Backflow Testing and Prevention in Fort Lauderdale, FL
A backflow device keeps used water from running backward into the public supply. Fort Lauderdale requires them on irrigation meters and on some other services, and they have to be tested on a schedule.
Test notice in the mail?
Have the account address and device location ready when you call.
(754) 320-541224/7 emergency lineWhat backflow is, and why testing exists
Water normally flows one way, from the street into your home. If pressure drops in the main, water can flow backward and pull in whatever is connected. A garden hose in a pool, a sprinkler head under mulch or a chemical injector can all be sources of contamination. A backflow assembly blocks the reverse flow.
These devices contain springs and seals that wear. A test confirms they still close. That is why cities require testing, not just installation.
The Fort Lauderdale rules in plain terms
| Service type | Device needed | Test frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Residential irrigation meter | Pressure vacuum breaker or reduced pressure assembly | Every two years |
| Commercial irrigation meter | Pressure vacuum breaker or reduced pressure assembly | Every year |
| Domestic service the city flags as a contamination risk | Reduced pressure assembly | Every year |
| Fire service line | As specified by the city | Tested by a licensed fire inspection company that is also certified for backflow |
Testers must hold current certification from an accredited institution that the city approves. The city's page names examples such as TREEO and the American Society of Sanitary Engineers. Results are submitted online through the city's reporting system, and the testing company normally enters them. Reminders are sent to customers who have registered devices.
These rules apply to City of Fort Lauderdale accounts. Neighboring cities and Broward County Water Services run their own programs, so check with your provider if you live outside the city.
Have the service address and device location ready, and the dispatcher will explain the next step.
What a test visit involves
- Locate the deviceThe tester finds the assembly, often a pipe with a bronze body above ground near the meter or the irrigation tap.
- Shut the water brieflyWater to the irrigation or domestic line is turned off for a short period during the test.
- Run the testA gauge measures the check valves and relief valve to confirm they hold.
- Repair if neededIf a valve fails, the technician can replace seals or the device and retest.
- Report the resultThe result is filed with the city, and you receive a copy.
Irrigation systems are the most common place for a missing or failed device in a residential setting. If a landscaper installed your sprinklers, ask if a device was added. If you are not sure, a plumber can inspect the tap at the meter.
Scheduling and quotes for a test
Most callers know what they need: the annual test. Have the following ready and the booking is quick.
- The service address and the account number on the notice.
- The make and size of each device, if you know them.
- How many devices need testing, and where they sit.
- The date on the test notice, so the report is filed in time.
Ask whether the price covers the report filed with the water provider. A device that fails needs a repair or a replacement, and that is a separate quote.
Installation and replacement
New irrigation installs, remodels and some commercial changes need a device installed to code. A proper install sets height, drainage and access so the device can be tested. Replacement is sensible when a device keeps failing, leaks at the relief port or is damaged by freezing, impact or vandalism. Rental buildings and restaurants often have more devices than owners expect. See commercial plumbing for how those accounts are handled.
A failed device can also point to pressure problems upstream. If water pressure is high, ask whether a regulator is needed. Leak detection is worth considering if the relief valve drips constantly.
What changes the price of backflow work
- Number of devices
- A single residential irrigation device costs less than a building with several.
- Device type and size
- Pressure vacuum breakers and reduced pressure assemblies differ in cost and complexity.
- Repair versus replacement
- Seals and springs are cheaper than a new assembly.
- Access
- Hidden or buried devices take longer to test.
- Reporting
- Some testers include filing the result and some do not.
Ask whether the quote includes online reporting and a retest after repair. No figures are listed here because jobs differ.
Questions people ask before they call
A tester with current certification from an accredited institution that the city approves. Fort Lauderdale names TREEO and ASSE as examples.
Domestic reduced pressure devices are tested every year. Residential irrigation devices are tested every two years, and commercial irrigation devices every year.
The tester can usually repair or replace parts and retest. The result must be filed after it passes.
In Fort Lauderdale, all irrigation service meters must have a backflow device, and only pressure vacuum breakers or reduced pressure assemblies are accepted.
Each city and Broward County Water Services runs its own program. Check with your provider for your address.
It checks the device, not the pipes. If the relief valve keeps dripping, ask about pressure and consider leak detection.
Call and give the address and the number of devices. The dispatcher will explain the next step.
Price depends on the number and size of devices and access. Ask for the price per device and whether the report filing is included.
Often yes, with new internal parts. Some devices need replacement. Ask for both options after the test.
Backflow devices on irrigation are tested the same way. Irrigation repair work itself is not listed here, so ask before booking anything beyond the test.
Need a backflow test scheduled?
Call with your service address and the type of device. The dispatcher will explain how booking works.