BACKFLOW SERVICES
IN ARIZONA

Backflow is water flowing backward through a plumbing system, in the opposite direction from its intended path. When that happens, used or non-potable water can be drawn into the clean drinking water supply, carrying chemicals, bacteria, or stagnant water with it.

A backflow preventer is an assembly installed in a water line that only allows water to move in one direction. Common types include reduced pressure zone (RPZ) assemblies, double check valve assemblies, pressure vacuum breakers, and atmospheric vacuum breakers. The right type depends on the hazard level of the connection and what your water provider allows.

Backflow prevention is the practice of keeping non-potable water from reversing into the potable supply, using properly selected, installed, and tested assemblies. It covers device selection, correct installation and orientation, periodic testing, repair, and documentation.

Two conditions cause backflow: backpressure and backsiphonage. Backpressure happens when downstream pressure rises above supply pressure, for example from a pump, boiler, or elevated piping. Backsiphonage happens when supply pressure drops, often during a main break, heavy fire-flow demand, or hydrant use, creating a vacuum that pulls water backward.

A cross connection is any point where the potable water system can connect to a non-potable source, such as an irrigation line, a boiler loop, or a fire sprinkler system. Cross-connection control is the program of surveying those connections, protecting each one with an appropriate assembly, and keeping records that the protection works.

Backflow testing uses calibrated gauges to verify that an assembly holds pressure and closes tightly. A certified tester isolates the assembly, checks the check valves, relief valve, and shutoffs against the manufacturer's and the water provider's criteria, then records the readings and the pass or fail result.

Internal parts wear, foul, and stick, and a failed assembly gives no outward sign. Testing is the only way to confirm the device still protects the drinking water, and the test report is the documentation most water providers and inspectors ask for.

Test intervals are set by your water provider, local jurisdiction, and the type of assembly, and they are not the same everywhere in Arizona. Many providers in the Phoenix area require periodic testing with a report submitted by a certified tester. The City of Phoenix publishes its requirements through its Backflow Prevention Program, and we can confirm what applies to your address and device before scheduling.

A failed assembly needs repair or replacement, then a passing retest before the device is considered protective again. We diagnose the failure on site, replace worn checks, springs, seats, or rubber parts where the assembly can be rebuilt, recommend replacement when it cannot, and retest and document the result.

A visual survey of the assembly and its installation, a check for correct type, size, orientation, and clearances, a look for leaks or freeze and impact damage, a functional test with calibrated gauges, and a written report of the findings.

Fire sprinkler and fire line systems are usually treated as a cross-connection hazard because water sits stagnant in the piping, and most jurisdictions require a backflow assembly on the fire service. The required type depends on the system, any additives, and the local authority. We test, repair, and install backflow assemblies on fire sprinkler and fire line systems as well as domestic and irrigation services.

In practice, certification means two things: the tester holds a current backflow tester certification, and the assembly has a completed, signed test report showing it passed. We provide that report after a passing test so you have documentation for your water provider or inspector.

Call AZ Fire Protection at (602) 908-8629 or send the request form on this page with your property address and, if you know it, the assembly type and size. We serve Phoenix and the surrounding metro area and will confirm scheduling and what your water provider needs.