The State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water (Water Board) has adopted the Cross Connection Control Policy Handbook, requiring testers of meter protection backflow assemblies to obtain a certificate issued by a Water Board recognized organization. Public Health is unable to meet the requirements of the Water Board to become a recognized organization for certifying testers.
The Water Board has delayed the implementation and set the effective date for the new tester certification requirements as July 1, 2026 (unless further amended by the Water Board).
A meter protection backflow assembly is a device installed directly after the water meter to prevent contaminated water from flowing back into the public water system, especially from industrial or commercial plumbing systems.
Yes, until June 30, 2026. Beginning July 1, 2026 (unless further amended by the Water Board), Public Health-issued certifications will be valid for testing internal protection backflow assemblies only and will no longer be valid for testing meter protection backflow assemblies.
You will need to obtain a certification from a Water Board-recognized organization. A list of recognized certifying agencies can be found on the Water Board's website.
Yes. Public Health will continue to operate its certification program for testers who focus solely on internal protection backflow assemblies.
Yes, if you are planning to focus solely on internal protection backflow assemblies testing.
No. Certification from a Water Board-recognized organization will allow you to test both meter protection and internal protection backflow assemblies.
Public Health began notifying all certified testers in February 2025. Updated notification of the new expiration date was sent on June 30, 2025.
If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact the Cross Connections & Water Pollution Control Program at (626) 430-5290.
Last Updated: June 2025
