Backflow Information - For Customers

Also known as the Cross-Connection Control Program (CCCP); the backflow department is responsible for the prevention of actual or potential connections between the public water supply and a source of contamination or pollution.

Staff in the backflow department are responsible for:

Inspecting the installation of backflow assemblies
Creating and Enforcing policies related to the CCCP
Tracking all the backflow assemblies in the system, and ensuring they are tested annually by NC certified backflow testers.
Assisting customers, testers and installers with any questions pertaining to compliance or backflow assembly information.
Meeting current state and federal guidelines for drinking water.

What is a backflow assembly?

A backflow assembly is a testable one way valve that prevents water from a business or residence from flowing back into the main drinking supply.

Why is a backflow assembly necessary?

In the event that pressure is lost on the main line feeding your meter, water from a private line could potentially be siphoned back into the mainline unless a properly working backflow assembly is in place. This is known as backsiphonage. If a hazard is directly connected to a customers waterline then contaminants and pollutants could potentially be siphoned back into the main drinking supply as well.

Another concern is backpressure and this occurs when pressure is created on the private side of the meter by a pump or a heat source. This could include a pump used to increase water pressure for a fireline or a boiler; which increases the pressure in the water line through heat (thermal expansion). Backpressure doesn’t require a drop in pressure on the public side of the meter to cause a backflow issue, making it harder to track.

What could cause a backflow occurrence?

If a mainline breaks it will cause immediate pressure loss.
If anyone uses a hydrant nearby it may cause significant pressure loss.
If a boiler causes the pressure on a customers private line to be greater than the pressure on the public side.
If a pump is used on the private side of the meter. This can increase the pressure to a point where it is higher on the private side than on the public side causing backpressure. This could be to feed firelines or buildings and homes when the pressure at the meter is not high enough for the customers needs.
ANY situation in which the pressure on the private water line is greater than the pressure on the mainline could potentially cause a backflow incident unless a backflow assembly is installed.

Who needs to install a backflow assembly?

All commercial water account holders.
Any customer with an irrigation system hooked up to their water line
Any customer with a water meter that serves two or more households. (Multi-family)
Any customer with a pool that does not have a hard piped air gap installed to fill their pool
Any customer hooked up to a secondary water system such as a well water hook-up.
Any customer with a residential or commercial fireline.
Any customer with a boiler system.
Any customer with a yard hydrant.
Any customer that presents a hazard of any type that could contaminate or pollute the water system.

Where in the City’s Code of Ordinances does it say that I am required to install and maintain a backflow assembly?

Section 21-3-4(c) which states that “All water systems proposed for connection to the city’s water system, all proposed modifications to any existing portion of the city’s water system, and all current connections to the city’s water system shall be designed, constructed, installed and maintained in conformance with applicable provisions of the then current city standard specifications and details manual (hereinafter ‘Manual’), and all other city rules, policies and procedures. Said policies, procedures, and manuals are understood to constitute Technical Ordinances of the City of Asheville, as that phrase is used within NCGS 160A-77(a). Any engineering plans, specifications and profiles submitted by applicants for construction of a water system or modifications shall be prepared by or under the direct supervision of an engineer licensed to practice in the state, shall bear the signature and seal of such engineer, and shall be subject to approval by the director. Following the installation of the water line extension, the engineer must provide the director a certificate of completion. Such plans, specifications and profiles shall be prepared at the expense of the applicant. The director shall maintain a copy of the current manual and city requirements for public inspection.”

Do I already have a backflow Assembly?

If you are being asked to install a backflow assembly, then the city is currently not tracking an assembly for your home or business. This does not mean that an assembly has not been installed by a previous owner. It is always a good idea to check right behind the meter, where the water enters the building and near specific hazards (such as a boiler or commercial dishwasher) to see if a backflow assembly has been installed. If you would like to set up a meeting with a backflow inspector, call us at 828-259-5914 and an inspector will come help you look for a backflow assembly if the City is not already tracking one at your address. This service is free of charge.

What qualifies as a backflow assembly?

The City of Asheville requires that all assemblies are testable, lead free and certified by the University of Southern California Foundation for Cross-Connection Control and Hydraulic Research (USC FCCCHR or USC). This means that the dual check valve attached to the back of the meter is only acceptable as a backflow assembly for single family homes on a domestic line with no other apparent hazards. This also means that the “backflow device” or check valve that comes with many commercial dishwashers and soda fountain machines are not accepted because they are not testable using the accepted methods and assemblies set forth by the City of Asheville. For list of USC certified assemblies click here.

