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Last Updated: Wednesday, 14 August 2024 09:55
Backflow prevention is a term used to refer to the prevention of an unwanted reverse flow of water from a potentially polluted source into the drinking water supply.
Backflow occurs when a condition exists in a water supply system that will cause back-siphonage or back-pressure. The water supply system is designed to ensure your property is supplied with drinking water under pressure. If there is a drop in the supply pressure, there is a risk that water could flow backwards into the water main.
Events leading to backflow:
- water main pressure is reduced
- a cross-connection between drinking and non-drinking water exists
- liquid metals, chemicals, waste or debris enter the drinking water supply by either back-siphonage or back-pressure
- another property uses the drinking water.
An example of back-siphonage would be a pipeline breakage, undersized pipework or high withdrawal rates. Back-pressure can occur within properties when high pressure is generated downstream by pumps, thermal expansion or elevation.
Examples of potential source of contamination:
- fire hose reels (FHR)and hydrants
- irrigation systems
- swimming pools
- vehicle maintenance pits
- ornamental ponds
- air conditioning towers
- vehicle/bin washing bays
- chemical injection areas
Property owners have a responsibility to provide and maintain backflow prevention devices to protect other water consumers from the activities on their property.
A backflow prevention device prevents this reverse flow of water from a potentially polluted source into the regional drinking water supply system.
You may have a backflow prevention device if your property has:
- an irrigation system
- a fire system
- commercial or industrial equipment connected to the mains
- water outlets in proximity to pollutants, grease traps or chemicals
- an alternate water supply (rain water tank or bores connected to the house)
- an activity that has the potential to contaminate the drinking water supply i.e. commercial appliances, bidet toilet, air conditioning towers, wash bays, swimming pools/spas etc.
A correctly selected backflow prevention device (one-way valve) will eliminate any risk of contamination of the drinking water supply. Backflow devices are either testable or non-testable types with the selection dependent on the risk associated with the possible contamination.
Discuss options with your plumber to determine whether a non-testable device may be suitable to your situation. This option in most cases is only applicable to residential properties i.e. rainwater tanks. If a non-testable device is suitable to your situation, you will not need to register the device with Council. However, it is important to notify Council of the change to enable the current testable device to be removed from the Register and to avoid any unnecessary correspondence.
Backflow prevention device owners have a legislated responsibility to register each device with Council and have each device tested by a licenced plumber at least once each year as per the Plumbing & Drainage Regulation 2019 s102 Testable backflow prevention device - obligations of owner of premises.
Under the Plumbing & Drainage Regulation 2019 s102, a penalty of up to 20 penalty units may apply to every device that has not been tested or registered.
Registering a backflow prevention device
Council has the legislated responsibility to implement and maintain a program for the registration, maintenance and testing of all testable backflow prevention devices installed in its area.
It is the responsibility of the licensed plumber to submit a Form 9 test report to the local government within 10 business days of the device being commissioned/tested.
Installing a backflow prevention device
An application to install a testable backflow prevention device can be made to our plumbing section, please see Submit a plumbing an drainage application.
The majority of new backflow prevention devices will be installed as part of a larger scope of plumbing works. Devices will be shown on hydraulic drawings and be assessed by Council as part of the Plumbing Application. Associated Form 9 test reports must be submitted to Council and devices QR coded prior to requesting a final plumbing inspection.
Some devices may be installed under the notifiable work category.
It is the responsibility of the licensed plumbing contractor to submit a Form 4 to the Queensland Building and Construction Commission and forward a copy of the completed Form 9 to Council.
Owners of a testable backflow prevention device/s must have them tested every year. You will be advised in writing when the annual test is due. Testing ensures that the device is operating correctly.
Testable backflow prevention devices include reduced pressure zone, double check and some single check valves.
A defective device can:
- cause a backflow incident
- allow water through leaking devices
- cause a reduction in pressure on your property.
Annual testing must be carried out by a licensed plumber with backflow prevention accreditation, as stipulated in the Standard Plumbing & Drainage Regulation 2019.
