Do I Legally Have to Use a Certified Backflow Tester, or Can Any Plumber Do It?

In Los Angeles and throughout California, most water departments require that backflow prevention assemblies be tested by a certified backflow tester— not just any plumber. Your water purveyor (LADWP or your local city/water district) typically maintains an approved tester list and will only accept reports from those certified professionals.

To stay compliant, protect the public water supply, and avoid fines or shutoffs, our backflow testing Los Angeles experts recommend hiring a certified tester like Atlas Backflow Services.

Why Certification Matters

Backflow testing is not a routine plumbing task. It’s a public health safeguard governed by cross-connection control regulations. In California, water purveyors implement programs aligned with Title 17 of the California Code of Regulations to ensure the drinking water system isn’t contaminated by backflow from private properties.

• Certification is a legal and program requirement: Most Los Angeles–area water providers only accept test reports from certified backflow testers recognized by the purveyor.

• Specialized equipment and procedures: Certified testers use calibrated differential gauges and follow standardized testing methods to verify each check, relief valve, and shutoff is operating correctly.

• Documentation that passes review: Reports must be completed on purveyor-approved forms and often submitted electronically or through a portal—another reason our backflow testing Los Angeles experts recommend using specialists who submit directly to your water provider.

Atlas Backflow Services keeps your devices compliant by performing, documenting, and submitting tests the right way—start to finish.

So… Can Any Plumber Do It?

Not usually. A licensed plumber may be qualified to install or repair piping and fixtures, and some plumbers are also certified backflow testers.

But unless that plumber holds a valid backflow tester certification accepted by your water purveyor—and is on the provider’s approved list—your test report can be rejected.

• Install/repair vs. test: A plumber can often install or repair a backflow assembly. The test, however, must be performed by a certified tester with a calibrated gauge, and the results must be submitted per your water purveyor’s rules.

• Approved lists: Many Los Angeles–area water departments publish an “approved/certified tester list.” If your tester isn’t on it (or their certification lapsed), the report won’t count.

• Avoid do-overs: Submitting a noncompliant report can trigger re-tests, fines, and deadline stress. Our backflow testing Los Angeles experts recommend verifying your tester’s status before any appointment.

What the Law and Local Programs Expect

While each agency sets specific rules, most Los Angeles water providers require:

• Annual testing of testable assemblies (RP/RPZ, DC, DCDA, PVB, SVB), plus testing after any repair, relocation, or replacement.

• Certified testers recognized by the purveyor. Many agencies accept certifications from organizations such as AWWA CA-NV Section or ABPA, but acceptance varies, and some require inclusion on the purveyor’s own list.

• Calibrated gauges with current calibration certificates.

• Official reporting on purveyor-specific forms or via their portal, often within strict timelines.

To avoid uncertainty, our backflow testing Los Angeles experts recommend choosing a team like Atlas Backflow Services that already works with local utilities and understands submittal formats and deadlines.

How to Verify a Tester Before You Book

Use this simple checklist:

• Certification card: Ask for the tester’s current backflow tester certification and expiration date.

• Approved list: Confirm the tester is on your water provider’s approved list (LADWP or your city/water district).

• Gauge calibration: Request the latest calibration certificate for their test gauge.

• Submittal process: Make sure they submit results directly to your purveyor and provide you a copy for your records.

• Insurance and licensing: Verify current business license and insurance—especially important for commercial and multi-site portfolios.

Atlas Backflow Services meets these criteria and handles submittal end-to-end so your compliance is airtight.

What Happens If I Don’t Use a Certified Tester?

• Report rejection: Your water purveyor may reject the test, requiring a re-test by a certified tester.

• Penalties and fees: Missed deadlines can lead to late fees or re-inspection charges.

• Service interruption: Continued noncompliance can result in water shutoff until a valid passing test is on file.

• Operational delays: Fire systems, commercial operations, and tenant move-ins can be impacted.

To protect your timelines and budget, our backflow testing Los Angeles experts recommend scheduling early with a certified team—especially during peak compliance months.

The Inherited Atlas Backflow Services Difference

• Certified, local expertise: We test all major backflow assembly types and stay aligned with Los Angeles–area purveyor requirements and submission platforms.

• Calibrated equipment and precise reporting: Every test is performed with a current, calibrated gauge, and documented on your purveyor’s approved forms.

• Direct submittals: We file results with your water provider (where accepted) and provide you copies for your compliance records.

• Repairs and retesting: If a device fails, we explain the issue, provide a clear estimate, complete repairs, and retest promptly.

• Proactive reminders: Never miss your annual due date. We track your devices and remind you ahead of schedule.

This is exactly the level of service our backflow testing Los Angeles experts recommend when compliance, speed, and accuracy matter.

Common Scenarios We See in Los Angeles

• Irrigation with fertilizer injection: Requires a testable assembly (often RP/RPZ or PVB) and annual testing by a certified tester.

• Fire sprinkler lines: Commonly protected by DCDA or RPDA assemblies that must be tested annually and after system work.

• Tenant improvements or remodels: New or relocated devices require a test on install, then annually.

• Mixed-use and multi-family: Multiple devices on one site? We coordinate access and bundle testing to save time and costs.

If you’re not sure what you have, we’ll help you identify assemblies by type, size, and location, then verify due dates with your purveyor.

FAQs

• Can my maintenance staff test the device? Only if they hold a current, accepted backflow tester certification and are approved by your purveyor. Otherwise, no.

• My plumber says they can test it—should I proceed? Ask to see their backflow tester certification, gauge calibration, and proof they’re on your purveyor’s approved list. If anything is missing, our backflow testing Los Angeles experts recommend hiring a certified tester.

• Do residential customers need certified testers too? Yes, if your home has a testable assembly (common on certain irrigation and fire lines). The same certification rules apply.

• How often do I need testing? Typically annually, plus after installation, repair, relocation, or replacement. High-hazard sites may be required to test more frequently.

Stay Compliant the Easy Way

If you’re asking whether any plumber can test your backflow device, the safe answer in Los Angeles is: Use a certified backflow tester approved by your water provider. It’s the surest way to protect public health—and your wallet.

Atlas Backflow Services delivers the certified process our backflow testing Los Angeles experts recommend: precise on-site testing, compliant documentation, direct submittals, and fast repairs when needed.

We make backflow compliance simple, predictable, and stress-free.Ready to schedule or need us to verify your due date? Contact Atlas Backflow Services today and get compliant with confidence.