South Austin Irrigation Repair

Sprinkler and Irrigation Repair

Fast, On-Site Service

Call (512) 534-7449 Now!

LICENCE# 18964
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Irrigation Services
    • Backflow Testing
  • Job Photos
  • Customer Reviews
  • Blog
    • Irrigation Repair
    • City of Austin Information
    • Landscaping tips
  • Service Request
  • Contact Us

Testing Your Backflow Preventer

October 29, 2019 By Matt Sorenson

The City of Austin takes protection of water very seriously.  Spencer Cronk, Austin City Manager, is quoted as saying “Austin has a history of protecting its water quality and making that water quality good for future generations”.  

One of the measures that the City of Austin and other Texas municipalities take is the strict requirement for installation, maintenance, and testing of backflow prevention devices on sprinkler systems.

This legislation was implemented for very good reasons. 

The regulations requiring backflow devices are rooted in real-world incidents that occurred in various states (including Texas) where drinking water became contaminated with such things as herbicides, industrial chemicals, photo developing solutions, dangerous bacteria, and other harmful substances.  

City of Austin Regulations

Did you know that:

  • your irrigation system must have a backflow prevention device if connected to a public or private drinking water supply 
  • it must be tested by a licensed tester upon installation, and annually if installed for protection against health hazards (30 TAC (Texas Administrative Code) 240.44 (h)(4))

The reason you need a backflow prevention device (also called a backflow prevention assembly, or BPA) on your irrigation system has to do with cross connections. A cross connection is any potential or actual physical connection between a public water system or consumer’s drinking (potable) water system and a source of contamination, such as sewage, harmful chemicals, and nonpotable water (untreated water from lakes, rivers, groundwater, natural springs, and untested ground wells).

Because of a cross connection, contamination hazards can enter the potable water system by means of backflow, which is water flowing opposite to its intended direction. This either occurs due to backpressure (downstream pressure is higher than potable water supply pressure), or back-siphonage (negative pressure in the consumer’s potable water system or in the public system).

Sprinkler irrigation systems are usually a direct cross connection to potable water systems through pipes, valves, and sprinkler heads. Pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, and animal waste can collect in pools of water around the sprinkler heads and be drawn into a home’s potable water supply during a backflow event. Parasites, insect larvae, and pathogens can also be living in the irrigation system’s water.

Your public water system provider and the licensed professional who installed your system are responsible for determining the type of BPA required on your property, depending on whether there are potential health or non-health hazards. The BPA must also be approved by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), the American Society of Sanitary Engineers, the University of Southern California Foundation for Cross-Connection Control and Hydraulic Research, and the Uniform Plumbing Code.

Both your public water system provider, and licensed irrigation professional are required to follow the TCEQ Cross Connection Control Program rules laid out in the Texas Administrative Code, Title 30, Chapter 290, Subchapter D, Rules and Regulations for Public Water Suppliers.

Austin Water administers its own Cross Connection Control/Water Protection Program based on these requirements, and the regulations for their program are in Chapter 15-1 of the city’s ordinances. You’ll also find Austin’s adopted Plumbing Code and local amendments in Chapter 25-12, Article 6.

Backflow Prevention Assembly Types 

Air Gap

  • There must be an unobstructed physical separation.
  • The vertical, physical separation must be at least twice the diameter of the water supply outlet, but never less than 1.0 inch.
  • Effective against backpressure backflow and back-siphonage.
  • Provides protection in low and high hazard situations.

Reduced-Pressure Backflow Assembly (RBPA)

  • Install at least 12 inches above the floor or finished grade, with adequate clearance for testing and maintenance.
  • Effective against backpressure backflow and back-siphonage.
  • Provides protection in low and high hazard situations.
  • Must be installed when fertilizer, insect repellent, or any other chemical is injected into an irrigation system (30 TAC 344.51 (c)).

Pressure Vacuum Breaker (PVB)

  • Install at a minimum of 12 inches above the highest point in the water system downstream of all piping and outlets, with adequate clearance for testing and maintenance.
  • Effective against back-siphonage only.
  • Provides protection in low and high hazard situations.

Double Check Valve Assembly (DCVA)

  • Install at least 12 inches above the floor or finished grade, with adequate clearance for testing and maintenance.
  • Effective against backpressure backflow and back-siphonage.
  • Provides protection in low hazard situations.

