Backflow Prevention Assembly Information

Protect Your Backflow Prevention Assembly from Freezing! 

Freezing temperatures may be on the way, and exposed plumbing needs protection! A frozen or damaged backflow preventer can disrupt water service and lead to costly repairs.

What You Need to Know:

- Insulate all exposed plumbing and your backflow preventer with foam, pool noodles, or blankets—similar to how you’d protect plants from frost.
- Avoid using plastic bags or materials that trap moisture.
- Protecting and repairing your backflow device is the responsibility of the customer.

Stay proactive to keep your water system safe!



Every customer who owns a backflow prevention assembly is required to have the assembly tested annually. Log into your Manatee County Utilities online account to find out when your backflow preventer was last tested and the result of your test.

 

Certified Backflow Preventer Testers

Testing must be completed by a contractor registered with the Cross Connection Control office. The contractor must possess a valid, up-to-date plumbing license, current insurance, backflow preventer testing certification, and currently calibrated test kit. For testing of fireline backflow preventers, the State's Fire Marshal certificate is required.

Prices vary between each company. We recommend getting multiple quotes.

If your assembly fails the annual test, you are responsible for repairing or replacing the assembly within 30 days. All replacements must be installed to Manatee County Utilities Standards and be the correct type of assembly based on the conditions on your property (see section below "Required Backflow Prevention Assemblies") . Furthermore, the assembly must meet the lead free requirement of Section 1417 of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300g-6). If you are still out of compliance after the 30 days, all water services will be discontinued until the assembly is in compliance.

There are no time extensions for testing. You do not need to be present during the test. If your backflow preventer assembly is not tested in the allotted time, the County's contract tester will be scheduled to perform the inspection and a minimum charge of $50 per backflow preventer assembly will be charged to the property owner.  

 

Who is required to have a backflow preventer?

Manatee County’s Cross Connection Control Program requires you to have a backflow preventer if any of the following conditions exist on your property*:
  • Swimming pool
  • In-ground irrigation system or underground sprinklers
  • Secondary source of water, such as reclaimed water or a well
  • Body of water, including river, bay, lake or pond on your property or bordering your property
  • Flood zone designation
  • Solar water heating system
  • Commercial, industrial, multistory or multifamily residential facility
  • Cross connection is found (any connection between your drinking water and another source of water that combines the two waters)
  • Fountain with a dedicated fill pipe
  • Fire sprinkler system

*Requirements apply to properties with houses built after 1987. If your home was built prior to 1987, you will be required to install a backflow prevention assembly by January 1, 2026 or if a permit for property modification is issued (i.e. pool installation, plumbing modifications, installation of a well, etc.) whichever occurs first.

If you irrigate with potable water, you are required to have two backflow preventers, one at the meter and another one on the irrigation line at the point of connection. If you have two meters, potable and irrigation, you are also required to have two backflow preventers, one at each meter.

The Cross Connection Control Program is required by:

Regarding your backflow preventer

Letters
  • Annual Testing of Backflow Prevention Assembly(ies)
    You need to arrange for testing of your backflow preventer with a company from the County's Authorized Testers. The company will report your test results to us through the secured reporting website. Testing must be completed within 30 days from the date of the letter.
  • Final Notice for the Testing of your Backflow Prevention Assembly(ies)
    You have seven days to notify Cross Connection Control office whether your backflow preventer testing has been completed. If your backflow preventer is still out of compliance in seven days, the County's contract plumber will be scheduled to perform the inspection(s) and a fee of at least $50 per backflow preventer will be charged to the property owner.
  • Failed Backflow Prevention Assembly - BF#XXXXXXXX
    Your backflow preventer failed the annual inspection and needs to be repaired or replaced and re-certified within 30 days. Call an authorized plumber immediately and have the plumber contact the Cross Connection Control office.
  • Failed Backflow Prevention Assembly – Excessive Vegetation – BF #XXXXXXXX
    Your backflow preventer failed inspection due to excessive vegetation. Please trim back your plants and arrange for testing with a company from our authorized tester list. This must be completed within 30 days to avoid water service disruption.
Removing a backflow preventer
If conditions requiring backflow preventer are eliminated (i.e. in-ground irrigation system removed and no other conditions requiring backflow preventer exist at the property) you may submit a Petition to Remove a Backflow Prevention Assembly to the Cross Connection Control Office. Petitions can be mailed to 4520 66th St. W., Bradenton, FL 34210 or emailed to [email protected]. You can also submit your Petition using a smart phone, tablet or computer by CLICKING HERE. Petitions will be reviewed within 30 days. Backflow preventer shall never be removed without approval.

