The City of Santa Monica has a well-established and robust backflow prevention program that helps ensure the safety of its public water supply.
Santa Monica 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.
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Backflow Test Pros are AWWA Certified Backflow Testers and Certified Backflow Testers with County Health Departments across Southern California. As state licensed contractors, and AWWA cross connection specialists, our team of experienced backflow experts work with city water departments throughout Southern California to protect our water, and prevent backflow contamination.
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 Santa Monica Water Authority, state water board regulations and backflow prevention certification bodies.
With state-of-the-art diagnostics, timely repairs, and proactive maintenance, we help commercial and residential customers in Santa Monica and across Southern California avoid costly civil liabilities, penalties and water service disruptions.
Leading national brands and local businesses in Santa Monica and throughout Southern California trust our backflow prevention device testing and repair services to safeguard the public water supply and ensure compliance with state and municipal regulations.
Backflow Test Pros' commitment to precision, reliability, and regulatory compliance has made us the preferred choice for Santa Monica homeowners and businesses that demand the highest standards in water safety at the most competitive prices.
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:
Because backflow devices are critical to maintaining clean, safe water supplies, California State Water Districts, County Health Boards and Local Municipalities regulations mandate that only licensed and certified backflow technicians and plumbers who have the expertise, training, have the legal authority to perform repairs or replacements in compliance with regulations and with the necessary quality control to protect the public water system.
Santa Monica enforces comprehensive backflow prevention regulations to protect its public water supply from contamination. Failing to comply with the regulations may result in fines or suspension of water service. It is important for Santa Monica homeowners and businesses to stay up-to-date with local regulations and to ensure that their backflow devices are tested annually by a certified tester.
Santa Monica enforces comprehensive backflow prevention regulations to protect its public water supply from contamination. These regulations aim to prevent backflow, the unwanted reverse flow of water that can introduce pollutants or contaminants into the potable water system.
Santa Monica property owners are responsible for installing backflow prevention assemblies as required by the city's regulations. Installations must adhere to the city's standards, including specific device types and installation procedures. Devices should be installed as close as practical to the user's connection, with the city having final authority over the required location. Failure to install the required backflow prevention assemblies may result in the city discontinuing water service until compliance is achieved.
Backflow prevention assemblies in Santa Monica must be tested by a certified technician immediately after installation. These assemblies are required to be tested at least annually to ensure proper operation. Moreover, backflow prevention tests must be conducted by individuals certified by recognized organizations, such as the American Backflow Prevention Association, California-Nevada Section of the American Water Works Association, or the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. Test results should be submitted to the appropriate city department or agency overseeing water quality. Failure to conduct required testing may lead to water service termination until the device is tested and found compliant.
Santa Monica property owners are also responsible for keeping their backflow prevention devices in good working condition. If a device fails or is malfunctioning, repairs or replacements must be made immediately, and the device must be retested.
Non-Compliance: Failure to comply with these requirements may result in penalties, including water service discontinuation.
The City of Santa Monica enforces backflow prevention regulations to protect its public water supply from contamination. These regulations aim to prevent backflow, the unwanted reverse flow of water that can introduce pollutants or contaminants into the potable water system by implementing:
Backflow Prevention: To prevent the reverse flow of water that could introduce pollutants or contaminants into the public water system.
Cross-Connection Control: To eliminate or safeguard against connections between potable and non-potable water systems, ensuring the safety of drinking water.
The City of Santa Monica adheres to both local and state regulations to ensure the safety and quality of its water system. Santa Monica's water system is managed by the City's Public Works Department, which enforces backflow prevention measures in accordance with:
- California Code of Regulations Title 17: Outlines the requirements for backflow prevention and cross-connection control.
- Cross-Connection Control Policy Handbook (CCCPH): Provides detailed guidelines for implementing cross-connection control programs.
Santa Monica's backflow prevention regulations outline the following requirements and responsibilities:
- Santa Monica Backflow Devices Tested Annually: To ensure proper functionality, devices must be tested at least once a year by a certified tester.
- Santa Monica Backflow Devices Tested After Installation or Repair: Any new installation, relocation, or repair of a backflow device requires immediate testing to confirm correct operation.
- Failure to comply with Santa Monica Backflow testing requirements can result in water service termination until compliance is achieved.
- Santa Monica Approved Backflow Devices: Only backflow prevention assemblies listed by the University of Southern California’s Foundation for Cross-Connection Control and Hydraulic Research (USC-FCCCHR) are permitted.