Reduced Pressure Zone Vale (RPZ)

  • Install at least 12 inches above the floor or finished grade, with adequate clearance for testing and maintenance.
  • Effective against backpressure backflow and back-siphonage.
  • Provides protection in low and high hazard situations.

Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester (BPAT) License

Anyone who repairs or tests the installation or operation of BPAs on any domestic, commercial, industrial, or irrigation service must be licensed by the TCEQ and registered with Austin Water Utility. Applicants must meet certain education and work requirements, submit a criminal history attestation, complete a 40-hour course accredited and accepted by the TCEQ, and pass the TCEQ exam to receive the TCEQ BPAT license.

Upon receipt of his license, the BPAT must submit an Austin Water Utility BPAT registration and the test gauge he’ll be using, along with a certificate verifying the test gauge passed calibration test requirements within the last 12 months (gauges must be tested for accuracy at least once a year). Once licensed, the BPAT must complete a TCEQ-accredited 8-hour continuing education course each year to qualify for license renewal every 3 years (8 of the 24 hours must be hands-on training). He must also renew his registration with the Austin Water Utility when renewing his license.

Testing Standards

BPAs must be tested using procedures approved by the TCEQ found in the University of Southern California’s Cross Connection Manual (USC-CCM). These procedures are set up to fail a BPA before it would allow backflow to contaminate the drinking water supply. The equipment used by a BPAT must be calibrated within acceptable tolerances by an approved gauge testing company, as set out in USC-CCM.

Testing and Maintenance Reports (TMRs)

A testing and maintenance report must be completed by the BPAT for each BPA tested, and submitted to Austin Water Utility within 5 calendar days of the test. It can be entered online in the WEIRS database or sent to the Special Services Division (SSD) as a hard copy. The customer also gets a copy.

Along with required information on the TMR, the BPAT must document illegal or unapproved installations, as well as unprotected cross connections. A BPA that is illegal or unapproved must be reinstalled or replaced with one that meets manufacturer’s recommendations and/or local codes, even if it passed the test.

A TMR must also be submitted for each BPA removed or replaced. If the hazard remains, then the BPA has to be replaced for continued backflow protection. If the hazard no longer exists, the BPA can remain, but the situation must be reported to the Special Services Division. The BPA can then be designated “out of service” in the WEIRS database, which removes its testing requirements.

During the testing, if the BPAT sees the assembly will fail the test and needs repair, he must repair it, and retest after the repair. There are sections on the TMR to document these actions.

Customer Responsibilities

Customers must arrange and pay for BPA testing and any related costs, such as repairs, overhauls, and replacements of assemblies that fail the testing.

Customers who have devices registered with the Austin Water Utility’s Special Services Division are sent reminder notices each year for their BPA testing. Two notices are sent — the first in the calendar month prior to the due date, and the second in the month of the due date. Customers who have never registered their required assemblies may not receive notices. This doesn’t exempt them from their testing, maintenance, and reporting requirements. Failing to meet these obligations is a violation of Chapter 15-1 of the Austin City Code, which could result in criminal penalties, fines for each day of non-compliance, and suspension of water service.

Austin Water provides a number of resources on their website to help customers manage their BPA requirements, such as a list of approved BPAs, a water protection hazard list, a list of BPATs, and a test and maintenance requirement section where the customer can check notices.

South Austin Irrigation provides expert commercial and residential sprinkler system repairs, backflow replacement and installation, and service.  We are Licensed Irrigators.  

Call us at (512) 534-7449 to have your backflow prevention device tested.  

Filed Under: City of Austin Information, Irrigation Repair Blog, Landscaping tips Tagged With: backflow preventer, Irrigation system maintenance

About Matt Sorenson

Originally a Wyoming native, Matt moved to Austin, TX after graduating with a Bachelors of Science from Kansas State. He spent several years working for a couple of large landscaping firms before starting up South Austin Irrigation. "Starting my own company has been the hardest, most challenging, and honestly, the scariest thing I've ever done. I love what I do and I'll do it for as long as people want me to help them with their irrigation systems."

Important message:
South Austin Irrigation is very mindful of the health and safety of its customers and employees and we are taking all possible precautions against the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
For customers practicing self-isolation or social distancing, please be assured that we will perform repairs and adjustments to your sprinkler system at a safe distance and without the need for close contact.

