Louisiana laws requires Annual Testing and Reporting by 12/1/24.
Louisiana laws and regulations require customers with a backflow prevention device to have the system tested and inspected once a year. The inspection must be completed by a service provider certified to perform this type of work.
Once the test is complete, a copy of the inspection report must be submitted by email to the Baton Rouge Water Company.
Customers who fail to submit a passed inspection within the past 12 months may have their water service turned off until a passed inspection is received.
May 16, 2024
BR Water Company reference:
In accordance with regulations set forth by the Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code Council (LSUCCC; found in Louisiana Administrative Code – Title 17), Environmental Protection Agency, and the Louisiana Department of Health, Baton Rouge Water Company (BRWC) has established and maintains a backflow prevention program. The program's aim is to safeguard the public water supply from potential contamination due to backflow from customer plumbing systems.
Prevention/Protection Methods
BRWC mandates the installation of a backflow preventer (BFP) at the point where a customer's plumbing connects to the public water supply as a condition for service. This BFP, owned and maintained by the customer, must be installed downstream of the BRWC meter and before any branches in the customer's plumbing system.
Responsibility
It is the customer's responsibility to install an approved BFP at their expense to protect the public water supply from contamination. Failure to comply will result in discontinuation of water service until requirements are met.
Ownership and Maintenance
Customers are responsible for selecting*, installing, field testing, and maintaining the BFP according to regulatory standards and manufacturer guidelines suitable for their water service conditions.
*BFP selection based on hazard level according to Table 608.19.1 found in the LSUCCC.
Testing Requirements
Customers must conduct field tests on BFPs after installation, repair, relocation, replacement, or in response to a reported backflow incident, and annually thereafter, following applicable federal, state, and local guidelines. All testing reports to be submitted to backflow@batonrougewater.com
Recordkeeping
BRWC will maintain records of each installed BFP, including location details, hazard description, assembly specifications, and testing dates. Customers must submit test reports promptly after testing.
Backflow Incident Reports
BRWC must be notified of reported backflow incidents and be allowed to investigate any such incident and detail subsequent corrective action taken to remediate the incident. Such investigation may include the local health and plumbing inspectors.
Enforcement
Activating new water services requiring backflow prevention must provide certification of compliance signed by a certified Louisiana Master Plumber with a Water Supply Protection Specialist (WSPS) endorsement. Water service will not commence until the proper assembly is installed and certified. Existing customers with inactive accounts requiring backflow prevention must provide a current inspection and test report before service reactivation. Customers failing to meet testing requirements will be notified of potential service discontinuation.
Program Compliance
Customers identifying the need for a BFP or notified by BRWC to install one must comply within sixty (60) days or demonstrate exemption to BRWC's satisfaction. Customers who fail to timely submit inspection reports will be notified by US Mail of the BRWC’s intent to discontinue service until such time as a test is conducted and results submitted. BRWC has no obligation to notify customers of inspections required nor to remind customers to submit results.