Failed inspection due to excessive vegetation
The standards for backflow preventer require a 3' clearance to prevent damage of the assembly from overgrowth and accommodate room for the tester to safely inspect the backflow preventer. Please trim back your plants and arrange for testing with a company from our certified tester list. This must be completed within 30 days to avoid water service disruption.

Required Backflow Prevention Assemblies

Approved Backflow Prevention Assemblies

Manufacturers and models of approved backflow prevention assemblies for each type of assembly, double check (DC) or Reduced Pressure (RP), are listed in the document “List of Approved Backflow Prevention Assemblies” distributed by Foundation for Cross-Connection and Hydraulic Research, University of Southern California.

Potable Water Service 

An approved backflow prevention assembly must be installed on each potable water service connection to any premises containing specific types of facilities. Listed below are examples of facilities and the minimum protection required to be installed for each type of facility. This list represents the minimum requirements and should not be construed as a complete record of all facilities. The minimum approved backflow prevention assembly for unlisted facilities will be determined on a case-by-case basis by the Cross Connection Control Program.

 Type of Facility  Minimum Protection 
 Commercial  RP
 Industrial   RP
 Sewage Pumping Station (lift station)  RP
 Multistory  RP
 Multifamily Residential   determined by degree of hazard 
 Single-Family Residential
  determined by degree of hazard 

In addition to the specific facilities listed above, an approved backflow prevention assembly must be installed on each potable water service connection to any premises containing an actual or potential hazard. Listed below are examples of hazards and the minimum protection required to be installed for each type of hazard. The minimum approved backflow prevention assembly for unlisted hazards will be determined on a case-by-case basis by the Cross Connection Control Program. 

Type of Hazard at Premises  Minimum Protection 
 Any type of well  RP
 Flood hazard area (if only condition) DC
Auxiliary water system not connected to public water system 
 RP
 Cooling system using chemical water conditioner   RP
 Fire Sprinkler System  RP
 Fountain with dedicated fill pipe   RP
 Hot water heating system using chemical water conditioner   RP
 If cross connection is found   RP
 Irrigation system  RP
 Property abuts or includes body of water (i.e., river, bay, lake or pond)   RP
 Reclaimed water (assembly at potable water meter)   RP
 Self-draining yard hydrant, fountain, hose, box or similar assembly   RP
 Solar water heating system  RP
 Steam boiler using chemical water conditioner   RP
 Swimming pool   RP
 Water storage tank, reservoir, pond or similar appurtenance   RP

Fire Protection Service 

An approved backflow prevention assembly must be installed on each fire protection service to any premises where the fire protection system contains any of the components listed below, unless the Cross Connection Control Program determines that no actual or potential hazard to the public water system exists. Fire systems are divided into six (6) general classes. Listed below are descriptions of the classes and the minimum protection to be provided for each class. 

