City water utility · Washington
Backflow testing in Tacoma, WA
Tacoma Water (Tacoma Public Utilities)'s rules: who must test, when it's due, testers, filing and penalties.
Tacoma Water requires a yearly test of backflow assemblies (sprinklers, fire lines, businesses, some homes) by a state-certified tester, who sends the report within 15 days. Each assembly has its own due date. Missed tests bring $100 penalties and possible shutoff.
- Who
- Lawn sprinkler systems: every year
- Fire sprinkler lines: every year (some)
- Businesses: every year (some)
- Homes (other than sprinklers): every year (some)
- Due
- Test every year.
- Testers
- Tacoma Water (Tacoma Public Utilities)'s list (web page)
- Filing
- Your tester files online, by email or by mail. No filing fee listed.
- If late
- Water can be shut off. Penalty for each assembly not tested (can repeat, up to five penalties): $100 per occurrence.
Who must have a backflow test
A state-certified tester must inspect a backflow assembly when it is installed, test it every year after that, and test it again after any repair or replacement. Businesses with high hazards need a reduced pressure assembly or an air gap at the meter. Homes and low-hazard sites can often use a double check or vacuum breaker assembly.
- Lawn sprinkler systemsRequiredevery year
Applies even if you do not use the sprinklers, as long as the system is connected. If you remove the assembly and cap the line, call for an inspection. Once it passes, testing stops.
- Fire sprinkler linesSomeevery year
Fire sprinkler systems are listed as cross connections. Testing applies where the system has a backflow assembly.
- BusinessesSomeevery year
Required where a business has a cross-connection hazard. High-hazard businesses need a reduced pressure assembly or an air gap at the meter. These include car washes, laundries, food and beverage plants, breweries, farms, labs, hospitals and clinics, and multi-tenant commercial properties.
- Homes (other than sprinklers)Someevery year
Applies if your home has a boiler, pool, radiant or solar heat, chemical dispenser, or a backup well or storage tank tied to the water line and an assembly was required.
Assemblies tested: Reduced pressure assembly (RP or RPZ), Double check valve assembly, Double check detector assembly (fire lines), Pressure vacuum breaker, Spill-resistant vacuum breaker. What these are
Source: mytpu.org · checked Oct 18, 2026
When the test is due
Test every year. Tacoma Water gives each assembly its own test due date. You must test by that date, even if your last test was at a different time of year.
Notices: Tacoma Water tries to send a notice of your due date. You can sign up for the free Authorized Tester program so the notice goes to your tester instead. If a test is missed, a written notice follows by first-class mail, in person, or posted on your property, and you get at least 14 days to respond before each penalty.
Source: ecode360.com · checked Oct 18, 2026
Finding a tester
Any Washington-certified tester can test your assembly. Tacoma Water lists testers who have sent in their certificates, in a new random order each month. You can also search the state list by county. Get more than one bid. If you pick a tester who is not on Tacoma's list, make sure they send in their certificate and test kit papers, or the report will be rejected.
Web page
Source: mytpu.org · checked Oct 18, 2026
Filing the test report
- Who files
- Your tester
- How
- Online, by email or by mail
- Deadline
- Within 15 days after the test
- Fee
- None listed by the utility
- Form
- Test report form
The tester sends the signed report by fax, email or mail. The email and mailing address are printed on the form, and the fax number is on Tacoma Water's backflow page. A handwritten report must be in pen and show the tester's certification number, name, phone number, test date and signature. Incomplete reports are rejected. With the free Authorized Tester program, your tester handles the notices and the report, so you do not have to send results yourself.
Source: mytpu.org · checked Oct 18, 2026
If the test is late or fails
Tacoma Water can charge $100 for each assembly not tested and repeat the charge until the test is done, up to five penalties. It can also install a reduced pressure assembly at your meter at your cost, or shut off your water. You get a written notice and at least 14 days to respond before each penalty.
