Backflow Prevention: Why Your Business Needs Annual Certification & Testing

Protecting the City Water Supply from Cross-Contamination

Every commercial enterprise—from restaurants and dry cleaners to dental clinics and multi-tenant office complexes—has specialized equipment connected to the public potable water supply. Without functioning backflow prevention assemblies, a sudden pressure drop in the municipal main could siphon hazardous chemicals, fertilizers, bacteria, and greywater back into the city's clean drinking lines.

How Backflow Occurs: Back-Siphonage vs. Backpressure

• Back-Siphonage: Occurs when negative atmospheric pressure (a vacuum) develops in the municipal supply, such as when firefighters connect high-volume pumper trucks to a nearby hydrant or during a catastrophic water main break.
• Backpressure: Occurs when the downstream plumbing system generates higher pressure than the incoming city main—often caused by commercial boilers, booster pumps, or pressurized chemical wash systems.

Annual Certification Requirements

Under the Safe Drinking Water Act and state plumbing statutes, commercial property owners are legally required to have their backflow assemblies inspected, tested, and certified annually by a licensed ASSE-certified backflow tester. Failing to submit annual testing documentation to your municipal water purveyor will result in hefty fines and eventual water service termination.

Schedule Your Certified Annual Test

Connect Plumber partners with certified backflow technicians who conduct calibrated differential pressure testing, complete required state reporting paperwork, and carry common rebuild parts for Watts, Wilkins, and Conbraco valves. Learn more in our Commercial Plumbing Services or call (833) 997-7008.