Backflow prevention devices

If your property has a backflow prevention, it is important to know your role.

You help protect the drinking water supply by ensuring all devices are adequately maintained. Failure to fulfil your responsibilities may result in compliance enforcement action.

Property owner's responsibilities

The owner of a testable backflow prevention device must:

• have all devices installed by a licensed plumber
• register the device with council by providing a copy of the initial test report
• have it inspected or tested by an endorsed licensed plumber yearly
• ensure that there is adequate access to devices for testing and maintenance.

Types of testable devices include:

• reduced pressure zone
• double check, and
• some single check valves.

Non-testable devices; including dual check valves, do not need to be registered or tested annually.

Backflow prevention device register and annual fee

Section 101 of the Plumbing and Drainage Regulation 2019 requires council must:

• maintain a program for the registration, maintenance and testing of all backflow prevention devices
• keep a register of these devices.

The annual fee included in the property's rates notice is to cover the costs to maintain the register.

Current fees are available in the register of fees and charges.

If your plumbing changes, you may no longer need a backflow prevention device. A licensed plumber can assess if your backflow prevention device is still required.

If the licensed plumber confirms there is no longer a risk to the drinking water supply, the licensed plumber can remove the device. The licensed plumber must lodge a Form 9 with council and a Form 4 with the Queensland Building and Construction Commission. Council requests the licensed plumber included a copy of the Form 4 with the Form 9 for our records.

Once council receives the Form 9 advising the backflow prevention device is removed, we will audit the location to confirm the water supply is safe. Council will then update our register and you will no longer be charged the annual fee.

You can locate a licensed plumber in the yellow pages under "plumbers". Ensure the plumber is legally qualified to work with backflow prevention devices.

Further information can be found in our backflow prevention guidelines.

Below are a series of videos for designers and endorsed plumbers to assist with backflow prevention devices. For more information, refer to:

• backflow prevention guidelines
• videos:
  • installation of backflow prevention devices, view the transcript
  • pre-backflow prevention test requirements, view the transcript
  • testing procedure for double check valves, view the transcript
  • testing procedure for reduced pressure zone, view the transcript.

Contact council's development services for further advice.

Lodge with council:

• form 9 report on inspection and testing of backflow prevention devices, registered air gaps and registered break tank.

Lodge with the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC):

• form 4 notifiable work.

Related information:

• notifiable works see the QBCC website
• plumbing forms see the Business Queensland website.

Test reports provide important information on the performance of your backflow devices. They also report on maintenance requirements to ensure your devices are working property. In turn, this protects us from drinking or using contaminated water.

Council offers several ways to submit your service report:

• integrating your business system with council's eServices system
• online through MyCouncil (you need to register). Note: initial test reports cannot be submitted online
• by email or post
• in person at City Hall, 54 First Ave Maroochydore.

Backflow eServices

Backflow eServices enables you to directly integrate with council's register. This means we can receive and review your test reports instantaneously.

More information

• eServices
• register your interest
• how to submit a backflow prevention device test result online (DOCX, 1.8MB).