Who is responsible for ensuring backflow preventers are tested?

The property owner holds primary responsibility for ensuring that backflow preventers are tested. This requirement stems from the need to maintain safe drinking water standards and to comply with local regulations regarding public health and safety. The property owner must ensure that these devices, installed to protect the public water supply from contamination due to backflow, are functioning correctly and tested at regular intervals. This responsibility is often explicitly laid out in local ordinances or health codes that mandate the testing of backflow prevention devices, ensuring that the property owner is accountable for the maintenance and operation of their plumbing systems.

While other entities, like the licensed plumber or municipal water authority, may provide services related to backflow testing or oversight, the ultimate obligation rests with the property owner to arrange for and verify that testing is performed, demonstrating a proactive approach to water safety.