Backflow Laws: South Dakota
South Dakota Backflow Prevention Laws, Regulations, and Compliance Requirements
South Dakota's backflow prevention requirements are administered by the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (SDANR, formerly DENR). Tester certification is set locally by water purveyors and jurisdictions, with ABPA and ASSE certifications widely accepted. Sioux Falls operates one of South Dakota's most detailed municipal cross-connection control programs, using USC-FCCCHR-compliant test procedures and requiring city-certified testers. Annual testing is the standard requirement across South Dakota utilities. This guide covers SDANR's regulatory framework and programs for Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Aberdeen, and other major utilities.
South Dakota State Regulatory Framework
South Dakota’s drinking water program is administered by the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (SDANR), which holds EPA primacy under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. (Note: the former South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources [DENR] merged with the Department of Agriculture to form SDANR.) Cross-connection control requirements are established under South Dakota’s Safe Drinking Water Act, requiring public water systems to implement cross-connection control programs.
South Dakota does not administer a statewide backflow tester certification. Tester certification requirements are set locally by individual water systems and jurisdictions. ABPA certification is widely accepted across South Dakota utilities. ASSE certifications are also accepted by many utilities.
Sioux Falls Cross-Connection Control Program
Sioux Falls, South Dakota’s largest city, operates one of the state’s most detailed published cross-connection control programs. Sioux Falls’ Cross-Connection Control Manual specifies: all assemblies must meet USC-FCCCHR laboratory and field performance specifications; testing procedures must follow the current USC-FCCCHR Manual of Cross-Connection Control; after every test, the assembly must have a tag displaying company name, contact phone, date of test, tester name, test results (PSI), and a definitive pass or fail; test reports are submitted on a City of Sioux Falls form electronically via email, fax, or US mail. Falsification of any Sioux Falls backflow prevention paperwork results in immediate decertification from the City of Sioux Falls approved tester program.
Sioux Falls Operates Its Own Approved Tester Program
Sioux Falls maintains its own approved backflow prevention assembly tester certification program. To be approved to test in Sioux Falls’ service area, testers must be certified as a ‘Sioux Falls approved backflow prevention assembly tester.’ Simply holding an ABPA or ASSE credential may not be sufficient without also being approved by the City of Sioux Falls. Confirm your contractor’s Sioux Falls approval status before scheduling testing in Sioux Falls.
Major Water Purveyors in South Dakota
City of Sioux Falls — Water Reclamation
Sioux Falls Water is South Dakota’s largest municipal water system, serving approximately 200,000 customers. Sioux Falls’ cross-connection control program has detailed written requirements including specific assembly installation clearances, drainage requirements, below-grade installation conditions, and freeze protection requirements for South Dakota’s climate. Annual testing is required. Test tags must be displayed on every assembly after each test.
City of Rapid City Public Works
Rapid City is South Dakota’s second-largest city. The City of Rapid City’s cross-connection control program requires annual testing by certified testers for commercial and industrial connections. Rapid City’s program aligns with SDANR standards.
City of Aberdeen Utilities
Aberdeen serves northeastern South Dakota. Annual testing requirements apply to commercial connections. ABPA or ASSE-certified testers are accepted.
Watertown, Mitchell, and Smaller South Dakota Communities
South Dakota’s other major cities — Watertown, Mitchell, Huron, Pierre, and Brookings — each operate municipal water systems with cross-connection control programs aligned with SDANR requirements. Annual testing is standard across these systems.
Freeze Protection Is Critical in South Dakota
South Dakota’s climate features extreme cold winters with temperatures that can reach -20°F or colder. Backflow assemblies installed above grade or in unheated spaces are vulnerable to freeze damage. Sioux Falls’ cross-connection control manual specifically includes freeze protection requirements for assembly installations. Property owners in South Dakota should confirm with their utility what freeze protection standards apply to their installation location and install ASSE 1060-rated insulated enclosures or equivalent protection wherever required.
Property Owner Compliance Summary for South Dakota
Tester credential: ABPA or ASSE certification accepted by most SD utilities. Sioux Falls requires additional city-specific approval.
Annual testing: Required for all covered assemblies.
USC-FCCCHR test procedures: Sioux Falls requires test procedures per USC-FCCCHR Manual.
Assembly tags: Test tags required on every assembly after each Sioux Falls test.
Freeze protection: Required for above-grade or exposed assemblies per local standards.
Find a Certified Backflow Tester in South Dakota
Find ABPA or ASSE-certified testers at getyourbackflowtested.com/backflow-testing-near-me/south-dakota-backflow-testing — covering Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Aberdeen, Watertown, and all major South Dakota communities.
South Dakota Regulatory Reference Links
| Resource / Agency | URL / Link Target |
|---|---|
SDANR — Drinking Water Program | |
City of Sioux Falls — Cross Connection Control | |
Sioux Falls — Cross-Connection Control Manual | |
South Dakota Environmental Quality Backflow Prevention |
Related Resources
getyourbackflowtested.com | Backflow Laws — South Dakota Backflow Compliance Guide