Got a Backflow Test Notice From the SFPUC? Here's How It Works
If you own a building in San Francisco with a backflow prevention assembly, sooner or later a letter arrives from the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission. It says your device is due for its annual test and includes a number you’ve probably never seen before. This guide covers what the notice means, who’s allowed to do the test, and what happens after.
Why San Francisco tests every year
A backflow preventer sits between your building’s plumbing and the city’s water main. If pressure in the main drops, for instance during a main break or heavy firefighting demand, water inside a building can be pulled backward toward the street. Fire sprinkler lines, irrigation, boilers, commercial kitchen equipment and anything else connected to the plumbing can end up in the public supply if nothing stops it.
The assembly’s check valves are what stop it. They rely on rubber seals and springs that wear out over time, and a valve that no longer closes properly usually looks normal from the outside. California requires these assemblies to be tested every year so a failure gets caught on a schedule, not after a contamination incident.
What’s in the SFPUC notice
According to the SFPUC’s consumer guide to backflow prevention, the Water Quality Division mails the notice at the start of the month your test is due. It includes a PIC number. Hold on to that letter, because the tester needs the PIC number to file your results.
The responsibility is yours as the property owner. The SFPUC puts it directly: you’re responsible for arranging the annual test of your backflow assemblies by a tester approved to work in San Francisco. The SFPUC doesn’t send someone out to do it.
Who can test in San Francisco
Not every certified tester can file a test in San Francisco. The SFPUC’s tester instructions require testers to hold a valid Permit to Operate from the San Francisco Department of Public Health, which in turn requires an approved certification, insurance and a calibrated test kit. When you book a test, it’s reasonable to ask the company to confirm it can file with the SFPUC.
What happens on test day
The tester shuts off water at the assembly for a short time, connects a calibrated gauge to the test ports and checks each valve. On a reduced pressure assembly, the relief valve is tested too. A single accessible device is a short visit; building access, locked rooms and multiple devices are what stretch it out.
Afterward the tester enters the results in the SFPUC’s online system, called CCAMS. The deadline is tight: results go in within five business days of the test, and a failed assembly has to be entered the same day.
The $30 tag
Each tested assembly gets an SFPUC backflow tag. Under the current tester instructions the tag costs $30 and is sold by the SFPUC’s Customer Service Bureau. It’s a fee charged by the SFPUC itself, so it’s separate from what you pay the tester. When you get a quote, ask whether it includes the tag.
If the device fails
A failed assembly needs to be repaired and retested. The most common fix is replacing worn rubber parts with the manufacturer’s repair kit for that model, after which it’s tested again and the passing result is filed.
Replacement is a different matter. The SFPUC’s instructions say that removing, replacing or relocating an assembly requires a licensed contractor and a plumbing permit from the Department of Building Inspection. If your device is beyond repair, plan for that.
What gets installed, and where
Two installation rules come up often in San Francisco. Assemblies have to be on the USC Foundation’s approved list and must be lead-free, a requirement that became mandatory in 2025. And the SFPUC can require a containment assembly within 25 feet of the water meter, protecting the whole building, as well as separate assemblies at specific hazards inside.
A quick checklist when the notice arrives
Find the PIC number on the letter. Book a tester who’s approved to file in San Francisco, and have them confirm the $30 tag cost. Make sure they’ll be able to reach the device; locked mechanical rooms are easy to forget. Then keep a copy of the passing result for your records.
If you’d like us to handle it, a standard test is $199 per device plus the SFPUC’s own tag fee, and we file the results for you. You can book online or see our San Francisco page for the SFPUC’s full requirements.
Common questions
What is the PIC number on my SFPUC backflow notice?
It's the number the SFPUC includes on the notice it mails at the start of the month your test is due. Your tester needs it to file the results.
Who can test a backflow preventer in San Francisco?
A tester approved to work in San Francisco. Testers need a valid Permit to Operate from the San Francisco Department of Public Health, which requires an approved certification, insurance and a calibrated test kit.
How much is the SFPUC backflow tag?
Each tested assembly gets an SFPUC backflow tag, which costs $30 under the current tester instructions. It's an SFPUC fee, separate from the tester's price.
How soon are San Francisco backflow test results filed?
Testers enter results in the SFPUC's CCAMS system within five business days of the test. A failed assembly has to be entered the same day.
Do I need a permit to replace a backflow preventer in San Francisco?
Yes. Removing, replacing or relocating an assembly requires a licensed contractor and a plumbing permit from the Department of Building Inspection.