4.2a ERMUSR 10-12-2021BACKFLOW PREVENTERS
Section 78-27 of the City of ElkRiver Code of Ordinances requires theinstallation and testing of all
testable backflow prevention devices at all connections to the municipal water system, and delegates to
Elk River Municipal Utilities(ERMU)the authority to implementa testing program. All customers served
by ERMU, whose operations are determined by Minnesota Plumbing Code to constitute a potential for a
cross connection or backflow, shall install and maintain an appropriate backflow preventer assembly at
the owners costincluding, but not limited to, reduced pressure zone (RPZ)and pressure vacuum
breaker(PVB)devices.The backflow preventer assembly shall be installed at the location of the hazard,
but at a minimum immediately down line from the meter.The City of Elk River building safety
departmentshall be responsible for ensuring that testable backflow preventer devices are installed and
are initially tested.The building safety department shall notify municipal utilities within 30 days of
installation.Residential customers with existing PVB devices connectedto the municipal water system
are required to notify ERMUof the device,andif available,the installation date of the device.
Annual testing of all testable backflow preventer devices is required. ERMUhas established the
followingtesting procedure for commercial and residential customers.
In addition to fees authorized by this policy, ERMUisalsoauthorized to discontinue water serviceto any
property,ortake suchother precautionary measures as necessary,to eliminate any potential damageto
orcontaminationofthe municipalwater system.
Elk River Municipal Utilities Backflow Prevention Annual Testing Procedure
I.Commercial Annual Inspection:
1)ERMUwillmail commercial or industrial customers a reminder to get their backflow
preventer assembly tested. Notices will be mailed approximately 30 days before the annual
duedate and will include instructions on how to submit the test results.
2)The ownersresponsibilitywill be to contactaplumber certified in installing,testing,and
repairing backflow preventers, and contract to have their backflow preventer assembly
testedand/or repaired.
3)The plumber will submit the test results to ERMUsthirdparty records management
company.The valve tag attached to the backflow prevention assembly will befilled out and
reattached to the valve assembly.
4)Should thebackflowpreventertest fail, the owner will berequired to repair and/or replace
the device within30 days.
5)Atotal of three notices will be mailedasreminders to test the device. Failure to comply with
testing and/or repairing the device may result in a penalty per the ERMUfee schedule.
II.Residential Annual Inspection:
1)ERMUwill mail residentialcustomers a reminder to get their backflow preventer assembly
tested. Notices will be mailed approximately 30 days beforetheannual due date and will
include instructions on how to scheduleatest at no costto the customer.
2)Customers are required to respondto the notificationand schedule a test.
3)Should thebackflow preventertest fail, the customerwill be required to repairand/or
replace thedevice utilizing aplumber certified in installing, testing,and repairing backflow
preventerswithin 30 daysat the customers expense.
4)Atotal of three notices will be mailed as reminders to test the device. Failure to comply with
testing and/or repairing the device mayresult in a penalty per ERMUsfee schedule.If the
test appointmentis scheduled and/or repair is made within 30 days ofthe penaltybeing
applied, the penalty will be refunded.
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