{ "name": "Backflow testing requirements by water provider, Denver metro, Colorado", "publisher": "Singer Plumbing Co. (https://singerplumbingco.com/)", "license": "CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/): reuse freely with credit and a link to https://singerplumbingco.com/guides/backflow-testing-requirements-colorado/", "notes": "Summarized from each water provider's own published program pages (see the source column). Your provider's notice has the final word on your due date.", "updated": "2026-10-22", "providers": [ { "city": "Denver", "water_provider": "Denver Water", "program_summary": "Denver Water requires assemblies on commercial, irrigation, fire, and other services to be tested at installation and every year after, and it sends a reminder 30 days before the test is due. We test, tag the assembly, and email the report to Denver Water.", "who_must_test": "All commercial, industrial, domestic, irrigation, and fire line services. Multi-family and single-family homes are assessed by site hazard, for example a well or pond on the property.", "how_often": "At installation and every year after. Irrigation assemblies are tested as the water is turned on; Denver Water's irrigation testing season runs May through September.", "deadline": "", "how_reports_are_filed": "Emailed to Denver Water's Cross-Connection Control office on its test report form. Mail is accepted too.", "penalty_or_consequence": "Three notices within 60 days, then a $250 non-refundable penalty and service suspension status (in effect since May 1, 2025).", "program_contact": "Cross Connection Control, 303-628-5969", "source": "https://www.denverwater.org/contractors/construction-information/backflow-prevention-program", "page": "https://singerplumbingco.com/services/backflow-testing/denver/", "last_checked": "2026-10" }, { "city": "Aurora", "water_provider": "Aurora Water", "program_summary": "Aurora Water requires an annual test, filed by the due date through its online backflow portal. Under city code, being 30 days late adds a $1,000 civil penalty to the water bill.", "who_must_test": "", "how_often": "Before a certificate of occupancy, then at least once a year. The city can require more frequent tests.", "deadline": "Proof of testing is due by the annual due date. Records of tests, repairs, and replacements are due within five working days of the work.", "how_reports_are_filed": "Through Aurora Water's online backflow test portal, by a registered tester", "penalty_or_consequence": "30 days past due: $1,000 civil penalty on the water bill ($600 waived if you comply within 60 days of the due date). 60 days: $2,000. Within 90 days: a termination notice, and service can be shut off seven days later.", "program_contact": "", "source": "https://aurora.municipal.codes/Code/138-170", "page": "https://singerplumbingco.com/services/backflow-testing/aurora/", "last_checked": "2026-10" }, { "city": "Thornton", "water_provider": "City of Thornton", "program_summary": "Thornton requires approved assemblies at commercial, industrial, and multi-family properties to be tested every year, with reports filed through BSI Online. Failed tests have to be reported within 24 hours.", "who_must_test": "Commercial, industrial, and multi-family properties with more than two units", "how_often": "At installation and at least once a year. Containment assemblies on main domestic, fire, and irrigation lines must be tested every year; higher-hazard assemblies may need testing twice a year.", "deadline": "Before the annual due date. The city's FAQ says annual tests must be submitted no later than 60 days after the original due date.", "how_reports_are_filed": "Online through BSI Online (Backflow Solutions Inc.), which charges a fee for each report", "penalty_or_consequence": "Missed deadlines can lead to disconnection of water service.", "program_contact": "720-977-6586, back.flow@thorntonco.gov", "source": "https://www.thorntonco.gov/city-services/water/cross-connections-backflow-prevention", "page": "https://singerplumbingco.com/services/backflow-testing/thornton/", "last_checked": "2026-10" }, { "city": "Westminster", "water_provider": "City of Westminster", "program_summary": "Westminster requires assemblies on commercial, industrial, domestic, irrigation, and fire line services to be tested at installation and every year after, with results submitted online through BSI Online.", "who_must_test": "All