The City of Colton has a well-established and robust backflow prevention program that helps ensure the safety of its public water supply.
Colton 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 Turn-key Backflow Maintenance includes:
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With state-of-the-art diagnostics, tests, timely repairs, and proactive maintenance, we help commercial and residential customers in Colton and across Southern California avoid costly civil liabilities, penalties and water service disruptions.
1. Scope & Authority
The City of Colton enforces a Cross‑Connection Control / Backflow Prevention Program to safeguard its potable water system from contamination via backflow. The program is administered under the authority of the California Code of Regulations, Title 17, as well as San Bernardino County’s ordinance on backflow and cross‑connection control. Every water supplier in the county must prevent water from unapproved sources or other substances entering the domestic water system, in conformity with Title 17 standards and county code.
2. Responsibilities of Property Owners
Installation & Maintenance: Property owners must install and maintain approved backflow prevention assemblies (BPAs) where a cross‑connection hazard exists or is identified. The device must be sized, located, and installed to allow access for testing and maintenance in accordance with city standards and sanitary engineering practice.
Annual Testing: Each BPA must be tested at least once every year by a certified backflow prevention tester. In addition, testing is required when a device is newly installed, relocated, or repaired. Evidence of testing must be submitted to the City’s Cross‑Connection / Water Department for recordkeeping and compliance verification.
Repairs & Replacements: If a backflow prevention assembly fails a test, the property owner is obligated to repair or replace it promptly. After any repair or replacement, the device must be retested and demonstrated to function correctly before being returned to service.
3. Scenarios Requiring Backflow Prevention Assemblies (BPAs)
Backflow prevention devices are required in various situations where contamination risk exists: irrigation or landscape systems connected to potable water; fire protection / sprinkler systems; swimming pools, spas, or other non‑potable water features; properties with auxiliary or alternate water sources (e.g. wells, cisterns, recycled water systems); commercial, industrial, or institutional facilities with processes posing contamination hazards; and temporary service connections (such as construction water lines or hydrant meters). The type of BPA required is determined by the assessed degree of hazard.
4. Testing & Maintenance Requirements
Annual Testing / Inspection: All installed backflow prevention assemblies must be tested at least annually by a certified tester. Tests also must be conducted at the time of installation, after repair or replacement, or following relocation of the device.
Certified Testers: Only testers holding valid certification (such as a Certificate of Competence issued by San Bernardino County EHS or equivalent) may perform testing. These testers must maintain their credentials, use properly calibrated equipment, and adhere to accepted test procedures.
Submission of Test Reports: Certified testers must submit detailed test reports to the City’s Cross‑Connection / Water Department for recordkeeping. The City may issue notices to property owners when tests are due. Failure to test or to submit required reports may expose the owner to penalties or enforcement.
Repairs / Replacements: If a device fails, the property owner must repair or replace it immediately. Following any work, the device must be retested and must pass before being restored to service.
5. Approved Devices & Certified Testers
Approved Devices: Only backflow prevention assemblies meeting recognized design and performance standards may be installed. The type of device (for example reduced pressure principle, double check valve assembly, pressure vacuum breaker, or air gap) must correspond to the degree of hazard assessed. Devices must be testable (except in rare permitted cases) and suitable for their intended application.
Certified Testers: Testing may only be performed by certified testers (e.g. with a valid county Certificate of Competence). Testers must use calibrated equipment, maintain current credentials, follow approved testing protocols, and submit results in the required format. Only certified testers are permitted to furnish test reports to the City’s program.
6. Enforcement & Penalties
Non‑Compliance: Failure to install, test, maintain, or properly report on required BPAs is a violation of the cross‑connection control program. The City has authority to issue violation notices, require corrective action, or initiate enforcement proceedings.
Water Service Interruption & Restoration: The City may discontinue water service to any property that is noncompliant. Water service will not be restored until all required backflow prevention devices are properly installed, tested, repaired as needed, and documented to the satisfaction of the City.
Penalties: Additional penalties may be imposed for late submission of test reports, ignoring notices, tampering with or removing backflow devices, or repeated violations. The City may also withhold new service connections, permits, or final inspections until full compliance is achieved.
Colton Water Authority Contact Info:
Colton Water / Utilities / Public Works
150 S. 10th Street
Colton, CA 92324
Tel: 909- 370‑5040
