City water utility · Washington
Backflow testing in Vancouver, WA
City of Vancouver Water Utility (Public Works, Water Quality)'s rules: who must test, when it's due, testers, filing and penalties.
Vancouver requires a yearly backflow test by a state-certified tester. Single-family homes are due Sept. 1; multi-family and businesses Oct. 1. Testers file in the city's SAMS portal. After three missed notices the city can add fees and shut off water.
- Who
- Lawn sprinkler systems: every year
- Homes (other than sprinklers): every year (some)
- Apartments and condos: every year (some)
- Businesses: every year (some)
- Due
- Test every year.
- Testers
- 33 testers on City of Vancouver Water Utility (Public Works, Water Quality)'s list (web page)
- Filing
- Your tester files online, by email or by mail in SAMS. No filing fee listed.
- If late
- Water can be shut off.
Who must have a backflow test
Every backflow assembly on a Vancouver water service must be tested by a state-certified tester when installed, repaired, replaced or moved, and at least once a year after that. The customer schedules and pays for the test. The city does not run an automatic testing list.
- Lawn sprinkler systemsRequiredat installation and every year after
Every in-ground sprinkler system needs a double check or reduced pressure assembly. An atmospheric vacuum breaker is not accepted. Unused systems still need testing until the assembly is removed; contact the city to start that.
- Homes (other than sprinklers)Someat installation and every year after
Homes need an assembly based on water use and hazard. A home that keeps a private well on its water service needs a reduced pressure assembly. Single-family homes and accessory dwelling units are due Sept. 1.
- Apartments and condosSomeevery year
Applies where the property has an assembly. Due Oct. 1. You can ask the city for more time.
- BusinessesSomeevery year
Applies where the property has an assembly, set by the hazard level. Due Oct. 1. You can ask the city for more time.
Assemblies tested: Reduced pressure assembly (RP or RPZ), Reduced pressure detector assembly (fire lines), Double check valve assembly, Double check detector assembly (fire lines). What these are
Source: cityofvancouver.us · checked Oct 18, 2026
When the test is due
Test every year. Single-family homes and accessory dwelling units must have a passing test on file by September 1. Multi-family and non-residential properties have until October 1. You can test earlier. Spring is the easiest time to book a tester.
Notices: The city emails and mails letters to the owner and tenants on the water bill, and to property managers. The first reminder goes out March 1. If no passing report is on file by its due date, a second notice follows June 1 and a third August 1. After the third due date with no passing report, the account is non-compliant. Each letter has a Letter Code your tester needs. You can ask the city to send notices by email.
Source: cityofvancouver.us · checked Oct 18, 2026
Finding a tester
Call a state-certified tester from the city's list or the state's list. The city's list is alphabetical and does not rank anyone. Customers who log in to the city's customer portal can see more testing companies. Call as soon as your notice arrives. You usually do not need to be home. Residential tests usually cost $35 to $75, about $50 on average. Summer books up, so test in spring.
Web page · 33 testers
Source: cityofvancouver.us · checked Oct 18, 2026
Filing the test report
- Who files
- Your tester
- How
- Online, by email or by mail in SAMS
- Fee
- None listed by the utility
Testers enter the test in the city's SAMS portal with the Letter Code from your notice, then upload the signed report. The city also takes reports by mail and in person. You do not need to send a copy unless the city asks. If a notice arrives soon after your test, give your tester time to file, then ask them to confirm.
Source: cityofvancouver.us · checked Oct 18, 2026
If the test is late or fails
If no passing report is on file by the third notice's due date, the account is non-compliant. The city may then end water service and add fees to your water bill. The city's software cannot grant extensions to single-family homes; multi-family and business customers can ask for one.
Failed test: If an assembly fails, repairs and the retest must be done by the same due date. Call your tester right away, because the city's software cannot extend a single-family due date.