commercial, industrial, domestic, irrigation, and fire line services. Multi-family and single-family homes are assessed by site hazard, such as a well or pond.", "how_often": "At installation and every year after, by a certified backflow prevention assembly tester", "deadline": "", "how_reports_are_filed": "Online through BSI Online, reported to the city's Cross-connection Control team", "penalty_or_consequence": "", "program_contact": "303-658-2477, backflow@westminsterco.gov", "source": "https://www.westminsterco.gov/backflow", "page": "https://singerplumbingco.com/services/backflow-testing/westminster/", "last_checked": "2026-10" }, { "city": "Arvada", "water_provider": "City of Arvada", "program_summary": "Arvada requires backflow assemblies to be tested every year. The city's annual notice includes a letter code your tester uses to file the test in Arvada's online portal.", "who_must_test": "", "how_often": "Every year: all backflow prevention assemblies must be inspected and tested annually", "deadline": "", "how_reports_are_filed": "In Arvada's online cross-connection testing portal (SAMS), by a tester whose registration the city has approved", "penalty_or_consequence": "Need an authorization code, created by the city's team", "program_contact": "Backflow program team, 720-898-7793", "source": "https://www.arvadaco.gov/450/Backflow-Cross-Connection-Control-Progra", "page": "https://singerplumbingco.com/services/backflow-testing/arvada/", "last_checked": "2026-10" }, { "city": "Northglenn", "water_provider": "City of Northglenn", "program_summary": "Northglenn requires commercial, industrial, and multi-family properties to test approved assemblies every year, generally RPZs, even on irrigation. Passing reports are due within 10 days.", "who_must_test": "Commercial, industrial, and multi-family properties, including townhomes and apartments", "how_often": "At installation and at least once a year", "deadline": "Passing reports within 10 days of the test. Failed test: notify the city the same day and file the report within 10 days; repair and retest, or replace, within 30 days.", "how_reports_are_filed": "Through BSI Online, per the city's backflow program page", "penalty_or_consequence": "", "program_contact": "303-450-4026, backflow@northglenn.org", "source": "https://www.northglenn.org/services/water/cross_connection_and_backflow.php", "page": "https://singerplumbingco.com/services/backflow-testing/northglenn/", "last_checked": "2026-10" }, { "city": "Broomfield", "water_provider": "City and County of Broomfield", "program_summary": "Broomfield tracks backflow tests through BSI Online, where testers file each report along with a current certification and gauge calibration. A $14.95 filing fee applies per report.", "who_must_test": "", "how_often": "", "deadline": "", "how_reports_are_filed": "Through BSI Online", "penalty_or_consequence": "", "program_contact": "", "source": "https://broomfield.org/DocumentCenter/View/50283", "page": "https://singerplumbingco.com/services/backflow-testing/broomfield/", "last_checked": "2026-10" }, { "city": "Golden", "water_provider": "City of Golden", "program_summary": "Golden requires assemblies in its cross-connection control program to be tested every year by a certified backflow tester, with the report emailed to the city.", "who_must_test": "", "how_often": "Every year", "deadline": "", "how_reports_are_filed": "By email to backflow@cityofgolden.net; testers can use their own forms", "penalty_or_consequence": "", "program_contact": "Cross-Connection Coordinator, 303-384-8170", "source": "https://www.cityofgolden.gov/services/water_quality_protection/cross_connection_control.php", "page": "https://singerplumbingco.com/services/backflow-testing/golden/", "last_checked": "2026-10" }, { "city": "Lakewood", "water_provider": "Consolidated Mutual Water or Denver Water", "program_summary": "Lakewood is split between water providers. Consolidated Mutual Water requires annual tests filed through its online portal, with irrigation assemblies tested each spring; Denver Water requires annual tests reported by email.", "who_must_test": "", "how_often": "", "deadline": "", "how_reports_are_filed": "", "penalty_or_consequence": "", "program_contact": "", "source": "https://www.cmwc.net/construction-resources/backflow-prevention/", "page": "https://singerplumbingco.com/services/backflow-testing/lakewood/", "last_checked": "2026-10" }, { "city": "Englewood", "water_provider": "City