- Certified Backflow Testers: Testing must be conducted by individuals certified by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. A directory of certified testers is available on their official website .
Backflow prevention devices for Santa Monica properties are mandated in various scenarios. The Utilities Division maintains guidelines specifying situations requiring backflow prevention devices and the appropriate types of approved devices.
- Santa Monica property Irrigation Systems: To prevent contaminants from entering the potable water supply through irrigation lines.
- Santa Monica Commercial and Industrial Properties: Facilities with potential cross-connections, such as those involving chemicals or pressurized systems, are required to install appropriate backflow prevention assemblies.
- Santa Monica property Fire Sprinkler Systems: To prevent stagnant water from fire suppression systems from flowing back into the drinking water supply.
Backflow prevention devices at Santa Monica properties must be installed in compliance with the Municipal Code and California Plumbing Code. Regulations mandate the installation of various types of backflow prevention devices, including:
- Air-Gap Separation (AG): A physical separation between the water supply and a potential contamination source, providing the highest level of protection.
- Double Check Valve Assembly (DC): Suitable for low to medium hazard situations, these devices consist of two check valves to prevent backflow.
- Reduced Pressure Principle Backflow Prevention Device (RP): Required for high hazard scenarios, these assemblies include a pressure differential relief valve to protect against backflow.
The appropriate device is determined based on the degree of hazard present on the consumer's premises.
The City of Santa Monica implements strict Cross-Connection Control and Backflow Prevention regulations and ordinances requuire that all backflow prevention devices must be tested annually to ensure they are functioning properly. Tests must be conducted by a certified backflow prevention tester.
Initial Backflow Testing: Backflow prevention assemblies must be tested by a certified technician immediately after installation.
Annual Backflow Testing: These assemblies are required to be tested at least annually to ensure proper operation.
Certified Backflow Testers: Tests must be conducted by individuals certified by recognized organizations, such as the American Backflow Prevention Association, California-Nevada Section of the American Water Works Association, or the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
Backflow Documentation: Test results should be submitted to the appropriate city department or agency overseeing water quality.
Failure to Test: Failure to conduct required testing may lead to water service termination until the device is tested and found compliant.
Santa Monica property owners are responsible for ensuring that backflow prevention devices are properly installed, tested annually, and maintained in good working order. Non-compliance with the following regulations can lead to penalties, including the interruption of water service:
Backflow Installations: Installations must adhere to the city's standards, including specific device types and installation procedures. Devices should be installed as close as practical to the user's connection, with the city having final authority over the required location.
Backflow Failure to Install: Failure to install the required backflow prevention assemblies may result in the city discontinuing water service until compliance is achieved.
Backflow Testing: Arrange for initial and annual testing by certified testers and submit the test results to the appropriate authorities.
Backflow Maintenance: Maintain backflow prevention assemblies in good working order.
Non-Compliance: Failure to comply with these requirements may result in penalties, including water service discontinuation.
- Installation Responsibility: Property owners are responsible for installing backflow prevention assemblies as required by the city's regulations.
The City of Santa Monica Public Works Department oversees cross connection requirements and may conduct routine inspections of commercial, industrial, and multi-family properties to verify compliance with cross-connection and backflow prevention regulations. Inspections may be prompted by construction, renovation, or reported issues with backflow devices.
Below are the backflow inspection and installation guidelines for Santa Monica:
Mandatory Inspections: Routine inspections of commercial, industrial, and multi-family properties to verify compliance with cross-connection and backflow prevention regulations. Inspections may be prompted by construction, renovation, or reported issues with backflow devices.
Voluntary Inspections: Property owners can request a voluntary inspection if they are concerned about the state of their backflow prevention system.
Installation Responsibility: Property owners are responsible for installing backflow prevention assemblies as required by the city's regulations.
Compliance: Installations must adhere to the city's standards, including specific device types and installation procedures.
Location: Devices should be installed as close as practical to the user's connection, with the city having final authority over the required location.
Failure to Install: Failure to install the required backflow prevention assemblies may result in the city discontinuing water service until compliance is achieved.
Proper testing and maintenance of backflow prevention devices are essential for compliance with local regulations and for safeguarding community health. The City of Santa Monica has the following requirements for testing, certification, and documentation of backflow prevention assemblies:
Testing Fees: Fees for backflow prevention device testing are determined by the certified testers and are the responsibility of the property owner.
The City of Santa Monica has a comprehensive set of regulations in place to ensure backflow prevention and cross-connection control to safeguard its public water supply. Santa Monica's backflow prevention program aligns with standards set by the California Code of Regulations Title 17, Section 7584, and the University of Southern California Foundation for Cross-Connection Control and Hydraulic Research.
