City of Phoenix Water Services (Backflow Prevention Program, Planning and Development): backflow testing rules

Who must test

• 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. Source.
• All testing and repairs of backflow assemblies must be done by a tester who has met the city's requirements and has been placed on its list of certified testers. The customer submits an original test certification report for each assembly. Source.

Notices and deadlines

• The test report must be sent to the Planning and Development Department by the due date shown on the work order, on a city-approved form; the customer keeps records for at least three years. Source.

How the report is filed

• Original signed test reports are emailed to Backflow.Prevention@phoenix.gov or mailed to City of Phoenix Backflow Prevention, 438 West Adams Street, Phoenix, AZ 85003. No third-party portal is named. Source.

Tester registration

• Each testing company and tester must give the city: tester competency certification, the annual test gauge calibration report, an Arizona contractor's licence (not needed if only testing), and a City of Phoenix Privilege License. Expired documents can remove a tester from the Active list. Source.
• No test gauge may be used unless it passed a calibration test within the 12 months before the test report date, and each testing company sends the city an original calibration report for each gauge. Source.
• A tester who completes all requirements is placed on the city list for 12 months, and renewal applications are due no less than 60 days before the term expires. Source.
• New test companies submit a tester application per tester, a City of Phoenix Privilege (sales tax) License, tester and repairer certificates and test kit calibrations; a company that only tests can submit a signed letter instead of a contractor's licence. Source.

Approved testers

• The program page links a Backflow Tester List under Resources for Backflow Testers. not downloaded). Source.

If a test is missed

• 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. Source.
• Water service can be terminated immediately for a health hazard; otherwise the Water Services Director gives ten days written notice before termination, and all costs and penalties must be paid before service is restored. Source.

Program

• The City of Phoenix enforces a containment (secondary) backflow prevention program to protect its public water supply; the program sits in the Planning and Development Department. Source.

How to file your backflow test with City of Phoenix Water Services

1. Read your notice. The test report must be sent to the Planning and Development Department by the due date shown on the work order, on a city-approved form; the customer keeps records for at least three years.Source.
2. Book a tester City of Phoenix Water Services 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. Original signed test reports are emailed to Backflow.Prevention@phoenix.gov or mailed to City of Phoenix Backflow Prevention, 438 West Adams Street, Phoenix, AZ 85003. No third-party portal is named.Source.
5. Keep a copy and set a reminder for next year. Set a free test-due reminder.

Finding a tester City of Phoenix Water Services accepts

City of Phoenix Water Services publishes its own list of approved testers, and we load it. The 254 companies from it carry a "Utility-Approved Tester" badge on their cards here. See the utility's list.

Before you book, ask the tester:

• Are you registered with City of Phoenix Water Services, and on its current list?
• 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 Arizona

• Tucson Water
• City of Mesa Water Resources
• City of Chandler Water Quality
• City of Scottsdale Water Resources
• City of Glendale Water Services
• EPCOR Water Arizona

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

Backflow testers near Phoenix

What the badges mean

✓ AZ Certified Backflow Tester Verified

A state roster lists at least one certified tester at this business, with a current certificate. The state sets the exam and renewal.

✓ AZ Utility-Approved Tester Verified On the city list

The company is on a water utility's own approved list (the second badge names the list). That is the utility's approval, not a state license, and it counts for that utility.

3 certified testers

How many certified testers the roster lists at this business.

★ 4.8 (25 reviews)

The Google rating, shown as Google reports it. It does not change the order.

Order is by our quality score, never by payment. How we verify listings.

All testers near Phoenix · Arizona roster