TESTING REQUIREMENTS

Federal, and state laws require all water providers to meet certain standards to obtain, treat, and deliver water to protect public health. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) requires all water providers to establish a Cross-Connection Control and Backflow Prevention Program. Generally, this includes establishing requirements for the installation of backflow assemblies or devices preventing the flows or back-siphonage from unwanted connections that may threaten public health. TCEQ requires all backflow devices or assemblies:

• Must be tested upon installation and at least once annually. Additional testing may be required depending on the health hazard.
• Must receive a periodic Customer Service Inspection. The inspections are intended to identify and validate all device locations, their appropriateness, and determine if additional devices are required.

HAZARDS

The City will begin mailing notifications to businesses and residences that are potential high hazard connections to the public water system regarding the annual inspection certification in April 2024; requiring compliance by the end of June 2024. Recipients who receive this notification have active water connections that may potentially contaminate the City’s water distribution system through improper cross-connections within structure plumbing and/or improperly functioning backflow prevention devices.

Types of high hazard locations include, but are not limited to:

• Apartments
• Commercial kitchens
• Dry Cleaners
• Funeral homes
• Laboratories
• Medical and Dental facilities
• Multi-tenant centers
• Restaurants
• Schools
• Septic system locations
• Veterinary facilities
• Water connections from outside water sources (e.g., amenity lakes, canals, and reclaimed water)
• Well water locations

PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION
Implementation of this program is mandated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). Additionally, the City of Breckenridge recently codified this program via Ordinance 2024-02. 

The City of Breckenridge has established a Backflow Testing Program to help ensure that the backflow prevention devices protecting the City's water system from potential health hazards are tested annually.

The program requires property owners to maintain responsibility for ensuring their backflow prevention device is in good working order and providing annual test reports as proof of compliance. Backflow testing is the owner’s responsibility and is paid for by the owner. All repairs, replacements, or overhaul assemblies must also be performed by a licensed backflow prevention assembly tester and permitted by the City.

ENFORCEMENT

Failure of an owner to have the annual backflow testing performed and reported to the City will result in an escalated enforcement measure that may include termination of water service, civil penalties (up to $1000 or criminal penalties (up to $2000). 

Property owners may delegate testing activities to tenants, site managers, or property managers; however, the property owner is responsible and will be held accountable for compliance in enforcement proceedings. Correspondence and enforcement notifications will be addressed to the party receiving the water bill for the address with the non-compliance.

Owners should remind their testing company to adhere to the following procedures when submitting backflow assembly test reports.

BACKFLOW ASSEMBLY TESTERS 
* Any individual who is certified by TCEQ as a Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester may be added to this list. Please contact Christi Tidrow at 254-559-8287 to register. 

A-1 Quality Plumbing -  Marvin Chaney 
254-559-0557

HUSE Construction - Houston Satterwhite
254-559-4835

Stowe Independent Services. LLC - Michael Shane Parks
817-329-0909

West Texas Plumbing Solutions - Isaias Mendoza
254-559-9378

REFERENCES
Backflow Prevention Video Link (AWWA)
Introduction Letter
Texas Administrative Code - Title 30, Part I, Chapter 290 - Public Drinking Water
City of Breckenridge - Ordinance 2024-02: Cross Connection Control


Contact Public Works Director Todd Henderson or Lacy Botts at 254-559-8287 for further information or questions.