The City of San Diego Public Utilities Department runs a Cross-Connection Control and Backflow Prevention Program, and every backflow device in it must be tested once a year. The test has to be done by a tester on the City's Approved List of Backflow Testers, and skipping it can lead to fines and a water shutoff. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in San Diego who tests and repairs backflow assemblies.
Why the City cares about backflow
Water is supposed to travel in one direction, from the City main through the meter and out of your fixtures. If pressure in the street drops, or equipment on the property pushes harder than the main, water can reverse. A cross-connection is any point where that reversed flow could carry irrigation water, fire sprinkler water or chemicals back into the public supply. A backflow prevention assembly blocks it, and a yearly test confirms it still works.
What the San Diego program requires
- Who needs an assembly: any site with a potential cross-connection. Multi-family buildings, commercial and industrial properties and dedicated irrigation meters need one at each meter.
- How often: every device is tested annually.
- Who may test: only testers on the City's Approved List of Backflow Testers, certified through AWWA CA-NV or ABPA.
- Consequences: failing to comply can bring fines and termination of water service.
The program can be reached at 858-292-6329 or crossconnect@sandiego.gov with questions about a notice or a specific device.
Assemblies you are likely to see
| Type | Typical use |
|---|---|
| Reduced pressure principle (RP) | Higher-hazard connections and many commercial services |
| Double check valve assembly | Lower-hazard services and many fire lines |
| Pressure vacuum breaker | Landscape irrigation |
How a test visit goes
- The tester briefly shuts the water off downstream of the device.
- Gauges go on the test cocks to check each check valve and, on an RP, the relief valve.
- If everything holds, the results are recorded and the report is filed.
- If it fails, the tester explains why and quotes a rebuild or replacement, then retests.
Why assemblies fail
Debris lodged in a check, a tired spring, a worn rubber seat or a relief valve that drips are the usual culprits. Hard water scale builds on internal parts over time, and salt air near the coast corrodes exposed bodies and bolts. An inland device left uncovered can occasionally crack in a hard freeze.
What affects cost
Price depends on how many assemblies the property has, their size, how easy they are to reach, and whether parts or a full replacement are needed after a failed test.
Backflow Testing questions from San Diego homeowners
How often does a backflow device need testing in San Diego?
Who is allowed to test my assembly?
What happens if I skip the test?
Does a dedicated irrigation meter need a backflow assembly?
Related plumbing services in San Diego
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San Diego County
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