When must a backflow test report reach the City of Surprise?

Subsection (b) is the deadline: "A copy initial and requested testing reports must be submitted to the city within 48 hours of the testing procedure." The next sentence covers the yearly one: "Test reports for the annual recertification must be submitted within ten working days of the required renewal date."

The remaining subsections set the rules around the report:

• (a), who is responsible: the property owner where devices are installed has to have "inspection, tests, maintenance and repairs made in accordance with these regulations."
• (c), the form: reports go on a city approved form and must list the test date, tester's name, the tester's certification number and the results. "The city will not accept a failed testing report as a completed testing report."
• (d) and (e), the tester: someone certified by an organization recognized by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, who is on the city's approved testers list "at the time the test is performed."
• (f) and (g), repairs: a defective device "shall be repaired or replaced at the owner's expense without delay," and a device "shall not be bypassed at any time."

• Initial test: the first test after a device is installed. The city's owner page also calls for a test before a device goes into service, after a repair, or after the meter is installed.
• Requested test: a test the city asks for. Section 58-255 says devices are tested "upon installation, annually or as requested by the city."
• Annual recertification: the yearly test. The code does not define the renewal date. Ask the city which date it has on file for your device.
• Working days: the code does not define it. The usual reading is business days, which is a reading, not a definition.

The property owner is the responsible party under (a). The tester has duties too: the city's tester page lists what a tester needs to be on the approved list and says reports must go through the SAMS Universal Tester website, where "The City no longer accepts reports by email or mail in."

A routine annual test. The tester runs the test with a calibrated gauge, files the report through SAMS, and the owner keeps a copy. The city's owner page says copies go to the device owner, the water provider and the tester.

A failed test on a Friday. The first report shows a failure. Under (c) it does not count as complete. Under (f) the owner repairs or replaces the device at their own expense without delay, so the report that satisfies the city is a passing one.

The edge case: a new building. The city sets the meter, and the device is tested within 48 hours. With only 48 hours, book the tester before the meter is set, not after.

1. 1Pull your last test report and note the renewal date, the tester's certification number and the device serial number.
2. 2Pick a tester from the Recognized Certified Backflow Testers list on the city's tester page.
3. 3Ask the tester to submit through SAMS Universal Tester, since the city no longer accepts email or mail reports.
4. 4For a replaced device, make sure the form includes the manufacturer, model, serial number, size and type of the new device, and the old device's information in the comments.
5. 5Keep the report with your building records. The city's owner page lists test reports, repairs and replacements as the records the owner's contact person keeps.
6. 6Questions go to backflow@surpriseaz.gov. The tester page lists 623-222-7030 for tester support.

• Assuming the tester files the report and the owner is done. The code puts responsibility on the property owner.
• Treating a failed report as a late-but-filed report. The city will not accept it as complete.
• Using an unlisted tester because the certification is valid. The tester must also be on the city's list at the time of the test.
• Mixing up the two deadlines. 48 hours is for initial and requested tests, and ten working days is for annual recertification.
• Using a potable test kit on a reclaimed assembly. The tester page says the potable kit is not to be used on reclaimed water backflow assemblies.

The rule is Surprise Municipal Code Sec. 58-259 on Municode, with the city's two backflow pages beside it. HQ tests and repairs domestic backflow assemblies. This page is an explanation, and the code and the city's pages govern.