Backflow Prevention Frequently Asked Questions - DEP

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Backflow Prevention FAQs

Backflow prevention devices prevent contaminated water or chemicals from flowing back into the public drinking water supply system. Certain types of properties are legally mandated to install and operate backflow prevention devices. To learn about the backflow prevention device installation and application process, visit Backflow Prevention Devices. For general water and sewer information, visit Water & Sewer Forms.

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Why are backflow prevention devices required?

Backflow prevention devices are an important component of our drinking water protection program and are legally mandated under the New York State Sanitary Code and the Rules of the City of New York for those businesses identified as posing a risk to the public water supply.

What types of properties must install backflow prevention devices?

Unless they receive a specific exemption from DEP, the following types of businesses and properties are required to install and use backflow prevention devices:

Properties with in-ground irrigation sprinklers

Properties with swimming pools

Premises with multiple water service lines

Metal plating, cleaning, processing or fabricating facilities

Photo-processing facilities

Laundries and dry cleaners

Commercial car washes

Greenhouses

Hospitals, Clinics and Laboratories (including veterinary hospitals)

Medical and Dental Offices

Funeral Parlors

Food processing plants and meat/fish packers

Dye Plants

Paper processors

Auto Repair Shops

Breweries

Tanneries

Exterminators

Large residential dwellings with water boilers that use rust-inhibitors or other water treatment chemicals, (“treated water boilers”)

Sewage treatment plants or handling facilities

Premises with roof tanks and elevated storage lines

Canneries

Slaughterhouse/Live Poultry Processing Facilities

Ice Manufacturing Facilities

Printing Facilities

Supermarkets

Premises with large boilers or chemically treated boilers

Warehouses (with toxic chemical storage)

Premises with Commercial or Public Kitchens

Premises with water cooled equipment or chillers

Premises with Groundwater Wells

Premises that Reuse or Recycle Water

Shipyards and Marinas

Schools and Colleges

Food Preparation Facilities

Nursing Homes

Barber Shops and Beauty Salons

You may also have your Registered Architect or Professional Engineer consult our Backflow Prevention Risk Assessment Guide to determine whether or not your property requires a backflow prevention device. If your property or business type is not included in the above list and you have a specific question about your legal requirements, please call 311 to have your inquiry directed to DEP.

How can I be sure if my property requires a backflow prevention device?

To determine whether or not your property requires a backflow prevention device, hire a Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) or Licensed Registered Architect (RA).

Who is responsible for installing a backflow prevention device?

Property owners must hire a Licensed Master Plumber to install a backflow prevention device. Tenants are not responsible for managing the installation or maintenence of backflow prevention devices.

How do I install a backflow prevention device?

To install a backflow prevention device, you must hire a Professional Engineer (PE) or Registered Architect (RA) to prepare a backflow prevention plan for your property. The PE or RA will send the plans to DEP for approval. If the plans are approved, DEP will notify you via mail. You will then need to hire a Licensed Master Plumber (LMP) to install the device.

After the LMP installs the device, you are required to have a New York State certified tester test your device to ensure it was installed properly. For a list of certified testers, visit NY State Department of Health Certified Backflow Testers. It may be the case that your LMP is also a certified tester.

For testing of a newly installed device, the test form should be filled out by a certified tester and signed by an LMP (if the certified tester is not already an LMP, they must report to one), and the RA or PE who submitted the initial backflow prevention plan. The signed test report should be submitted to DEP within 30 days of installation.

Once initial installation and testing are finalized, you are required to have your backflow prevention device tested every 12 months by a certified tester. You will receive a notification letter in the mail when your backflow prevention device is due for its annual test. Failure to perform this annual test could result in fines or the disconnection of your water service. For the annual test, the test form needs to be filled out by the certified tester and signed by an LMP.

All backflow prevention forms should be filled out by the appropriate trades professional. You can access all backflow prevention forms by visiting Backflow Prevention Devices.

How much will the installation of a backflow prevention device cost?

The following prices are estimated based on average industry prices for parts and labor:

For very small buildings (1 story) installation should cost between $3,000 and $5,000.

For small buildings (2 story) installation should cost between $3,750 and $5,500.

For small to mid-size buildings (car washes, laundromats, small manufacturers) installation should cost between $5,000 and $7,000.

For mid-size buildings (office complexes, large manufacturers or department stores) installation should cost between $7,500 and $13,000.

For large buildings (High rises, hospitals) installation should cost between $14,000 and $34,000.

Will my property need more than one backflow prevention device?

If your property is required to have a backflow prevention device and has multiple water service lines, you must install a device on each line.

Recently, I received an order to install a backflow prevention. The 30-day installation period has nearly expired. How can I avoid a Notice of Violation?

As long as DEP has certification in writing from a Licensed Master Plumber (LMP), Professional Engineer (PE) or Registered Architect (RA) that a device is in the process of being installed, you will not receive a Notice of Violation.

How do I schedule testing for my backflow prevention device?

For a list of certified testers, visit NY State Department of Health Certified Backflow Testers.

If you need to have a newly installed device tested, the test form should be filled out by a certified tester and signed by a Licensed Master Plumber and the Registered Arquitect or Professional Engineer who submitted the initial backflow prevention plan. The signed test report should be submitted to DEP within 30 days of installation.

Once your backflow prevention device is installed and tested initially, you are required to have it tested every 12 months by a certified tester. You will receive a notification letter in the mail when your backflow prevention device is due for its annual test. Failure to perform this annual test could result in fines or the disconnection of your water service. For the annual test, the test form needs to be filled out by the certified tester and signed by an LMP.

What if I have a backflow prevention device but DEP has no record of its installation?

You must ask the Professional Engineer (PE) or Registered Arquitect (RA) who made the design plans to send a record drawing of the backflow prevention device along with an initial test report of the device to DEP for review.

How do I file for an exemption from backflow prevention regulations?

Exemptions must be filed by a Professional Engineer (PE) or Registered Architect (RA) on behalf of the property owner. The PE or RA will need to provide all required information in a typed letter on their letterhead and fully state that all necessary exemption conditions have been met. All letters must be sent to DEP for approval.

Where can I find a Professional Engineer (PE), Registered Architect (RA) or Licensed Master Plumber (LMP)?

The following organizations can refer you to a PE, RA or LMP:

The Association of Contracting Plumbers of the City of New York, Inc.
535 8th Ave, 17th Floor
New York, NY 10018
(212) 481-4580
http://www.acpcny.org
info@acpcny.org

Master Plumbers Council (MPC)
137-03 Crossbay Boulevard
Ozone Park, NY 11417
(718) 793-6300
www.nycmpc.org

NYC Chapter of the American Society of Sanitary Engineers
P.O. Box 20111
Greeley Square Sta., NY 10001

NYC Chapter of the American Society of Plumbing Engineers
P.O. Box 293
Grand Central Sta., NY 10163

American Institute of Architects (AIA)
AIA NY Chapter
Center for Architecture
536 LaGuardia Place
New York, NY 10012
(212) 683-0023
architectfinder.aia.org

Where can I find more information about backflow prevention devices and regulations?

If you have additional questions, please call 311 to have your inquiry forwarded to a DEP representative.