Hawaii backflow testing rules
The County of Hawaii Department of Water Supply says backflow prevention is required by the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, by the State of Hawaii's Water System Standards and by the Department's own Rules and Regulations.
Who sets the rules in Hawaii
Source: Backflow prevention is required at federal, state and county level
Is an annual test required?
On the Island of Hawaii, the Department of Water Supply's Rules and Regulations (Section 3-21) require every backflow prevention assembly to be inspected and tested when it is first installed.
The County of Hawaii Department of Water Supply requires every backflow prevention assembly to be inspected and tested yearly, repaired if needed and retested before it goes back into service.
Backflow prevention assemblies at wastewater facilities on the Island of Hawaii must be inspected and tested every 4 months.
On Oahu, the Honolulu Board of Water Supply runs an annual backflow prevention assembly testing program, in line with EPA and Hawaii Department of Health rules.
Sources: Hawaii County: tested at installation; Honolulu: annual testing program
Which properties need a backflow preventer
The County of Hawaii Department of Water Supply requires a backflow prevention assembly for agricultural, construction, commercial and government users, irrigation and sprinkler systems, auxiliary water sources such as catchment tanks and pools, master-metered buildings and other non-residential sites.
On the Island of Hawaii, a home needs a backflow prevention assembly when it has any of those conditions or another potential hazard, such as a pressurized system.
On Oahu, backflow requirements for irrigation systems at single-family homes are set by the City's Department of Planning and Permitting, not the Board of Water Supply.
Sources: Hawaii County: who must install an assembly; Honolulu: home irrigation is a permitting matter
Who may do the test
On the Island of Hawaii, the inspection and test must be done by a Certified General Tester acceptable to the Department of Water Supply, which keeps a list of approved testers.
The Honolulu Board of Water Supply says a Certified Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester must test a newly installed assembly and fill out the installation and test form.
The Honolulu Board of Water Supply no longer runs its own tester course; people who want to become certified testers are pointed to the 5-day class at the PAMCAH Training Workshop.
Certified testers who need to recertify can do so through the PAMCAH Training Workshop or the American Backflow Prevention Association (ABPA), the Honolulu Board of Water Supply says.
Sources: Hawaii County: a Certified General Tester the Department accepts; Honolulu: a certified tester tests new assemblies
How the test report is filed
On the Island of Hawaii, test, repair and inspection records go on the Department of Water Supply's forms, and the customer must send the Department a copy.
On Oahu, the assembly owner signs the test form the tester fills out, keeps a copy and sends the completed form to the Board of Water Supply's Cross-Connection Control Section by mail, fax or email.
Sources: Hawaii County: records go to the Department; Honolulu: the owner signs and sends the form
If a test is missed
On the Island of Hawaii, failing to have the required tests done and records sent in can lead to water service being shut off.
Where there is no immediate hazard, the County of Hawaii Department of Water Supply first sends a letter giving 30 calendar days to fix the problem, then a second letter giving five days before service is shut off.
On Oahu, failing to install the required type of backflow prevention assembly can lead to water service being shut off under the Board of Water Supply's Rules and Regulations, Section 2-213.
Sources: Hawaii County: missed tests can end service; Honolulu: a missing assembly can end service
Finding a tester
The Honolulu Board of Water Supply keeps a database of permitted assemblies on Oahu; when a test is due it notifies the customer and sends a list of certified testers. Scheduling the test is the customer's job.
Common questions
Is backflow testing required every year in Hawaii?
On Hawaii's two largest water systems, yes. The County of Hawaii Department of Water Supply requires every assembly to be tested at installation and every year after, and the Honolulu Board of Water Supply runs an annual testing program on Oahu.