San Jose Water: backflow testing rules
Serves San Jose area, Santa Clara County, CA. Every point below comes from San Jose Water's own pages, linked; check your notice for your own deadline.
Who must test
- Backflow devices are required on fire services and some domestic services, and testing and recordkeeping are required on all backflow preventers at least once a year. Source.
- SJW currently performs complimentary testing for all customers. Source.
Notices and deadlines
- Starting January 1, 2027, because of state regulation changes, SJW will stop routine testing of customer-owned assemblies, and customers must arrange and pay for annual testing by a certified tester by the deadline SJW gives. Source.
How the report is filed
- Before a 2027 test is due, SJW will send the assemblies to be tested, the testing deadline, instructions and requirements for submitting the completed test report. Source.
Tester registration
- Owners must make sure assemblies and air gaps are installed, maintained and tested annually by certified backflow prevention assembly testers or cross-connection control specialists. Source.
Approved testers
- SJW keeps a list of approved testers and provides it on request; it is not posted as a file on the program page. Source.
Read October 6, 2026. Program page: sjwater.com.