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We depend on commercial and residential property owners to protect our community’s health by testing and maintaining their backflow prevention assemblies. State law and Portland City Code require backflow prevention assemblies to be tested at least once each year.
Testing requirements
To protect public health, state law and City Code require backflow prevention assemblies at properties with certain types of water use. For residential properties, these uses most commonly include irrigation systems and fire sprinkler systems. Commercial properties often have several backflow prevention assemblies for things like irrigation, fire sprinklers, water reuse systems, and some boilers.
These backflow prevention assemblies must be tested each year by a state-certified backflow assembly tester. Property owners are responsible for scheduling this testing and for ensuring their backflow prevention assemblies are working correctly. If your assembly fails and is not promptly repaired, you can be held liable for any illness or injury that results.
The Water Bureau keeps records of installed assemblies. We send property owners a reminder letter about the testing requirements each year. These letters come with sticker labels that can help us process your test report more quickly.
When to schedule your test
The testing schedule is different for residential and commercial properties.
- If you're a residential customer: You should test your backflow prevention assembly each spring when you receive your reminder letter. Most residential assemblies are installed on irrigation systems. Testing in the spring ensures your assembly is working properly during the summer irrigation season!
- If you're a commercial customer: You should follow the annual testing schedule in the reminder letters we send you.
How to get your backflow prevention assembly tested
Find your backflow prevention assembly information.
The information you need is included on the sticker labels in your reminder letter. Find out what to do if you don't have your stickers or if they contain incorrect information. Your tester can affix the sticker to their report, or they can enter the information themselves.
Your tester will need to know:
- The name and address on your sticker labels
- The type of backflow prevention assembly installed
- Your assembly's serial number
- Your assembly's location
Contact a state-certified tester to schedule your test.
- Find a certified tester on the Oregon Health Authority's list.
- Contact any company on the list to schedule a test.
- The Water Bureau does not perform these tests and cannot recommend specific testing companies.
Prepare for your test appointment.
- Give your tester your sticker labels or provide them with the information listed above.
- Your tester will use a specialized test gauge to make sure your assembly is working properly. The tester may turn off your water for several minutes during the test.
Your tester will submit your report and give you your results.
About sticker labels
Our reminder letters usually include sticker labels. These labels include important information about your backflow prevention assembly.
If you receive stickers, please give them to your tester. Your tester may affix the sticker to a paper test report, or they may use the information on the sticker to fill out a report.
What to do if you don't have your stickers
While the stickers that come with your letter provide helpful information, they are not required. However, your tester will need some specific information to fill out the test report.
Your tester will need to know:
- The name and address in our records
- The type of backflow prevention assembly installed
- Your assembly's serial number
- Your assembly's location
If you have an old sticker or test report, you can find the necessary information there. You can also find some of the information you need by looking at your backflow prevention assembly. The type of assembly (size, make, and model) and the assembly's serial number is usually visible on the face of the assembly.
If you would like replacement stickers, email us at backflow@portlandoregon.gov.
What to do if the information on your stickers is incorrect
If you find any incorrect information on your sticker labels, please contact us at 503-823-3256 or backflow@portlandoregon.gov so we can update your records. Once we update your records, you can provide the corrected information to your tester to include in your test report.
Submitting test reports
Your tester will submit a backflow test report to the Water Bureau within 10 business days. If you have your sticker labels, your tester can attach them to the report to speed up processing.
Certified testers should submit reports to the Portland Water Bureau by mail or email:
- Email completed pdf test reports to backflow@portlandoregon.gov
Mail completed paper test reports to:
Portland Water Bureau
Attn: Backflow Assembly Records
664 N Tillamook Street – B320
Portland, OR 97227
Scheduling maintenance and repairs
Your tester will tell you if your assembly needs cleaning or repair. Arranging for repairs is your responsibility and an important step in keeping our community's water safe! You do not need to notify the Portland Water Bureau before scheduling maintenance and repairs.
- For most repairs, you should contact a licensed plumber.
- For irrigation backflow assemblies, you may arrange for repairs with a landscaper licensed by the Oregon Landscape Contractors Board.
- Assemblies must be tested again after repairs are made!
If your backflow prevention assembly needs to be replaced, you must first get approval from the Portland Water Bureau. Please contact us at backflow@portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-3256.