FAQ
Received a Backflow Letter from NJ American Water or Your Municipality? Here's Exactly What to Do
Opening your mailbox to find a formal letter about your backflow preventer can be alarming — especially if you’ve never given much thought to that piece of plumbing on the side of your house or in your mechanical room. Whether the letter came from New Jersey American Water, your local municipal utility authority (MUA), your township’s engineering department, or the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), the message is the same: your backflow prevention device requires attention, and a deadline is involved.
The good news: this situation is completely manageable, it happens to thousands of New Jersey property owners every year, and South Jersey Backflow handles it every single day. This guide will walk you through exactly what the letter means, why you received it, what you’re legally required to do, and how to resolve it quickly and affordably — without the stress of navigating water authority bureaucracy on your own.
Before diving in, it helps to have a solid understanding of what a backflow preventer is and why New Jersey requires one on your property. If you’re unfamiliar with the device entirely, that article is the best place to start.
Why Did You Receive This Letter?
New Jersey has one of the most comprehensive cross-connection control programs in the United States. Under the state’s Uniform Plumbing Code (N.J.A.C. 7:14B), all testable backflow prevention devices connected to a public water supply must be certified annually by a state-licensed specialist. That annual certification requirement is tracked by water utilities and local authorities — and when a property falls out of compliance, they send notice.
There are several specific reasons you may have received a letter:
No record of annual testing: Your water utility or municipality has no record of a backflow test being submitted for your property within the past 12 months. This is the most common reason for a compliance notice.
New device installation required: Your property has been flagged as having a cross-connection (such as an irrigation system, pool, or fire suppression line) that requires a backflow preventer, but no device is currently registered on your service account.
Failed test results on file: A previous test was submitted and failed — meaning the device didn’t meet the performance requirements — but no follow-up repair and retest has been recorded.
Expired certification: Your most recent test was more than 12 months ago and the certification has lapsed, even if the device has been tested regularly in prior years.
Change of property ownership: A new owner has taken over a property, and the water utility is notifying them of the backflow compliance obligation that transfers with the property.
System upgrade or new construction: A building permit, irrigation installation, or other plumbing modification on your property triggered a cross-connection control review.
In every one of these scenarios, the path forward is the same: confirm what device you have (or whether one needs to be installed), schedule a professional backflow test and certification, and make sure the results are submitted to the correct authority before the deadline in your letter.
Understanding Who Sent the Letter — and What Each Authority Wants
The specific steps you need to take depend partly on which authority sent the notice. Here’s how the major senders differ:
New Jersey American Water
New Jersey American Water is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state and serves approximately 2.8 million residents across multiple New Jersey counties. Their cross-connection control program requires annual backflow testing for all applicable service connections. When NJ American Water sends a compliance notice, it typically comes with a deadline (often 30 to 60 days) and instructions to submit a completed test report from a licensed tester to their cross-connection control department.
NJ American Water has a specific test report form and submission process. Reports must be submitted through their approved channel — either online, by mail, or by fax, depending on your service district. South Jersey Backflow is fully familiar with NJ American Water’s submission requirements and handles the filing on your behalf as part of our service.
Local Municipal Utility Authority (MUA)
New Jersey has dozens of local Municipal Utility Authorities that operate their own water distribution systems independently of NJ American Water. Examples include the Trenton Water Works, Mount Holly Water Company, Burlington City MUA, Glassboro Municipal Utilities Authority, and many others. Each MUA maintains its own cross-connection control program and its own procedures for test report submission.
Some MUAs accept test reports by email. Others require submission through a licensed tester portal. A few still prefer physical paper forms sent by mail. The deadline in your notice letter specifies how long you have to comply, and some MUAs are more strictly enforced than others — don’t assume a flexible extension will be granted just because it hasn’t been enforced before. Our team at South Jersey Backflow stays current on submission requirements for every MUA we serve throughout New Jersey.
