Cross Connection Control Program

A homeowner or business owner is responsible if their water system contaminates the public water system.

The water utility, in conjunction with Washington State Department of Health (WAC 246-290-490), requires customers within the City of Renton, that have the potential to back-flow water into the public water system, to install backflow prevention devices. The most common concerns are commercial and multi-family services, lawn irrigation, and fire suppression systems. The protection required for these systems is a Double Check Valve or a Reduced Pressure Backflow Assembly, depending on the level of potential hazard.

Backflow device pipingThe required protection assemblies must be listed on the Washington State Department of Health list of approved devices. Because these are mechanical devices, and are not immune to failure, they must be tested regularly. A certified Backflow Assembly Tester will test upon installation and annually thereafter. Installation and annual test results are required to be sent to the City of Renton.

The purpose is to protect the public water supply by preventing contaminants from entering the public water system.

The most common examples of cross-connections that need to be protected from are:

  • Residential lawn irrigation systems, boilers, and garden hoses (using a garden hose that connects to attachments make it the number-one source for cross connections).
  • Commercial medical and dental facilities, veterinary clinics, landscape irrigation, boilers, fire service protection, film processors, and post-mix soda machines.

If an individual triggers the requirements for installation of a backflow assembly or are considering installing an irrigation system or fire sprinkler system, please contact the Cross Connection Control Specialist for installation procedure and policies.

iBackflow (Online Backflow Test Reports)

iBackflow - New Online Submittals

The city of Renton is partnering with iBackflow to manage our cross-connection program and accept online backflow test reports.

There is no charge to the testers and no need to purchase credits. The city of Renton will be supplying credits for submitting backflow test reports.

Please follow the training video to setup online tester accounts (see links below). We will be going live with this program March 1, 2024.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please email support@ibackflow.com.

iBackflow - Training Video

We are excited to partner with you to make cross-connection control easier, more efficient, and more successful for everyone.

A short training video has been created to show how to submit online test reports.

iBackflow - Create Online Account

To setup an account for each certified tester in your company, please send the following tester information to support@ibackflow.com

  • Name
  • Phone number
  • Email address for each tester
  • Certification number
  • Certification expiration date
  • Test kit information: make, model, serial number, date of last calibration (not expiration date)

Important Information

  • Every tester that will login to iBackflow will need a separate and unique email address.
  • Two test kits for each tester may be added at this time. If an individual tester has more than two test kits, the additional test kits will be able to be added soon.
  • If you have users in your company that administratively enter test reports on behalf of certified testers, please email support@ibackflow.com with that person’s name, email, address, and phone number. We will setup a service provider admin account for those.

Partial List of State of Washington Certified Backflow Assembly Testers

Washington State Certified Backflow Assembly Testers

The City of Renton accepts backflow assembly test reports from all State of Washington Certified Backflow Assembly Testers. The City of Renton does not specifically endorse any of the firms listed below. It is the customer’s responsibility to ensure that companies retained meet all state and federal licensing requirements.

Name City Phone
1stChoice Testing Mountlake Terrace, WA 425-273-3106
$35 Backflow Testers Renton, WA 206-369-6178
5 Star Backflow Services Kirkland, WA 425-516-3580
A+ Backflow Kirkland, WA 425-830-3749
Affordable Washington Everett, WA 360-333-2057
Aqua Containment Company Issaquah, WA 425-392-1523
Available Backflow Testing  Renton, WA  206-707-1775
Backflow Northwest, Inc. Renton, WA 425-277-2888
Batman Testing Everett, WA 206-228-1618
Backflow & Irrigation Solutions Auburn, WA 253-709-5622
Batmaster Everett, WA 425-210-9866
Blake Plumbing Renton, WA 425-531-0805
Certified Backflow Testing, Inc. Issaquah, WA 425-427-8889
Combs Backflow Assembly Testing Maple Valley, WA 425-736-4936
Dills Testing Services Kent, WA 253-366-3700
Edlund Landscape Renton, WA 425-255-5726
Evergreen Fire Protection Puyallup, WA 253-848-0146
GCF Backflow Services Seattle, WA 206-364-9531
Kelly’s Backflows Renton, WA 206-794-7919
Pacific APC  Issaquah, WA 206-919-1385
RedLine Mechanical Black Diamond, WA 360-886-5072
The Plumbing Joint Renton, WA 800-464-3204
White Knight Fire Protection Issaquah, WA 206-251-1689
Vital Mechanical Kent, WA 253-360-6933

Revised 02/05/2025

Staff

Tyler Schwartzenberger
Cross Connection Control Specialist
425-430-7207
425-430-7241
backflow@rentonwa.gov

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