Backflow Testing Requirements in California

Frequency: annual

Penalty: medium — $200-$1,000 fine per LAMC §57.110.4; LADWP may suspend water service for non-compliance with backflow prevention program requirements.

Frequency: annual

Penalty: medium — $100-$500 fine per LBMC §9.65; Long Beach Water Department may restrict water service for continued non-compliance with cross-connection control requirements.

Frequency: annual

Penalty: medium — $100-$500 fine per PMC §1.26; Pasadena Water and Power may restrict water service for continued non-compliance with cross-connection control requirements.

Frequency: annual

Penalty: medium — $100-$500 fine per GMC §1.20.010(B); Glendale Water and Power may restrict water service for continued non-compliance with cross-connection control requirements.

Frequency: annual

Penalty: medium — $125-$500 fine per SMMC §1.09.040; Santa Monica Public Works may restrict water service for continued non-compliance with cross-connection control requirements.

Frequency: annual

Penalty: medium — Administrative citation under BMC 1-1-108.1: $100/$200/$500 per day escalation. Burbank Water and Power may suspend water service for non-compliance with backflow prevention requirements.

Frequency: annual

Penalty: medium — Administrative citation under ESMC Section 1-2-3: $100/$200/$500 per day escalation. West Basin Municipal Water District or Cal Water may suspend water service for non-compliance with backflow prevention requirements.

Frequency: annual

Penalty: medium — Administrative citation under Title 32 Section 109.4: $100-$1,000/day. Local water purveyor may suspend water service for non-compliance with backflow prevention requirements.

Frequency: annual

Penalty: high — Enforced by SFPUC (Water Quality Division). Citations up to $1,000/violation/day; each continuing day is a separate violation. 7-day written notice for unprotected cross-connections; water service termination if not abated. High-risk hazards: immediate shutoff without prior notice. Test reports due within 5 calendar days; failed tests reported by close of business same day. Tester must hold valid SFPUC Permit to Operate (CA-NV AWWA or ASSE cert, $2M liability insurance, calibrated test kit). All enforcement costs recoverable via water bill.

Frequency: annual

Penalty: high — Enforced by EBMUD (Backflow Prevention Group). Water service discontinued for unprotected cross-connections or failure to meet testing requirements. Service not restored until defects corrected and restoration charges paid. Only EBMUD-registered testers may submit reports (application fee $177, must pass EBMUD written/hands-on test with calibrated kit and attend tester orientation). All BPA costs are the customer's responsibility as of July 1, 2025.

Frequency: annual

Penalty: high — Enforced by Cal Water/SMCEH. Water service shutoff by Cal Water for failure to test per SMCEH requirements. San Mateo County Ordinance §4.72 authorizes enforcement actions. Tester must be certified by SMCEH (pass SMCEH-administered exam, CA-NV AWWA or equivalent cert, annual Cal Water tester meeting attendance). Test reports submitted to SMCEH; numbered backflow tag affixed to assembly after passing test. Cal Water CPUC Rule No. 16 authorizes disconnection after repeated non-compliance.

Frequency: annual

Penalty: high — Enforced by EBMUD (Backflow Prevention Group). Water service discontinued for unprotected cross-connections or failure to meet testing requirements. Service not restored until defects corrected and restoration charges paid. Only EBMUD-registered testers may submit reports (application fee $177, must pass EBMUD written/hands-on test with calibrated kit and attend tester orientation). All BPA costs are the customer's responsibility as of July 1, 2025.

Frequency: annual

Penalty: high — Enforced by ACWD (Alameda County Water District). ACWD Ordinance No. 2025-01 §6 authorizes denial or discontinuation of water service and installation/testing at customer's expense. Willful failure to install, bypass, alter, or refuse to maintain BPAs subjects customer to civil and criminal penalties to the maximum extent allowed by law. All enforcement costs charged to the customer. Tester must be on ACWD Approved Tester list (CA-NV AWWA, ABPA, or equivalent cert plus current gauge calibration).