Class 
  Description  Minimum Protection  
1 Closed automatic fire system with no pump connection (i.e., 20 heads or less)  None
2 Closed automatic fire system with pump connection  DC
3 Closed automatic fire system with pump connection and auxiliary water supply on or available to premises or located within 1,700 feet from pump connection  RP
4 Closed automatic fire system with closed pressure tank supply (jockey pump may be interconnected with domestic water supply and/or air compressor connection)  RP
5 Closed automatic sprinkler system interconnected with auxiliary water system  RP
6 Fire system used for combined purpose of supplying automatic sprinklers, hose lines, fire hydrants and standpipes and domestic water for industrial purposes:  RP
6(A) Self-draining fire hydrant on premises presenting health or system hazard (i.e., bulk storage yard, chemical plant, fuel storage plant, sewage treatment plant, stockyard or similar facility)  RP
6 (B) Self-draining fire hydrant on premises presenting pollution hazard (i.e., multi-family residential building, fabrication plant, office building or similar facility  DC

How to Become a Certified Backflow Preventer Tester

To register with Manatee County please complete and submit the Certified Backflow Prevention Assembly Service Provider Registration Checklist to the Cross Connection Control office. Contractors must possess a valid, up-to-date plumbing license, current insurance, backflow preventer testing certification, and current test kit calibration report. For testing of fireline backflow preventers, the State's Fire Marshal certificate is required. 
 
Registered contractors are required to record backflow test result through the Backflow Inspection and Test Portal within 7 days of test. Any reports submitted through mail, e-mail or fax will not be accepted.

Failed test reports shall be entered no later than 1 business day.

Additional Resources

Below are links to other sites that provide more information about cross connection control and backflow prevention:

Documents

Below are documents related to cross connection control and backflow prevention:

Journal Articles

Below are journal articles related to cross connections control and backflow prevention published by industry leading organizations:

CONTACT US +

  • Cross Connection Control, Utilities Department
  • (941) 792-8811 ext. 5267 or ext. 5283
  • Email Us