California Code of Regulations (CCR) Title 17: This regulation governs backflow prevention and cross-connection control in California, and Los Angeles follows these standards for its water system.
Los Angeles Municipal Code (LAMC): The LAMC has specific provisions that address backflow prevention, including installation and testing requirements. The code also outlines penalties for non-compliance.
Additional Relevant Codes:
- California Health and Safety Code: This provides additional protection for public water systems and outlines legal standards for preventing contamination.
- Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC): Los Angeles follows the Uniform Plumbing Code, which specifies requirements for the installation, testing, and maintenance of backflow prevention devices.
For more information or assistance, Santa Monica homeowners and businesses can contact the City of Santa Monica Public Works Department:
- Phone: (310) 458-8721
- Website: City of Santa Monica Public Works Department
For further guidance or assistance with backflow prevention compliance, Santa Monica homeowners and businesses may contact the City of Santa Monica Public Works Department for resources and support. Here is a outline of special circumstances pertaining to backflow assembly installation, testing and repair which require special attention:
Emergency Backflow Events: In the event of a suspected backflow or contamination issue, property owners should immediately contact the Public Works Department for assistance.
Irrigation Systems: Properties with irrigation systems are required to have backflow prevention devices to prevent contamination from fertilizers or pesticides.
Multi-Family and Commercial Properties: These properties may have more complex water systems and could be subject to more frequent inspections and advanced backflow prevention requirements.
Santa Monica, perched on the western edge of Los Angeles County along the Pacific Ocean, is an internationally renowned coastal city celebrated for its natural beauty, progressive urban planning, and cultural vitality. Though geographically compact at just over eight square miles, Santa Monica has an outsized reputation as a model of sustainable urban development, a magnet for tourism and commerce, and a treasured seaside community that balances sophistication with laid-back charm.
Perhaps the city’s most iconic landmark is the Santa Monica Pier, a century-old structure that marks the end of the historic Route 66 and serves as a symbol of Southern California’s beach culture. The pier features an amusement park with the solar-powered Pacific Wheel—the world’s first of its kind—along with an aquarium, restaurants, and live entertainment, making it a beloved destination for both visitors and locals.
Adjacent to the pier is Santa Monica State Beach, a 3.5-mile stretch of wide, sandy coastline offering pristine views, volleyball courts, bike paths, and ample space for recreation. The beach is flanked by Palisades Park, a scenic bluff-top promenade offering panoramic ocean views, public art installations, and walking trails lined with palm trees and native flora.
Santa Monica's downtown core is centered around Third Street Promenade, a vibrant pedestrian shopping district that blends global retail brands, indie boutiques, street performers, movie theaters, and fine dining. Just a few blocks away, Santa Monica Place, a luxury open-air shopping center designed by Frank Gehry, anchors the area’s upscale commercial offerings and connects seamlessly with the promenade.
Culturally, Santa Monica boasts a thriving arts and entertainment scene. The Santa Monica Playhouse and the Broad Stage offer live theater, music, and dance performances, while galleries such as Bergamot Station Arts Center house a collection of contemporary art spaces in a converted industrial complex. The city also maintains a strong commitment to public art, evident in its support for mural projects and cultural programming across public spaces.
Santa Monica is also a hub of innovation and sustainability. The city was an early adopter of climate action planning, green building codes, and urban mobility solutions. Its emphasis on biking, walking, and transit-friendly infrastructure is embodied in its award-winning Big Blue Bus system and the E Line (Expo Line) light rail, which connects Santa Monica to Downtown Los Angeles in under an hour. These initiatives have made the city a national model for sustainable coastal urbanism.
Residential neighborhoods such as Ocean Park, Sunset Park, and North of Montana reflect the city's diversity in architectural styles and socio-economic profiles, offering a mix of historic Craftsman homes, modernist residences, and luxury condominiums. The Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area to the north offers trails and open space, enhancing the city's commitment to nature and active lifestyles.
Educationally, Santa Monica is anchored by Santa Monica College (SMC), a highly regarded community college known for its transfer rates to the University of California system, as well as its robust arts and sciences programs. The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District is similarly respected, reinforcing the city's appeal to families and professionals alike.
Santa Monica also plays host to several major events throughout the year, including the Twilight Concert Series, COAST Open Streets Festival, and numerous film, wellness, and sustainability-related gatherings that draw international attention and participation.
