Saint Paul Regional Water Services (SPRWS) requires plumbing contractors to obtain a plumbing permit before installing or replacing a backflow preventer.
 
Only a person licensed by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry as a journeyman plumber may lawfully install, replace or rebuild backflow preventers; such person must also have a Certificate of Competency as a plumber/gasfitter issued by the City of Saint Paul Department of Safety and Inspections.

Codes:
Minnesota State Plumbing Code Sections 4715.2161 and 4715.2162 as well as Saint Paul Legislative Code Section 94.18 require annual testing of reduced pressure zone (RPZ) assemblies and testable double check valve assemblies. In addition, the required rebuild interval must not exceed five years for such devices.

Tester Qualifications:
Only a person licensed by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry as a “backflow preventer tester” may perform backflow preventer tests.

Documentation requirement:
To ensure the safety of public health and comply with code requirements, SPRWS requires annual submittal of complete documented test results on its Reduced Pressure Backflow Preventer Test Report or Testable Double Checks form.
Failure to provide this annually required documentation is a code violation and may result in discontinuation of water service.

Filing Fees:
No permit is required for testing or rebuilding a backflow preventer, however a filing fee does apply.
(See “Reduced Pressure Backflow Preventer Test Report or Testable Double Checks” form for current fee details).

Method of Payment:
Checks or money orders are the only accepted forms of payment for backflow preventer test report filing fees.

Reduced Pressure Backflow Preventer Test Report or Testable Double Checks(PDF)