Quick Answer: Annual backflow preventer testing is required under the City of Kelowna’s Water Regulation Bylaw and is the most commonly missed compliance step for properties with irrigation systems. Testing must be performed by a certified backflow assembly tester — self-testing is not accepted by water utilities. Skipping it can ultimately result in water service disconnection.
If your property has an irrigation system, your backflow preventer needs to be tested every year, and it’s the requirement that most Kelowna property owners and businesses overlook. Whether you manage a residential property or a commercial or strata site, this guide covers what backflow testing involves, why it’s required by bylaw, and what happens if it doesn’t get done.
What Is a Backflow Preventer & Why Does It Need Annual Testing?
A backflow preventer is a device that stops contaminated water (including fertilizers, pesticides, and other substances that can enter irrigation lines) from being drawn back into your property’s potable water supply. It is the critical safeguard between your irrigation system and your drinking water.
Because irrigation systems create a cross-connection between potable and non-potable water, annual testing by a certified backflow assembly tester is required under the City of Kelowna’s Water Regulation Bylaw, administered through the Kelowna Joint Water Committee Cross Connection Control Program.
The device itself doesn’t require attention every day, but its internal components (check valves, relief valves, and test cocks) can degrade over time. Annual testing confirms the device is still functioning correctly and protecting your water supply.
Why Professional Backflow Testing Matters
The backflow testing requirement exists because the consequences of a failed or untested device are serious — contaminated water entering a potable supply is a public health issue, not just a property issue.
Having a licensed commercial plumber handle your backflow test means the work is done correctly, results are filed with your utility, and your property stays in compliance. For commercial and strata properties managing multiple units or complex systems, having a single reliable contact for annual testing simplifies the process considerably.
What the Backflow Testing Process Involves
A standard backflow test involves a certified tester attaching a calibrated differential pressure gauge to the device’s test cocks, verifying that check valves hold pressure under reverse flow conditions, confirming the relief valve operates at the correct PSI, and filing the passing test report with your water utility. The appointment typically takes 20–30 minutes.
This is not a test that can be self-performed. Results must be submitted directly to your water utility by a certified backflow assembly tester to satisfy compliance requirements.
What Happens If You Don’t Get Your Backflow Preventer Tested?
The City of Kelowna’s enforcement process follows a notice-based escalation. Property owners who have not submitted annual backflow test results will receive a written letter advising them that their cross-connection device is due for testing under the Water Regulation Bylaw. Failure to act on that notice can ultimately result in water service disconnection.
In neighbouring areas, such as the Regional District of North Okanagan, agricultural users who miss their backflow test can have their water shut off immediately, with a reconnection fee required to restore service.
If you have already received a notice from your utility, it is important to book your test promptly.
What Happens If the Backflow Device Fails?
If your backflow preventer fails the test, the tester will document the failure. The device must be repaired or replaced before re-testing can occur. Vision Plumbing Heating Cooling handles backflow preventer repair and replacement. If a problem is identified during testing, it can be resolved without coordinating a separate trade.
Book Your Certified Backflow Test
Annual backflow testing is a straightforward requirement that protects your drinking water and keeps your property in compliance with the City of Kelowna’s Water Regulation Bylaw.
To book your certified backflow test, contact Vision Plumbing Heating Cooling.
For urgent plumbing issues, our 24/7 emergency plumbers in Kelowna are available at any time. You can also explore our residential plumbing services and water leak detection services for additional support in keeping your property’s plumbing system in good condition.
Frequently Asked Questions About Backflow Prevention Testing
Annually, as required under the City of Kelowna’s Water Regulation Bylaw and the Kelowna Joint Water Committee Cross Connection Control Program. Contact your local water utility to confirm the specific schedule and deadlines that apply to your property.
No. Backflow testing must be performed by a certified tester licensed in BC using a calibrated differential pressure gauge. Self-testing is not accepted by water utilities and will not satisfy bylaw compliance requirements.
The tester will document the failure, and the device must be repaired or replaced before re-testing can occur. Contact your utility promptly, as unresolved failures can result in a compliance notice or service interruption.
Annual testing is a year-round requirement — if your device hasn’t been tested in the past 12 months, it’s due regardless of the season. Many property owners schedule testing in spring when irrigation systems are being brought online, but testing can be booked at any time.
