Alabama

Chapter 335-7-9 says a public water system shall be designed, installed, maintained, and operated so contamination is not introduced through any water service connection. Installation or continued use of a service connection where cross connections may exist is prohibited unless those cross connections are properly controlled. Any connection with a facility or system whereby unapproved water may enter the public water system must be approved by the Department. A suitable backflow prevention device shall be installed on each new water service connection and on each customer water service connection replaced after January 1, 2006. Replacement means removal and installation of the existing customer meter and service line.

Community systems must have a formally adopted written cross-connection control policy. The policy must meet the chapter and shall be provided to customers on request. It shall include an inspection program. Records of health hazards found and corrective action taken must be kept at the water office for a minimum of five years and made available to the Department on request. Those duties sit with the supplier of water. The rule text does not name a state-issued tester credential, and it does not say the Department accepts ASSE, ABPA, or AWWA tester certificates. A customer should ask the local water system which tester that system will accept.

The supplier of water shall deny or discontinue water service to a customer if a required backflow prevention device is not installed or properly maintained. Water service shall not be restored until the deficiencies have been corrected or eliminated to the satisfaction of the supplier and the Department. Design guidance for construction also tells designers to include at least a dual-check valve backflow prevention device with service installations, and to provide commercial and industrial cross-connection control devices in accordance with listed cross-connection manuals or an equivalent manual. That design note is separate from a tester license.

Official resources in Alabama

Key facts for Alabama

• ADEM chapter 335-7-9 applies to all community water systems and, where indicated, to non-transient non-community water systems.
• A public water system shall prevent contamination from being introduced through any water service connection.
• A suitable backflow prevention device is required on each new service connection and on each customer service connection replaced after January 1, 2006.
• Community systems must adopt a written cross-connection control policy and keep hazard and corrective-action records for at least five years.
• The supplier shall deny or discontinue service if a required device is not installed or properly maintained.
• Chapter 335-7-9 does not create a named state backflow-tester license.

What to do next

1. Ask the water system for its written cross-connection policy before you hire anyone to test a device.
2. Confirm whether your service was installed or replaced after January 1, 2006, because that date is in the device rule.
3. Keep the utility’s inspection records request in mind; the supplier must retain hazard records for five years.
4. If service is off because a device is missing or not maintained, restoration depends on both the supplier and ADEM.

Helpful guides

• What a backflow test is
• Who is allowed to test a backflow assembly
• Why utilities require annual backflow testing
• Tester and cross-connection specialist

Backflow tester planner →