Tolleson City Code 10-7-7: backflow testing and the 15-day notice

Subsection (B) sets the notice: "The user shall notify the Department 15 days in advance when the annual tests are to be done, so that an official representative may witness the tests if so desired by the Department." Section 10-7-1 defines "the Department" as the city's Building Department.

The rest of 10-7-7 covers records, new work and who tests:

• (A), records: the user keeps "accurate records of tests and repairs made to backflow prevention assemblies" and gives the Department copies. Records go on forms the Department approves and include the list of materials or replacement parts used.
• (C), new or repaired assemblies: following installation or any "repair, repiping, overhaul or relocation," the user has it inspected by the Department, tested, and provides the Department the results "before the certificate of occupancy is issued."
• (D), who tests and when: testing, maintenance and repairs are made at the customer's expense by a certified tester approved by the Department. The user must see that tests are made "at least once a year, on the anniversary date of the initial inspection."

• User: the code does not define it. The ordinary reading is whoever takes water service at the connection, which can be a tenant.
• Anniversary date of the initial inspection: the day the Department first inspected the assembly. Your annual test date follows that day, not the calendar year, so find the date in the Department's records.
• Witness: the Department may send an official representative to watch the test. The code says "if so desired," so the notice is required whether or not anyone shows up.

Users of the assemblies required by Article 10-7, which includes the businesses in the 10-7-5 table. The tester must be certified and approved by the Department.

A packing house with a yearly test. Say the inspection anniversary is in March. The office books the tester, then sends the Building Department notice at least 15 days before the test date. A city representative may or may not come.

A tenant improvement. A new tenant relocates the assembly to make room for a wall. Subsection (C) lists relocation, so the Department inspects and the assembly is tested before the certificate of occupancy.

The edge case: the notice falls on a holiday week. The code counts 15 days and says nothing about business days. Send it early and keep a dated copy.

1. 1Find the anniversary date of your assembly's first inspection in the Department's records.
2. 2Ask the Department which testers it approves before you book. Contact Development Services at DevelopmentServices@tolleson.az.gov or City Hall Customer Service at 623-936-7111.
3. 3Send the 15-day notice with the planned test date, in writing so you can prove the date, and keep a copy.
4. 4Have the tester record the test on the Department's form and list any replacement parts used.
5. 5Keep the test and repair records. Section 10-7-7(A) says the user provides the Department with copies.
6. 6For new work, schedule the Department's inspection and the test before the certificate of occupancy.

• Skipping the notice because nobody ever comes. The notice is the user's duty. The witnessing is up to the Department.
• Testing on the calendar year. The code says the anniversary date of the initial inspection.
• Using a tester who is certified but not approved by the Department. Subsection (D) asks for both.
• Treating a lapsed test as a paperwork issue. Section 10-7-9 lets the Department discontinue water service if a required assembly is not "installed, tested and maintained," and service "will not be restored until the conditions or defects are corrected."

The rule is Tolleson City Code 10-7-7 on Municode, with Sections 10-7-1 and 10-7-9 alongside it. HQ tests and repairs domestic backflow assemblies. This page is an explanation, and the code text governs.