How Often Is Backflow Testing Required in California?
If you own or manage a commercial property, run an irrigation system, or have a fire line in Northern California, you've probably received a notice from your water purveyor about backflow testing. So how often is it actually required?
The short answer: once a year
Nearly every water purveyor in California — including those across the Sacramento region — requires a certified backflow test every 12 months. This requirement comes from the California Code of Regulations (Title 17) and is enforced locally by your water district.
Some higher-hazard installations may be tested more frequently, and a few districts set their testing window to a specific month. The safest rule of thumb: test annually, on or before your due date.
Who needs annual testing?
Backflow assemblies are required wherever there's a risk of contaminated water flowing back into the public supply. That typically includes:
- Dedicated irrigation meters
- Fire suppression lines
- Commercial and industrial properties
- Multi-family housing and HOAs
- Medical, dental, and laboratory facilities
If you have a backflow preventer installed on your water service, your district almost certainly expects an annual certified test.
What happens if you miss the deadline?
Missing your test date can lead to:
- Warning notices from your water purveyor
- Fines or penalties in some jurisdictions
- Water service shut-off for continued non-compliance
The good news is that staying compliant is simple when you work with a certified tester who tracks your due date and files the paperwork for you.
How we make it effortless
At All Pro Backflow, our AWWA-certified testers handle the entire process — we test your assembly, and we file the results directly with your water district. We also track your annual due date and remind you before it lapses, so you never get a compliance notice.
Learn more about our backflow testing service, or call 916-276-7162 to schedule your annual test today.