Rule: Vancouver Municipal Code 14.04.210 (additional fees added to the water account)
Source: cityofvancouver.us · checked Oct 18, 2026
For testers working in Vancouver
Testers must register with City of Vancouver Water Utility (Public Works, Water Quality) before their reports are accepted.
- Company and tester registered in the city's SAMS portal (the city accepts each registration)
- Washington BAT certification uploaded for each tester
- Test kit or gauge calibration records uploaded
- Customer's Letter Code to find the account (serial numbers no longer work for search)
- Signed company test report uploaded with each test
- At least one company Admin to manage company details, certifications and calibrations
Register on the city's SAMS portal. City staff review it and email you to set a password. Any company member can be an Admin, and only Admins can update company details, tester certifications and test kit calibrations. Enter each test with the customer's Letter Code and upload your signed report. The portal flags likely problems in red before you submit. A rejected report comes back by email with the reason.
Source: cityofvancouver.us · checked Oct 18, 2026
The rules behind it
- Vancouver Municipal Code 14.04.155, Cross Connection Control Program: Cited by the city for yearly backflow assembly testing.
- Vancouver Municipal Code 14.04.210: Cited by the city for the fees added to the water account when a customer is non-compliant.
- Vancouver Municipal Code ch. 14.04 (14.04.110 and 14.04.140 also cited): The city's cross-connection control program is built on these sections and its written procedures manual.
- WAC 246-290-490: State cross-connection control rule.
Contact City of Vancouver Water Utility (Public Works, Water Quality)
- Program
- Backflow and Cross-Connection Prevention
- Phone
- 360-487-8276
- backflowtestreports@cityofvancouver.us
- Run by
- NJBSoft (SAMS)
- Serves
- Vancouver, Clark County (parts outside the city, inside the water service area)
Source: cityofvancouver.us · checked Oct 18, 2026
Backflow testing in Vancouver: questions
Do I need a backflow test for my sprinkler system in Vancouver?
Yes. City of Vancouver Water Utility (Public Works, Water Quality) requires backflow assemblies on lawn sprinkler systems to be tested at installation and every year after. Every in-ground sprinkler system needs a double check or reduced pressure assembly. An atmospheric vacuum breaker is not accepted. Unused systems still need testing until the assembly is removed; contact the city to start that.
When is my backflow test due in Vancouver?
Test every year. Single-family homes and accessory dwelling units must have a passing test on file by September 1. Multi-family and non-residential properties have until October 1. You can test earlier. Spring is the easiest time to book a tester. The city emails and mails letters to the owner and tenants on the water bill, and to property managers. The first reminder goes out March 1. If no passing report is on file by its due date, a second notice follows June 1 and a third August 1. After the third due date with no passing report, the account is non-compliant. Each letter has a Letter Code your tester needs. You can ask the city to send notices by email.
How do I find a backflow tester in Vancouver?
Call a state-certified tester from the city's list or the state's list. The city's list is alphabetical and does not rank anyone. Customers who log in to the city's customer portal can see more testing companies. Call as soon as your notice arrives. You usually do not need to be home. Residential tests usually cost $35 to $75, about $50 on average. Summer books up, so test in spring.
Who sends the backflow test report to City of Vancouver Water Utility (Public Works, Water Quality)?
Your tester files the test report in SAMS. Testers enter the test in the city's SAMS portal with the Letter Code from your notice, then upload the signed report. The city also takes reports by mail and in person. You do not need to send a copy unless the city asks. If a notice arrives soon after your test, give your tester time to file, then ask them to confirm.
What happens if I skip my backflow test in Vancouver?
If no passing report is on file by the third notice's due date, the account is non-compliant. The city may then end water service and add fees to your water bill. The city's software cannot grant extensions to single-family homes; multi-family and business customers can ask for one.
What if my backflow assembly fails the test?
If an assembly fails, repairs and the retest must be done by the same due date. Call your tester right away, because the city's software cannot extend a single-family due date.
Every fact on this page comes from City of Vancouver Water Utility (Public Works, Water Quality)'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.