City water utility · Washington

Backflow testing in Kent, WA

City of Kent Water Utility's rules: who must test, when it's due, testers, filing and penalties.

Kent requires a yearly test of every backflow assembly (sprinklers, fire lines, businesses, some homes) by a state-certified tester. Mail or fax the one-page report to Public Works. If a city notice's 30 days pass, penalties start at $100 for homes or $500 for businesses, and water can be shut off.

Who must have a backflow test

Kent water customers must have their backflow assemblies tested every year by a state-certified tester. The owner installs and maintains the assembly. A test is also due when an assembly is installed, repaired, moved, fixed after a failed test, or after a backflow incident. Installing one needs a city backflow permit.

• Lawn sprinkler systemsRequiredevery year

  Home and business sprinkler systems both need an assembly at the water service.

• Fire sprinkler linesRequiredevery year

  Business fire lines and home fire sprinkler systems need an assembly. Flow-through home sprinkler systems are left out. An old single check valve on a business fire line must be replaced with an approved assembly within a year of the city's notice, or another time the city accepts.

• BusinessesRequiredevery year

  High-hazard sites need an air gap or reduced pressure assembly at the meter. Examples: car washes, laundries, food and drink plants, farms, labs, hospitals and clinics, and metal plating. New multi-tenant business buildings need one too.

• Homes (other than sprinklers)Someevery year

  Applies if the home has an assembly the city relies on. A home with a well, cistern or other separate water supply must have one at the meter. Boilers, pools, recirculation systems and solar heating are on the city's low-hazard list.

Assemblies tested: Reduced pressure assembly (RP or RPZ), Reduced pressure detector assembly (fire lines), Double check valve assembly, Double check detector assembly (fire lines), Pressure vacuum breaker, Spill-resistant vacuum breaker. What these are

Source: codepublishing.com · checked Oct 18, 2026

When the test is due

Test every year after the assembly is installed. The city's report form has a line for the date of the last test and the date the next one is due. Test sooner after a repair, a move, a failed test or a backflow incident.

Notices: If a test is missed, Kent can send a written warning by mail or post it at the property. It gives you 30 days from the date it was mailed or posted to get the test done.

Source: codepublishing.com · checked Oct 18, 2026

Finding a tester

Hire a tester who holds a current Washington Department of Health Backflow Assembly Tester (BAT) certificate. Kent posts a list of testers who work in the area, but it has no date. The state's Hire-a-BAT lookup lists certified testers by county. Get more than one price.

PDF

Source: kentwa.gov · checked Oct 18, 2026

Filing the test report

Who files

Not published. Ask City of Kent Water Utility.

How

Online, by email or by mail

Fee

None listed by the utility

Form

Test report form

Fill in the one-page Backflow Prevention Device Test and Maintenance Report. Send it to Public Works Engineering, 220 4th Avenue South, Kent, WA 98032, by mail or by fax. The fax number is printed on the form. Agree with your tester ahead of time on who will send it. Kent also charges an annual administrative fee for each assembly. Call the program for the amount.

Source: kentwa.gov · checked Oct 18, 2026

If the test is late or fails

If a test is missed or failed, Kent can send a written notice, mailed or posted at the property, with 30 days to fix it. If it is not fixed, a home may get a $100 penalty and a warning that water can be shut off after 30 days. A second $100 penalty may follow, with shut-off right away. Businesses face $500 penalties. Water stays off until the problem is fixed and the penalties and a shut-off fee are paid. You can appeal in writing to the director, who decides within 10 business days.

• First penalty, homes (not fixed 30 days after the first notice): $100
• Second penalty, homes (not fixed 30 days after the first penalty): an additional $100
• First penalty, businesses (not fixed 30 days after the first notice): $500
• Second penalty, businesses (not fixed 30 days after the first penalty): an additional $500

Failed test: Repair or replace a failed assembly and have it tested again once the problem is fixed. Kent can treat a failed test like a missed one and start the same notice and penalty steps, with 30 days to correct it.

Rule: Kent City Code 7.02.410 (enforcement); water service may be shut off under 7.02.360

Source: codepublishing.com · checked Oct 18, 2026

The rules behind it

• Kent City Code 7.02.390, Inspection and testing of backflow preventers: Test at installation, every year, after a repair or move, after a failed test and after a backflow incident. A state-certified tester does the work, and results go to the city on a form it accepts.
• Kent City Code 7.02.380, Approved backflow preventers required: Lists the connections that need an assembly at the meter, including irrigation, fire lines and homes with a separate water supply.
• Kent City Code 7.02.400, Administrative fee and permit: Annual fee for each assembly, set by the city council. Installing an assembly needs a permit.
• Kent City Code 7.02.410, Enforcement: 30-day notice, then $100 or $500 penalties and possible shut-off. Other steps include civil infractions and recovery of the city's costs.
• WAC 246-290-490: State cross-connection control rule.

What Washington requires statewide

Contact City of Kent Water Utility

Program

Cross Connection Control Program

Phone

253-856-5600

Source: kentwa.gov · checked Oct 18, 2026

Backflow testing in Kent: questions