City of San Diego Public Utilities Department: backflow testing rules

Who must test

• All 1.5-inch and larger meters for multi-family and commercial or industrial service, and dedicated irrigation meters of any size, must have a backflow prevention assembly at each meter. Source.
• All backflow devices must be tested every year, at installation and any time the assembly is depressurized, by a City approved tester. Source.

Notices and deadlines

• Courtesy reminders go out 30 days and 15 days before the due date, and a five-day notice of water service termination is mailed on the due date. Source.

How the report is filed

• Approved testers submit and certify test reports in the C3 Tester Portal (Salesforce based); no paper copies are needed after a successful submission. Source.

Tester registration

• Testers certified by AWWA (CA-NV) or ABPA must attend a City Tester Orientation (held January and July) and provide current gauge calibration and tester certification copies. Source.

Fees

• There is no fee to be on the City's tester list; anyone with AWWA or ABPA certification can apply. Source.

Approved testers

• The program page links the City of San Diego Approved List of Backflow Testers. PDF, not downloaded). Source.

If a test is missed

• Failure to install and maintain a backflow device may lead to code enforcement, including fines and water service termination until compliance. Source.

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

Certified backflow testers near San Diego

All certified testers near San Diego · California roster