Backflow Laws: Georgia
Georgia Backflow Prevention Laws, Regulations, and Compliance Requirements
Georgia's backflow prevention requirements are established under the Rules for Safe Drinking Water at Georgia Administrative Code Rule 391-3-5-.13, administered by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD). Georgia operates the Georgia Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester (GBPAT) certification program — a state-specific credential administered by the Georgia Association of Water Professionals (GAWP) on behalf of EPD. This guide covers Georgia's state regulatory framework, the GBPAT certification program, and the specific programs of Atlanta's Department of Watershed Management, DeKalb County, Fulton County, and other major Georgia utilities.
Georgia State Regulatory Framework
Georgia’s backflow prevention requirements are established under the Rules for Safe Drinking Water, specifically at Georgia Administrative Code Rule 391-3-5-.13, administered by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) of the Department of Natural Resources. Georgia holds EPA primacy under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act.
The regulatory framework requires that all required field testing of backflow prevention assemblies be performed by persons certified under the Georgia Statewide Backflow Prevention Assembly Certification Program, as approved by EPD. Georgia Rule 391-3-5-.13.7 specifically mandates this certification for all testing activity. Georgia EPD may require development of a cross-connection control plan at its request, with records to be maintained for at least three years.
Georgia adopted federal safe drinking water standards in 1973, the same year the Federal Government passed the Safe Water Drinking Act. In 1977, Georgia passed the Rules for Safe Drinking Water establishing that suppliers of water or persons with control of a public water system have the responsibility to prevent water from unapproved sources or contamination from entering the public water system.
Georgia Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester (GBPAT) Certification Program
Georgia’s GBPAT program is one of the most structured state-administered tester certification programs in the southeastern United States. EPD contracted with the Georgia Association of Water Professionals (GAWP) to administer the program on behalf of EPD. The program structure:
Prerequisite training: GAWP provides a 32-hour Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester (BPAT) certification training class through the Georgia Water and Wastewater Institute (GWWI), GAWP’s official training provider. The prerequisite training does not expire and does not need to be retaken for renewal. Prerequisites training meets the standards of USC’s Foundation for Cross-Connection Control 10th Edition procedures.
Examination: A 100-question written closed-book examination published by the Association of Boards of Certification (ABC) plus a three-part hands-on practical examination. Failure of the written portion disqualifies from taking the hands-on exam. GAWP contracts with ABC to prepare, maintain, and administer the exam.
Certification: Upon passing, GBPAT certification is issued by GAWP on behalf of EPD. Certification is valid for three years. Renewal requires six hours of backflow-specific continuing education during the three-year certification period.
National credentials accepted in Georgia: Georgia accepts certain national certifications without requiring the GBPAT examination, including ASSE and ABPA certifications. However, testers holding credentials not specifically accepted in Georgia must still pursue GBPAT certification. Confirm with GAWP whether your existing credential is accepted for Georgia reciprocity.
Georgia's GBPAT Is Required — Not Optional
Rule 391-3-5-.13.7 makes GBPAT certification (or an accepted national equivalent) a legal requirement for all backflow testing in Georgia, not a preference. Property owners who hire a contractor without valid GBPAT or equivalent credentials are at risk of having test results rejected by their water utility — meaning the annual compliance obligation remains unfulfilled even if money was paid for testing. Always verify that your contractor is current in the GAWP GBPAT database before scheduling.
Major Water Purveyors in Georgia
City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management
Atlanta’s Department of Watershed Management (DWM) operates one of the largest urban cross-connection control programs in Georgia. Atlanta’s backflow compliance requirements are based on the Georgia State Minimum Standard Plumbing Code and city-specific ordinances. All affected property owners are expected to have backflow prevention assemblies installed and tested before any business opens. DWM enforces compliance for commercial, industrial, and multi-family properties across the city.
Annual testing is required for most Atlanta backflow prevention assemblies. Test results must be submitted to DWM within specified timeframes. Atlanta’s Cross Connection Control program is overseen by a dedicated Backflow Specialist (mrobertson@atlantaga.gov, 404-798-9017). Testers must hold GAWP GBPAT or equivalent credentials recognized by EPD.
DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management
DeKalb County DWM requires all commercial and multi-family residential customers to install backflow prevention assemblies commensurate with the hazard level at their property. Single-family residential customers are required to install backflow prevention assemblies on any irrigation system present on their property. Annual testing is required. DeKalb County does not maintain its own approved tester list — instead, property owners are directed to the GAWP website (gawp.org) to search the database of current GBPAT-certified testers. DeKalb’s Backflow Prevention Section can be reached at 404-687-4075 or DeKalbBackflow@DeKalbCountyGA.Gov.
Fulton County Water Resources
Fulton County Water Resources administers a cross-connection control program requiring all commercial customers to install approved containment backflow prevention devices as close as possible to the service meter. Fulton County uses SwiftComply as its test result submission platform — certified testers must register through SwiftComply to submit results. Annual testing and maintenance of assemblies are required, with results submitted to Fulton County through SwiftComply.
Gwinnett County Water Resources
Gwinnett County Water Resources serves one of Georgia’s fastest-growing counties. Gwinnett’s cross-connection control program applies to commercial, industrial, institutional, and multi-family properties. Annual testing is required. Gwinnett manages its own approved tester list and filing procedures, aligned with EPD Rule 391-3-5-.13 requirements.
Cobb County Water System
Cobb County Water System serves the northwestern Atlanta metro area. Cobb’s program requires annual testing for all covered assemblies with hazard-based assembly type selection. GBPAT-certified testers are required for all testing within Cobb County’s service area.
Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission (BGJWSC)
BGJWSC serves coastal Georgia including Brunswick and Glynn County. BGJWSC has a detailed testing program that accepts GBPAT, ABPA, ASSE, and University of Florida TREEO Center certifications. Equipment calibration must be registered with BGJWSC. Test reports must be submitted on BGJWSC-specific forms within seven days of the test date. Testers must submit verification documents and proof of renewals for all certifications, licenses, and calibrations to the BGJWSC directly.
City of Savannah Public Works
Savannah’s water system serves Georgia’s largest Atlantic port city and its significant industrial, maritime, and tourism-related infrastructure. Savannah’s cross-connection control requirements apply to all commercial and industrial connections. Annual testing is required. GBPAT or equivalent EPD-approved certification is required for all testers.
Georgia's 3-Year Record Retention Baseline Is a Minimum
Georgia Rule 391-3-5-.13 requires maintenance of cross-connection control records for at least three years. Individual utilities may require longer retention periods. The three-year baseline is a state floor — confirm your specific utility’s requirements. In practice, maintaining records for the full operating life of an assembly (which may be 10-20 years or more) is best practice and provides protection in any compliance dispute.
Property Owner Compliance Summary for Georgia
Installation: Have the correct assembly type installed based on your utility’s hazard assessment. Commercial and multi-family customers are covered; single-family homeowners with irrigation systems are also covered.
Testing: Annual testing by a GBPAT-certified tester (or accepted national equivalent recognized by EPD).
Filing: Submit results to your specific utility through their designated platform (SwiftComply for Fulton County, direct submission for others, within specified timeframe).
Tester verification: Verify tester credentials through the GAWP database at gawp.org before scheduling.
Records: Minimum 3-year retention per state rules; longer per utility requirements.
Find a Certified Backflow Tester in Georgia
All Georgia testers must hold GBPAT certification or an EPD-accepted equivalent. Find GBPAT-certified testers through the GAWP database at gawp.org or through the GetYourBackflowTested.com Georgia directory at getyourbackflowtested.com/backflow-testing-near-me/georgia-backflow-testing — covering Atlanta, Savannah, Augusta, Columbus, and all major Georgia markets.
Georgia Regulatory Reference Links
| Resource / Agency | URL / Link Target |
|---|---|
Georgia EPD — Rule 391-3-5-.13 (Safe Drinking Water Rules) | |
Georgia EPD — GBPAT Certification Program Guidance Document | |
GAWP — Georgia Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester Certification | |
City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management — Backflow Compliance | |
DeKalb County DWM — Backflow Prevention Information | |
Fulton County Water Resources — Backflow Prevention | |
Brunswick-Glynn JWSC — Backflow Prevention | |
Georgia Water and Wastewater Institute (GWWI) — Training |