Backflow testing in Nashville

Who has to test in Nashville

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

• Metro Water Services: MWS (not a private tester) performs the annual inspection and schedules geographically.
• White House Utility District: Customer installs and maintains; the district performs the annual test.
• Consolidated Utility District of Rutherford County: CUD requires all backflow prevention devices to be tested annually, including irrigation backflow devices on customer property.
• Water Authority of Dickson County: All backflow assemblies protecting the Water Authority of Dickson County must be tested every 12 months, more often where the hazard is great.
• Harpeth Valley Utilities District: All backflow devices are tested annually by Harpeth Valley Utilities District.
• Town of Smyrna Water System: Smyrna's program requires all testable backflow prevention devices to be tested once each year by a certified technician.

Sources: Metro Water Services; White House Utility District; Consolidated Utility District of Rutherford County; Water Authority of Dickson County; Harpeth Valley Utilities District; Town of Smyrna Water System

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 Nashville

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

• Metro Water Services: Normal business hours; charged on the water bill; price subject to change (page undated).
• Metro Water Services: Charged for each re-test visit after a failed inspection.
• White House Utility District: No specific fee amount in the policy.
• Consolidated Utility District of Rutherford County: All backflows must be installed outside and above ground, and a permit must be pulled at CUD's office.
• Harpeth Valley Utilities District: HVUD's cross-connection control section has trained personnel who test the devices as needed without cost to the customer.

Sources: Metro Water Services; Metro Water Services; White House Utility District; Consolidated Utility District of Rutherford County; Harpeth Valley Utilities District

If the test is missed

• Consolidated Utility District of Rutherford County: If an irrigation system is turned on and not tested, water service can be disconnected until the device is tested, with a fine of up to $750.
• Water Authority of Dickson County: Any assembly not tested within the 12 month period is deemed not approved with a status of Failed, and the customer is notified it is out of compliance.
• Harpeth Valley Utilities District: Customers are given thirty days to make cross-connection corrections; on non-compliance HVUD takes immediate steps to discontinue water service until corrections are made.

Sources: Consolidated Utility District of Rutherford County; Water Authority of Dickson County; Harpeth Valley Utilities District

Tennessee rules behind the local programs

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

• The rule itself (0400-45-01-.17(6)) mentions testing results in records but sets no frequency. TDEC's Cross-Connection Control Manual (guidance only, Feb 2025) says assemblies should be tested at least every 12 months and the water purveyor enforces it.
• TDEC Division of Water Supply criteria in the manual tell water purveyors to see that assemblies are tested after installation and at least annually.
• The TDEC manual states it is guidance only and does not create legal rights or obligations; binding force comes from the rule plus each system's approved ordinance.

Sources: Tennessee rule; Tennessee rule; Tennessee rule