Backflow Tester List

State rules

Kentucky

Kentucky’s Energy and Environment Cabinet drinking-water rule, 401 KAR 8:020, prohibits a cross-connection. It says every public water system shall determine if or where a cross-connection exists and shall immediately eliminate it. The same rule says a bypass shall not be created or maintained without prior written cabinet approval that states the circumstances, design, and exact conditions for use. Plumbing rules in 815 KAR 20:120 separately require a potable water system to be designed, installed, and maintained so a nonpotable liquid, solid, or gas is not introduced through a cross-connection. Neither rule, in the text reviewed, creates a state backflow-tester license.

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 Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet drinking-water rules in 401 KAR Chapter 8 prohibit cross-connections at public water systems.
Who may test an assembly
The drinking-water and plumbing sections reviewed require the public water system to eliminate cross-connections and require department-approved devices. They do not license testers.
Official program page
Official page →

401 KAR 8:010 defines a cross-connection as a link between two otherwise separate systems, one with potable water and the other with water of unknown or questionable safety, or steam, gas, or chemicals, so flow can reverse with the pressure difference. 401 KAR 8:020 says an auxiliary intake is not used in direct connection with a public or semipublic system except with prior written cabinet approval stating the emergency. Filter backwash and clearwell overflow lines do not connect to a sewer unless an air gap prevents sewage backup.

The plumbing regulation says an air gap provides the best level of protection in all backflow situations, and that a reduced-pressure principle backflow preventer provides the best mechanical protection and shall be considered equivalent to an air gap. A backflow device or cross-connection control device shall be approved by the department. A private water supply shall not be interconnected with a public water supply. Those sentences assign approval of the device to the department. They do not say the department licenses the person who tests the device, and they do not say ASSE, ABPA, or AWWA certification is a Kentucky tester license.

A public-water customer who receives a test request should ask the water system what credential it accepts, because the drinking-water rule puts elimination of a cross-connection on the public water system and does not publish a tester roster. Cabinet conservation material on farmstead backflow prevention is agricultural guidance and recommends contacting a licensed plumber. It is not the drinking-water tester rule. Fees are not stated in the rule sections used here.

Official resources in Kentucky

401 KAR 8:020

Prohibits cross-connections and tells every public water system to find and immediately eliminate them.

401 KAR 8:010 definitions

Defines a cross-connection for the public-water-system rules.

815 KAR 20:120

Plumbing rule on backflow protection, air gaps, and department approval of devices.

Key facts for Kentucky

What to do next

  1. Ask the public water system who may test an assembly; these rules do not publish a roster.
  2. Do not interconnect a private supply and a public supply; the plumbing rule forbids it.
  3. If a bypass exists, ask whether the cabinet approved the circumstances in writing.
  4. Treat device approval and tester identity as two questions.

Looking for your city or county in Kentucky?

We haven't found official program-level pages for Kentucky 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 Kentucky, 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.
    Kentucky 401 KAR 8:020 public water systems
    Website →
    Phone not shown: use the contact page on the official website above.
    Your city or county office: Local governments →
    Not sure who handles it locally? USAGov's free help line, 1-844-872-4681, or the Kentucky 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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