If you own property in Broward County — whether a commercial building, an apartment complex, or a home with an irrigation system — there is a good chance you are required to have your backflow preventer tested every year. Broward County Water Services enforces an annual testing program for all registered backflow prevention assemblies connected to the public water system, and missing the deadline can lead to repeated notices and, eventually, service action.

At A1 Chlorination, we make annual backflow compliance fast and straightforward for property owners and managers throughout Broward County, including Fort Lauderdale, Coral Springs, Pembroke Pines, Hollywood, Davie, and Miramar. Here is a complete overview of the program and what to expect when you schedule your test.

Broward County’s Annual Backflow Testing Requirement

Backflow prevention devices are installed at the point where a private water service connects to the public distribution main. Their job is to physically prevent water from flowing backward — from your property back into the public supply — under conditions like pressure drops or cross-connections. Because these devices contain mechanical components that can wear, corrode, or foul over time, Broward County Water Services requires annual testing to confirm they are functioning correctly.

Testing must be performed by a certified backflow tester, and the results must be submitted to Broward County through their official backflow certification portal. You can find the program details on the Broward County Water Services backflow certification page.

Property owners receive annual notices by mail when their device is due. If you are not sure whether your property has a registered assembly or what type it is, a quick call to our team will help sort it out. Reach us at 813-534-1188.

Commercial vs. Residential: Who Needs Testing?

Both commercial and residential properties can have backflow prevention requirements. The specific type of device and the degree of hazard it addresses determines the testing requirements, but in general:

Commercial Properties

Commercial, industrial, and multi-family properties almost universally have at least one backflow preventer on the domestic water service. Many also have separate assemblies for irrigation, fire suppression, cooling towers, or process water. Each registered assembly requires its own annual test. Common commercial account types that receive testing notices include:

• Office buildings and professional suites
• Retail centers and strip malls
• Restaurants and commercial kitchens
• Hotels, motels, and resorts
• HOA common areas and community irrigation systems
• Industrial and warehouse facilities
• Medical and dental offices

Residential Properties

Single-family homes frequently have a backflow preventer on the irrigation meter if they have an in-ground sprinkler system. Some homes also have assemblies on pool fill lines or other supplemental connections. If your home has an irrigation system on a separate meter, you likely have a device that requires annual testing.

Not sure which category you fall into? Our technicians can identify the devices on your property and let you know exactly what needs to be tested. Call 813-534-1188 for a quick consultation or to schedule a visit.

What the Backflow Testing Process Looks Like

Annual backflow testing is a relatively fast and low-disruption process when handled by an experienced technician. Here is what our process looks like from arrival to report submission:

1. Locate and identify the assembly. Our technician identifies the device type, manufacturer, model, serial number, and size. This information is required on the test report and must match the utility’s records.
2. Connect test gauges. Calibrated differential pressure test gauges are attached to the test cocks on the assembly. These tools measure the performance of the internal check valves and relief valve under live pressure conditions.
3. Perform the functional test. Each component is tested and measured against the required performance specifications. The entire process is non-destructive and does not damage the assembly.
4. Document the results. All readings are recorded on a field test report form that meets Broward County’s reporting requirements. Pass or fail is noted clearly, along with the technician’s certification information.
5. Submit to Broward County. We submit the completed test results through the Broward County Water Services backflow certification portal on your behalf. You receive a copy for your records.

Most single-device tests at a residence or small commercial building take less than an hour. Multi-device commercial accounts with several assemblies may take a half day, but we coordinate the schedule to minimize impact on your tenants or operations.

What Happens If Your Device Fails?

Backflow preventers fail tests more often than people expect, particularly on devices that are several years old or have not been maintained. The good news is that many failures are repairable on the same visit, and our technicians come equipped to handle the most common repair scenarios.

Common causes of failed tests include:

• Worn or fouled check valve seats and rubber discs
• Debris lodged in the check valve, preventing full closure
• Failed or stuck relief valves on reduced pressure zone (RPZ) assemblies
• Corroded test cock fittings that cannot be operated
• Overall deterioration in older assemblies

When a repair is possible on-site, we complete the work and immediately retest the assembly to confirm it now passes. The passing retest is then submitted to Broward County as the official compliance record. For assemblies that are beyond repair or are approaching end of service life, we can replace the full assembly and test the new unit before we leave.

We do not want a failed test to require a second visit if it can be avoided. That is why our trucks are stocked with common repair kits and replacement assemblies in the most frequently encountered sizes.

Submitting Results Through the Broward County Portal

Broward County Water Services uses an electronic submission system to track backflow test compliance across the thousands of registered assemblies in the county. When you hire A1 Chlorination, you do not need to interact with the portal at all. We handle the submission, and Broward County’s records are updated with the certified test results.

For property managers overseeing a portfolio of commercial properties in Broward, this is a significant time saver. We can manage the testing calendar for all your Broward addresses, submit results for each, and provide you with a master compliance log so you have documentation in one place when it is needed for lease renewals, audits, or insurance reviews.

Fast Scheduling Across All of Broward County

We know that staying compliant with annual backflow requirements is one of dozens of things on a property owner’s or manager’s plate. Our scheduling process is designed to make it as frictionless as possible:

• Short lead times. We typically offer appointments within a few business days for single-device tests, and we can prioritize accounts with upcoming compliance deadlines.
• Flexible windows. Morning and afternoon appointments are available across all of Broward County, from Coral Springs and Coconut Creek in the north to Hallandale Beach and Miramar in the south.
• Portfolio scheduling. For property management companies, we coordinate bulk scheduling across multiple addresses so testing is done efficiently without requiring you to make separate calls for each location.
• Reminder service. Ask us to add you to our annual reminder list and we will reach out before your next test comes due so you are never caught off guard by a compliance notice.

Learn more about our full range of backflow testing and repair services, or explore how we support South Florida water projects with our water main chlorination services. Ready to schedule? Contact us online or call us directly.

Schedule Your Broward County Annual Backflow Test

Annual backflow testing in Broward County is a straightforward requirement, but it only gets done if you schedule it. Whether you received a notice in the mail or you are proactively staying ahead of the deadline, A1 Chlorination is here to help with certified testing, on-site repairs when needed, and complete portal submission handled on your behalf.

Call 813-534-1188 today to book your test. We serve property owners, landlords, HOAs, and commercial accounts throughout Broward County and across South Florida.