Backflow Laws: Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Backflow Prevention Laws, Regulations, and Compliance Requirements
Pennsylvania is a high-regulation state for cross-connection control. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) administers requirements under 25 Pa. Code Chapter 109, Section 109.709. Pennsylvania requires a cross-connection control program that includes an ordinance, a schedule for inspection of non-residential connections, a public education program, and enforcement methods. Local jurisdictions (ASSE or ABPA certifications accepted) set specific tester requirements. Philadelphia Water has its own City-Certified Backflow Prevention Technician program. Pittsburgh Water requires ASSE certification. This guide covers PADEP's framework and major utility programs.
Pennsylvania State Regulatory Framework
Pennsylvania’s cross-connection control requirements are established in the Pennsylvania Safe Drinking Water Act (35 P.S. §721.1 et seq.) and regulations at 25 Pa. Code Chapter 109, Section 109.709, administered by PADEP. Pennsylvania holds EPA primacy under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. Pennsylvania is classified nationally as a high-regulation state requiring a cross-connection control program that includes: a local ordinance; a schedule for inspection of non-residential service connections; a public education program; enforcement methods; and maintenance of inspection and testing records.
Under Pennsylvania Code Section 109.709, the public water supplier and the consumer have joint responsibility for protection of the public water supply from contamination or pollution due to backflow. The PADEP Public Water Supply Manual, Part VII (Cross-Connection Control/Backflow Prevention) provides comprehensive guidance for Pennsylvania water systems implementing their programs. Annual testing is required for all testable backflow prevention assemblies under Pennsylvania’s program.
Pennsylvania Tester Certification — Locally Administered with ASSE/ABPA Acceptance
Pennsylvania does not administer a statewide backflow tester certification program. Tester certification requirements are set by local jurisdictions and water utilities. ASSE and ABPA certifications are widely accepted across Pennsylvania utilities. Philadelphia Water operates its own City-Certified Backflow Prevention Technician program. Pittsburgh Water specifically requires ASSE certification for all testers submitting results to their Backflow Test Submission Portal.
Pennsylvania's High-Regulation Status — Ordinance Requirement
Pennsylvania’s classification as a high-regulation state is driven significantly by the requirement that cross-connection control programs include a local ordinance. Water systems must have formal legal authority — enacted as a municipal ordinance or utility tariff provision — to require customer installation of backflow protection and to enforce compliance including water service termination. The PADEP Public Water Supply Manual Part VII includes a model ordinance that water systems can adapt for their legal structure.
Major Water Purveyors in Pennsylvania
Philadelphia Water Department (PWD)
Philadelphia Water Department serves approximately 1.5 million customers in Philadelphia and surrounding areas through wholesale agreements. PWD operates its own detailed cross-connection control program with City-Certified Backflow Prevention Technicians. Assemblies must be approved by USC-FCCCHR. PWD maintains its own approved assembly list and certified technician list, both updated periodically (approved technician list updated weekly). Test reports are submitted on Form 79-770 (Backflow Prevention Assembly Test and Maintenance Record). New installation plans must be submitted on Form CP-100 before installation work begins. Annual testing is required.
Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA)
Pittsburgh Water requires ASSE-certified testers for all backflow assembly testing. Testers must create an account in Pittsburgh Water’s Backflow Test Submission Portal and upload their ASSE certification and calibration certificates before submitting results. Paper test submissions are no longer accepted by Pittsburgh Water — all results must go through the online portal. Annual testing is required for all commercial connections. Installation of new backflow devices requires an Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) plumbing permit and inspection. Pittsburgh Water’s tariff Section B governs cross-connection requirements.
Pennsylvania American Water
Pennsylvania American Water is the largest investor-owned water utility in Pennsylvania, serving communities statewide. Pennsylvania American Water has partnered with Pennsylvania Water Specialties Company (PAWSC) for cross-connection control administration and backflow prevention program services. PAWSC’s platform (pawsc.tokaytest.com) is used for test result submission for some Pennsylvania American Water service areas. Annual testing is required. Pennsylvania American Water does not maintain its own tester list but directs customers to licensed tester databases.
Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority (BCWSA)
BCWSA serves Bucks County communities. BCWSA has partnered with Pennsylvania Water Specialties Company (PAWSC) for its cross-connection control administration. Test forms are submitted online at pawsc.tokaytest.com. The authority mandates annual testing for covered assemblies with results submitted within the filing window.
Pennsylvania Rural Water Association (PRWA) and Small Systems
PRWA assists Pennsylvania’s smaller water systems in implementing cross-connection control programs. PRWA notes that under Pennsylvania’s Safe Drinking Water Act, PA DEP requires that customers eliminate cross-connections or install backflow prevention devices — this applies to individual homes, businesses, and commercial and industrial establishments with identified hazards. Annual testing is required statewide.
Philadelphia's Two-Tier Backflow Protection — City Certification Plus Plan Review
Philadelphia Water’s cross-connection control program is particularly procedurally demanding. Before a new backflow assembly can be installed, an Installation Permit Application (Form CP-100) must be submitted. City-certified technicians must perform testing. The approved technician list is updated weekly — a technician who was on the list last month may not be on the current week’s list if their certification has lapsed. Always confirm current certification status before scheduling Philadelphia backflow work.
Property Owner Compliance Summary for Pennsylvania
Annual testing: Required for all testable backflow prevention assemblies. Submit results to your utility through their designated platform.
Phila. Water: City-Certified technician required. Form CP-100 for new installations. Results on Form 79-770.
Pittsburgh Water: ASSE-certified tester. Submit through Pittsburgh Water’s online portal. Paper no longer accepted.
PA American Water: Submit through PAWSC portal (pawsc.tokaytest.com) where applicable.
Ordinance: Your water system is required to have a formal cross-connection control ordinance as legal authority for enforcement.
Find a Certified Backflow Tester in Pennsylvania
Find ASSE or ABPA-certified testers at getyourbackflowtested.com/backflow-testing-near-me/pennsylvania-backflow-testing — covering Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Allentown, Erie, and all major Pennsylvania markets.
Pennsylvania Regulatory Reference Links
| Resource / Agency | URL / Link Target |
|---|---|
PADEP — 25 Pa. Code Chapter 109 (Safe Drinking Water) | |
PADEP — Public Water Supply Manual Part VII (Cross-Connection Control) | |
Philadelphia Water — Cross-Connection and Backflow Compliance | |
Pittsburgh Water — Backflow Prevention and Cross-Connections | |
Pennsylvania American Water — Cross Connection and Backflow Prevention | |
PRWA — Backflow Cross Connection Control Administration | |
PAWSC — Backflow Test Submission Portal |
Related Resources
getyourbackflowtested.com | Backflow Laws — Pennsylvania Backflow Compliance Guide