The City of Montclair has a well-established and robust backflow prevention program that helps ensure the safety of its public water supply.
Montclair 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 Montclair 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 simplify 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 Montclair 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 Montclair and across Southern California avoid costly civil liabilities, penalties and water service disruptions.
1. Scope & Authority
The Monte Vista Water District (serving Montclair) enforces a Cross‑Connection Control / Backflow Prevention Program to protect its potable water system from contamination via backflow or cross‑connections. The program is founded on the authority of California’s Code of Regulations, Title 17, and on the water district’s internal rules and standards. The district evaluates hazard risks at customer sites and mandates installation, testing, maintenance, and reporting of backflow prevention assemblies as part of its cross‑connection control plan.
2. Responsibilities of Property Owners
Installation & Maintenance: Property owners must install and maintain approved backflow prevention assemblies at service connections or internal plumbing locations where cross‑connection hazards are identified. The devices must be properly sized, accessible for testing, and installed in accordance with district specifications.
Annual Testing: Each backflow prevention assembly is required to be tested at least once annually by a certified backflow prevention tester. Testing is also required when the assembly is first installed, after repairs or replacement, or if it is relocated. Test results must be submitted to the water district for compliance tracking.
Repairs & Replacements: If a backflow prevention device fails during testing, the property owner is responsible for timely repair or replacement. Following any repair or replacement, the device must be retested and confirmed to perform within acceptable standards before returning to service.
3. Scenarios Requiring Backflow Prevention Assemblies (BPAs)
Backflow prevention devices are required in any situation where there is a risk of contaminants entering the potable water system. Such scenarios in Montclair include irrigation systems tied to potable water lines, fire protection or sprinkler systems, swimming pools or spas, properties with auxiliary water sources (such as wells or cisterns), commercial or industrial facilities with potential cross‑connection hazards, and temporary service connections (for example, construction water lines or hydrant meters). The specific type of BPA required is selected based on the level of hazard assessed by the water district.
4. Testing & Maintenance Requirements
Mandatory Testing Events: All installed backflow prevention assemblies must be tested at least once per year. Testing is also required at the time of installation, after repairs or modifications, or when the device is relocated.
Certified Testers: Only individuals who hold the required certification (for example, via San Bernardino County or another recognized certifying authority) may perform backflow testing in Montclair. Testers must maintain valid credentials, use properly calibrated testing equipment, and adhere to approved testing procedures.
Submission of Test Reports: Certified testers are responsible for submitting detailed test reports to the Monte Vista Water District’s cross‑connection / backflow program. The district may provide reminders to property owners when testing is due. Failure to submit test results or complete required testing may lead to penalties or enforcement.
Repairs & Retesting: If a device fails, the property owner must repair or replace it immediately. After repair or replacement, retesting is mandatory to verify compliance before the device is placed back into service.
5. Approved Devices & Certified Testers
Approved Devices: Only backflow prevention assemblies that meet recognized performance and design standards may be installed in Montclair’s service area. The required device type (e.g. reduced pressure principle, double check, pressure vacuum breaker, or air gap) depends on the assessed hazard level. Devices should be testable (except where specific exceptions apply) and suitable for the application.
Certified Testers: Testing and repair work may only be carried out by individuals with valid certification recognized by the water district or county regulatory authority. Testers must maintain current credentials, follow standard testing protocols, use calibrated equipment, and are the only permitted parties to submit test results for compliance.
6. Enforcement & Penalties
Non‑Compliance: Failure by a property owner to install, test, maintain, or properly report on required backflow prevention assemblies is considered a violation of the cross‑connection control program. The water district may issue notices of violation, demand corrective action, or employ additional enforcement measures.
Water Service Interruption & Restoration: The water district may discontinue service to any property that fails to comply with backflow prevention requirements. Service will not be restored until all required backflow devices are properly installed, tested, repaired (if necessary), and documented to the satisfaction of the district.
Penalties: Additional penalties may apply for late submission of test reports, failure to respond to notices, tampering or removal of backflow devices, or repeated non-compliance. The water district may withhold new service connections, permit approvals, or final inspections until full compliance under the cross‑connection program is achieved.
Montclair Water Authority Contact Info:
Monte Vista Water District
10575 Central Avenue
Montclair, CA 91763
Tel: 909-624‑0035
