Backflow testing in Phoenix

Who has to test in Phoenix

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

• City of Phoenix Water Services: The customer must test all backflow prevention assemblies at least once a year, and the P&D Director may require more frequent testing. Fire line assemblies need an initial and annual test by a certified tester that includes a full flow test.
• City of Mesa Water Resources: Commercial and industrial customers and homes with dedicated landscape meters must install, test and maintain backflow prevention assemblies under Mesa ordinance and state rule R18-4-215.
• City of Chandler Water Quality: All backflow prevention devices on city potable water service lines that serve as secondary containment must be tested annually; devices on reclaimed water services are exempt.
• City of Scottsdale Water Resources: Scottsdale's Cross-connection Control Program requires approved assemblies on all plumbing systems per city codes; commercial customers must have assemblies inspected annually and are notified by mail when due.
• City of Glendale Water Services: Glendale City Code Chapter 33 requires installation, testing and maintenance of approved backflow devices at every service connection, and commercial customers must have assemblies inspected annually.
• EPCOR Water Arizona: A certified tester must test each backflow prevention assembly on installation, after cleaning, repair or overhaul, when relocated, annually, and when the regulator requires it. Installation, maintenance and testing are the customer's responsibility.

Sources: City of Phoenix Water Services; City of Mesa Water Resources; City of Chandler Water Quality; City of Scottsdale Water Resources; City of Glendale Water Services; EPCOR Water Arizona

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 Phoenix

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

• City of Mesa Water Resources: Failure to submit testing records on time results in a Backflow Compliance Late Fee (amount in the Utility Service Fees schedule) and possible civil sanction.
• City of Glendale Water Services: Glendale requires a backflow installation permit for all new installations, retrofits and replacements, and will not accept reports on new or replaced assemblies without a permit and inspection. No fee amount is stated.

Sources: City of Mesa Water Resources; City of Glendale Water Services

If the test is missed

• City of Phoenix Water Services: Testers face a written warning after ten verified incomplete or inaccurate reports in a year, then a three month and a six month suspension from the testers list for further incidents; false results can mean permanent removal.
• City of Mesa Water Resources: A tester who fails to submit a report within ten business days gets a warning, then a 6 month suspension, a 1 year suspension, and permanent revocation; if the delay causes a customer late fee, suspension starts at the first offence.
• City of Chandler Water Quality: If passing test reports are not received by the compliance date, water service is shut off on the following working day.
• City of Scottsdale Water Resources: Testers who do not follow the requirements may be removed from the Backflow Tester List and have testing in Scottsdale suspended.
• City of Glendale Water Services: Problem, incomplete, false or unsigned reports and unpermitted installations can bring a written warning, then a three month and a six month suspension from the recognized testers list.

Sources: City of Phoenix Water Services; City of Mesa Water Resources; City of Chandler Water Quality; City of Scottsdale Water Resources; City of Glendale Water Services

Arizona rules behind the local programs

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

• 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.
• 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.

Sources: Arizona rule; Arizona rule; Arizona rule