Non-testable devices like dual check valves and some single check valves do not need to be tested annually.
Submitting annual test reports
It is the responsibility of the plumber to forward the test results to Council within 10 business days after testing the device.
Council has upgraded to a new simplified system for backflow prevention device registration and compliance – BackFlowID. Devices can be registered and tested through this system.
The annual fee (per device) covers:
- the administration of the testable backflow prevention program, including issuing the renewal notices and testing reminders
- recording and maintaining testing results and documentation for every device in the local government area and carrying out investigations and audits.
- The annual fee is a Regulatory fee; therefore, no GST applies.
From July 2024, all annual licensing fees will be applied to the property owners Water Rates Notice. The fee/s will be split between Water Rates Notices issued in April and October each year. Notices will be issued for testing of the device/s only.
Devices tested outside of the BackflowID Application will incur a manual upload fee. Charges to the Water Rates Notice for annual backflow licencing can be found in the Special Meeting Adopted Toowoomba Regional Council Budget and Revenue Statement 2024/2025.
To avoid additional fees, ensure your preferred plumber is registered with the BackflowID Application.
Frequently Asked Questions
How will the fees be charged?
From July 2024, all annual licensing fees will be applied to the property owners Water Rates Notice. The charge will be split across your Water Rates Notices issued in April and October each year.
You will have access to more payment options, including BPAY.
What are the annual licencing fees?
Devices tested outside of the BackflowID Application will incur a manual upload fee. Toowoomba Regional Council’s Backflow Prevention annual licencing fees can found under Council’s Budget Resolution.
What if a new device is commissioned on the property?
When a new backflow prevention device is registered with Council, the annual licencing charge will be added to the property and begin to be charged on the next Water Rates Notice issued.
What if a device is decommissioned on the property?
When Council is notified of a decommissioned backflow prevention device, the annual licencing charge for the single device will be removed from the property. Your next Water Rate Notice will reflect this; no charge (single device on property), or a reduced charged (multiple devices on property)
What to do after purchasing or selling a property?
More information can be found under General Rates & Charge
Postage details for Renewal Notices will update accordingly once Council is informed of a change of ownership.
Council has upgraded to a new simplified system for backflow prevention device registration and compliance – BackFlowID (powered by QR2id.com). This system was implemented across the Region in August 2021.
What is BackFlowID?
BackFlowID is a new interactive asset tag from BPAA Inc. The secure BackFlowID tag simplifies the requirements for registering each testable backflow prevention device. The cloud-based BackFlowID register is integrated with Council’s own data bases and IT systems.
How does BackFlowID work?
A licensed tester simply uses their smart phone to scan the BackFlowID tag. The device and other details are automatically loaded, so the applicable test results can be entered. The tester’s GPS location is checked against that of the device and a Form 9 is automatically generated.
Key benefits:
- simplified system
- real-time data
- interactive platform for customer, Council and plumber
- automatic scheduling of annual testing (optional – customer’s choice)
- automatic test results (Form 9) to owner, Council and plumber
- electronic payment option for annual fee
- email notifications
How do I get a BackFlowID tag?
The BackFlowID tag will be attached to your device/s by your plumber during your next annual test at no cost to you. The tag is free, the annual licencing fee will not increase.
Please note: Tags will only be attached during testing. Additional fees may apply if tags are attached outside of testing. Be sure to ask your plumber to attach the BackFlowID tag at the time of testing.
Do I need to do anything?
- mention the BackFlowID tag to your plumber when scheduling your annual backflow device testing
- remind the plumber to attach the BackFlowID tag to your device/s at the time of testing
- to allow renewal notices to be emailed – please email your preferred email and contact details to backflow@tr.qld.gov.au or call Water Infrastructure Services on 131 872.
Please note: This email will only be used for mailing of the Backflow Renewal Notices.
More Information
For further specific information, contact the Backflow team on 4688 6108 or backflow@tr.qld.gov.au, or visit your nearest Customer Service Centre.
