The City of Palmdale has a well-established and robust backflow prevention program that helps ensure the safety of its public water supply.
Palmdale property owners are responsible for installing, testing, and maintaining backflow prevention devices and must comply with the city's requirements to avoid penalties. Ensuring timely testing, maintenance, and repair of backflow devices is crucial for protecting both individual properties and the public water system. Non-compliance can result in fines, civil liabilities and the disruption of water service.
With Backflow Test Pros' Managed Backflow Testing & Maintenance service, there is no need for Palmdale businesses and homeowners to spend hours going over county and local water utility regulations, ordinances, requirements, deadlines, fees, guidelines, reporting schedules and forms.
Everything is Done for You to simply the backflow maintenance process and ensure compliance with local regulations.
Backflow Test Pros provides dedicated support in everything from initial scheduling, water department communications, due date tracking, same day approval, routine maintenance and urgent repairs.
As a Backflow Test Pros client you can rest assured knowing that your backflows assemblies are monitored and compliant with local water authority regulations.
Backflow Test Pros Turn-key Backflow Maintenance includes:
Relying on Backflow Testing Pros' licensed, certified and bonded professionals ensures that your backflow assembly installation, testing and repair is performed by certified cross connection control and backflow prevention experts in a timely manner conforming to backflow prevention testing, repair and installation protocols required by the City of Palmdale State Water Board regulations and backflow prevention certification bodies.
With state-of-the-art diagnostics, tests, timely repairs, and proactive maintenance, we help commercial and residential customers in Palmdale and across Southern California avoid costly civil liabilities, penalties and water service disruptions.
1. Scope & Authority
The Palmdale Water District (PWD) oversees backflow prevention to safeguard the potable water system from contamination, under the authority of California Code of Regulations, Title 17, and the State Water Board’s Cross‑Connection Control Policy Handbook (CCCPH).
Palmdale’s Cross‑Connection Control Program began with Ordinance No. 88‑1 in 1988 and was updated with Standard Operating Protocols (SOPs) and an amended policy via Resolution No. 20‑22 in 2020.
2. Responsibilities of Property Owners
Installation & Maintenance: Property owners must install and maintain approved backflow prevention assemblies (BPAs) when identified as necessary by PWD. The type and placement depend on the hazard and piping complexity.
Annual Testing: Certified testers must conduct BPA testing at least yearly. Owners are responsible for the cost and ensuring timely testing and reporting.
Repairs & Replacements: Any BPA that fails testing must be repaired or replaced promptly. Water service may be discontinued until compliance is demonstrated.
Administrative Fee: Starting July 1, 2021, there's a \$35 processing fee for paper test submissions unless the owner uses the District’s online portal through Syncta.
3. Scenarios Requiring BPAs
PWD requires BPAs at service connections when cross‑connection hazards are present, including—but not limited to—irrigation systems, industrial connections, chemical storage, or areas with a high risk of contamination.
4. Testing & Reporting Requirements
Annual Testing: All required BPAs must be tested annually by a certified tester.
Electronic Reporting: Testers and owners should submit results via the Syncta online system to avoid manual fees.
District Management: PWD maintains a BPA inventory, oversees hazard evaluations, issues notifications, conducts inspections, and updates public outreach.
5. Approved Devices & Certified Testers
Approved Devices: Only assemblies meeting industry standards—such as those endorsed by USC’s Foundation for Cross‑Connection Control and Hydraulic Research—are accepted.
Certified Testers: Tests must be conducted by individuals with valid certification from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
6. Enforcement & Penalties
Failure to comply with Palmdale’s Cross‑Connection Control requirements—including installation, testing, or reporting—can result in water service termination until compliance is verified.