List of Certified Backflow Preventer Testers

CERTIFIED POTABLE BACKFLOW PREVENTION ASSEMBLY SERVICE PROVIDERS

Company Name Phone City Timely Filing Percentage Number of Tests Performed
 A Advanced Backflow Testing 813-802-1386  Gibsonton   61  122
A-Tru Plumbing LLC 941-706-6922 Bradenton 90
 126
AB Fire Sprinklers
 954-973-8054 Pompano Beach
 19
 16
Accurate Backflow Testing, Inc. 941-518-6030 Bradenton 99
 20,062
 Ackerman Plumbing Inc
941-755-7448
Sarasota
 82  22
Acree Air Conditioning  813-620-1666
Tampa
73
 15
Advanced Plumbing Commercial & Residential Inc 727-894-0136 St. Petersburg 15
 41
Advanced Plumbing Solutions 941-284-4739 Nokomis 100 5
All Septic All Plumbing Inc 239-233-2507 Sebring 100
 2
Alliance Fire and Safety* 941-485-5402 Venice 97 291
 All Star Fire Inc
 352-537-8985
Lessburg
 100
 28
Alvarez Plumbing Co. 813-655-7520 Tampa 99
 106
Anthony Gennaro Plumbing 813-920-4050 Land O'Lakes 100 7
Aqua Duck Plumbing, LLC 814-671-2418 North Port 100 6
Aqua Plumbing & Air Services, Inc. 941-366-7676 Sarasota 88
 583
Arctic Air & Plumbing Services Inc 941-747-8800 Sarasota 99 1,216
 Associated Plumbing
  813-991-7960  Tampa 100
1
Babes Plumbing, Inc.* 941-488-6074 Nokomis
 99 327
Badger Bob's Plumbing 941-924-1920 Sarasota 87
 46
Bayonet Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning
 727-933-5308
Hudson
100
 555
Bill the Plumber, Inc. 941-924-8418 Sarasota 97
 33
Black Belt Fire Protection LLC* 321-334-3473 Oviedo 32
 163
Blanton Plumbing, Inc. 941-371-4802 Sarasota 94
 17
Bob Anderson Plumbing, Inc. 941-322-4510 Myakka City 89
 9
Bootz Plumbing Inc 941-376-0109 Myakka City 100
 1
Bravado Plumbing, LLC 941-896-4595 Bradenton 94
 35
Bullseye Home Services 941-348-2000 Bradenton 77
 56
Casey's Plumbing 941-739-6582 Bradenton 100
 25,321
Cass Plumbing Inc 813-265-9200 Tampa 100 3
Complete Access Plumbing, LLC
941-739-5444 Bradenton
100
33
Complete Plumbing and Drain LLC 813-699-0684 Brandon 0
 6
 County Plumbing Services, Inc
 941-376-1185
 Sarasota
67
3
Conserv Building Services  727-423-1759  Largo
0
1
Custom Air & Plumbing 941-371-0833 Sarasota 68
 136
Cy Blue Plumbing, Inc. (Commercial only) 941-924-1153 Sarasota 60
 78
Damn Good Plumbing & Air
941-927-3828
 Sarasota
 96
 1,481
Daniel's Plumbing Service, Inc.* 941-926-7272 Sarasota 95
 150
Danny Via Plumbing, Inc. 941-924-0640 Sarasota 81
 16
DRH Plumbing 941-921-3232 Sarasota 100 1,819
Elite Custom Plumbing, Inc. 941-377-6962 Bradenton 92 84
Everyday Plumber.com LLC  813-872-0200  Tampa
100
 30
Fire & Life Safety America * 813-513-9331 Sanford 100
 31
Flat Rate Plumbing 941-371-3111 Sarasota 100
 32
Flow Masters Plumbing Solutions INC  941-708-1669  Bradenton  92
 64
Gallo Plumbing Services, Inc. 941-544-5686 Sarasota 80
 25
Graybell Plumbing Repair Inc 941-545-1419 Myakka City 82
 45
Grays Backflow Services* 407-592-2365 Orlando 100
 214
 Green Coast Backflows Inc
 941-310-2037 Parrish
100
251
Griggs Plumbing Co. (Commercial only) 941-748-2151 Bradenton 98
 56
Howie's Plumbing Inc 813-633-8923 Riverview
 67
 3
Howz It Flowin Agin 941-567-6220 Bradenton 100 19,270
J&S Plumbing
 813-459-8096
Tampa
86
 7
JC Plumbing Enterprises Inc 352-275-8521 Bradenton 100 21
 J.M. Gibson Mechanical, Inc
  352-341-4243 Inverness
37
 19
Johnny Doan Plumbing
813-689-8179
Seffner
82
11
LaPensee Plumbing 941-778-5622 Holmes Beach 100
 4,580
Lew & Sons Plumbing 941-753-6681 Oneco 100 335
LT Plumbing LLC  941-729-1111  Palmetto
94
 88
Master Plumbers & Septic 941-747-9700 Bradenton 95 96
Meares Plumbing, Inc. 727-863-8815 Spring Hill 22
 110
Merit Plumbing
 941-740-1431 Sarasota
100
3
Monroe Plumbing Inc. 941-479-7923 Palmetto 100
 666
North River Plumbing & Gas Works 813-743-8576 Parrish 0
 0
Palmetto Plumbing, Inc. 941-722-2812 Palmetto 95 288
Plumbco Plumbing Solution 
 941-374-0680  Sarasota
99
 283
Plumbing by George, Inc. 941-746-0593 Bradenton 100
 32
Plumbing by Hart, Inc.  941-488-4745  Nokomis   0
 0
Plumbing Express, Inc. 941-355-8422 Sarasota 100
 32
Plumbing Today 941-921-5581 Sarasota 100
 471
 Premier Plumbers, Inc.
 941-960-8778
Sarasota
0
0
Pro-Team Plumbing 813-442-5599 Tampa 91
 11
Quick Response Fire Protection * 407-469-2134 Groveland 78
 27
R. J. Kielty Plumbing 813-661-0707x2001 Brandon 80
 240
Randy Mask Plumbing, Inc. 941-926-1624 Sarasota 89
 62
Reedy Plumbing, Inc.  813-634-1163  Wimauma  100
1
Richards Plumbing Repair, Inc. 941-748-2275 Bradenton 100 1,454
Ron Horn Plumbing 941-924-3057 Sarasota 100
 2
Ryan's Plumbing LLC 941-256-5580 Sarasota 87
 15
Scott's Percision Plumbing & Gas Works  941-889-8748  Ona
100
 3
Scott Wycherly 727-919-5197 New Port Richey 75
 4
Sewell's Plumbing Services, Inc. 941-794-6497 Bradenton 74
 57
Southern Cross Fire Protection *
 941-400-4957
Sarasota
 34
 32
Strode Plumbing LLC 941-953-3086 Sarasota 100 2
Summit Fire & Security LLC- Clearwater
727-284-6044
Clearwater
22
59
 Summit Fire & Security LLC- Ft Myers 239-337-4142
Ft Myers
0
2
Terry's Plumbing Service 941-955-5362 Sarasota 81
 186
The Plumbing Connection 941-747-2727 Bradenton 100 5
The Waterworks Plumbing 941-794-6668 Bradenton 98
 2,429
Tom Barriere Plumbing Inc 941-423-8223 Sarasota 100 14
Veterans Plumbing 941-812-1516 Nokomis 100
 28
Walter James & Son Plumbing
941-894-5442
Palmetto
100
13
Wayne Automatic Fire Sprinklers Inc * 813-379-5587 Tampa 62
 146
Wolf Plumbing & Construction 941-379-5587 Sarasota 99 158
Wyman Plumbing Inc. 941-755-1595 Bradenton 99
 290

