Backflow testing in Tampa Bay

Who has to test in Tampa Bay

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

• City of Tampa Water Department: Devices are required where the Water Department identifies a backflow potential, including all commercial, industrial and multi-family facilities, properties on both potable and reclaimed water, properties with a well or pond, and in-ground irrigation.
• Hillsborough County Public Utilities: Every property owner with a backflow assembly must have it tested once a year, and the owner must repair or replace any assembly that fails.
• Pinellas County Utilities: The county installs backflow assemblies on properties with reclaimed water available, on commercial properties, for rebate program participants and on firelines at designated properties.
• Pasco County Utilities: All backflow preventers must be tested right after installation or repair and then every year. The property owner pays for testing, since the county does not own private assemblies.

Sources: City of Tampa Water Department; Hillsborough County Public Utilities; Pinellas County Utilities; Pasco County Utilities

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 Tampa Bay

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

• Pinellas County Utilities: Customers pay a bimonthly backflow assembly charge on the water bill: $3.18 for residential, $11.67 for commercial or small fireline, and about $31 for large commercial assemblies.

Source: Pinellas County Utilities

If the test is missed

• City of Tampa Water Department: A defective device must be serviced or replaced within 15 days, then retested with results sent to SwiftComply.
• Pinellas County Utilities: Where a cross connection exists, potable water service may be terminated until it is resolved, inspected and approved; code violations may also bring fines and damages.
• Pasco County Utilities: If an assembly fails its annual test, the owner must hire a professional to repair or replace it within 10 days, to current county standards.

Sources: City of Tampa Water Department; Pinellas County Utilities; Pasco County Utilities

Florida rules behind the local programs

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

• The rule says each CWS's written plan must specify test frequency, and sets a floor: assemblies required at non-residential service connections (any connection other than a residential one as defined in the rule) are tested after installation or repair and at least annually. The frequency is set inside each CWS's plan but may not be less strict than this floor.
• Assemblies required at residential service connections (two inches or less, building containing only dwelling units, including dedicated irrigation or fire connections) are tested at least every two years, not annually.
• The state requires each CWS's plan to set the frequency, tester qualifications and test procedures, so details differ by utility.

Sources: Florida rule; Florida rule; Florida rule