Who can I call to schedule a backflow test?

The inspectors at the City of Asheville do not perform backflow tests. Backflow inspectors only perform backflow installation inspections. To schedule a backflow test you must contact a certified backflow tester. The City of Asheville requires the testers to have a certification from an accredited NC program such as The North Carolina Rural Water Association (NCRWA) or from the The University of Florida, Training, Research and Education for Environmental Occupations (UF TREEO) which is a nationally recognized program based out of Florida. As a courtesy, the backflow department has compiled a list of local companies that have at least one certified backflow tester on staff. You can access that list here.

How often does my backflow need to be tested?

Each backflow assembly must be tested annually at a set date. That date is going to be based on when the backflow was originally inspected and the City of Asheville began tracking that particular assembly. The due date does not reset based on the last time a test was turned in. For example, if a backflow assembly test is due in April and it doesn’t get tested until June; another test will have to be performed the following year in April.

Can I test my assemblies early?

The City of Asheville allows tests to be submitted up to 60 days prior to their due date and still meet the compliance requirements for that year.

I have multiple assemblies and multiple due dates. Can these be consolidated and tested at the same time?

If you have multiple backflow assemblies that need to be tested at different times throughout the year, the backflow department can work with you to get all dates consolidated. This will require that all assemblies are tested at once and that no assembly has gone more than one year without being tested. For example, if it’s August and you paid to have three assemblies tested in February and you have two more assemblies to test in September; then all five could be tested in September and the new due date for all five assemblies could be set to September. This must be approved by a member of the backflow department beforehand.

What happens if I don’t turn in my test on time?

Your water account may be subject to fines and temporary service interruption if you haven’t submitted your test by the due date. If your water service has been shut off due to backflow non-compliance then you need to speak to a member of the backflow department by calling 828-259-5914.

What happens if my backflow assembly fails its test?

First, a failing test must be submitted to Aquaresource by the tester. This is a legal document stating that the assembly failed and it is free to submit. Second, someone must communicate with the backflow department a plan for repairing and/or replacing the assembly. Without submitting a failing test and proper communication the City has no idea that your assembly has been tested or that there is a plan to fix the Cross Connection problem that now exists. This means your water account is subject to service interruption. The current City of Asheville policy is that all assemblies must be repaired within 10 business days of a failing test. If this is not possible, the reason why must be communicated to a representative of the backflow department within 10 business days.

I have a seasonal irrigation backflow assembly and I don’t want to use it this year. Do I still have to have it tested?

If you have a separate irrigation meter for your irrigation system then you can call customer service and have them deactivate your account. This could cause the account to be subject to water availability fees and issues in the future if it is off more than two years. If your irrigation line is a branch off of your domestic line, then you have to have the backflow assembly tested every year even if you don’t plan on using it.

I don’t want to use my irrigation system anymore and I don’t want to pay to have it tested. What should I do?

If you have a separate irrigation meter for your irrigation system then you can call customer service at 828-251-1122 and have them deactivate your account. This could cause the account to be subject to water availability fees and issues in the future if it is off more than two years. If your irrigation line is a branch off of your domestic line, then you have to have the backflow assembly tested every year or you have to cap off the branch underground. You must notify the backflow department beforehand and schedule for us to come out and see that the line has been capped underground so that an inspector can take pictures for our records. Then the hole can be backfilled and your backflow can be deactivated in our system.

If my backflow is destroyed by cold weather or a motor vehicle accident, what steps do I need to take?

Notify the backflow department and call your chosen plumber to replace the backflow assembly. Once the new assembly is installed, it needs to be tested and the installation has to be inspected.

I didn’t receive the courtesy notices from the City this year, what can I do?

If you didn’t receive the notices that the City sends out every year as a courtesy reminder then please call 828-259-5914 and speak to a member of the backflow department. Your mailing address may need to be updated or changed and the City can also add two email addresses to the account. The addresses in the backflow departments database are not updated automatically when customer service updates an address in their database, so please make sure you notify the backflow department as well as customer service when your mailing address changes.

Contact Information

City of Asheville Water – Backflow Department
828-259-5914