Coronado's water service is provided through a City contract with California American Water, and Cal Am's cross-connection program requires backflow devices to be tested every year and kept in working order. Irrigation and fire sprinkler systems need an approved device directly behind the meter. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Coronado.
Backflow in Coronado
Coronado's water reaches homes through California American Water, which buys treated water from the City of San Diego. Cal Am, not the City, sets the cross-connection rules. Irrigated yards, golf and resort landscapes and fire sprinkler systems are all common on the island, and every one of those needs protection. Salt air is the local enemy of outdoor brass, so devices here tend to corrode faster than the same unit a few miles inland.
Cal Am's rule has three parts. Required devices are tested annually. They must be kept in working order between tests, which means a leaking or corroded unit is the owner's to fix. And for irrigation and fire sprinkler systems the approved device belongs at the service connection directly behind the meter, unless a Cal Am Cross-Connection Specialist signs off on a different spot. Continued noncompliance can lead to the service being disconnected, so an overdue notice is worth acting on quickly. For general account questions, Cal Am customer service is 1-888-237-1333.
- Read the Cal Am notice for the device location, serial number and due date.
- Find the assembly, usually right behind the meter for irrigation and fire services.
- Check the test cocks and bolts for heavy corrosion; mention it when you call.
- If it is leaking steadily, close the irrigation valve or main shutoff.
- Schedule a certified tester and ask for a copy of the report.
- Questions about placement go to Cal Am's San Diego cross-connection contact at 619-446-5713.
Symptoms and causes
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Test cocks will not open | Salt corrosion on threads |
| Relief port drips between waterings | Fouled first check or worn relief seat |
| Rust streaks on the body | Corroded bolts or a pitted bonnet |
| Hissing or spitting when sprinklers start | Pressure surge or a weak air inlet seal |
| Scale on internal parts | Hardness in the supply, about 145 to 280 ppm at the source plants |
Cost factors
- Whether corroded parts can be freed or must be replaced
- Device type and size, from a small yard unit to a fire line
- Number of assemblies on a property or condo association
- Retest after repairs
- Permit for new or relocated devices through the City of Coronado Building Services Division (619-522-7331)
Backflow Testing questions in Coronado
How often does a backflow assembly have to be tested here?
Why does a sprinkler or irrigation system need backflow protection?
Can cold nights or salt air damage an outdoor backflow assembly?
Who pays for testing, repairs and replacement?
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