Annual Testing is Required in Most Central Ohio Areas

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency section 3745-95-02 through 3745-95-05 mandates any backflow device found to be operationally defective must be repaired or replaced by a person with a valid state backflow license before the device can be placed back into service. Backflow devices contain various wear components necessitating periodic maintenance.

Failure on our part to fulfill this obligation can result in the loss of our state plumbing and backflow licenses and interruption of your water service.

Backflow can create serious health risks and embarrassment if contaminants like fertilizers, pesticides and waste enter your drinking water supply. To prevent backflow, a code-approved mechanical backflow prevention device must be installed in all applications where backflow could occur. Devices must be tested annually for proper operation per Ohio EPA and Department of Commerce regulations by a trained and certified backflow tester using the latest approved testing equipment.

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Testing with Rain One

Rain One specializes in testing of all types of backflow devices on your property, both indoor and outdoor. The required test verifies proper operation of the device under a backflow or back-siphonage condition, assuring the safety of the drinking water supply.

With a Rain One test you get:

  • State and federally approved testing of ALL devices (indoor and outdoor)
  • Experienced, State-Certified Technicians
  • In-stock repair parts and service, if needed
  • Management of testing for multiple devices on the same property
  • All regulatory paperwork DONE FOR YOU!

What is a Backflow Device?

In general, backflow devices are used to protect the water supply from any potential contamination. These uses include, but are not limited to boilers, irrigation systems, complete buildings, soda carbonators, ice machines, fire protection, and more.

A backflow device for an irrigation system prevents the reverse flow of contaminated water from the sprinklers back into the city water supply. Lawns and landscapes contain fertilizers, chemicals, bacteria, dirt, fungus, and multiple other hazards that could leach into an irrigation head, and be drawn back into the drinking water supply if the source is not properly backflow protected. There are two types of devices that satisfy the Ohio Plumbing Code for irrigation systems. These are the ASSE 1020 Pressure Vacuum Breaker, and the ASSE 1013 Reduced Pressure Assembly.

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What do they look like?

There are quite a few makes and models of Backflow Prevention devices, but they all must operate on the same standardized principle. These pictures are good generalized representations of what your backflow device will look like.

PVB (Pressure Vacuum Breaker)

RPA (Reduced Pressure Assembly)

Do I have to be home for you to test it?

You do not need to be home if the water has already been turned on to the backflow for the season, and if the backflow device is located outside of your house or building. The vast majority of residential backflow devices are installed outside. Occasionally an RPA device will be located in the basement, in which case access will be required to do the test. Your device must be tested once a year, right around the time it was initially installed. The water department mails out a reminder 30 days in advance of the due date. If you ignore their reminders, they will turn your water off after a final 3 day notice. Please call before it gets to that point.

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What if my backflow test fails?

If a backflow prevention device fails its annual test, we are obligated to repair it immediately. We can’t simply leave the site of a failed test, as the homeowner would then have an improperly working device that violates city water regulations. Our process is to swap out any broken parts and get the backflow functional before leaving, which will incur an extra fee beyond the standard testing rate.

What You Need to Know About Backflow Testing with Rain One

  • Backflow tests are required annually by the water department with any irrigation system to ensure the system doesn’t contaminate home/public water.
  • Tests ensure that fertilizers, chemicals, and more are not flowing back into the water supply.
  • Tests take around 15 minutes per test. The cost is $80 without membership, included at $60 in the membership. We will send a yearly appointment reminder when your backflow test is needed.
  • If you fail to have a backflow test completed, the water department will turn off your water supply.
  • If our team performs a test and it fails, we are obligated to fix it immediately. We will invoice you for the repair once the issue has been resolved.
  • Our team will provide notice to the water department upon test completion and a certificate to the homeowner.
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