Backflow Laws: California
California Backflow Prevention Laws, Regulations, and Compliance Requirements
California has the most recently updated and most comprehensive backflow prevention regulatory framework in the United States. The Cross-Connection Control Policy Handbook (CCCPH), effective July 1, 2024 and revised again June 17, 2025, replaced decades-old Title 17 regulations and imposed new mandatory cross-connection control plan requirements, expanded record-keeping, new tester certification standards, and new fire sprinkler requirements on all California public water systems. This guide covers the full CCCPH framework, the phased tester certification transition, and major utility programs for Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento, and others.
California's Regulatory Framework: The CCCPH
California’s cross-connection control requirements are governed by the Cross-Connection Control Policy Handbook (CCCPH), adopted by the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) and effective July 1, 2024. The CCCPH superseded the prior regulations at California Code of Regulations Title 17, representing the most significant update to California’s backflow prevention framework in decades. The State Water Board adopted a revised CCCPH on June 17, 2025 — extending certain deadlines and aligning language with other pre-existing regulations. The SWRCB’s Division of Drinking Water (DDW) oversees implementation.
California holds EPA primacy under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. The CCCPH implements California’s Safe Drinking Water Act (Health and Safety Code §116275 et seq., amended by AB 1671 in 2017 and AB 1180 in 2019) and mandates that every public water system (PWS) in California implement and enforce a comprehensive cross-connection control program.
Mandatory Cross-Connection Control Plans
A cornerstone requirement of the CCCPH is that every California public water system must develop and submit a written Cross-Connection Control Plan (CCC Plan) to DDW or its delegated Local Primacy Agency (LPA). The CCCPH established July 1, 2025 as the submission deadline for these plans. The plan must document all key program elements including operating rules or ordinances, hazard assessment procedures, backflow prevention assembly inventory, testing schedules, record-keeping protocols, and enforcement procedures. The SWRCB has released four CCC Plan templates — for transient noncommunity water systems, nontransient noncommunity water systems, and two templates for small community water systems — to assist utilities in plan development.
Annual Testing Requirement
The CCCPH mandates annual field testing of all backflow prevention assemblies (BPAs) in California. Annual testing is the universal standard for all assembly types in all California water system service areas — there is no biennial or less-frequent testing option under the CCCPH for standard BPAs.
Fire Sprinkler System Requirements — New Under CCCPH
Effective July 1, 2025, both commercial and residential fire sprinkler systems are subject to new cross-connection control requirements under the CCCPH. These changes — which may require mandatory installation of backflow prevention assemblies or retrofits on fire sprinkler systems that were previously unprotected — represent a significant expansion of California’s requirements. LADWP and other utilities have issued specific advisories to affected customers. The State Water Board’s Cross-Connection Control Committee released a Guidance Memorandum on Fire Protection Systems on September 5, 2025 to assist utilities and property owners in understanding these new requirements.
Phased Tester Certification Transition
California’s CCCPH has established a phased transition for tester certification standards:
As of July 1, 2025: All backflow assembly testers and cross-connection control specialists must be certified by a State Water Board-recognized certifying organization. Local Public Health-issued certifications are no longer valid as of this date.
As of July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027: Testers must be certified by a SWRCB-recognized organization (recognition applications are reviewed by the State Water Board).
Effective July 1, 2027: Only certifying organizations accredited by ANSI to comply with ISO/IEC 17024 (Conformity Assessment — General Requirements for Bodies Operating Certification of Persons) can be used for CCCPH compliance. This is the highest international accreditation standard for personnel certification bodies.
Currently SWRCB-recognized certification programs include the California-Nevada Section of AWWA (CA-NV AWWA), ASSE International (through accredited third-party bodies), and others applying for recognition. California Water Service (Cal Water) requires testers to attend annual tester meetings and submit certification documents and gauge calibration records to remain on its approved tester resource list.
Record-Keeping Requirements Under the CCCPH
The CCCPH’s record-keeping requirements substantially exceed prior Title 17 standards. California water systems must maintain: field test results for all BPAs for a minimum of three years; the two most recent hazard assessments for each premise; complete assembly inventory (hazard/application, location, owner, type, manufacturer/model, size, installation date, serial number); records of replacements, relocations, and repairs; the most current cross-connection tests (shutdown tests, dye tests); and descriptions and follow-up actions for all backflow incidents.
California Plumbing Code and CCCPH Interaction
California has adopted the California Plumbing Code (CPC), which governs installation of backflow assemblies at the building level. Where the minimum backflow protection requirement differs between the CPC and the CCCPH, the more protective requirement governs. Compliance with the California Plumbing Code can be verified by water systems and used for CCCPH compliance purposes in applicable situations.
California's Fire Sprinkler BPA Requirement Is New and Affects Many Properties
Effective July 1, 2025, residential and commercial fire sprinkler systems that were previously unprotected from cross-connection may now require backflow prevention assembly installation or retrofits under the CCCPH. Property owners with fire sprinkler systems in California should verify whether their system is affected by this new requirement by contacting their water utility or reviewing the SWRCB’s September 2025 Guidance Memorandum on Fire Protection Systems.
