The Virginia Section of the American Water Works Association (VA AWWA) strongly supposed the continued regulation and licensure of the Backflow Prevention Device Workers. 

As discussed in EPA’s Cross-Connection Control Manual, “cross-connections which are defined as actual or potential connections between a potable and non-potable water supply, constitute a serious public health hazard.”  It goes on to say that “There are numerous, well-documented cases where cross-connections have been responsible for contamination of drinking water, and have resulted in the spread of disease.”

In Code of Virginia, Chapter 590. Waterworks Regulations, there are specific requirements related to Cross Connection Control and Backflow Prevention.  Some are as follows:

12VAC5-590-580. General.

Article 4. Cross Connection Control and Backflow Prevention in Waterworks

The purpose of this article is to require as a condition for the issuance and continued use of the operation permit for the waterworks that each owner of a waterworks establish and enforce a program of cross-connection control and backflow prevention for each waterworks. The cross-connection control and backflow prevention program shall be approved by the division prior to issuance of the operation permit

12VAC5-590-600. Responsibilities.

1. General. Effective cross-connection control requires the cooperation of the water purveyor, the building official, the consumer, the Virginia Department of Health, and the backflow prevention device tester.

2. Suggested elements of this program are contained in Appendix I. The purveyor has full responsibility for water quality and the construction, maintenance, and operation of the waterworks beginning at the water source and ending at the service connection.

3. The purveyor shall have thorough inspections and operational tests made at least annually of backflow prevention devices which are required and installed at the service connection

The proposed Virginia Waterworks Regulations includes the following text:

12VAC5-590-630 (D) Starting January 1, 2022, persons testing and repairing backflow prevention assemblies and devices shall be certified by a Commonwealth of Virginia tradesman certification program (identified by DPOR as backflow prevention device workers). Until January 1, 2022, persons testing and repairing backflow prevention assemblies and devices shall be qualified to perform such work as demonstrated by possessing a certification or license from a local or state agency having legal authority or shall possess a certificate of completion of applicable vocational training acceptable to the owner.

It is absolutely critical that water purveyors have the ability to protect our public water supplies for the health and safety of our citizens.  Elimination of the certification requirements for Backflow Prevention Device Workers seriously jeopardizes that ability.  It is for these reasons that VA AWWA is in strong support of continuing the regulation and licensure of the Backflow Prevention Device Workers.  The protection of public health and safety and the world’s most important resource must be paramount.