Backflow Tester List

State rules

Arizona

Arizona’s public-water backflow rules are explained by the Department of Environmental Quality on its Backflow Prevention and Cross-Connection Control page, which points to Arizona Administrative Code R18-4-215. Public water systems must protect the distribution system wherever an unprotected cross-connection could contaminate the water. ADEQ says every required backflow-prevention assembly must be tested at least annually by a certified backflow tester. Tester and specialist certifications must come from an ADEQ-approved certifying authority. The page names four authorities, including the California-Nevada Section of AWWA, ABPA, and ASSE affiliated with IAPMO.

Checked against official sources on October 11, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.

Try a ZIP like 30303, “Travis County” or “Columbus, OH”
Drinking-water agency
The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality explains backflow and cross-connection standards under A.A.C. R18-4-215.
Who may test an assembly
Required assemblies must be tested by a certified backflow tester whose certification comes from an ADEQ-approved authority named on the ADEQ page.
Official program page
Official page →

ADEQ describes backflow as a reverse-flow condition that can pull water, or mixtures of water and other substances, into a distribution system. It can be created by a pressure difference, called back pressure, by a vacuum, called back siphonage, or by both. Protection is either a mechanical backflow-prevention assembly or an air gap. The page lists assemblies in decreasing order of protection: air gap, reduced-pressure principle, pressure vacuum breaker, and double check valve. It says all devices must be testable to meet ADEQ standards, and an air gap must be at least twice the supply-pipe diameter, with a minimum of one inch.

Required assemblies must be tested at least annually by a certified backflow tester. Certifications must be obtained through an ADEQ-approved authority. There are two certification types under R18-4-215(E). A general backflow tester certification is needed to conduct required tests, which are performed annually and after installation, relocation, or repair. A cross-connection control program specialist certification is needed for a person with direct responsibility for implementing a backflow prevention program at a water system serving more than 50,000 people. Both certifications must come from an approved certifying authority.

ADEQ lists these approved certifying authorities: the California-Nevada Section of the American Water Works Association, the American Backflow Prevention Association, the American Society of Sanitary Engineering affiliated with the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, and All American Backflow Prevention. Each is listed for general tester certifications and for cross-connection control program specialist certifications. The page gives a backflow prevention contact telephone of 602-771-4379. It does not publish a single state-issued tester roster on that page; verification starts with the approved authority and with the water system that must receive the test.

Official resources in Arizona

ADEQ Backflow Prevention

State page on R18-4-215, annual testing, and the four ADEQ-approved certifying authorities.

EPA Cross-Connection Control Manual

EPA Office of Water manual, EPA 816-R-03-002, February 2003, written for health officials, waterworks personnel, and plumbers.

EPA primacy page

Explains Safe Drinking Water Act primacy for state public-water-system programs.

Key facts for Arizona

What to do next

  1. Ask which ADEQ-approved authority issued the tester’s certification before you schedule the test.
  2. If the assembly was just installed, relocated, or repaired, the page says a test is required then, not only at the annual date.
  3. Systems serving more than 50,000 people need a certified specialist for the person directly responsible for the program.
  4. Call the water system as well as the tester; the system is the one that must protect the distribution system.

Looking for your city or county in Arizona?

We haven't found official program-level pages for Arizona we can verify yet, so we don't show local numbers here rather than guess. Here's what to use instead, in order:

  1. General Start with the statewide information above. It applies across Arizona, but cities and counties can add their own steps, fees or deadlines.
  2. Call to confirm Ask the official office. They have the current local rule, fee and form.
    ADEQ Backflow Prevention
    Website →
    Phone: (602) 771-4379 (as listed on that page, checked Oct 4, 2026)
    Your city or county office: Local governments →
    Not sure who handles it locally? USAGov's free help line, 1-844-872-4681, or the Arizona page on USA.gov can point you to the right office.
  3. Know the current info? Tell us and include a link to the official page. We check every tip before it goes up.

Helpful guides

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