Every public drinking water system in the State of Utah is required to have a cross connection control program in place as stated in the Public Drinking Water Rules section R309-105-12. A cross connection control program consists of a number of components which when properly administrated are designed to prevent contamination from entering the public drinking water distribution system. One component of a cross connection control program is annual testing of a backflow prevention assembly. The applicable Plumbing Code and associated amendments state “...backflow preventers shall be tested at the time of installation, immediately after repairs or relocation and at least annually.” Testing shall be performed by a Utah Certified Backflow Preventer Technician.
The Service Area works hard to continuously ensure the safety of your drinking water with regular water testing as regulated in our Water Regulation 2025-04 (3.2). A vital link in this effort is Cross-Connection Control and Backflow Prevention. The goal with backflow testing is to prevent contamination of drinking water. This is for homes on the connected water system with irrigation systems. This applies to users on the water system and not well users. For well users, unless specified in an inspection, is not mandatory.
Water distribution systems are designed so that water flows in one direction but backflow is a back pressure or back-siphonaging, a reversal of the water flow. Backflow is an undesirable flow reversal of water and other substances into the water system or your private well. Even though the water that reaches your home or business is safe, it can be contaminated by a backflow incident within your own piping and could contaminate or otherwise degrade water quality. Federal and state laws require public water systems to protect their systems from cross connections and backflow.
All backflows on the connected water system need an annual inspection. Irrigation and fire sprinkler systems require an annual inspection which also part of our water policy 2025-04 (3.2) and state and federal law. All inspection reports need to be sent to permit@summitcosa3ut.gov. The Service Area has the staff to do up to 80 backflow inspections at an annual rate of $99. Most testers charge $125 - $150. You can hire a certified backflow inspector and have them email the Service Area your annual inspection report for your file or fill out the form below to sign up for the annual backflow testing or request a one time backflow test. You can also reach out to the Service Area at permit@summitcosa3ut.gov to schedule your backflow inspection or fill out the form below to sign up for a one time test or the annual inspection program.
Click here for a diagram for a compliant backflow preventer install
Click here to fill out a backflow form to request a one time backflow inspection or sign up for the automatic annual testing program. You can also copy and paste this link for the form: https://share.hsforms.com/1zqW_Ur8KQ-6FjKMw5_7F3wdd0ex