Cleveland Water: backflow testing rules
Serves Cleveland, OH and surrounding Cuyahoga County communities. Every point below comes from Cleveland Water's own pages, linked; check your notice for your own deadline.
Who must test
- Backflow prevention devices are required on all commercial water service connections and on residential connections with irrigation systems, fire sprinkler systems, and pools or hot tubs with automatic fill valves. Source.
- A certified plumber must test required backflow devices every year. Source.
- All commercial and residential lawn irrigation systems need a PVB or RP assembly and require annual testing at system start up in spring or summer. Source.
Notices and deadlines
- Cleveland Water notifies customers by mail when their device requires testing. Source.
How the report is filed
- Cleveland Water contracts with Backflow Solutions Inc. (BSI); plumbers must submit test results through BSI Online. Source.
Tester registration
- Testing must be performed by a person holding a valid State of Ohio certificate of competence to test backflow prevention devices, following current Ohio Department of Commerce test procedures. Source.
If a test is missed
- If passing test results are not submitted, the customer's water service may be interrupted. Source.
Program
- Cleveland Water requires backflow prevention devices in compliance with Ohio EPA regulations and tracks testing data through a contractor. Source.
How to file your backflow test with Cleveland Water
- Read your notice. Cleveland Water notifies customers by mail when their device requires testing.Source.
- Book a tester Cleveland Water accepts. See finding a tester below; book early so there is time to repair a failed assembly.
- The tester tests the assembly and fills in the test report. A failed assembly is repaired and tested again.
- The report is filed. Cleveland Water contracts with Backflow Solutions Inc. (BSI); plumbers must submit test results through BSI Online.Source.
- Keep a copy and set a reminder for next year. Set a free test-due reminder.
Finding a tester Cleveland Water accepts
We found no tester list on Cleveland Water's own pages. Use a state certified tester, and check your notice in case it names the testers or the portal it accepts.
Before you book, ask the tester:
- Are you registered with Cleveland Water?
- Will you file the report in BSI Online for me, and pay or pass on any filing fee?
- 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
- City of Columbus Division of Water
- Greater Cincinnati Water Works
- City of Canton Water Department
- City of Dayton Water
- City of Toledo Division of Water
- Del-Co Water Company
Read October 6, 2026. Program page: clevelandwater.com.