Protect Your Water Supply: Essential Backflow Prevention Testing Requirements for Walpole Homeowners in 2024

As a Walpole homeowner, ensuring your water supply remains safe and uncontaminated should be a top priority. Backflow prevention testing protects the health and welfare of the public by ensuring that facilities are surveyed for cross connection and backflow prevention devices are inspected by properly trained and knowledgeable professionals, and promotes the elimination or control of existing cross-connections between potable water systems and non-potable systems. Understanding Massachusetts’ 2024 compliance requirements can help you avoid costly violations and protect your family’s health.

What is Backflow and Why Does It Matter?

Backpressure cross contamination can occur when the pressure in equipment or a system is greater than the pressure in the drinking water system. Backsiphonage contamination can also occur when the pressure in the drinking water line drops due to occurrences such as main breaks and heavy water demand causing contaminants to be sucked out from equipment and into the drinking water system. Backflow into the City’s water system could send harmful pollutants or bacteria into the City’s drinking water and create a drinking water emergency.

Severe illnesses and injuries – even death – have resulted from cross connection contamination events that could have been prevented. Such events have been known to cause outbreaks of Hepatitis A, gastroenteritis, Legionnaire’s Disease, chemical poisoning and body lesions.

Massachusetts Testing Requirements for 2024

Regulatory authority for backflow prevention permits is stated in 310 CMR 22.22 (13), Drinking Water Regulations, along with the plumbing code govern cross connections. All backflow prevention device tests shall be conducted by a certified Backflow Prevention Device Tester in accordance with 310 CMR 22.22.

Key compliance requirements include:

• Testable devices are tested once or twice per year (based on device type), and results from each test are retained by the Water Division and reportable to MassDEP.
• If the device fails, the owner of the device must obtain the services of a Massachusetts certified plumber or sprinkler fitter to perform the necessary repair within fourteen (14) calendar days of the failure test.
• Water service is subject to disconnection for properties that do not replace or repair failed backflow prevention devices within the required timeline.

Who Needs Backflow Testing?

Public water suppliers are required to inspect all non-residential properties connected to the distribution system for cross connections and ensure all double check valve assemblies and reduced pressure backflow preventers are tested according to schedule. However, residential properties with certain systems also require testing:

• Properties with irrigation systems
• Homes with boiler systems
• Properties with fire sprinkler systems
• Any residence with potential cross-connections

If you are installing an irrigation system, the associated backflow prevention device must be tested by the City before the irrigation system is placed into service. Irrigation systems’ backflow preventers are only required to pass an initial test, and are NOT subject to annual or semi-annual testing.

Certification Requirements for Testers

Backflow Prevention Device Testers must show proof that they have passed the written and practical examination approved by the Department. Persons failing to apply for the Backflow Prevention Device Tester certification within twelve (12) months after passing a Department approved examination are required to retake the written and practical examination.

Certification is valid for 3 years from the date of issuance, with recertification required every three (3) years. For renewal, testers must have completed at least twenty-four (24) inspections/tests of backflow prevention devices and received at least three (3) training contact hours (TCH) in the past three years.

Choosing the Right Professional for Your Walpole Home

When selecting a professional for your backflow prevention needs, it’s essential to work with a qualified plumber walpole residents can trust. Emma Plumbing and Drain Services exemplifies the qualities you should look for in a plumbing contractor.

As a local plumbing company serving Plymouth County, MA, and the surrounding areas, Emma Plumbing focuses on offering honest, quality service that goes above and beyond. Their value goes beyond just fixing pipes – it’s about creating a reliable, long-term relationship you can count on for all your plumbing needs, with commitment to transparent communication, fair pricing, and offering value-added services.

As a locally owned & operated business, Emma Plumbing takes pride in serving their community with unmatched dedication and expertise, offering 24/7 availability for plumbing emergencies and same-day services to address immediate needs.

Installation and Maintenance Requirements

All devices must be installed by a Massachusetts licensed plumber with the exception of any device that is installed on a fire sprinkler system. Devices installed on a fire sprinkler system are required to be installed by a sprinkler fitter.

Before installing a backflow prevention device, approval must be obtained from the Water Division by submitting a design data sheet. Once installed, the property owner must contact the Water Division to schedule the device to be tested.

Property owners are responsible for:

• Making suitable arrangements so the devices can be inspected and tested during normal business hours and maintaining spare parts kits and any special tools needed to repair their devices.
• Overhauling, repairing or replacing any device that fails a test within 14 days of the initial inspection and submitting copies of inspection and maintenance forms to the water supplier.
• Maintaining on premises testing records, approvals and other documents pertaining to the device(s) and ensuring devices are tested according to DEP regulations.

Taking Action for 2024 Compliance

Don’t wait until you face a violation notice or water service disconnection. Whether you’re facing an urgent plumbing issue or planning a future project, professional plumbing teams are available to provide expert advice and quality service, with your plumbing problems being their priority and commitment to offering lasting solutions.

Contact a certified backflow prevention device tester today to schedule your required testing and ensure your Walpole home remains compliant with Massachusetts regulations. Protecting your water supply isn’t just about following the law—it’s about safeguarding your family’s health and contributing to the safety of your entire community’s water system.