DC Water (District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority): backflow testing rules

Who must test

• Water customers must contract with DC Water approved backflow service providers for installation, annual testing and maintenance of their backflow prevention assemblies, and allow DC Water cross-connection site inspections. Source.
• For homeowners, cross-connection risk usually comes from systems such as a pool with submerged inlets or an irrigation system. Source.

Notices and deadlines

• A BPA deadline extension request (30 or 60 days) can be refused if it is not submitted 10 calendar days before the existing deadline; DC Water answers in writing within 14 calendar days. Source.

How the report is filed

• DC Water's Acquaa Portal, launched June 2024, is used to submit BPA installation and inspection (test) results for residential and commercial customers. It replaced the BPA module of the Third-Party Portal (3PP). Source.

Tester registration

• A backflow service provider must obtain approval from DC Water to inspect and test backflow prevention assemblies and survey sites, and reports results to DC Water. Source.
• Listed BPA service providers are independently certified, registered on DC Water's portal and instructed on submitting inspections; only listed providers may submit results to bring a BPA into compliance. Source.
• When registering on the Acquaa portal, providers enter licence, BPA certificate and test kit details and upload supporting documents; inspectors give the test gauge serial number and last calibration date and upload the gauge calibration report. Source.
• The Acquaa registration form requires inspectors to upload an electronic copy of their test gauge calibration report. Source.

Fees

• DC Water's fee schedule lists a Cross-Connection/Back Flow Prevention Monthly Fee of $6.20 per backflow prevention assembly per month; residential fire sprinkler assemblies are exempt (per the BPA fee FAQ). Source.
• Only customers with testable assemblies pay the backflow prevention assembly fee, and assemblies on residential fire sprinkler systems are exempt. Source.

Approved testers

• DC Water publishes its approved BPA service providers list (Excel and PDF), updated monthly, with columns for commercial and residential installations and inspections and hydrant BPA tests. not downloaded. Source.

How to file your backflow test with DC Water

1. Read your notice. A BPA deadline extension request (30 or 60 days) can be refused if it is not submitted 10 calendar days before the existing deadline; DC Water answers in writing within 14 calendar days.Source.
2. Book a tester DC Water 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. DC Water's Acquaa Portal, launched June 2024, is used to submit BPA installation and inspection (test) results for residential and commercial customers. It replaced the BPA module of the Third-Party Portal (3PP).Source.
5. Fees. DC Water's fee schedule lists a Cross-Connection/Back Flow Prevention Monthly Fee of $6.20 per backflow prevention assembly per month; residential fire sprinkler assemblies are exempt (per the BPA fee FAQ). Source.
6. Keep a copy and set a reminder for next year. Set a free test-due reminder.

Finding a tester DC Water accepts

DC Water posts a list of testers it accepts on dcwater.com. Open the list. The testers on this site hold a state certificate; check the list or ask the tester whether DC Water accepts them.

Before you book, ask the tester:

• Are you registered with DC Water?
• Will you file the report in Acquaa 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.

Read October 6, 2026. Program page: dcwater.com.

Backflow testers near Washington

What the badges mean

✓ DC 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.

✓ DC 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 Washington · District of Columbia roster