- Penalty for each assembly not tested (can repeat, up to five penalties): $100 per occurrence
Failed test: If an assembly fails, repair or replace it. A state-certified tester must then test it again and send in a new report. Call Tacoma Water to ask how long you have.
Rule: Tacoma Municipal Code ch. 12.10, Cross connections
Source: ecode360.com · checked Oct 18, 2026
For testers working in Tacoma
Testers must register with Tacoma Water (Tacoma Public Utilities) before their reports are accepted.
- Copy of your current Washington BAT card on file with Tacoma Water
- Calibration or verification certificate for each test kit on file (send once a year while valid)
- DOH-approved test procedures, unless Tacoma Water approved another in writing
- Complete signed report with certification number, name, phone and test date
- Report sent within 15 days of the test
Send Tacoma Water your BAT card and a calibration or verification certificate for each test kit. Reports are rejected until these are on file. To be added to the tester list customers see, fill out the online tester list form. You stay on the list for the calendar year while your kit calibration is current. If a customer names you as their authorized tester, their test-due notices go to you.
Source: mytpu.org · checked Oct 18, 2026
The rules behind it
- Tacoma Municipal Code ch. 12.10, Cross connections: Sets the $100 penalty (up to five), the assembly at the meter, shutoff, the 14-day notice period, and an assigned yearly due date for each assembly.
- WAC 246-290-490: State cross-connection control rule.
- Uniform Plumbing Code Section 603: Washington's version of the plumbing code, chapter 6.
Contact Tacoma Water (Tacoma Public Utilities)
- Program
- Cross Connection Control
- Phone
- 253-502-8207
- backflow@tacoma.gov
- Serves
- Tacoma, Federal Way, Fircrest, Lakewood, Puyallup, Ruston, University Place
Source: mytpu.org · checked Oct 18, 2026
Backflow testing in Tacoma: questions
Do I need a backflow test for my sprinkler system in Tacoma?
Yes. Tacoma Water (Tacoma Public Utilities) requires backflow assemblies on lawn sprinkler systems to be tested every year. Applies even if you do not use the sprinklers, as long as the system is connected. If you remove the assembly and cap the line, call for an inspection. Once it passes, testing stops.
When is my backflow test due in Tacoma?
Test every year. Tacoma Water gives each assembly its own test due date. You must test by that date, even if your last test was at a different time of year. Tacoma Water tries to send a notice of your due date. You can sign up for the free Authorized Tester program so the notice goes to your tester instead. If a test is missed, a written notice follows by first-class mail, in person, or posted on your property, and you get at least 14 days to respond before each penalty.
How do I find a backflow tester in Tacoma?
Any Washington-certified tester can test your assembly. Tacoma Water lists testers who have sent in their certificates, in a new random order each month. You can also search the state list by county. Get more than one bid. If you pick a tester who is not on Tacoma's list, make sure they send in their certificate and test kit papers, or the report will be rejected.
Who sends the backflow test report to Tacoma Water (Tacoma Public Utilities)?
Your tester files the test report, within 15 days. The tester sends the signed report by fax, email or mail. The email and mailing address are printed on the form, and the fax number is on Tacoma Water's backflow page. A handwritten report must be in pen and show the tester's certification number, name, phone number, test date and signature. Incomplete reports are rejected. With the free Authorized Tester program, your tester handles the notices and the report, so you do not have to send results yourself.
What happens if I skip my backflow test in Tacoma?
Tacoma Water can charge $100 for each assembly not tested and repeat the charge until the test is done, up to five penalties. It can also install a reduced pressure assembly at your meter at your cost, or shut off your water. You get a written notice and at least 14 days to respond before each penalty.
What if my backflow assembly fails the test?
If an assembly fails, repair or replace it. A state-certified tester must then test it again and send in a new report. Call Tacoma Water to ask how long you have.
Every fact on this page comes from Tacoma Water (Tacoma Public Utilities)'s own pages, forms or code, checked Oct 18, 2026. Rules change: your notice and the utility have the final word. Spot a mistake? Tell us.