Philadelphia Water Department Backflow Testing: Rules and...

Who must test

The regulations require a City approved backflow assembly at all domestic and fire service connections, installed by a City certified technician; an RP is generally required on domestic lines and a DC is generally allowed on fire sprinkler lines without chemicals. Source.
All containment devices (DC and RP assemblies) must be tested immediately on installation, immediately after each repair, and annually after that. Source.

Notices and deadlines

Assemblies that fail PWD performance standards must be repaired or replaced and retested within 14 days of the first test. Source.

How the report is filed

Test reports are documented on the Backflow Prevention Assembly Test and Maintenance Record (Form 79-770) and must be sent within 48 hours of completion to the Industrial Waste and Backflow Compliance Unit. Source.
The test form lists email CCC.BLS@PHILA.GOV and fax (215) 333-9453 for submission. Source.

Tester registration

To be a City Certified Backflow Technician a person needs a City Master Plumbers License or City Fire Suppression Contractor License plus backflow certification from NEWWA or ASSE, then applies to the IWBC Unit (Form CR-100). Source.

Fees

A permit (Form CP-100) from L&I is required for any containment assembly on a City service connection, and only City Certified Backflow Technicians can apply for it. Source.

Approved testers

PWD publishes City-Certified technician lists for domestic water systems and fire sprinkler systems, updated weekly. PDF, not downloaded). Source.

If a test is missed

The IWBC Unit enforces testing as it reviews accounts and issues notices to non-compliant accounts as a prelude to further enforcement. Source.

How to file your backflow test with Philadelphia Water Department

Read your notice. Assemblies that fail PWD performance standards must be repaired or replaced and retested within 14 days of the first test.Source.
Book a tester Philadelphia Water Department 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. Test reports are documented on the Backflow Prevention Assembly Test and Maintenance Record (Form 79-770) and must be sent within 48 hours of completion to the Industrial Waste and Backflow Compliance Unit.Source.
Fees. A permit (Form CP-100) from L&I is required for any containment assembly on a City service connection, and only City Certified Backflow Technicians can apply for it. Source.
Keep a copy and set a reminder for next year. Set a free test-due reminder.

Finding a tester Philadelphia Water Department accepts

Philadelphia Water Department publishes its own list of approved testers, and we load it. The 47 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 Philadelphia Water Department, 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 Pennsylvania

Read October 6, 2026. Program page: water.phila.gov.

Backflow testers near Philadelphia

What the badges mean

✓ PA 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.
✓ PA 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.