Oregon law requires annual testing of backflow prevention assemblies on irrigation systems connected to the municipal water supply. Here is everything Bend homeowners need to know about backflow testing requirements and costs.
A backflow preventer is a device installed on your irrigation system's connection to the municipal water supply. Its job is to prevent contaminated water from your irrigation system — which may contain fertilizers, pesticides, and soil bacteria — from flowing backward into the drinking water supply.
The City of Bend requires all irrigation systems connected to the municipal water supply to have an approved backflow prevention assembly installed and tested annually.
The City of Bend Water Department requires annual testing of all backflow prevention assemblies. Testing must be performed by a certified backflow assembly tester (BAT) who is licensed by the Oregon Health Authority.
Test results must be submitted to the City of Bend Water Department. Newport Avenue Landscaping provides certified test reports that meet all City of Bend requirements.
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Newport Avenue Landscaping charges $140 per tech hour for backflow preventer testing, with a one-hour minimum. Most residential backflow tests are completed in 30–45 minutes.
If the test reveals a failing backflow preventer, repair or replacement costs are additional. We provide a clear estimate before any repair work begins.
The most common backflow prevention assemblies in Bend residential irrigation systems are the Pressure Vacuum Breaker (PVB) and the Reduced Pressure Zone (RPZ) assembly.
PVBs are the most common residential device — they are less expensive and work well for most residential irrigation applications. RPZs provide a higher level of protection and are required for systems with chemical injection (fertilizer injectors).
The City of Bend typically requires annual backflow tests to be completed by May 1 each year, before the irrigation season begins. We recommend scheduling your test in March or April to ensure availability. Contact the City of Bend Water Department to confirm the current deadline.
If your backflow preventer fails the annual test, it must be repaired or replaced before the irrigation system can be used. We can repair or replace most backflow preventers on the same visit as the test, or schedule a follow-up repair visit. We submit the passing test report to the City of Bend after the repair is confirmed.
No — Oregon law requires backflow preventer testing to be performed by a certified backflow assembly tester (BAT) licensed by the Oregon Health Authority. Self-testing is not accepted by the City of Bend. Newport Avenue Landscaping employs certified testers who can perform and certify your annual test.
Any irrigation system connected to the municipal water supply in Bend requires an approved backflow prevention assembly. Systems on private wells are not subject to this requirement. If you are unsure whether your system has a backflow preventer or whether it has been tested, contact us for an inspection.
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