Our Services Include:

  • Consultation
  • Main and Lateral Line Repairs
  • Pop-up and Rotor Replacement
  • Broken PVC and Copper Pipe Repairs
  • Electrical Troubleshooting
  • System Leaks
  • Backflow Replacement and Installation
  • Valve Locating Repair and Replacement
  • Reroutes for Mature Trees and Patio Additions
  • Controller Replacement and Upgrades
  • Water Conservation by System Upgrade
  • Custom Scheduling
  • Drainage Repair & Maintenance
  • Lawn Irrigation System Adjustments
  • Sprinkler Head Replacement
  • Underground Sprinkler Weatherization
  • Unclog and Adjust Heads and Nozzles
South Austin Irrigation

Google Reviews

South Austin Irrigation, LLC
South Austin Irrigation, LLC
5.0
Based on 19 reviews
See all reviewsWrite a review
Ed Burgess
Ed Burgess
16:09 18 Aug 20
Most excellent work! These... guys know their stuff, and take the time to make sure the work is done right. Very professional and conscientious!read more
Russ Brown
Russ Brown
00:06 15 Jul 20
On time, efficient, quality... work at a reasonable price. Highly recommend.read more
Becca Friedman
Becca Friedman
14:22 12 May 20
I've been waiting to write... this review for far too long. I wanted to do it justice. Still worried it won't be good enough ;)I saw the stellar reviews for South Austin Irrigation and with a mystery leak on my hands, really wanted the best. So I gave them a call. Matt promptly responded, listened to my issue, set solid expectations, and then sent Dave to my home.Dave arrived on time (early, if i recall) with the biggest smile on his face. I knew it was going to be a good visit. Dave was straightforward, no bs, and fun to talk to. He helped me understand my system, pointed out things I could do to improve it if I wanted, but never over-sold. He was honest about what the return on investment could be, and helped identify the cause of the massive water loss experienced (glitch or incidental adjustment of the system).My water bills were immediately back on track after that visit, and I had a plan for the future. But more than anything, I'd had a great time learning about something I never thought I'd ever enjoy - irrigation. And I feel like I've made a friend in the process. I trust South Austin Irrigation. That's hard to say about home service. You should too.Now if only they weren't so good at their jobs I'd have a reason to call on them. Can you teach other businesses how to operate? lolThanks again Matt and Dave. Really spectacular service. I recommend you to all my friends.read more
John Boozer
John Boozer
00:52 05 Feb 20
First time working with Matt... today and couldn't be more impressed! He is very knowledgeable and helpful, and not only took care of the problem I had, but also gave me lots of helpful tips to prevent further problems. I'll definitely be referring Matt to anyone I know that needs help with their sprinkler systems. Thanks Matt!read more
Ben Schreiber
Ben Schreiber
22:04 01 Dec 19
Nathan Erwin
Nathan Erwin
23:14 15 Oct 19
Dave came out to provide an... evaluation since someone (me) ruined the drip line in the front of our house when aerifying. It didn't take him but a few seconds to know it was going to need to be replaced. The other 59 minutes he taught and walked me through everything I didn't know about my irrigation system, which was a lot. I would recommend SAI to anyone who wants to better understand how their system works or has an issue that needs to be addressed.read more
Karen Shah
Karen Shah
21:44 15 Oct 19
Dave did an excellent job not... only replacing a control valve but thoroughly explaining and showing me the issue. He was super quick to respond, coming out within an hour and a half of my call. Reasonable price, fast, friendly - couldn't ask for more. Highly recommended!read more
Lee Polson
Lee Polson
22:47 29 Aug 19
On time, friendly and... inexpensive.read more
Jackie Jason Sabella Roche
Jackie Jason Sabella Roche
16:52 27 Aug 19
Highly recommend South Austin... Irrigation. Matt did an excellent job replacing our sprinkler system’s control panel. He made sure everything worked properly, and he spent time explaining the settings on the panel. He also quickly replaced a broken line in a flower bed. We hope we don’t have issues with our system in the future, but if we do, we will not hesitate to use them again.read more
Allan Hawkins
Allan Hawkins
18:08 31 Jul 19
I’ve known Matt and his team... for at least 5 years. He’s done multiple projects at 2 of my homes. He has always been reliable, honest, and knowledgeable. He will walk you through your issue and discuss options without up-selling. If you have an irrigation need, and you can squeeze into his schedule, he is a great choice.read more