Frequency: annual

Penalty: high — Enforced by Redwood City Water Division. Water service discontinuation authority per CCCPH §3.1.3(a)(1). Escalating notice process: courtesy notice, final notice, then meter lock or service interruption. Tester must hold CA-NV AWWA certification or recognized equivalent and be approved to work in Redwood City. Device must be installed within 18 inches behind property line.

Frequency: annual

Penalty: high — Enforced by EBMUD (Backflow Prevention Group). Water service discontinued for unprotected cross-connections or failure to meet testing requirements. Service not restored until defects corrected and restoration charges paid. Only EBMUD-registered testers may submit reports (application fee $177, must pass EBMUD written/hands-on test with calibrated kit and attend tester orientation). All BPA costs are the customer's responsibility as of July 1, 2025.

Frequency: annual

Penalty: high — Enforced by SJW (San Jose Water) and City of San Jose Municipal Water System. Per SJW Rule No. 16, water service discontinued if: (a) no approved BPA installed, (b) SJW denied access to evaluate premises, or (c) customer refuses to test/repair/replace faulty BPA. Muni Water (408-277-3671) has same authority for its service territory. SJW generally requires reduced-pressure (RP) assemblies. Tester must be on SJW/Muni Water approved tester list (CA-NV AWWA, ABPA, or equivalent cert). Service not restored until deficiencies corrected and charges paid.

Frequency: annual

Penalty: high — Enforced by City of Santa Clara Water & Sewer Utilities (Compliance Division). Water service discontinuation authority per CCCPH §3.1.3(a)(1) and Santa Clara Municipal Code Chapter 13.20. New BPAs must be tested within 10 working days of installation per SCMC §13.20.470. BPAs required for: residential fire sprinklers, 3+ story buildings, booster pump systems, premises with toxic/hazardous materials under pressure. Tester must be certified per CCCPH Article 4 (CA-NV AWWA, ABPA, or equivalent).

Frequency: annual

Penalty: high — Enforced by City of Sunnyvale Public Works (municipal water utility). Water service discontinuation authority per CCCPH §3.1.3(a)(1) and Sunnyvale Municipal Code Title 12, Chapter 12.24. Escalating notice process leading to service interruption for persistent non-compliance. Only testers on the City's approved list may perform tests; reports from unapproved companies not accepted. Tester must hold CA-NV AWWA certification or City-recognized equivalent.

Frequency: annual

Penalty: high — Enforced by CPAU (City of Palo Alto Utilities). Water service discontinuation authority per CCCPH §3.1.3(a)(1) and CA H&S Code §116555(a)(2). Non-compliance notices escalate from courtesy to final warning to service interruption. Customer may use any tester from CPAU's approved list. For fire service lines, Double Check assemblies may be allowed; all other new BPAs must be Reduced Pressure type. Tester must be certified per CCCPH Article 4. Contact: (650) 496-5926 or backflow@paloalto.gov.

Frequency: annual

Penalty: medium — Administrative citation under MVCC §14: $130/$700/$1,300 escalation. Water utility may suspend service for non-compliance.

Frequency: annual

Penalty: medium — Administrative citation $250-$1,000 under AMC Chapter 1.20. City of Anaheim Public Utilities may suspend water service for non-compliance.

Frequency: annual

Penalty: medium — Administrative citation $250-$1,000 under HBMC §1.16.030. City may suspend water service for non-compliance.

Frequency: annual

Penalty: medium — Administrative citation J201-J203 ($250/$500/$1,000). Irvine Ranch Water District (IRWD) may suspend water service for non-compliance with backflow prevention requirements.

Frequency: annual

Penalty: medium — Administrative citation $1,000-$3,000 under NBMC 1.05.020(F). City may suspend water service for non-compliance.

Frequency: annual

Penalty: medium — Administrative citation J201-J203 ($250/$500/$1,000). City of Santa Ana water authority may suspend water service for non-compliance with backflow prevention requirements.

Frequency: annual

Penalty: medium — Administrative citation $150-$500 under CMMC Section 1-35. City may suspend water service for non-compliance.