Backflow Laws: Texas
Texas Backflow Prevention Laws, Regulations, and Compliance Requirements
Texas's backflow prevention requirements are established in 30 TAC Chapter 290, administered by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) since January 1, 1996. Texas has a distinctive multi-license structure: Backflow Prevention Assembly Testers (BPATs) are TCEQ-licensed through 30 TAC Chapter 30; Customer Service Inspectors (CSIs) are also TCEQ-licensed; and fire protection backflow work requires employment by a State Fire Marshal-approved Fireline Contractor. TCEQ Form 20700 is the required test documentation. Vepo/Envirotrax and BSI Online are the dominant platforms. This guide covers TCEQ's comprehensive program and major utilities including SAWS, Dallas Water, Houston Public Works, Austin Water, and Fort Worth Water.
Texas State Regulatory Framework
Texas’s cross-connection control requirements are established in Title 30, Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Chapter 290, specifically Sections 290.44(h) and 290.46(i), administered by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). TCEQ enacted the state cross-connection control law effective January 1, 1996, under the Texas Safe Drinking Water Act. TCEQ holds EPA primacy under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act.
All public water systems in Texas must implement cross-connection control programs including: a plumbing ordinance, plumbing regulations, or service agreement prohibiting cross-connections with enforcement provisions; Customer Service Inspections (CSIs) on new construction, substantial plumbing modifications, or when hazards are suspected; and backflow prevention assemblies on all connections presenting health hazards, tested upon installation and annually.
Test documentation: All test reports must be completed on TCEQ Form 20700 (Backflow Prevention Assembly Test and Maintenance Report) or an approved alternate form. Test gauge serial numbers must be included on Form 20700. Gauges must be tested for accuracy annually per USC or AWWA standards. Test reports must be submitted to the water supplier — the signed and dated original goes to the public water supplier for recordkeeping.
Texas BPAT License — TCEQ-Issued
Texas Backflow Prevention Assembly Testers (BPATs) must hold a current TCEQ-issued BPAT license under 30 TAC Chapter 30 (Occupational Licenses and Registrations). To obtain a BPAT license: complete a TCEQ executive director-approved course on cross-connection control and backflow prevention assembly testing; pass a written and practical test based on USC field-test procedures approved by TCEQ; and maintain the BPAT license current through renewal. BPATs are qualified to test and repair assemblies on domestic, commercial, industrial, or irrigation services.
Critical restriction: BPATs may test and repair assemblies on firelines ONLY if they are permanently employed by an Approved Fireline Contractor (licensed by the Texas State Fire Marshal’s Office). Non-fireline-contractor-employed testers cannot perform fireline backflow testing in Texas.
Texas Customer Service Inspector (CSI)
In addition to BPATs, Texas requires Customer Service Inspections (CSIs) of private water distribution facilities to identify cross-connections before new service is provided and when hazards are suspected. CSIs are performed by TCEQ-licensed Customer Service Inspectors (CSIs), who are authorized under 30 TAC Chapter 30. CSIs inspect private plumbing for cross-connections, potential contamination hazards, and auxiliary water supplies. The inspection is limited to identification and prevention purposes — it does not make CSIs responsible for the internal plumbing beyond that.
Vepo/Envirotrax and BSI Online Platforms
Many Texas water systems have adopted one of two dominant electronic test reporting platforms: Vepo LLC’s Envirotrax system (used by many rural water districts and smaller cities) or BSI Online (used by SAWS and other major utilities). All BPATs must register with the platform used by each specific water system before submitting test reports electronically. Paper test submissions are no longer accepted by utilities using these platforms.
Texas's Fireline-Specific Restriction on BPATs
Texas is one of the few states with an explicit, legally-codified restriction on who can perform backflow testing on fire protection system service lines. Under 30 TAC 290.44(h)(4)(A)(ii), BPATs may only test and repair assemblies on firelines if they are permanently employed by a State Fire Marshal-approved Fireline Contractor. This is enforced through the State Fire Marshal’s Office, not TCEQ directly. Property owners scheduling fire protection backflow testing must confirm that their tester is employed by an Approved Fireline Contractor — independent BPATs cannot legally perform fireline backflow testing in Texas.