Cue Boykin
Cue Boykin
17:01 22 Jan 19
I've used Matt at South... Austin Irrigation for years. Matt is knowledgeable, efficient, courteous, prompt, and reasonable. South Austin is my one-stop shop for all my irrigation needs.read more
Jeff Roberts
Jeff Roberts
22:33 10 Dec 18
Just had Matt out to work on... a customer's sprinkler system that one of our driver's accidentally broke. Matt was incredibly capable and had every tool-of-the-trade imaginable. The troubleshooting and work was completed swiftly, and the price was very reasonable. I will definitely be using South Austin Irrigation in the future and highly recommend them for any sprinkler system maintenance needs.read more
Phil Evans
Phil Evans
18:00 20 Aug 18
Thorough in sprinkler repair.
John Land
John Land
20:17 02 Jun 18
Excellent Service - I have... been using Matt and his company South Austin Irrigation for the last 6 or 7 years and could not be happier with his service. He is courteous, communicates well and has a great attitude and sense of humor. Matt is the best at what he does. He explains his work and advises well with providing the pros and cons with budget in mind. I wish that everyone I hire to perform services at my home were as good as Matt is, he sets a high bar of excellence.read more
Philip Watts
Philip Watts
05:55 11 Feb 18
In a recent long freeze our... sprinkler system suffered from a burst. I switched off the irrigation water and called Matt from South Austin Irrigation. He came out pretty quickly, investigated the problem and talked over how to fix it, how to winterize it in future, and answered other questions I had. He was very knowledgeable and helpful, and fixed the system after ordering a part. I am very happy with South Austin Irrigation's work and employees that I dealt with. I would definitely recommend them to anyone who needs their services.read more
Joan Jackson
Joan Jackson
13:52 08 Oct 17
Excellent, quality work. ... Matt, the owner, is reliable and explain all charges clearly, with options for how to repair.read more
Emanuel Saba
Emanuel Saba
21:22 02 Mar 17
I've worked with Matt on a... few different occasions and every time he has been extremely professional, timely and most importantly does it right. He really knows the business. His work lasts and is done right. Highly recommend for anyone needing any type of irrigation repair, adding lines, fixing leaks, etc...he does it all!read more
David T
David T
03:17 16 Oct 16
Matt with South Austin... Irrigation has been my go-to irrigation company for many changes we've made to our yard over the last 4 years. We've done extensive rock work throughout the front and back yards (which required major irrigation changes); converted an entire zone of our irrigation system to a low-pressure drip irrigation system for my 1000 sq ft "in-ground" garden, plus a recent drainage project to top it off.My experiences with South Austin Irrigation have always been good - Matt is professional and punctual, and has always known what to do to solve the issues I've thrown at him. I was using other companies before I found him, so I can say that his rates are very competitive as well.Matt is a good communicator and doesn't mind taking time to explain the reasons for doing something one way or another, and then letting you make an informed decision about how you want to handle it. Of course, if you'd rather just stay out of it and let him make the decisions (I'm too curious for that!), he's more than capable of doing that as well.read more
Raymond Loren Naylor
Raymond Loren Naylor
14:56 02 Jan 12
Knowledgeable service... technician. Work performed a quickly and efficiently. Pleased with ovaerall experience. Even helped understand importance of wartering timing.read more
Next Reviews

Our sprinkler repair service areas include:

  • Austin, TX
  • Lakeway, TX
  • Spicewood, TX
  • Horseshoe Bay, TX
  • Dripping Springs, TX
  • Wimberly, TX

Give us a call for sprinkler repair and service in your area: (512) 534-7449

We Service Many Irrigation Brands:

  • Toro
  • Nelson Turf
  • KRain
  • HydroRain
  • Berkeley
  • Irritrol
  • Rain Bird
  • Rachio
  • Hunter

Payments

South Austin Irrigation accepts Visa and Mastercard

Copyright © 2021 South Austin Irrigation Repair · All Rights Reserved · Website and Marketing by Target Public Marketing
Irrigation in Texas is regulated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) (MC-178)
P.O. Box 13087, Austin, Texas 78711-3087 · www.tceq.state.tx.us
Privacy Policy Disclaimer