The City of Ontario has a well-established and robust backflow prevention program that helps ensure the safety of its public water supply.
Ontario 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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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 Ontario 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 Ontario and across Southern California avoid costly civil liabilities, penalties and water service disruptions.
1. Scope & Authority
The City of Ontario’s municipal water utility enforces a Cross‑Connection Control / Backflow Prevention Program to protect its potable water system from contamination via backflow or cross‑connections. The Ontario Municipal Code incorporates statewide cross‑connection and backflow control regulations and empowers the Utilities General Manager to determine where backflow devices are required, set testing schedules, and enforce maintenance obligations. The code mandates that cross‑connection controls follow State regulations (Title 17) and local ordinance, and allows the city to discontinue water service when required protections are not in place or maintained.
2. Responsibilities of Property Owners
Installation & Maintenance: Where required by the Utilities General Manager, the property owner must install and maintain backflow prevention devices at their own expense. Devices must be placed immediately downstream of the potable water meter (on the user’s side of the system), be easily accessible, and not located on city‑owned infrastructure. The owner is responsible for ensuring devices are kept in satisfactory operating condition, including regular maintenance, repairs, or replacement as needed.
Annual Testing: Backflow prevention devices must be tested at least once per year by a San Bernardino County certified backflow tester. More frequent testing may be required if repeated failures are observed. Testing also must occur immediately after any installation, relocation, or repair of the device. The property owner bears the cost of all inspections, testing, repairs, overhauls, and replacements.
Repairs & Replacements: If a device is found defective during test or inspection, it must be repaired, overhauled, or replaced at the user’s expense. After repair or replacement, the device must be retested and shown to operate properly before being returned to service.
Reporting: The user must maintain records of all inspections, tests, repairs, and overhauls. Records and test reports must be submitted to the Ontario Municipal Utilities Company in the format the utility prescribes. The utility may impose minimum testing schedules and require compliance documentation for continued water service.
3. Scenarios Requiring Backflow Prevention Assemblies (BPAs)
The city requires backflow protection at any location where a cross‑connection risk exists, as determined by the Utilities General Manager. Typical scenarios include irrigation systems, fire protection or sprinkler systems, swimming pools and spas, and premises with auxiliary water sources or processes that could introduce contaminants. When a property is connected to recycled water services, the applicant must submit plumbing plans so that the appropriate level of backflow protection is determined and installed before service begins. Changes in tenant occupancy or alterations to a facility that may affect hazard classification must be reported so the level of protection can be reassessed and adjusted if needed.
4. Testing & Maintenance Requirements
Mandatory Testing Events: Every backflow device must be tested at least once per year. Testing also must be performed immediately after installation, repair, relocation, or overhaul of the device.
Certified Testers: Only testers certified by San Bernardino County are authorized to perform tests in Ontario. Certified testers must maintain accreditation and use properly calibrated test equipment consistent with accepted standards.
Submission of Test Reports: Test results and supporting documentation must be submitted to Ontario’s municipal utilities department in the specified format. The city may set minimum frequencies beyond one test per year for certain high‑risk devices or repeatedly failing units. Non‑submission or late reporting may lead to enforcement or service penalties.
Repairs / Replacements: Devices that fail must be repaired or replaced immediately. After repair or replacement, devices must be retested and verified to comply before being placed back into service.
5. Approved Devices & Certified Testers
Approved Devices: Only backflow prevention assemblies approved by recognized standards and accepted by the city may be installed. Device types include, depending on hazard level, reduced pressure principle assemblies, double check assemblies, pressure vacuum breakers, or other suitable assemblies. Devices must be located so that they are accessible for test and maintenance, and may not be submerged or placed in inaccessible locations.
Certified Testers: Only San Bernardino County certified testers are permitted to test and maintain devices in Ontario. Testers must remain in good standing, use calibrated equipment, follow recognized test procedures, and are the only ones allowed to submit test reports to Ontario’s utility.
6. Enforcement & Penalties
Non‑Compliance: Failure to install, test, maintain, or properly submit reports for required backflow devices constitutes a violation of Ontario’s cross‑connection program. The utility or city may issue citations, demand corrective action, or escalate enforcement measures for persistent noncompliance.
Water Service Interruption & Restoration: Ontario may discontinue water service to properties that do not comply with backflow protection requirements. Service will not be restored until the required devices are installed, tested, repaired (if necessary), and documented to the satisfaction of the utility.
Penalties: Additional penalties may apply for late test report submissions, failure to respond to notices, tampering with or bypassing backflow devices, or repeated violations. The city may refuse to approve new service connections, building permits, or final inspections until full compliance is met under the backflow control program.
Ontario Water Authority Contact Info:
Ontario Municipal Utilities Company
1425 S. Bon View Avenue
Ontario, CA 91761
Tel: 909-395‑2600