Township or Borough Engineering Department
Some municipalities in New Jersey administer their cross-connection control programs directly through their engineering or public works departments rather than through a utility authority. If your letter came from a township engineer or director of public works, the compliance obligation and deadline are the same — but the submission address and required forms may be different. As with MUAs, South Jersey Backflow handles this paperwork for you.
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP)
NJDEP involvement in backflow compliance is more common for commercial and industrial properties, particularly those with high-hazard cross-connections. If you received a notice directly from NJDEP, the urgency is higher and the compliance process may involve additional documentation. We recommend contacting South Jersey Backflow immediately if your letter originates from the NJDEP.
Pro Tip:
Whatever the source of your letter, always note the deadline carefully and respond before it passes. Extensions are sometimes available but are not guaranteed. Acting promptly is always the right move.
Step-by-Step: What to Do After Receiving a Backflow Compliance Notice in New Jersey
Step 1 — Read the Letter Carefully and Note the Deadline
Start by reading the letter in its entirety. Identify: the specific compliance requirement (test, install, or repair), the deadline for compliance, the authority to whom test results must be submitted, the required form or report format, and any specific instructions for submission (email, mail, online portal).
Keep this letter — you’ll need it when you call a certified backflow specialist, and it may be required as documentation when the test report is filed.
Step 2 — Locate Your Backflow Preventer
Before scheduling service, try to locate the existing backflow preventer on your property. For residential properties with irrigation systems, the device is typically outside, near the point where the irrigation line branches from the main supply — often in a ground-level valve box or mounted on the exterior wall. For commercial properties, it may be in a mechanical room, utility closet, or underground vault. Our guide on how to tell if your home or business has a backflow device walks you through all the common locations and what to look for.
Note the brand name, model number, and size (in inches) if visible on the device body. This information helps your technician prepare the right parts and paperwork before arriving.
Step 3 — Contact a Certified New Jersey Backflow Specialist
Once you have your letter and device information in hand, call a state-licensed backflow prevention specialist to schedule your annual certification test. It’s important to use a company that is specifically certified in backflow prevention — not a general plumber. New Jersey law requires that backflow testing be performed by a certified specialist using calibrated differential pressure test equipment. South Jersey Backflow’s technicians are fully certified, insured, and equipped for all device types. Call us at (856) 291-6809 or schedule service online to set up your appointment.
Step 4 — Complete the Annual Certification Test
During the test visit, your technician will inspect the device, connect calibrated test equipment to the test cocks, verify the performance of each check valve and (for RPZ assemblies) the relief valve, and record the results. The entire process typically takes 20 to 45 minutes. If the device passes, the technician will complete the official test report on the spot. If it fails, they’ll explain the specific reason and outline your repair or replacement options immediately.
Step 5 — Repair or Replace if the Test Fails
If your device doesn’t pass its certification test, don’t panic. A test failure is a normal outcome for aging devices — it’s exactly what the annual testing program is designed to catch. In most cases, a professional rebuild resolves the issue quickly and affordably. South Jersey Backflow carries rebuild kits for all major brands in our service vehicles, and we can typically complete repairs the same day as the initial test. After repair, the device is retested to confirm it now meets performance specifications. For more on this process, see our complete guide to backflow preventer installation, testing, and rebuilding costs in New Jersey.
Step 6 — Ensure the Test Report Is Filed with the Correct Authority
This is the step that trips up many property owners who hire a general plumber rather than a dedicated backflow specialist. The certification test is only half the compliance equation — the completed test report must also be submitted to the correct authority (NJ American Water, your MUA, or your municipality) in the required format, before the deadline in your letter.
South Jersey Backflow handles all report filings for our customers. We know the submission requirements for every water authority we work with across New Jersey, and we submit test results directly so you never have to manage the paperwork yourself. You receive a copy of the completed test report for your own records.