of Englewood", "program_summary": "Englewood requires commercial and multifamily buildings to test backflow assemblies by Aug. 15 each year, with reports uploaded to BSI Online.", "who_must_test": "Commercial and multifamily buildings. The city says the rule doesn't currently apply to single-family homes.", "how_often": "", "deadline": "Annual tests by Aug. 15. To get more time, email the city's Extension Request form.", "how_reports_are_filed": "The tester uploads the report to BSI Online (Backflow Solutions, Inc.)", "penalty_or_consequence": "Water service can be discontinued, and knowingly leaving a violation uncorrected can bring fines of up to $1,000 a day", "program_contact": "backflow@englewoodco.gov", "source": "https://www.englewoodco.gov/government/city-departments/utilities/customers/cross-connection-control-and-backflow-prevention-program", "page": "https://singerplumbingco.com/services/backflow-testing/englewood/", "last_checked": "2026-10" }, { "city": "Commerce City", "water_provider": "South Adams County Water & Sanitation District", "program_summary": "South Adams County Water & Sanitation District requires commercial backflow assemblies in Commerce City to be tested every year, with reports due by Aug. 31.", "who_must_test": "Commercial water users: install an approved assembly, test it at installation, then every year", "how_often": "", "deadline": "All reports by Aug. 31 each year", "how_reports_are_filed": "By email to the district's Backflow Program Office", "penalty_or_consequence": "", "program_contact": "District main office, 303-288-2646", "source": "https://www.southadamswaterco.gov/business___development/backflow_program.php", "page": "https://singerplumbingco.com/services/backflow-testing/commerce-city/", "last_checked": "2026-10" }, { "city": "Wheat Ridge", "water_provider": "Consolidated Mutual, Denver Water, and other districts", "program_summary": "Wheat Ridge is split among six water districts. Consolidated Mutual and Denver Water both require annual backflow tests, filed through Consolidated Mutual's portal or by email to Denver Water.", "who_must_test": "", "how_often": "", "deadline": "", "how_reports_are_filed": "", "penalty_or_consequence": "", "program_contact": "", "source": "https://www.wheatridge.gov/2105/Water-Restrictions", "page": "https://singerplumbingco.com/services/backflow-testing/wheat-ridge/", "last_checked": "2026-10" }, { "city": "Parker", "water_provider": "Parker Water & Sanitation District", "program_summary": "Parker Water & Sanitation District requires annual tests on domestic and fire assemblies and a test at every irrigation startup, filed through its online tester portal.", "who_must_test": "Commercial, irrigation, and multifamily (4+ units) services need a reduced pressure (RP) assembly. Single-family homes only when PWSD finds a hazard, such as a pool, hot tub, or home business.", "how_often": "Domestic and fire assemblies every year. Irrigation assemblies at seasonal startup. New assemblies within 10 days of installation.", "deadline": "", "how_reports_are_filed": "Through PWSD's online Backflow Tester Submission Portal. No filing fee is listed.", "penalty_or_consequence": "Service can be suspended or disconnected, and PWSD can hire a tester and bill the owner for a missed annual test", "program_contact": "crossconnectioncontrol@pwsd.org · district office 303-841-4627", "source": "https://pwsd.org/3405/Backflow-Cross-Connection-Control", "page": "https://singerplumbingco.com/services/backflow-testing/parker/", "last_checked": "2026-10" }, { "city": "Boulder", "water_provider": "City of Boulder Utilities", "program_summary": "Boulder requires annual backflow tests on commercial, irrigation, fire, and multi-unit lines, entered in its online portal within 10 days.", "who_must_test": "Commercial, industrial, irrigation, fire, and multi-unit residential lines. Buildings with nine or more units must comply; three to eight units may qualify for an exemption. Single-unit homes and duplexes are generally exempt unless there's an auxiliary water source, a dedicated irrigation or fire line, or another hazard.", "how_often": "Every year", "deadline": "Report within 10 days of the test. Failing tests within 24 hours.", "how_reports_are_filed": "Online only, in the city's backflow portal, by a certified tester with their own login. The