Backflow testing in Kansas City

Who has to test in Kansas City

The rule depends on the utility that sends your water bill. Each line below is from that utility's own page.

• Kansas City Water: Annual operational test and certified inspection of all backflow devices, including fire protection, lawn irrigation, and other water service lines connected to the distribution system. Customers with a lawn sprinkler, fire line or extra service line must have a device.
• Lee's Summit Water Utilities: Hazard list on the page includes in-ground lawn sprinklers, pools, boilers and fire protection systems.
• Blue Springs Water Utilities: Annual test applies to residential and commercial assemblies.
• Jackson County Public Water Supply District #1: Page also lists irrigation systems needing approved devices.
• WaterOne: These connections require a backflow prevention assembly (BPA). Single-family residential customers are not listed on this commercial page.
• City of Gladstone: The city's Working Together for Safe Water brochure says backflow preventers must be tested at least once each year and dismantled, inspected and cleaned every five years.

Sources: Kansas City Water; Lee's Summit Water Utilities; Blue Springs Water Utilities; Jackson County Public Water Supply District #1; WaterOne; City of Gladstone

How each utility takes the test report

Most utilities here take the report online through a vendor portal; the tester files it. Open a utility for its own deadline, filing steps and fees.

What testing costs in Kansas City

These are amounts the utility or a company published on its own page, shown as published, never averaged.

• Kansas City Water: Transaction fee of $1.50 per test submission when fewer than five tests are submitted. The page does not say who is billed.
• Kansas City Water: Transaction fee of $1.00 per test submission when five or more tests are submitted.
• A Backflow Testing Service LLC, Kansas City area (city not stated on page): A Backflow Testing Service residential test price, $60.00 (date not shown (footer copyright 2018)).
• A Backflow Testing Service LLC, Kansas City area (city not stated on page): A Backflow Testing Service commercial test price, $80.00 (date not shown (footer copyright 2018)).
• A Backflow Testing Service LLC (reporting Blue Springs MO fee), Blue Springs: Blue Springs MO report fee passed through by tester, $7.95 (date not shown (footer copyright 2018)).

Sources: Kansas City Water; Kansas City Water; A Backflow Testing Service LLC, Kansas City area (city not stated on page); A Backflow Testing Service LLC, Kansas City area (city not stated on page); A Backflow Testing Service LLC (reporting Blue Springs MO fee), Blue Springs

If the test is missed

• WaterOne: WaterOne may suspend water to a premise that poses a health risk.
• City of Gladstone: If annual reports are not received within 60 days after the anniversary date, the city notifies the customer and the Missouri DNR.

Sources: WaterOne; City of Gladstone

Missouri rules behind the local programs

State rules set the minimum; the utilities above add their own deadlines and tester registration.

• State rule requires annual testing of reduced pressure principle (RPZ) assemblies by a certified tester, by a date no later than 30 days past the supplier's anniversary date.
• State rule requires annual testing of double check valve assemblies by a certified tester, by a date no later than 30 days past the supplier's anniversary date.
• Air gaps must be inspected each year, no later than 30 days past the anniversary date set by the supplier.

Sources: Missouri rule; Missouri rule; Missouri rule