A backflow prevention program safeguards public drinking water and protects the health of its customers by ensuring that any contaminants that could backflow into the public water supply system are isolated within the customer’s internal distribution system.
Backflow Prevention Program
Testing Requirements
Federal and state laws require all water providers to meet certain standards to obtain, treat, and deliver water to protect public health. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) requires all water providers to establish a Cross-Connection Control and Backflow Prevention Program. Generally, this includes establishing requirements for the installation of backflow assemblies or devices preventing the flows or back-siphonage from unwanted connections that may threaten public health. TCEQ requires that all backflow devices or assemblies:
- Must be tested upon installation and at least once annually. Additional testing may be required depending on the health hazard.
- Must receive a periodic customer service inspection. The inspections are intended to identify and validate all device locations, their appropriateness, and determine if additional devices are required.
Implementation of this program is mandated by the TCEQ. Compliance verification will be scheduled by WCID #1’s Water Superintendent to review location’s backflow requirements.
Program Guidelines
Galveston County WCID #1 has established a Backflow Testing Program to help ensure that backflow prevention devices protecting the district’s water system from potential health hazards are tested annually, as required by state law. The program requires that property owners maintain responsibility for ensuring their backflow prevention devices are in good working order and provide annual test reports as proof of compliance.
Customers
Dickinson Water District customers are responsible for meeting the annual testing requirements for backflow prevention devices. Backflow testing is the owner’s responsibility and is paid for by the owner. The district uses a third party, Backflow Solutions Inc. (BSI), to manage the district’s backflow prevention testing program. Do not submit test results directly to the district.
If you are a customer who had your backflow prevention assembly device tested but you’ve received an overdue notice, please visit the BSI Tracking website and use your Customer Confirmation Number (CCN) to verify whether your test results have been submitted. If you are still showing as non-compliant, you’ll want to contact your testing company to have them submit your test results. Test results can only be submitted online via the BSI website by certified backflow prevention assembly testers.
All repairs, replacements, or overhaul assemblies must also be performed by licensed backflow prevention assembly testers registered through BSI. View an up-to-date list of companies and testers.
Records
Backflow test reports and tester licensing and gauge information are entered by testers or testing company representatives online via the internet in the BSI database. BSI sends testing due and over-due notices to customers with the last tester of record listed on the letter as a convenience.
Contact BSI by emailing bsionline@backflow.com, by phone at (800) 414-4990.
Enforcement
Failure of an owner to have the annual backflow testing performed and reported to the district through BSI Online will result in an escalated enforcement measure that may include termination of water service.
Commercial or multi-family property owners may delegate testing activities to property managers; however, the property owner is responsible and will be held accountable for compliance in enforcement proceedings. Correspondence and enforcement notifications will be addressed to the party receiving the water bill for the address with the non-compliance.
Owners should remind their testing company to adhere to the procedures when submitting backflow assembly test reports as outlined on the BSI website.
Testers and Testing Companies
All backflow assembly test reports for existing and replacement backflow devices must be submitted via the BSI Online Backflow Tracking System.
All testing companies are required to submit test reports within 48 hours of the test date. Failure to do so will result in enforcement notification of the customer regarding the non-compliant status of their device. If not entered online, the ultimate escalation of enforcement is termination of customer’s water service.
Testers and testing companies are reminded to obtain from the customer the Customer Confirmation Number (CCN) located at the top of the reminder or overdue letter. This number is needed by the backflow tester to access records in the BSI Online System. Contact BSI if the number is lost or unknown.
Support
Contact the district’s backflow program administrator, bp@gcwcid1tx.gov for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Backflow refers to the reverse flow of non-potable water or other substances through a cross-connection and into the piping of a public water system or customer’s potable water system. The two types of backflow are backpressure backflow and back-siphonage.
A backflow prevention assembly is a means or mechanism to prevent backflow. The basic means for preventing backflow is an air gap, which either eliminates a cross-connection or provides barrier from backflow. The basic mechanism for preventing backflow is a mechanical backflow preventer, which provides a physical barrier to backflow. The principal types of backflow preventers are the reduced-pressure principle assembly, the pressure vacuum breaker assembly and the double-check valve assembly.
A plumbing permit is required and is obtained by contacting the City of Dickinson Building Inspection Department. The permit process can be done in person at city hall, or online.
Mechanical backflow prevention assemblies have internal seals, springs and moving parts that are subject to fouling, wear or fatigue. Also, mechanical backflow preventers and air gaps can be bypassed. Therefore, all backflow prevention assemblies must be tested periodically to ensure they are functioning correctly. Mechanical backflow prevention assemblies must be tested with properly calibrated gauge equipment.
To ensure the proper operation of a backflow prevention assembly, it must be tested and certified upon installation and at least once a year thereafter by a licensed backflow tester.
We understand that fees range from $50 each for multiple locations for the same customer up to $200 for a single location.
Do not return the test results to the district. The licensed tester will input the backflow testing results on the BSI website. BSI will notify the district upon input completion. If the customer’s backflow testing report is not entered into BSI database on or by the due date, BSI will mail a past-due notice to the customer. If the backflow results are not entered into BSI database two weeks after the due date, BSI will notify both the customer and the district if the customer’s backflow assembly is not in compliance. The district may disconnect the water service until the customer’s backflow device comes into compliance.
Owners can view their BSI account online by searching with their CCN number located on the annual notice of the required inspection.
Yes. The district has adopted the 2018 edition of the International Plumbing Code which states that the potable water supply to lawn irrigation systems shall be protected against backflow by a pressure-type vacuum breaker, a double-check valve assembly or a reduced pressure principle backflow preventer – depending on the degree of the site hazard. For questions specific to landscape irrigation systems, please contact the TCEQ Landscape Irrigation Program by calling 512-239-1768.
A potential hazard is defined as any possibility of pollutants, contaminants, and system or plumbing hazards. For example, any commercial food preparation, including corner stores, gasoline stations, grocery stores, and restaurants, and, fire protection system, irrigation systems, multi-story buildings, hospitals, medical dental clinics, churches, and any manufacturing facility.
Backpressure backflow occurs when the downstream side of the piping system is greater than the supply pressure in a public system or customer’s potable water system. Backpressure can result from an increase in downstream pressure, a reduction in the potable water supply pressure or a combination of both. Reductions in potable water supply pressure can occur whenever the amount of water being used exceeds the amount of water being supplied, such as during waterline flushing, firefighting, or breaks in the water mains.
A cross-connection is any temporary or permanent connection between a public water system or the customer’s potable water system and any source or system containing non-potable water or other substances.
Common cross-connections:
- Private wells – where the private well connection is connected to a service line receiving water from a public water supply. The untreated water could be pumped into the potable water supply which serves the home and the public water system.
- Lawn sprinkler systems – where the stagnant/contaminated water from the sprinkler system could be drawn into the drinkable water supply for your home.
No. The district has contracted with the City of Dickinson Building Inspection Department for decades to ensure compliance with backflow prevention requirements and will continue to oversee the installation and testing of the assemblies.