FAQ's

It's easy. Email the form that you received form the city to Mark@BFlowTest.com or call me at 858 922-9408. I will set up an appointment with you and come out and do your test or repairs. Once the test is done and you pass, I electronically send it to the city and forward a copy of the test to you for your records.

Annual testing is required at the same time each year and it is your responsibility to schedule your annual testing with your approved tester. The City of San Diego requires that an approved tester certifies all backflow assemblies at the time of installation, annually after installation and anytime the assembly is depressurized. Backflow assembly testers are private contractors who must report the test results to the City

A cross-connection is a point in a plumbing system where it is possible for a non-potable substance to come into contact with the potable drinking water supply. Common examples of crossconnections include a garden hose submerged in a pesticide mixture, a piped connection providing potable feed water to an industrial process, such as a cooling tower or a submerged outlet of an irrigation system. 

Backflow assemblies are devices designed to prevent potentially contaminated water from flowing back into the public water system.

Whenever a plumbing fixture is connected to the drinking water supply, a potential for crossconnection exists. Fortunately, many plumbing fixtures have built-in backflow protection. Here are some examples of cross-connections that can lead to backflow to the public water system:

• Wash basins and service sinks.

• Food and beverage processing equipment.

• Laboratory equipment.

• Irrigation or lawn sprinkler systems.

• Swimming pools, spas and ornamental fountains.

• Solar heat systems and boilers.

• Fire sprinkler systems.

• Auxiliary water supplies (wells, storage tanks and second feeds).

• Attachment to hoses for applying weed killer/fertilizer or to flush antifreeze. 

Working with the Cross-Connection Control Program, you can eliminate cross-connections through approved methods and by installing an approved backflow prevention assembly when a potential hazard is found. Backflow Testing and Repair can help, Call us 858 922-9408 or Email Mark@BFlowTest.com.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Safe Drinking Water Act, California Department of Public Health and the Uniform Plumbing Code require all sites with potential cross-connections to be equipped with a backflow prevention assembly. The City of San Diego has adopted codes, policies and procedures to ensure compliance with these regulations and to protect the public water system. 

It must be installed as close as practical to the water meter, as approved by the Public Utilities Department. This reduces the chance of an unprotected/unauthorized connection being made between the meter and the backflow device.

The list consists of approved testers certified by the American Water Works Association or the American Backflow Prevention Association to be a backflow tester. There is no fee to be on the list and anyone with these certifications can fill out an application to be included. The list is available on the City’s website at https://www.sandiego.gov/public-utilities/permits-construction/construction-and-development/backflow.

The Cross Connection Control Program provides courtesy annual backflow test reminders as shown in the table on the next page. Failure to receive a courtesy notification does not exempt you from annual testing requirements.

Timeline First notice mailed 30 days before due date

Second notice mailed 15 days before due date

Five-day notice of water service termination mailed Due date

Water service terminated.

The City may also pursue other options to achieve compliance (administrative citation, civil penalties). Any time after due date.

Your annual testing reminder will be mailed to the billing address used for your City of San Diego water utility bill unless you have provided a different mailing address to the Cross-Connection Control Program (CCCP) using the official Mailing Address Update Form. Please note, if you prefer to utilize an address other than your normal billing address, it is your responsibility to notify the CCCP of any changes. Failure to provide the CCCP with updated mailing information will not prevent the CCCP from terminating water service due to non-compliance with annual testing requirements.

The City of San Diego is notifying customers with facilities that don’t meet current City code requirements (DI55.21). The City of San Diego Public Utilities’ Cross Connection Control Program will be conducting Hazard Assessment Surveys to identify these facilities.

Your cost will be determined by the conditions at your location. The Public Utilities Department understands that there will be a significant cost to this upgrade and the City wants to provide you with as much information and assistance as possible. The Public Utilities Department suggests you obtain multiple bids to complete the upgrade. For general information, contact the CrossConnection Control Program at Crossconnect@sandiego.gov or 858-292-6329.

Backflow Testing and Repair can! Call us at 858 922-9408 or email me at Mark@BFlowTest.com.

A certified licensed plumber can complete the requested backflow installation, for your convenience, visit  www.sandiego.gov/public-utilities/permitsconstruction/construction-and-development/backflow to obtain a list of approved backflow testers and plumbing companies.

As a requirement set by the State Water Resource Control Board, the City will be reporting to the state on our progress and enforcement actions for non-compliant customers. Non-compliant customers can potentially receive monetary citations and or water termination to their facility.

Personalized notifications will be sent to affected customers who are required to upgrade existing backflow assemblies to current City standards. Within the notifications provided, there will be links to the Public Utilities’ Cross-Connection Control Program webpage and the Development Services Department website that include more details. For general information, contact the CrossConnection Control Program at Crossconnect@sandiego.gov or 858-292-6329.

• Code of Federal Regulations, Safe Drinking Water Act of 1986.

• Code of California Regulations Title 17 and Title 22.

• State of California Water Code, Chapter 1, Section 110, Chapter 8, Section 500 and Chapter 723, Sections 13553, 13554.2, and 13554.3.

• State of California Health and Safety Code Section 13114.7.

• California Plumbing Code (CPC).

• California Fire Code (CFC).

• City of San Diego Municipal Code (MC) Chapter IV, Article 4, Section 44.00 and Chapter VI,

• Article 7, Section 67.00.

• City of San Diego Fire-Rescue Department: www.sandiego.gov/fire.