The City of Rialto has a well-established and robust backflow prevention program that helps ensure the safety of its public water supply.
Rialto 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 Rialto 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 Rialto 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 Rialto and across Southern California avoid costly civil liabilities, penalties and water service disruptions.
1. Scope & Authority
The West Valley Water District (WVWD) and Rialto Water Services enforce backflow prevention and cross‑connection control programs to protect the potable water supply from contamination.
These programs are implemented under the authority of:
California Code of Regulations, Title 17 (Sections 7583–7605)
San Bernardino County Environmental Health Services (EHS) regulations
Cross‑Connection Control Policy Handbook (CCCPH), effective July 1, 2025
Rialto’s water service is split between WVWD and Rialto Water Services. Both require full compliance with backflow testing, installation, and repair standards under state and local law.
2. Responsibilities of Property Owners
Installation & Maintenance: Property owners must install and maintain approved backflow prevention assemblies (BPAs) where a cross‑connection or hazard is identified.
Devices must be properly sized, accessible for testing, and installed in accordance with WVWD or Rialto Water Services standards.
Annual Testing: All BPAs must be tested at least once per year by a certified backflow prevention tester.
Additional testing is required upon installation, after repairs, or if a device is relocated.
Repairs & Replacements: If a BPA fails testing, the property owner must repair or replace it immediately.
After repair or replacement, the assembly must be retested and shown to be in compliance before it can be returned to service.
Reporting: Testers must submit completed test reports to the water provider's Cross‑Connection Control department.
Property owners must maintain all records of testing, repairs, and replacements and make them available to the utility or inspectors upon request.
WVWD imposes a monthly fee per assembly on customer bills to fund the administration of its Cross‑Connection Program.
3. Scenarios Requiring Backflow Prevention Assemblies (BPAs)
The City of Rialto and WVWD require BPAs in scenarios where the water system may be exposed to contamination or backflow risks. These include, but are not limited to:
Irrigation systems: Especially those using chemical injection or booster pumps.
Fire protection / sprinkler systems: Particularly where connected to non‑potable or treated water supplies.
Swimming pools / spas: To prevent pool water from entering the drinking water system.
Auxiliary or alternate water sources: Such as wells, cisterns, or greywater systems.
Commercial, industrial, and institutional facilities: Where water processes may pose contamination hazards.
Temporary water services: Including hydrant meters or temporary construction lines.
The specific type of assembly required (e.g., reduced pressure, double check valve, or pressure vacuum breaker) is based on hazard classification.
4. Testing & Maintenance Requirements
Annual Testing / Inspection: Each BPA must be tested annually to ensure it functions correctly.
Tests are also required after installation, repair, or relocation of a device.
Submission of Test Reports: All test reports must be submitted to WVWD or Rialto Water Services in a timely manner.
WVWD charges a monthly fee per assembly to support its testing program.
Failure to submit reports on time may result in late fees or other administrative penalties.
Repairs / Replacements: Failed devices must be repaired or replaced immediately.
After any repair, retesting is mandatory before the device is placed back in service.
5. Approved Devices & Certified Testers
Approved Devices: Only backflow prevention assemblies approved by the state and recognized standards organizations (such as the Foundation for Cross‑Connection Control and Hydraulic Research at USC) may be installed.
Assemblies must be testable and suitable for the level of hazard present.
Certified Testers: Only testers certified by San Bernardino County Environmental Health Services may perform backflow testing in Rialto.
Starting July 1, 2025, testers must also hold certification from an ANSI‑accredited organization in accordance with the Cross‑Connection Control Policy Handbook.
6. Enforcement & Penalties
Non‑Compliance: Failure to install, test, maintain, or properly report on backflow devices is considered a violation.
WVWD and Rialto Water Services may take enforcement action if a property is found to be noncompliant.
Water Service Interruption & Restoration: Water service may be shut off to properties that fail to comply with backflow prevention requirements.
Service will only be restored once all devices are correctly installed, tested, repaired (if needed), and documented.
Penalties:
Additional penalties may apply for:
Failure to submit annual test results
Ignoring compliance notices
Tampering with or removing backflow assemblies
The water provider may delay or deny new service connections or permits until compliance is achieved.
Rialto Water Authority Contact Info:
Rialto Water Services
437 N. Riverside Ave.
Rialto, CA 92377
Tel: 909-820‑2546
