Backflow Laws: North Dakota
North Dakota Backflow Prevention Laws, Regulations, and Compliance Requirements
North Dakota's backflow prevention requirements are established under the North Dakota Administrative Code 33.1-17-01-19, administered by the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality (NDDEQ). By April 1, 2022, all community and transient public water systems must have a written Backflow Prevention and Cross-Connection Control (BPCCC) containment program. North Dakota's Plumbing Board certifies backflow assembly testers. Backflow prevention assemblies must be installed by licensed plumbers. This guide covers ND's regulatory framework and programs for Bismarck, Fargo, Grand Forks, and other major utilities.
North Dakota State Regulatory Framework
North Dakota’s cross-connection control requirements are established in North Dakota Administrative Code 33.1-17-01-19, administered by the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality (NDDEQ) Division of Municipal Facilities. North Dakota holds EPA primacy under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. The NDDEQ provides tools, references, and guidance documents for communities to design and implement BPCCC programs, and maintains program templates and annual report forms at DEQ-MF-Inspection@nd.gov.
By April 1, 2022, all community and transient non-community public water systems were required to have a written Backflow Prevention and Cross-Connection Control (BPCCC) containment program. Containment programs require water systems to survey their systems and identify all potential cross-connections within publicly-owned buildings and ensure proper backflow protection. Water systems may voluntarily develop more comprehensive BPCCC programs covering all cross-connection hazards (not just public buildings).
North Dakota Plumbing Board Tester Certification
North Dakota’s backflow assembly testers must be certified by the North Dakota State Plumbing Board. The ND Plumbing Board maintains a list of certified backflow assembly testers at ndplumbingboard.gov. Backflow prevention assemblies must be installed by a licensed plumber in accordance with 33.1-17-01-19. Testing must be conducted by a certified tester. Both requirements — licensed plumber for installation and certified tester for testing — apply statewide.
Annual Backflow Tester Certification Courses
NDDEQ announces annual certification and recertification courses for backflow assembly testers. As of recent announcements, recertification courses are scheduled in March (2025 recertification was March 14th; initial certification course was March 17-21, 2025) through Backflow Prevention Services. Training qualifies as continuing education credits for water and wastewater operators. Small system operators may qualify for operator reimbursement for bootcamp trainings.
North Dakota's Two-Track Program Structure
North Dakota establishes a minimum containment program (required) and an optional comprehensive program (best practice). The mandatory containment program covers cross-connections within publicly-owned buildings and property. The optional comprehensive program covers all cross-connections including commercial and residential customer properties. Water systems that voluntarily implement comprehensive programs provide the most complete protection and align with industry best practices beyond the state minimum.
Major Water Purveyors in North Dakota
City of Fargo Utilities
Fargo is North Dakota’s largest city. Fargo Utilities serves approximately 130,000 customers. Fargo’s cross-connection control program aligns with NDDEQ requirements, requiring annual testing for covered commercial and industrial assemblies. Backflow prevention assemblies must be installed by licensed plumbers and tested by ND Plumbing Board-certified testers.
City of Bismarck Public Works
Bismarck, the state capital, operates a cross-connection control program aligned with 33.1-17-01-19 requirements. Bismarck Public Works houses the facility used for NDDEQ’s annual backflow tester certification courses (601 S 26th St, Bismarck). Annual testing is required for covered assemblies.
City of Grand Forks
Grand Forks’ water system serves the eastern North Dakota/northwestern Minnesota border city. The cross-connection program follows NDDEQ requirements with annual testing for commercial and industrial connections.
North Dakota Rural Water Systems
Many North Dakota communities are served by rural water systems. The North Dakota Rural Water Systems Association (NDRWA) provides training and technical assistance to rural water systems implementing BPCCC programs. NDRWA hosted NDDEQ webinars helping rural systems navigate the April 2022 written program requirement.
Small System Operators: Reimbursement Available for Training
NDDEQ and North Dakota offer reimbursement programs for small system operators attending bootcamp trainings, including backflow prevention certification courses. Small system water operators considering tester certification should confirm with NDDEQ whether the current training cycle qualifies for operator reimbursement before registering.
Property Owner Compliance Summary for North Dakota
Installation: By ND-licensed plumber only, per 33.1-17-01-19.
Testing: By ND Plumbing Board-certified backflow assembly tester.
Written program: Your water system is required to have a written BPCCC containment program.
Annual testing: Required for covered assemblies across ND utility programs.
Records: Maintained per your utility’s program requirements and available to NDDEQ.
Find a Certified Backflow Tester in North Dakota
Find ND Plumbing Board-certified backflow assembly testers at ndplumbingboard.gov or getyourbackflowtested.com/backflow-testing-near-me/north-dakota-backflow-testing — covering Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks, Minot, and all major North Dakota communities.
North Dakota Regulatory Reference Links
| Resource / Agency | URL / Link Target |
|---|---|
NDDEQ — BPCCC Program | |
ND Administrative Code 33.1-17-01-19 | |
ND State Plumbing Board — Certified Backflow Assembly Tester List | |
ND Rural Water Systems Association — Backflow Training |
Related Resources
getyourbackflowtested.com | Backflow Laws — North Dakota Backflow Compliance Guide