Backflow Laws: Arkansas
Arkansas Backflow Prevention Laws, Regulations, and Compliance Requirements
Arkansas operates a dual-track cross-connection control system: the Arkansas State Plumbing Code (ASPC) addresses all plumbing systems, while the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) Rules and Regulations Pertaining to Public Water Systems mandates cross-connection control programs for all commercial and industrial establishments. This guide covers both tracks, ADH's Assembly Tester Technician certification, and the specific programs of Central Arkansas Water, Fayetteville, Benton, and other major utilities.
Arkansas State Regulatory Framework
Arkansas’s backflow prevention requirements rest on two parallel regulatory foundations. The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH), as the state’s EPA primacy agency under the Safe Drinking Water Act, administers cross-connection control through its Rules and Regulations Pertaining to Public Water Systems (RRPPWS). Separately, the Arkansas State Plumbing Code (ASPC) — based on the 2018 International Plumbing Code with Arkansas amendments — governs backflow prevention at the installation level for all plumbing systems, residential through industrial.
The ADH’s cross-connection control program applies primarily to commercial and industrial establishments. All public water systems in Arkansas — both community water systems and non-community water systems (transient and non-transient) — must implement cross-connection control programs (CCCPs). The ADH’s minimum standards require that as of January 1, 1996, each program include mandatory testing of backflow prevention devices by certified testers, with testing within ten days of installation and annually thereafter.
The ADH uses a containment-first approach: containment (protection at the meter) is the minimum required configuration. Water utilities may additionally permit an isolation configuration (protection at points of use within the plumbing system) where they determine it preferable, though containment and isolation in series can produce significant pressure drop and must be carefully designed.
Arkansas State Plumbing Code — IPC 2018 Based
The Arkansas State Plumbing Code (ASPC) applies to all plumbing systems regardless of occupancy type, including residential. The ASPC mandates that only a licensed plumber install a Reduced Pressure Zone Assembly (RPZA) in Arkansas. This is a critical requirement: installation by an unlicensed contractor creates liability exposure for the property owner and may result in a non-certifiable installation that cannot be accepted by the water authority. The ASPC additionally requires testing within 10 days of installation and annually thereafter — requirements that mirror the ADH CCCP standards.
ADH Assembly Tester Technician Certification
Arkansas has a distinctive tester credential: the Assembly Tester Technician (ATT) certification issued or recognized by the Arkansas Department of Health. Only personnel certified as ATTs may test backflow assemblies in Arkansas — no other credential is accepted as equivalent by most Arkansas water utilities. The ATT credential is the mandatory baseline; contractors holding ASSE 5110 or AWWA credentials but not ADH ATT certification are not authorized to file test reports with most Arkansas water systems.
Any failure, modification, or suspected backflow event involving an assembly must be reported immediately to the Approving Authority (the relevant water utility) in addition to filing standard test reports.
Arkansas's Distinctive ATT Certification Requirement
Arkansas is one of the few states that maintains its own state-specific tester credential — the Assembly Tester Technician (ATT) certification issued or recognized by the Arkansas Department of Health. Unlike states that accept any ASSE 5110 or AWWA credential, most Arkansas water utilities require ATT certification specifically. Confirm with your specific water utility that your contractor holds the ADH ATT credential before scheduling any testing.
Major Water Purveyors in Arkansas
Central Arkansas Water (CAW)
Central Arkansas Water is the largest water utility in Arkansas, serving the Little Rock metro area and surrounding communities in Pulaski County and adjacent areas. CAW requires a cross-connection control assessment survey before installing any commercial or industrial meter — the hazard assessment determines whether an RPZA is required at the service connection. The ASPC requires a licensed plumber for all RPZA installations. CAW requires testing within 10 days of installation and annually thereafter. Only ADH-certified Assembly Tester Technicians may perform testing within the CAW service area. Test results are submitted to CAW as the Approving Authority. CAW’s published Cross-Connection Control Program Manual is one of the most comprehensive utility-level documents in the state.
City of Fayetteville Water Department
Fayetteville operates one of the most progressive backflow programs in Arkansas. In May 2017, Fayetteville amended its local backflow ordinance to comply with the state plumbing code, extending requirements to cover residential installations — including in-ground irrigation systems, fire suppression systems, and pools — in addition to the commercial and industrial requirements that previously formed the basis of the program. Fayetteville now operates an automated tracking system and enforcement protocol for annual testing. Test reports are submitted electronically through Fayetteville’s online reporting portal. The Fayetteville Cross Connection Control Program can be reached at 479-575-8382 or backflow@fayetteville-ar.gov.
Benton Utilities
Benton Utilities serves the City of Benton in Saline County. Benton’s program mirrors the ADH minimum standards — licensed plumber for RPZA installation, testing within 10 days of installation and annually thereafter, only ADH ATT-certified technicians authorized to test, and test results submitted to the Benton Water Distribution Department. Non-compliance may result in service discontinuation. RPZA installations must be above ground on the customer’s side of the meter and before the first point of use.
Other Notable Arkansas Utilities
Significant water systems across Arkansas include North Little Rock Waterworks, Fort Smith Water and Sewer, Jonesboro Water and Light, and West Memphis Water. Each operates cross-connection control programs aligned with ADH minimum standards. Specific testing schedules, reporting procedures, and approved tester lists should be confirmed directly with each utility. Rogers-Lowell Area Water (serving the fast-growing Northwest Arkansas metro alongside Fayetteville’s system) has expanded its cross-connection program as the region has grown rapidly.
Non-Compliance Enforcement in Arkansas
Arkansas law is explicit: even without a city ordinance, the ADH Rules and Regulations Pertaining to Public Water Systems authorize discontinuation of water service where a direct cross-connection is found. Water utilities are not required to have a specific local ordinance to enforce backflow compliance — the state rules alone provide that authority. Before pulling the meter, utilities are expected to issue repeated warnings and a final notice with a date and time for service interruption, but the authority to terminate service is clear.
Property Owner Compliance Summary for Arkansas
Installation: Only a licensed plumber may install an RPZA in Arkansas. Installation must meet ASPC requirements and be located above ground on the customer’s side of the meter.
Testing: Within 10 days of installation and annually thereafter. Only ADH-certified Assembly Tester Technicians (ATT) may test assemblies.
Filing: Test results and reports must be submitted to your water utility as the Approving Authority within their specified window.
Reporting failures: Any assembly failure, modification, or suspected backflow must be reported immediately to the Approving Authority.
Records: Maintain all documentation for the period required by your utility.
Find a Certified Backflow Tester in Arkansas
Only ADH-certified Assembly Tester Technicians (ATT) are authorized to test assemblies in most Arkansas water utility service areas. Find verified testers at getyourbackflowtested.com/backflow-testing-near-me/arkansas-backflow-testing.
Arkansas Regulatory Reference Links
| Resource / Agency | URL / Link Target |
|---|---|
ADH — Cross Connection and Backflow Prevention Resources | |
ADH — Cross Connection Control FAQs | |
ADH — Cross Connection/Backflow Prevention Overview | |
Central Arkansas Water — Cross-Connection Control Program | |
Central Arkansas Water — CCC Program Manual | |
City of Fayetteville — Backflow Prevention | |
Benton Utilities — Backflow Prevention | |
Arkansas Plumbing Code 2018 — Chapter 6 Backflow |