BACKFLOW PREVENTION & CROSS-CONNECTION CONTROL

Fairview Water District is pleased to offer annual backflow assembly testing directly to District customers. Testing will be performed by Stephany Whitaker, Fairview Water District Utility Operator and Certified Backflow Assembly Tester.

Customers may choose to authorize the District to test for the current year only, or opt into ongoing annual testing through the District program. Participation in the program is optional. Customers may continue to hire another properly qualified backflow assembly tester.

The District testing program covers backflow assembly testing and reporting. Repairs, replacement, installation, and other plumbing work are not included and must be separately authorized and performed by a person legally permitted to complete that work.

CURRENT TESTING FEE: $50.00 per assembly

Testing fees are subject to change. The Fee in effect at the time the testing is performed will apply.

To have Fairview Water District test your backflow assembly, complete the Backflow Assembly Testing Authorization Form and return it to the District. You may return the completed form by email to office@fairviewwater.com, or by mail or in person to:

Fairview Water District

403 Marolf Loop Rd.

Tillamook, OR 97141

Customers who enroll in ongoing annual testing will remain responsible for notifying the District if they no longer want the District to perform testing, if the assembly has been removed, replaced, or relocated, if ownership or occupancy of the property changes, or if access will not be available at the scheduled time.

A cross-connection is any connection between the public drinking water system and another water source, substance, or plumbing system that could contaminate the drinking water supply.

Common examples include:

• Landscape irrigation systems
• Livestock watering systems
• Fire sprinkler systems
• Private wells
• Swimming pools and spas
• Boilers
• Chemical or fertilizer systems
• Utility sinks with attached hoses
• Hoses submerged in tanks, buckets, ponds, or troughs

Even a simple garden hose left submerged in contaminated water can create a cross-connection.

Backflow is the unwanted reversal of water or another substance into the drinking water system.  

Backflow can occur when pressure in the public water system suddenly drops, such as during a water-main break or firefighting activity. It can also occur when pressure within a customer's plumbing system becomes greater than the pressure in the public water system.

A properly installed and maintained backflow prevention assembly helps stop this reverse flow and protects the public water supply.

Oregon law requires public water suppliers to maintain cross-connection control programs and regulate backflow prevention assemblies connected to their water systems.

Under Oregon law and administrative rules:

• Fairview Water District must identify and manage actual or potential cross-connections within its water system.
• Approved backflow assemblies must be installed where required.
• Assemblies subject to the rules must generally be tested at least once each year.
• Testing must be performed by a properly certified or otherwise authorized backflow assembly tester.
• Test results must be provided to the water supplier.
• Assemblies that fail testing must be repaired or replaced as necessary and tested again.

These requirements are established primarily under Oregon Revised Statues ORS 448.278 and ORS 448.279, and Oregon Administrative Rules OAR 333-061-0070 and OAR 333-061-0071.

Many customers did not install their backflow assembly themselves and may not know where it is located or why it is required. Please contact us if you need help understanding a testing notice, identifying an assembly, or enrolling in the District program.

Fairview Water District

Phone: (503) 842-4333

Email: backflow@fairviewwater.com