The Backflow Prevention Section is responsible for administering the City of Tempe 's Backflow Prevention Program, which is a containment program as defined by state regulation, R18-4-115, and Tempe City Code.  The purpose of the Backflow program is to protect the public water supply of the city from the possibility of contamination or pollution by isolating within the user's system such contaminants or pollutants which could backflow into the public water supply, and to provide for the monitoring and enforcement of the program.  This is accomplished by inspecting service connections to ensure compliance with ordinances related to backflow, tracking the annual testing of privately-owned backflow assemblies to ensure proper operation, and investigating water quality complaints and backflow incidents.

The City is implementing a compliance data system (“CDS”) in 2012.  An on-line data entry form will be included which will allow the assembly owner (or their backflow tester) to input the test results.  Until the CDS program is in place, hard copy and electronic versions in portable document format (“PDF”) reports other than the City of Tempe form will be accepted.  In addition to the assembly test results, the private test report must contain the following:  water meter serial number, manufacture, model, size, and serial number.