Backflow Information

Backflow prevention devices or backflow preventers are installed to prevent the backflow of contaminants into drinking water through cross-connection. A backflow prevention assembly is an approved, testable assembly that uses check valves and/or relief valves, in different configurations, to prevent potential contaminants from flowing into the drinking water system.  An approved backflow prevention assembly has gone through an approval process at the Foundation for Hydraulic Research and Cross Connection Control at the University of Southern California. This is a two-step process of laboratory tests and a 12-month field test. Only assemblies successfully completing the entire testing procedure are recognized by WVWD as approved backflow prevention assemblies.

Federal and State law requires that water suppliers protect their water systems from contamination. When WVWD makes a determination that the drinking water system may be subject to contamination through a backflow condition, the customer will be notified and required to install an approved backflow prevention assembly.  Per WVWD’s Rules and Regulations, Article 8, the customer has a period of sixty (60) days to complete all corrective action required, including installing and testing a District-approved backflow prevention assembly.

WVWD’s Cross Connection Control Program and the California Department of Health Services require all backflow prevention assemblies to be tested annually.  You will receive a letter as a request to have your annual backflow test completed. Customers must hire a Los Angeles County-certified backflow tester.

You can find a registered backflow testing company here.

Customers must have their test results submitted by the testing company online at www.TrackMyBackflow.com.  WVWD has contracted Aqua Backflow, Inc. to manage our backflow program. For questions or test results, please email info@AquaBackflow.com or call 847-742-2296.

To ensure that backflow assemblies are protecting public health and the environment, the State of California’s Administrative Code, Title 17, Chapter 5, Public Health, and Article 8 of our District’s Rules and Regulations [LL1] require the customer of any premises upon which cross-connection (backflow) control devices are installed to maintain the devices in a continuous state of good repair and to have the devices tested annually.