City of Canton Water Department: backflow testing rules

Who must test

• Pressure vacuum breakers, double checks and reduced pressure assemblies must be inspected and tested at installation and at least once a year after that; the customer pays for testing and repairs. Source.

How the report is filed

• After each test or repair a report goes to the Canton Water Department engineering office with device details, test results and repairs. Submitted reports must be complete and legible. Source.

Tester registration

• Testers must prove their competency to the Canton Water Department and hold a current Ohio Department of Commerce certificate or an Operators Training Committee of Ohio certificate. Source.

Approved testers

• To find a certified tester, the backflow page sends customers to the city's list of registered plumbing contractors at cantonohio.gov (not downloaded). Source.

If a test is missed

• If corrections are not made in the time allowed, the customer gets a certified letter of intent to terminate service, and termination starts ten days after receipt unless the work is finished first. Source.

Program

• The Canton Water Department's cross connection policy (revised October 28, 2022) requires a customer supplied backflow device at the service connection, either a reduced pressure zone assembly or a double check, as the superintendent decides. Source.

How to file your backflow test with City of Canton Water Department

1. Read your notice. It names the assembly, its location and the date the report is due.
2. Book a tester City of Canton Water Department accepts. See finding a tester below; book early so there is time to repair a failed assembly.
3. The tester tests the assembly and fills in the test report. A failed assembly is repaired and tested again.
4. The report is filed. After each test or repair a report goes to the Canton Water Department engineering office with device details, test results and repairs. Submitted reports must be complete and legible.Source.
5. Keep a copy and set a reminder for next year. Set a free test-due reminder.

Finding a tester City of Canton Water Department accepts

City of Canton Water Department posts a list of testers it accepts on cantonohio.gov. Open the list. The testers on this site hold a state certificate; check the list or ask the tester whether City of Canton Water Department accepts them.

Before you book, ask the tester:

• Are you registered with City of Canton Water Department?
• Will you send the test report to the utility for me, and how?
• When is my report due? The date is on your notice; the tester needs time to test, repair if needed and file.

Other water utilities in Ohio

• Cleveland Water
• City of Columbus Division of Water
• Greater Cincinnati Water Works
• City of Dayton Water
• City of Toledo Division of Water
• Del-Co Water Company

Read October 6, 2026. Program page: cantonohio.gov.