Major Water Purveyors in California
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP)
LADWP is the nation’s largest municipal utility, serving approximately 4 million residents in Los Angeles. LADWP’s cross-connection control program is governed by its Rules and Regulations — specifically Water Service Rule 16-D — and must comply with all CCCPH requirements. LADWP administers its own comprehensive CCC program, including assessment of facilities for required backflow assembly installation and annual testing requirements. LADWP proactively notifies affected customers of the new fire sprinkler requirements effective July 1, 2025. Backflow assembly test reports and program compliance are administered through LADWP’s water quality infrastructure.
San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC)
SFPUC administers cross-connection control for the City and County of San Francisco under the Backflow Prevention Ordinance, originally adopted in 1984 and revised in 2016. SFPUC administers the program through the Water Quality Division in coordination with the Environmental Health Branch of the San Francisco Department of Public Health and the Plumbing Inspection Division of the Department of Building Inspection.
SFPUC requires an approved backflow prevention assembly wherever a potential cross-connection or hazard exists, including: boilers, chemical feed equipment, dedicated irrigation systems, interconnected fire sprinkler systems, buildings four stories or more in height, or water supply greater than 40 feet above the water meter. Annual testing is required. Testing must be performed by an Authorized Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester permitted by San Francisco DPH. All assemblies must be on the USC-FCCCHR Approved Backflow Prevention Assemblies list. Test results and inquiries go to backflow@sfwater.org or (650) 652-3199.
San Diego County Water Authority and City of San Diego
The City of San Diego Public Utilities Department and San Diego County Water Authority jointly serve San Diego County’s approximately 3.3 million residents. San Diego’s cross-connection control requirements are aligned with the CCCPH. Annual testing is required for all covered assemblies. San Diego operates its own approved tester program with requirements to confirm certification and utility approval before scheduling.
East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD)
EBMUD serves approximately 1.4 million customers in Alameda and Contra Costa counties in the East Bay. EBMUD has operated a comprehensive cross-connection control program for decades and has fully integrated CCCPH requirements. Annual testing is required. EBMUD maintains its own approved assembly list and tester authorization process.
Sacramento Area Water and Sacramento County
The City of Sacramento and Sacramento County are served by multiple water agencies including Sacramento Suburban Water District, Sacramento County Water Agency, and the City of Sacramento utilities. Each agency operates CCCPH-compliant programs with annual testing requirements and its own approved tester processes.
California Water Service Company (Cal Water)
Cal Water is the largest investor-owned water utility in California, serving approximately 2 million customers across 100 communities. Cal Water’s cross-connection control program is aligned with the CCCPH. Cal Water requires testers to attend annual tester meetings and submit current certification documentation and gauge calibration records to remain on its approved tester resource list — testers who do not attend the annual meetings are removed from Cal Water’s approved list regardless of certification status.
Inland Empire Utilities Agency and Southern California Water Company
The Inland Empire (San Bernardino and Riverside counties) is served by a patchwork of water agencies including Inland Empire Utilities Agency, Cucamonga Valley Water District, Jurupa Community Services District, and Southern California Water Company. Each operates CCCPH-compliant programs. The Inland Empire’s rapid growth has driven substantial expansion of cross-connection control enforcement as new commercial and industrial development requires comprehensive hazard assessment and BPA installation.
Las Virgenes Municipal Water District and Other Los Angeles County Agencies
Los Angeles County outside City of LA is served by dozens of water agencies including Las Virgenes MWD, West Basin Municipal Water District, Central Basin Municipal Water District, and others. Las Virgenes operates a CCCPH-compliant program requiring annual testing and adherence to the CCCPH’s updated assembly standards. All assemblies must be tested upon installation and annually thereafter by SWRCB-recognized certified testers.
California's Regulatory Landscape Is Actively Evolving
The CCCPH’s phased implementation — with new certification requirements in 2025, 2026, and 2027, plus ongoing rulemaking on certifying organization accreditation — means California’s backflow compliance landscape is actively changing. Property owners and contractors should check the SWRCB’s CCCPH webpage (waterboards.ca.gov) for current deadlines and certification organization lists. The State Water Board’s Cross-Connection Control Committee accepts questions at backflow@waterboards.ca.gov.
Property Owner Compliance Summary for California
CCC Plan: Your water utility must have a written CCCPH-compliant CCC Plan. As a property owner, your obligations flow from that plan’s requirements — confirm them with your specific utility.
Annual testing: All BPAs must be field-tested annually by a SWRCB-recognized certified tester who is also approved by your specific water utility.
Fire sprinkler systems: If your property has fire sprinkler systems, confirm whether new CCCPH requirements (effective July 1, 2025) require BPA installation or retrofit.
Tester certification: As of July 1, 2025, testers must be certified by a SWRCB-recognized organization. Ensure your contractor’s certification meets this requirement.
Record-keeping: Test results retained for minimum 3 years. Additional records per CCCPH requirements maintained by your water utility.
Find a Certified Backflow Tester in California
Find SWRCB-recognized certified testers approved by your California water utility at getyourbackflowtested.com/backflow-testing-near-me/california-backflow-testing — covering Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento, and all major California markets.
California Regulatory Reference Links
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SWRCB — CCCPH Official Page and Downloads |
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SWRCB — June 2025 CCCPH (most current version) |
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SWRCB — Backflow Tester Certification (Recognized Organizations) |
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SWRCB — Fire Protection Systems Guidance Memo (Sept 2025) |
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LADWP — Backflow Prevention Requirements |
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SFPUC — Cross-Connection Control Program |
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California Health and Safety Code §116275 (Safe Drinking Water Act) |
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CA-NV AWWA — Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester Certification |