City water utility · Washington
Backflow testing in Spokane, WA
City of Spokane Water and Hydroelectric Services's rules: who must test, when it's due, testers, filing and penalties.
Spokane requires a yearly test of every backflow assembly (sprinklers, boilers, fire lines, wells, businesses) by a state-certified tester, who files the report. Notices come 60 and 30 days before the due date. Ignoring them can lead to a water shutoff.
- Who
- Lawn sprinkler systems: every year
- Fire sprinkler lines: every year
- Businesses: every year
- Homes (other than sprinklers): every year (some)
- Apartments and condos: every year (some)
- Due
- Test every year.
- Testers
- City of Spokane Water and Hydroelectric Services's list (PDF)
- Filing
- Your tester files. No filing fee listed.
- If late
- Water can be shut off.
Who must have a backflow test
Every backflow assembly on a Spokane water service must be tested by a state-certified tester when installed, repaired, replaced or moved, and every year after that. Unused systems still need the yearly test. High-hazard sites need a reduced pressure assembly; low-hazard sites can use a double check assembly.
- Lawn sprinkler systemsRequiredevery year, ideally before you turn on the sprinklers
Unused systems still need a yearly test. If you no longer use yours, you can cut and cap it, then send photos to have the assembly removed from the city's records. An assembly shut off for freezing must be tested before it goes back in service.
- Fire sprinkler linesRequiredevery year
Fire protection systems are on the city's list of places that need an assembly.
- BusinessesRequiredevery year
Examples that need an assembly: strip malls and multi-use buildings, medical facilities, labs and clinics, food processing, car washes, steam equipment, booster pumps, and sites that use chemicals. High-hazard sites need a reduced pressure assembly.
- Homes (other than sprinklers)Someevery year
Applies if the home has a sprinkler system, a boiler, or an auxiliary water source such as a well or rainwater system.
- Apartments and condosSomeevery year
Named by the city as covered. Applies where the property has an assembly, for example for sprinklers, a boiler, a fire system or another hazard.
Assemblies tested: Reduced pressure assembly (RP or RPZ), Double check valve assembly, Pressure vacuum breaker. What these are
Source: my.spokanecity.org · checked Oct 18, 2026
When the test is due
Test every year. The city sends a test notice with a compliance date for returning a passing report. Reminders also go out 60 days and 30 days before the due date. Testing before you turn on your sprinklers in spring is best.
Notices: The city sends the owner a test notice listing the assembly, its location and the due date, plus a list of verified testers. Reminders come 60 and 30 days before the due date. After a missed date, a final notice is hand-delivered, and a service interruption notice can follow. If you get a notice after your tester already tested, ask the tester to confirm the report was filed.
Source: my.spokanecity.org · checked Oct 18, 2026
Finding a tester
Pick a tester from the city's yearly list. Companies on it have shown a state certificate, a business license and liability insurance. Only testers with a current Washington certificate may test. Call a few to compare price and timing, and ask for a test before the due date on your notice.
Source: my.spokanecity.org · checked Oct 18, 2026
Filing the test report
- Who files
- Your tester
- Fee
- None listed by the utility
Your tester files the report with the city. The report must be filled in completely and signed, with the test kit's make, model, serial number and last accuracy check. A new or repaired assembly is not finished until a passing report is on file. If a failed assembly was repaired, the report must also show the repairs and the final passing test.
Source: my.spokanecity.org · checked Oct 18, 2026
If the test is late or fails
Spokane can shut off water service until the problem is fixed. The code allows this with or without notice. Reminders come 60 and 30 days before the due date, a final notice is hand-delivered after a miss, and a service interruption notice can follow. The city can also charge for inspections and tests it does.
Failed test: A failed assembly must be repaired or replaced, then tested again to confirm it works. Many problems can be fixed during the test. The report must list the repairs, who made them, and the result of the final test.
