registered with the city may test; Fire protection assemblies also need a state fire protection licence
How the test report is filed
Local rule: technicians submit test results to the Hot Springs Utilities Backflow Prevention Coordinator. No state-level report deadline found.
Source: Hot Springs: testers submit results to the utility coordinator
If a test is missed
20 CAR 140-115(b)(2): service to a connection with a cross-connection shall be terminated unless an approved backflow device is installed.
20 CAR 140-123 lets ADH assess administrative penalties for failure to comply with any part of Part 140 (aimed at the water system, not the customer).
Central Arkansas Water manual: customer failure to install, maintain and test an assembly is grounds for discontinuing water service.
Sources: State rule: service terminated at unprotected cross-connection; ADH may assess administrative penalties against public water systems; Local example: failure to test grounds for discontinuing water service (CAW)
Finding a tester
ADH Drinking Water Information for Arkansans page at www.ark.org/health/eng/xcon/xconlist0.htm lists licensed testers by county with an Excel download (roster not scraped).
ADH page hosting backflow tester/repair applications and the Public Plumbing License Search (roster at adhplumbinghvacrlookup.arkansas.gov, not scraped).
Sources: ADH publishes a list of licensed backflow preventer testers and repairmen by county; ADH Plumbing and Natural Gas page, includes Public Plumbing License Search
Common questions
Is backflow testing required every year in Arkansas?
Hot Springs Utilities says state plumbing and health codes require RPZ assembly testing within 10 days of installation and annually thereafter. Utility statement; we did not find annual testing in Part 140 itself and the Arkansas Plumbing Code (ICC) text was not accessible.