Backflow Services

Backflow testing ensures that contaminated water cannot flow backward into Indianapolis’s clean drinking water supply. Indiana state law under 327 IAC 8-10 mandates annual testing of backflow prevention devices to protect public health from dangerous contaminants like chemicals, bacteria, fertilizers, and waste materials.

When water pressure drops in the main supply lines, contaminated water from irrigation systems, fire protection systems, or commercial facilities can be pulled back into the clean water system. This creates serious health risks for entire neighborhoods. Properties with irrigation systems, fire protection equipment, or any cross-connections to the public water supply must have their backflow prevention devices tested annually by IDEM-certified professionals.

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) oversees this program because protecting drinking water is a critical public safety issue. Testing verifies that your backflow prevention device works properly and continues to protect both your property and the community’s water supply.

Most properties with irrigation or sprinkler systems require annual backflow testing in Indianapolis. Commercial and industrial properties typically need testing due to their complex plumbing systems and potential cross connection control concerns with the public supply.

Multi-family residential buildings, apartment complexes, and condominiums often require testing because they frequently have fire protection systems or commercial-grade irrigation. Single-family homes usually don’t need testing unless they have irrigation systems, pools with fill lines, or any other setup where a cross connection exists with the public potable water system.

Any property with fire protection systems, boilers, cooling towers, or industrial processes that connect to public water requires testing. Citizens Energy Group and other local water utilities maintain records of which properties need compliance and will send annual notices to property owners, especially when a service connection poses potential contamination risk.

The key factor is whether your property has any system that could potentially allow contaminated water to flow back into the public supply. When water connects to irrigation lines, fire systems, or industrial processes, backflow prevention becomes essential, and it’s critical to maintain backflow prevention devices to avoid failure or contamination.

Indiana law requires annual testing, and non-compliance carries serious consequences that every property owner should understand. Your water utility can legally disconnect service for failing to complete required testing, leaving your property without water until compliance is achieved.

Local authorities can issue fines and penalties for non-compliance, and these costs typically exceed the annual testing fees. More importantly, if contamination occurs due to a failed backflow device, property owners face significant liability issues and potential lawsuits.

Non-compliance also creates health risks for the entire community water supply. One contaminated property can affect multiple neighborhoods, making this a serious public health concern.

Water utilities typically send multiple notices before disconnection, but they will eventually shut off service if testing isn’t completed. The testing must be performed by IDEM-certified backflow testing professionals – property owners cannot perform this testing themselves or hire uncertified individuals.

Don’t wait until the last minute to schedule testing. The consequences of delayed compliance far outweigh the cost and convenience of annual testing.

Backflow testing costs vary depending on your device type, accessibility, and complexity, but annual testing remains significantly less expensive than penalties, water disconnection, or system replacement. Residential irrigation system testing typically represents the most common and affordable testing service.

Commercial systems often cost more due to their complexity, multiple devices, and specialized testing requirements. Property accessibility also affects pricing – devices in difficult locations or requiring special equipment may cost more to test properly.

Property owners are responsible for all testing costs, as this is a regulatory requirement for maintaining water service. Minor repairs discovered during testing are often included in the service fee, while major repairs or device replacements require separate estimates.

B&W provides transparent, upfront pricing with no hidden fees or surprise charges. We’ll assess your specific situation and provide clear pricing before beginning any work. Remember that annual testing costs are typically much lower than the fines, penalties, and emergency repair costs that result from non-compliance.

The investment in annual testing protects both your property’s water service and your community’s drinking water safety.

RPZ valve testing is required for Reduced Pressure Zone assemblies, which provide the highest level of protection and are commonly installed on irrigation systems and commercial properties. These devices require annual testing due to their complex internal mechanisms and critical safety functions.

Pressure Vacuum Breaker (PVB) devices are frequently used for residential irrigation system backflow testing and must be tested annually. Double check valve assemblies, commonly found on commercial properties, also require professional testing to ensure proper operation.

Air gaps require visual inspection to verify they maintain proper separation between water sources. Fire protection systems, boilers, cooling towers, and industrial processes all typically have backflow prevention devices requiring annual testing.

Any device installed between the public water supply and potential contamination sources needs testing. Different device types require specific testing procedures and specialized equipment that only certified professionals can properly perform.

Professional identification of device type is crucial because improper testing procedures can damage equipment or provide inaccurate results. Some properties have multiple devices requiring testing, each with different specifications and testing requirements.

Backflow testing typically takes 15 minutes to one hour, depending on device type, accessibility, and any issues discovered during testing. A brief water shutoff is required during the actual testing process, but this represents minimal disruption to daily operations.

We provide advance notice when scheduling testing so you can plan around the temporary water interruption. Commercial properties may need coordination to minimize impact on business operations, and we work with property managers to schedule testing during convenient hours.

Emergency testing services are available when properties receive urgent compliance notices from water utilities. Our professional testing equipment ensures accurate results while completing the process as efficiently as possible.

Complete documentation is provided immediately after testing, including test results and any recommendations for repairs or maintenance. If devices fail testing, we can often perform necessary repairs and retest the same day to restore compliance quickly.

The brief inconvenience of annual testing prevents much longer water shutoffs that occur when utilities disconnect service for non-compliance. Planning ahead with scheduled testing ensures minimal disruption to your property operations.

Only IDEM-certified backflow testing professionals can legally perform backflow testing in Indiana. IDEM certification requires completing a comprehensive 35-hour training course and passing a rigorous examination covering testing procedures, regulations, and safety requirements.

All certified testers must register with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management and maintain their certification through continuing education. B&W’s technicians hold current IDEM certification and stay updated on all regulatory changes and testing requirements.

Non-certified testing is not valid for regulatory compliance, regardless of the person’s plumbing experience or technical knowledge. Water utilities will only accept test results from properly certified professionals, and property owners remain non-compliant if testing is performed by uncertified individuals.

Certified testers handle all required reporting and documentation, ensuring results are properly submitted to water utilities within the required 10-day timeframe. They also have access to calibrated testing equipment and understand the specific procedures required for different device types.

Experience with various backflow prevention devices is important because different systems require different testing approaches and expertise. Choose certified professionals who regularly perform testing and understand both the technical and regulatory requirements.

Test results are automatically submitted to your water utility within 10 days of testing, as required by Indiana regulations. B&W handles all paperwork and reporting requirements, so property owners don’t need to worry about compliance documentation.

You receive a copy of all test results for your property records, including detailed information about device condition and performance. Pass or fail determination is provided immediately after testing, along with any recommendations for maintenance or repairs.

Failed devices require immediate repair and retesting to maintain compliance with state regulations. B&W can typically perform necessary repairs and complete retesting during the same service call, restoring your property to full compliance quickly. Compliance is noted in your water utility’s records, and most utilities send reminder notices before the next year’s testing deadline. Proper documentation becomes part of your property records and may be required during property sales or transfers.

The testing certificate serves as proof of compliance if questions arise from regulatory authorities. Having current, professional documentation of annual backflow testing in Indianapolis protects property owners and demonstrates responsible maintenance of public health protections. Let B&W handle all your testing documentation and reporting. We take care of the paperwork so you don’t have to. Ensure your property stays compliant with Indiana law. Contact B&W at 317-243-3581 for a free assessment of your backflow prevention device needs.