Backflow Prevention Assembly Information

• Swimming pool
• In-ground irrigation system or underground sprinklers
• Secondary source of water, such as reclaimed water or a well
• Body of water, including river, bay, lake or pond on your property or bordering your property
• Flood zone designation
• Solar water heating system
• Commercial, industrial, multistory or multifamily residential facility
• Cross connection is found (any connection between your drinking water and another source of water that combines the two waters)
• Fountain with a dedicated fill pipe
• Fire sprinkler system

*Requirements apply to properties with houses built after 1987. If your home was built prior to 1987, you will be required to bring your property to current standards if a permit for property modification is issued (i.e. pool installation, plumbing modifications, installation of a well, etc.) or by January 1, 2026 whichever occurs first.

If you irrigate with potable water, you are required to have two backflow preventers, one at the meter and another one on the irrigation line at the point of connection. If you have two meters, potable and irrigation, you are also required to have two backflow preventers, one at each meter.

The Cross Connection Control Program is required by:

• Safe Drinking Water Act
• Florida Administration Code 62.550 and 62.555
• Article X of Chapter 2-31 Manatee County Code of Ordinances, Resolution No. R-20-146, Cross Connection Control Manual, and Cross Connection Control Rate Resolution No. R-14-23
• Recommended Practice for Backflow Prevention and Cross-Connection Control, AWWA (American Water Works Association) Manual M-14
• Manatee County Land Development Code Chapter 8

• Annual Testing of Backflow Prevention Assembly(ies)
  You need to arrange for testing of your backflow preventer with a company from the County's Authorized Testers. The company will report your test results to us through the secured reporting website. Testing must be completed within 30 days from the date of the letter.

• Final Notice for the Testing of your Backflow Prevention Assembly(ies)
  You have seven days to notify Cross Connection Control office whether your backflow preventer testing has been completed. If your backflow preventer is still out of compliance in seven days, the County's contract plumber will be scheduled to perform the inspection(s) and a fee of at least $40 per backflow preventer will be charged to the property owner.

• Failed Backflow Prevention Assembly - BF#XXXXXXXX
  Your backflow preventer failed the annual inspection and needs to be repaired or replaced and re-certified within 30 days. Call an authorized plumber immediately and have the plumber contact the Cross Connection Control office.

• Failed Backflow Prevention Assembly – Excessive Vegetation – BF #XXXXXXXX
  Your backflow preventer failed inspection due to excessive vegetation. Please trim back your plants and arrange for testing with a company from our authorized tester list. This must be completed within 30 days to avoid water service disruption.

Approved Backflow Prevention Assemblies

Manufacturers and models of approved backflow prevention assemblies for each type of assembly, double check (DC) or Reduced Pressure (RP), are listed in the document “List of Approved Backflow Prevention Assemblies” distributed by Foundation for Cross-Connection and Hydraulic Research, University of Southern California.

Potable Water Service 

An approved backflow prevention assembly must be installed on each potable water service connection to any premises containing specific types of facilities. Listed below are examples of facilities and the minimum protection required to be installed for each type of facility. This list represents the minimum requirements and should not be construed as a complete record of all facilities. The minimum approved backflow prevention assembly for unlisted facilities will be determined on a case-by-case basis by the Cross Connection Control Program.

In addition to the specific facilities listed above, an approved backflow prevention assembly must be installed on each potable water service connection to any premises containing an actual or potential hazard. Listed below are examples of hazards and the minimum protection required to be installed for each type of hazard. The minimum approved backflow prevention assembly for unlisted hazards will be determined on a case-by-case basis by the Cross Connection Control Program. 

Fire Protection Service 

An approved backflow prevention assembly must be installed on each fire protection service to any premises where the fire protection system contains any of the components listed below, unless the Cross Connection Control Program determines that no actual or potential hazard to the public water system exists. Fire systems are divided into six (6) general classes. Listed below are descriptions of the classes and the minimum protection to be provided for each class. 

Below are links to other sites that provide more information about cross connection control and backflow prevention:

• Resolution R-20-146.pdf

• Ordinance 20-44.pdf

• Cross Connection Control Manual 1-1-2021.pdf

• Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Cross Connection Control and Backflow Prevention Program

• University of Florida Training, Research and Education for Environmental Occupations (UF TREEO) Frequently Asked Questions

• American Backflow Prevention Association (ABPA) Backflow Incidents

• UF TREEO Case Histories of Selected Backflow Incidents

• UF TREEO Backflow Prevention Courses

• University of Southern California Foundation for Cross-Connection Control and Hydraulic Research List of Approved Backflow Prevention Assemblies

Documents

Below are documents related to cross connection control and backflow prevention:

• United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Potential Contamination Due to Cross-Connections and Backflow and the Associated Health Risks

Journal Articles

Below are journal articles related to cross connections control and backflow prevention published by industry leading organizations:

• Schneider, et al (2010). Determining vulnerability and occurrence of residential backflow.Journal AWWA,102(8), pp. 52-63. Retrieved from https://www.awwa.org/resources-tools/water-knowledge/backflow-prevention-cross-connection-control.aspx

• LeBas, et al (2018). Status of Backflow Prevention and Cross-Connection Control Programs in the United States. Journal AWWA, 110(2), pp. 48-53. Retrieved from https://www.awwa.org/resources-tools/water-knowledge/backflow-prevention-cross-connection-control.aspx