Pittsburgh Water (PWSA): backflow testing rules
Serves Pittsburgh, PA. Every point below comes from Pittsburgh Water (PWSA)'s own pages, linked; check your notice for your own deadline.
Who must test
- Property owners must test existing backflow devices at least every 12 months and again after any repair. Source.
Notices and deadlines
- Owners who receive a non-compliance letter hire a certified tester and email the backflow team for a PIN for the device so results can be filed online. Source.
How the report is filed
- Testers file results through Pittsburgh Water's Backflow Test Submission Portal (backflow.pgh2o.com) and get an email when staff approve them; paper submissions are no longer accepted. Source.
Tester registration
- Results must come from an ASSE certified tester, who uploads the ASSE certification and a calibration certificate for each test kit when opening a portal account. Source.
Approved testers
- Pittsburgh Water does not publish its own list; it links the ASSE certified tester search at forms.iapmo.org (not used). Source.
If a test is missed
- If Pittsburgh Water does not receive test results, water service may be terminated. Source.
Program
- Pittsburgh Water requires a backflow prevention device on every commercial property waterline, under Part III, Section B of its tariff rules. Source.
How to file your backflow test with Pittsburgh Water
- Read your notice. Owners who receive a non-compliance letter hire a certified tester and email the backflow team for a PIN for the device so results can be filed online.Source.
- Book a tester Pittsburgh 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. Testers file results through Pittsburgh Water's Backflow Test Submission Portal (backflow.pgh2o.com) and get an email when staff approve them; paper submissions are no longer accepted.Source.
- Keep a copy and set a reminder for next year. Set a free test-due reminder.
Finding a tester Pittsburgh Water accepts
Pittsburgh Water keeps its register of testers in an online lookup on forms.iapmo.org. We link it and do not copy it, because it changes as testers register. Open the lookup. The testers on this site hold a state certificate; registration with Pittsburgh Water is a separate step.
Before you book, ask the tester:
- Are you registered with Pittsburgh Water?
- 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
- Philadelphia Water Department
- Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority
- Lehigh County Authority
- Pennsylvania American Water
Read October 6, 2026. Program page: pgh2o.com.