Rule: Spokane Municipal Code 13.04.0822 (Inspection and Testing - Customers to Cooperate)
Source: my.spokanecity.org · checked Oct 18, 2026
For testers working in Spokane
Testers must register with City of Spokane Water and Hydroelectric Services before their reports are accepted.
- Current Washington BAT certification (proof on file with the city)
- Liability insurance certificate and state business license, sent by January 31 each year to stay on the city's tester list
- Test kit make, model, serial number and date of last accuracy check on every report
- Test kit accuracy verified every year
- Complete, signed report with your certification number
- Tag each tested assembly with the test date
Each December the city emails the testers in its backflow system and asks for proof of insurance and a state business license by January 31. Companies that do not send them are left off that year's tester list. Keep your BAT certificate and test kit accuracy records current, and put them on every report.
Source: static.spokanecity.org · checked Oct 18, 2026
The rules behind it
- Spokane Municipal Code 13.04.0822: Customers must cooperate with inspection and testing. The city may end service, with or without notice, for not following the cross-connection program, including keeping required backflow devices.
- Spokane Municipal Code 13.04.0820: Failure to cooperate with testing or inspection is grounds for denying or ending water service. The director may charge fees for inspections, tests and equipment.
- Cross Connection Control Program (updated 08/21/2025): The city's written program: test notices, report contents, tester list.
- Rules and Regulations for Water Service Installation (Rule 4100-25-04, effective 10/20/2025): Lists where assemblies are needed and requires a state-certified tester to test and tag them every year.
- WAC 246-290-490: State cross-connection control rule.
Contact City of Spokane Water and Hydroelectric Services
- Program
- Cross-Connection Control and Backflow Prevention Program
- Phone
- 509-625-7969
- [email protected]
Source: my.spokanecity.org · checked Oct 18, 2026
Backflow testing in Spokane: questions
Do I need a backflow test for my sprinkler system in Spokane?
Yes. City of Spokane Water and Hydroelectric Services requires backflow assemblies on lawn sprinkler systems to be tested every year, ideally before you turn on the sprinklers. Unused systems still need a yearly test. If you no longer use yours, you can cut and cap it, then send photos to have the assembly removed from the city's records. An assembly shut off for freezing must be tested before it goes back in service.
When is my backflow test due in Spokane?
Test every year. The city sends a test notice with a compliance date for returning a passing report. Reminders also go out 60 days and 30 days before the due date. Testing before you turn on your sprinklers in spring is best. The city sends the owner a test notice listing the assembly, its location and the due date, plus a list of verified testers. Reminders come 60 and 30 days before the due date. After a missed date, a final notice is hand-delivered, and a service interruption notice can follow. If you get a notice after your tester already tested, ask the tester to confirm the report was filed.
How do I find a backflow tester in Spokane?
Pick a tester from the city's yearly list. Companies on it have shown a state certificate, a business license and liability insurance. Only testers with a current Washington certificate may test. Call a few to compare price and timing, and ask for a test before the due date on your notice.
Who sends the backflow test report to City of Spokane Water and Hydroelectric Services?
Your tester files the test report. Your tester files the report with the city. The report must be filled in completely and signed, with the test kit's make, model, serial number and last accuracy check. A new or repaired assembly is not finished until a passing report is on file. If a failed assembly was repaired, the report must also show the repairs and the final passing test.
What happens if I skip my backflow test in Spokane?
Spokane can shut off water service until the problem is fixed. The code allows this with or without notice. Reminders come 60 and 30 days before the due date, a final notice is hand-delivered after a miss, and a service interruption notice can follow. The city can also charge for inspections and tests it does.
What if my backflow assembly fails the test?
A failed assembly must be repaired or replaced, then tested again to confirm it works. Many problems can be fixed during the test. The report must list the repairs, who made them, and the result of the final test.
Every fact on this page comes from City of Spokane Water and Hydroelectric Services's own pages, forms or code, checked Oct 18, 2026. Rules change: your notice and the utility have the final word. Spot a mistake? Tell us.