Customer Service Inspection:
Before establishing continuous water service for new construction, Texas law requires an inspection of the private water distribution system to help ensure that the water is safe to drink. This type of "customer service inspection" is required in Title 30 of the Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Subsection 290.46(j). All of the rules in 30 TAC 290, Subchapter D, are administered by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). These are in the TCEQ publication Rules and Regulations for Public Water Systems, RG-195.
A Customer Service Inspection aims to identify potential sources of contamination or illegal lead plumbing materials. The inspection takes approximately 30 minutes. Please schedule your appointment by calling the office or emailing stacie@blacklandwater.com or lauren@blacklandwater.com Operators will need access inside the home, and Blackland WSC requires an adult present to complete the inspection.
Backflow Testing Program:
Federal and state laws require all water providers to meet specific standards to obtain, treat, and deliver water to protect public health. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) requires all water providers to establish a Cross-Connection Control and Backflow Prevention Program. Generally, this includes establishing requirements for installing backflow assemblies or devices that prevent backpressures or back-siphonage from unwanted connections that threaten public health. All backflow devices or assemblies:
- Must be tested upon installation and at least once annually. Additional testing my be required depending on the health hazard.
- Must receive a periodic Customer Service Inspection. The inspection identify and validate all device locations and their appropriateness and determine if additional devices are required.
Blackland WSC has established a Backflow Program to help assure that backflow prevention devices adequately protect the water system from potential health hazards. The program requires property owners to maintain backflow prevention devices in good working order and to provide annual test reports as proof of compliance. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) mandates the implementation of this program.
Customers:
Backflow testing is the owner's responsibility and is paid for by the owner
All repairs, replacements, or overhaul assembly installations must be performed by a licensed backflow prevention assembly tester and permitted by Blackland WSC. Click here www.sctrackingsolutions.com for an up-to-date list of companies and testers.
Records:
Blackland WSC uses a third party, SC Tracking Solutions ("SCT"), to maintain electronic records of backflow testing information. Testers or testing company representatives enter backflow test reports, tester licensing and gauge information online via the SCT database. SCT sends testing due and over-due notices to customers with the last tester of record listed on the letter as a convenience. Testing is due on the same date every year. Contact SCT by phone at (866)232-0174, mail at PO Box 323, Rockwall, Texas, 75087, or email at sctrackingsolutions.com.
Enforcement:
Failure of an owner to have the annual backflow testing performed and reported to Blackland WSC through SCT will result in a Blackland WSC operator performing the backflow test on your device(s), or by a third party and assessing additional fees to your account, including but not limited to, a $50 Non-Compliance Fee, a $100 Reduced Pressure Zone (RPZ) Testing Fee, and/or a $125 Double-Check Valve Testing Fee. Correspondence and enforcement notifications will be addressed to the party receiving the water bill for the address with the non-comliance. Owners should remind their testing company to adhere to procedures when submitting backflow assembly.
Testers and Testing Companies:
Annual registration fees for a TCEQ-approved tester shall be a nonrefundable fee to show proof of current TCEQ Licensing and that testing equipment is following current TCEQ regulations. The annual fee is payable to SC Tracking Solutions. Please visit the SCT website for registration instructions.
All backflow assembly test reports for existing and replacement devices must be submitted via the SCT Online Backflow Tracking System at www.sctrackingsolutions.com and not through Blackland WSC.
All testing companies are required to submit test reports within 48 hours of the test date. Failure to do so will result in enforcement notification to the customer regarding the non-compliant status of their devices. If not entered online, the ultimated escalation of enforcement could include the assessment of additional fees to your account.
FAQ:
- Why does Blackland WSC need a Cross-Connection and Backflow Testing Program? The program safeguards our public drinking water and protects the health of our customers by ensuring that any contaminants that many cause backflow into the public water supply system are isolated within the customer's internal distribution system.
- What is backflow? Backflow refers to the reverse flow of non-potable water or other substances into the piping of a public or customer's potable water system. Two types of backflow are backpressure and back-siphonage.
- What is a backflow prevention assembly? A backflow prevention assembly is a means or mechanism to prevent backflow. The primary means for preventing backflow is an air gap, which provides a barrier from backflow. The principal types of backflow prevention assemblies are reduced-pressure, pressure vacuum breakers, and double-check valves.
- Why do backflow devices need to be tested? Mechanical backflow prevention assemblies have internal seals, springs, and moving parts subject to fouling, wear, and fatigue. Also, backflow preventers and air gaps can be bypassed. Therefore, all backflow prevention assemblies must be tested to ensure they function correctly. All assemblies have to be tested with properly calibrated gauge equipment.
- What documentation needs to be submitted to Blackland WSC as proof that testing has been completed? A licensed tester will input the approved backflow testing reported to SCT's database. SCT will notify Blackland WSC upon input completion. If the customer's backflow testing report is not submitted to the SCT database on or by the due date, then SCT will mail a past-due notice to the customer. If the backflow report is not placed into the SCT database two weeks after the due date, SCT will notify Blackland WSC that the customer's backflow assembly is not in compliance - at which time - Blackland WSC may disconnect the water service until the customer's backflow device comes into compliance.
- How can I verify that the testing of my backflow prevention assembly has/has not been completed? You can email SCT at www.sctrackingsolutions.com or call 866-232-0174.
For further inquiries or additional information pertaining to backflow guidlines, visit the SC Tracking website www.sctrackingsolutions.com.
For all properties with an OSSF (On-Site-Sewer-Facility, Septic System), you must use an RPZ (Reduced Pressure Zone) backflow device. If your property currently has a Double Check backflow device, it will no longer pass inspection; the double-check must replace it with an RPZ.
On behalf of Blackland WSC, SC Tracking Solutions will send letters and notifications of annual tests. To find a registered inspector, visit www.sctrackingsolutions.com/info2/techplus.asp?process=1. Enter Blackland WSC in the City location. If you'd like to use an inspector not on the list, that inspector must first register with SC Tracking Solutions. If you should have any questions, don't hesitate to get in touch with Blackland WSC @ 972-771-6375.