CERTIFIED FIRELINE BACKFLOW PREVENTION ASSEMBLY SERVICE PROVIDERS

Company Name Phone City Timely Filing Percentage Number of Tests Performed
A Total Solution Inc 727-942-1993 Tarpon Spring 100 7
Access Fire Protection 941-355-3473 Sarasota 90
 984
Alliance Fire and Safety* 941-485-5402 Venice 96 291
Babes Plumbing* 941-488-6074 Nokomis
 99 327
Black Belt Fire Protection LLC* 321-334-3473 Oviedo 32
 163
Century Fire Protection 321-319-8850
 Sanford 100
 4
Cintas Fire Protection 813-621-6094 Tampa 94
 113
Commercial Fire & Communications, Inc. 727-530-4521 Largo 80
 15
CT Fire Protection, Inc. 239-694-2490 Ft. Myers N/A N/A
Dallas 1 Construction Company  813-240-8553  Thonotosassa  100
 3
Daniels Plumbing Service Inc.* 941-926-7272 Sarasota 95
 150
Dolphin Fire Sprinklers, Inc. 941-378-9493 Sarasota 99
 177
Dover Fire & Fab, Inc
813-858-7225
Sarasota
N/A
N/A
Dynafire Inc 866-753-9999
 Tampa
 98
 41
Fire & Life Safety America Inc * 813-513-9331 Sanford 100
 31
Florida Piping Solutions & Fire LLC 941-251-4055 Sarasota 100
 193
Gray's Backflow Service LLC* 407-592-2365 Orlando 100
 214
Piper Fire Protection Inc 727 581-9339 Clearwater 98 320
Protegis Fire & Safety  813-662-3473 Valrico 100 2
Pye Barker Fire & Safety LLC 727-842-1714 Tampa 83
 163
Quick Response Fire Protection * 407-469-2134 Groveland 78
 27
Sciens Building Solutions
 727-509-5122
St. Petersburg
N/A
N/A
Southern Cross Fire Protection LLC * 941-812-2194  Myakka City  34
 32
Sprinklermatic Fire Protection Systems Inc. 813-508-2776 Tampa N/A
 N/A
 Summit Fire & Security
 727-284-6044
 Groveland  100  2
The Systems Group, Inc 407-532-6021 Mount Dora N/A
 N/A
United Fire Protection 727-471-0860 St. Petersburg N/A
 N/a
Universal Fire Systems 813-662-9200 Tampa 0
 6
VSC Fire & Security Inc 727-456-5200 Largo 75
 4
Wayne Automatic Fire Sprinklers, Inc. * 813-630-0303 Tampa 62
 146
Wiginton Fire Systems 813-623-2333 Tampa 71
 38