paper form isn't required. No filing fee is listed.", "penalty_or_consequence": "A $59 shut-off warning hangtag, a $113 shut-off fee, and additional penalties of $250 to $1,500", "program_contact": "303-413-7401 · nobackflow@bouldercolorado.gov", "source": "https://bouldercolorado.gov/services/backflow-prevention", "page": "https://singerplumbingco.com/services/backflow-testing/boulder/", "last_checked": "2026-10" }, { "city": "Louisville", "water_provider": "City of Louisville", "program_summary": "Louisville requires annual backflow tests on commercial, multifamily, institutional, and irrigation connections, due Sept. 30 and filed through BSI Online.", "who_must_test": "Commercial, non-single-family residential, industrial, institutional, and irrigation connections", "how_often": "", "deadline": "Tested every year by Sept. 30", "how_reports_are_filed": "Through BSI Online. The tester or testing company pays BSI's filing fee.", "penalty_or_consequence": "", "program_contact": "", "source": "https://web.archive.org/web/20260108022144/https://www.louisvilleco.gov/local-government/government/departments/public-works/operations-division/cross-connection-control-program", "page": "https://singerplumbingco.com/services/backflow-testing/louisville/", "last_checked": "2026-10" }, { "city": "Lafayette", "water_provider": "City of Lafayette", "program_summary": "Lafayette requires annual backflow tests on commercial and multifamily accounts: irrigation by May 31, domestic and fire by Aug. 31, filed through BSI Online.", "who_must_test": "Non-single-family residential and commercial accounts. The water account holder is responsible for testing.", "how_often": "", "deadline": "Irrigation assemblies by May 31. Domestic containment and fire assemblies by Aug. 31.", "how_reports_are_filed": "BSI Online only, by testers registered with BSI", "penalty_or_consequence": "Water service is shut off, and a $250 fee per untested assembly goes on the utility bill", "program_contact": "backflow@lafayetteco.gov · 303-665-5588", "source": "https://lafayetteco.gov/4013/Water-Customer", "page": "https://singerplumbingco.com/services/backflow-testing/lafayette/", "last_checked": "2026-10" }, { "city": "Greenwood Village", "water_provider": "Southgate Water and Sanitation District", "program_summary": "Southgate Water and Sanitation District customers follow Denver Water's backflow program: a test every year by an ABPA- or ASSE-certified tester, with the report emailed to Denver Water.", "who_must_test": "All commercial, industrial, domestic, irrigation, and fire line services, under Denver Water's rules. Homes are assessed by site hazard, for example a well or pond. Older properties aren't grandfathered.", "how_often": "At installation (within 48 hours of a new install) and every year after. Irrigation assemblies are tested as the water is turned on; Denver Water's irrigation testing season runs May through September.", "deadline": "", "how_reports_are_filed": "Emailed to Denver Water's Cross-Connection Control office on Denver Water's test report form", "penalty_or_consequence": "Southgate's rules allow it to shut off water until a required assembly is installed, tested, and maintained. Denver Water's policy is a $250 penalty after three unanswered notices.", "program_contact": "Denver Water Cross-Connection Control, 303-628-5969 · Southgate office, 303-779-0261", "source": "https://southgatedistricts.org/241/Cross-Connection-Control-Backflow-Preven", "page": "https://singerplumbingco.com/services/backflow-testing/greenwood-village/", "last_checked": "2026-10" }, { "city": "Centennial", "water_provider": "ECCV, ACWWA, Willows Water, or Southgate", "program_summary": "Centennial's backflow rules depend on your water district: East Cherry Creek Valley, ACWWA, Willows Water, and Southgate each set their own testing and reporting rules.", "who_must_test": "", "how_often": "", "deadline": "", "how_reports_are_filed": "", "penalty_or_consequence": "", "program_contact": "", "source": "ECCV: https://www.eccv.org/rules-and-regulations ; ACWWA: https://acwwa.com/DocumentCenter/View/1317 ; Willows Water: https://www.willowswater.org/cross-connection-control-and-backflow-prevention-program ; Southgate: https://southgatedistricts.org/241/Cross-Connection-Control-Backflow-Preven", "page": "https://singerplumbingco.com/services/backflow-testing/centennial/", "last_checked": "2026-10" } ] }