Major Water Purveyors in Texas
San Antonio Water System (SAWS)
SAWS is San Antonio’s primary water utility serving approximately 2 million people in Bexar County. SAWS contracted with Backflow Solutions Inc. (BSI Online) effective December 1, 2024, to manage its backflow prevention program. BSI sends backflow assembly due and past due notices on behalf of SAWS; Customer Service Inspections are managed by BSI Online. Property compliance status can be checked at bsionlinetracking.com/customer. SAWS reviews and stamps utility plans for new customers; inspects installation, repair, and replacement of external backflow assemblies; and monitors annual testing requirements. Initial permitting through City of San Antonio Development Services Department (1901 S. Alamo, 210-207-1111).
Dallas Water Utilities
Dallas Water Utilities serves Dallas and wholesale customers across the North Texas region. Dallas’s cross-connection program operates under TCEQ 30 TAC 290 requirements. Annual testing by TCEQ-licensed BPATs is required for all covered assemblies. Dallas Water maintains its own approved tester registration.
Houston Public Works
Houston Public Works serves approximately 2.3 million people. Houston’s cross-connection control program requires annual testing by TCEQ-licensed BPATs. Houston’s large industrial and commercial base creates one of the most complex cross-connection compliance environments in the state.
Austin Water
Austin Water serves approximately 1 million customers in the Austin metro area. Austin’s cross-connection control program requires annual testing by TCEQ-licensed BPATs. Austin Water has adopted online test submission requirements.
Fort Worth Water Department
Fort Worth Water serves Tarrant County communities. Annual testing by TCEQ-licensed BPATs is required. Fort Worth maintains TCEQ Form 20700-based records.
Water Districts and Rural Texas
Texas has hundreds of municipal utility districts (MUDs), special utility districts (SUDs), and rural water supply corporations implementing 30 TAC 290-based programs. Many have adopted Vepo/Envirotrax for test report submissions. Fire protection systems in these areas still require BPAT employment by an Approved Fireline Contractor.
Texas's TCEQ Cross-Connection Recognition Award Program
TCEQ administers an annual Cross-Connection Control Recognition Award for public water systems with exceptional programs. Award criteria include: a plumbing ordinance with enforcement provisions; active CSI program; backflow assemblies tested annually; a tracking mechanism for assembly locations and test dates; and a customer education program active for the previous 12 months. Water systems seeking this award must demonstrate all these elements — it’s a useful benchmark for the comprehensive program TCEQ expects from all Texas water systems, not just recognition candidates.
Property Owner Compliance Summary for Texas
TCEQ BPAT license: Testing by current TCEQ-licensed Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester.
Firelines: BPAT must be employed by a Texas State Fire Marshal-approved Fireline Contractor.
Annual testing: Health hazard assemblies must be tested annually. All assemblies tested at installation.
TCEQ Form 20700: Required documentation; gauge serial numbers must be included; gauges tested for accuracy annually.
CSI: Customer Service Inspection required for new construction and substantial modifications.
Platform: Register with your utility’s platform (Vepo/Envirotrax or BSI Online) before submitting reports.
Find a Certified Backflow Tester in Texas
Find TCEQ-licensed BPATs at getyourbackflowtested.com/backflow-testing-near-me/texas-backflow-testing or the TCEQ licensing database — covering San Antonio, Dallas, Houston, Austin, Fort Worth, and all major Texas markets.
Texas Regulatory Reference Links
| Resource / Agency | URL / Link Target |
|---|---|
TCEQ — Cross-Connection Control and Backflow Prevention | |
TCEQ — RG-478: Establishing and Managing an Effective CCC Program | |
TCEQ Form 20700 — Backflow Prevention Assembly Test and Maintenance Report | |
TCEQ — BPAT Licensing (30 TAC Chapter 30) | |
SAWS — Cross-Connection Control and Backflow Prevention Program | |
TCEQ — Cross-Connection Control Recognition Award |