|
| Special Services Division |
| Cross Connection Control / Water Protection |
| Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester Information |
Overview of Requirements
Each Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester (BPAT) must be licensed by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and registered with the City of Austin (see forms, applications and reports). The Austin Water Utility’s Special Services Division (SSD) will determine whether an applicant is eligible for registration. Each BPAT must comply with each of the following requirements:
- Registration Requirements - Applicants must complete a forty hour backflow prevention license course accredited and accepted by the TCEQ. The applicant must pass the TCEQ license exam; pay the applicable TCEQ license fee; and receive the BPAT license. The City of Austin BPAT registration application must be completed and delivered to the SSD with the test gauge to be used and a certificate showing that the test gauge was tested and passed calibration requirements within the last twelve months (see list of Approved Gauge Testing Companies). The registration shall remain in effect for the duration of the license, not to exceed three years. A TCEQ accredited eight hour continuing education course is required annually to renew a license as a BPAT. When renewing the license, the BPAT must also renew the registration with the SSD. If the license remains expired for a period of one year, the BPAT must complete the TCEQ accredited forty hour BPAT license course again.
- Approved Testing Methods – Each backflow prevention assembly (BPA) must be tested using methods approved by the TCEQ and printed in the University of Southern California’s Cross Connection Manual (USC-CCM).
- Equipment Tolerances - Each BPAT must use equipment that has been calibrated (see list of Approved Gauge Testing Companies) and is within acceptable tolerances as specified by USC-CCM.
- Accuracy – Each BPA must be accurately tested for operational effectiveness.
- Completeness – Each BPAT must provide a complete a Test and Maintenance Report (TMR) to the SSD for each BPA tested. Each TMR must include the following information:
- Physical address of the BPA;
- Physical location on the premises of the BPA;
- Cause to require backflow protection;
- Manufacturer of the BPA;
- Size of the BPA;
- BPA model number or designation;
- BPA serial number;
- BPA operational test results;
- Description of BPA repairs (if applicable);
- Retest of BPA after repairs (if applicable);
- Name of owner/occupant responsible for the BPA;
- Name of owner’s representative (person responsible to have the BPA tested/repaired);
- Owner/occupant’s complete mailing address;
- The printed name and signature of the BPAT;
- The BPAT license number;
- Test gauge serial number; and
- Date of operational test.
- Legibility – Each TMR completed must be legible;
- TMR Due Dates – Each BPAT must submit a TMR to the SSD for each BPA tested within five calendar days of the test. These reports can be submitted to the SSD via hard copy or entered online in the WEIRS Database.
- Illegal Installations – Each BPAT must document any illegal or unapproved BPA installations or unprotected potential backflow or cross connection sources. Such documentation must be submitted to the SSD.
- BPA or Hazard Removal - For each BPA removed, the BPAT must complete and submit a TMR to the SSD indicating that the BPA has been removed or replaced. If the hazard is not removed, then the BPA must be replaced to assure uninterupted backflow prevention. In the event that the hazard is eliminated, the BPA may remain, but the elimination of the hazard must be reported to the SSD in order to document the respective assembly's "out of service" status. Such reporting would allow the SSD to remove the testing requirements that would apply to the BPA as tracked by the WEIRS database.
- Compliance with State Law - All licensing requirements or state certification requirements must be strictly abided by. Any classification applicable to the BPAT license will be identified by the State on the backflow technician’s license. Enforcement of state law is the responsibility of the appropriate state agency.
Enforcement Issues
The SSD will review records and conduct investigations to determine compliance with all applicable rules. The falsification of any records submitted by a BPAT to the City would result in criminal prosecution against the BPAT. Falsification includes, but is not limited to:
- Submitting a TMR without actually conducting the operational test;
- Intentionally submitting inaccurate testing results on a TMR;
- Submitting a name, signature or certification number on a TMR other than the actual person that performed the operational test;
- Testing a BPA before the installation of the BPA and submitting the TMR as if the BPA had been tested after its installation;
- Use of a backflow test gauge that does not meet required calibration specifications; or
- Use of unapproved or unregistered testing equipment.
Other violations noted may be addressed by a Notice of Violation (NOV) or other administrative enforcement response as appropriate. Each BPAT that receive three (3) NOVs within a two (2) year period will have their registration suspended with the City of Austin for a period of one year.
|