Step 7 — Confirm Compliance and Keep Your Records
After the test report is submitted, follow up with the authority that sent your letter to confirm receipt and update of your compliance status. Some water authorities send a confirmation letter; others simply update their internal records. Keep your copy of the test report in a safe place — you’ll need it as proof of compliance if you’re ever asked, and it serves as your reminder that your next annual test is due in 12 months.
What If You Don't Have a Backflow Preventer Installed at All?
If your letter indicates that a backflow preventer is required on your property but no device is currently installed, the process involves installation rather than (or in addition to) testing. Our comprehensive guide to the reasons you need a backflow preventer in New Jersey explains the regulatory framework in detail.
The installation process starts with a site assessment to identify the cross-connection(s) present and determine the appropriate device type. New Jersey’s cross-connection control regulations classify cross-connections by hazard level, which determines whether a Pressure Vacuum Breaker (PVB), Double Check Valve Assembly (DCVA), or Reduced Pressure Zone Assembly (RPZ) is required. Our guide to the different types of backflow preventer valves explains the differences in plain language.
Installation costs for residential devices typically range from $300 to $800 fully installed and certified. Commercial installations vary more widely based on device size and complexity. After installation, the device is immediately certified with an initial test, and the test report is filed with the appropriate authority. See our full breakdown of backflow preventer installation and testing costs in New Jersey for current pricing guidance.
What Happens If You Ignore the Letter?
We understand that compliance notices can feel like bureaucratic noise — especially when you have other priorities on your plate. But ignoring a backflow compliance letter from NJ American Water, your MUA, or your municipality is a serious mistake with real consequences. Here’s how the enforcement escalation typically unfolds:
First notice: Written compliance letter with a deadline (typically 30–60 days). No immediate penalty, but the clock is running.
Second notice: A follow-up letter, often with a stronger warning tone and a shorter compliance window.
Formal notice of violation: An official NOV document, often accompanied by a monetary fine. Fine amounts vary by authority but can range from $100 to $1,000 or more per violation period.
Water service disconnection: New Jersey water authorities have the legal authority to discontinue water service to non-compliant properties. This is the nuclear option — and it does happen.
Civil liability: In the event of a backflow contamination incident on your property, your failure to maintain a compliant device significantly increases your legal exposure to neighbors, your water utility, and the municipality.
The cost of resolving a compliance notice — a single annual certification test — is typically $150 to $250. That’s a fraction of the potential fine exposure, let alone the cost of a water service shutoff or civil lawsuit. Act promptly.
Common Questions Property Owners Ask After Receiving a Backflow Letter
No. Backflow certification is an annual requirement. A test report from a prior year does not satisfy a current compliance obligation. Your letter is asking for evidence of a test performed within the current compliance period. If your most recent test is more than 12 months old — even by a few days — you need a new test.
This is common. Water utilities in New Jersey often conduct compliance sweeps by geographic area, sending notices to all properties in a zone that have missing or expired test records. If multiple neighbors received letters around the same time, it’s likely a systematic compliance sweep rather than anything specific to your property. The solution is the same regardless: schedule your test promptly.
Yes. Backflow compliance obligations transfer with the property. If you purchased a home or commercial building that had an existing backflow preventer but no current annual test on record, you are now the responsible party. As a practical matter, this is one of the items a thorough buyer’s inspection should cover — but it often doesn’t. If you’ve inherited a non-compliant situation, the fastest resolution is to schedule a test immediately and get current.
Yes. Every testable backflow prevention device connected to your public water supply must be certified annually. If you have separate devices for your irrigation system, fire suppression line, and building water entry, each requires its own annual test and its own test report filing. South Jersey Backflow can test all devices in a single visit, and we offer multi-device pricing for properties with multiple assemblies. Contact us to discuss your specific situation.
An aging backflow preventer that cannot pass its annual certification test needs to be either rebuilt or replaced. Our repair-versus-replace guide helps you evaluate the right option based on the device’s age, condition, brand, and size. In most cases, a rebuild kit service restores an aging device to passing condition for significantly less than the cost of full replacement. South Jersey Backflow carries parts for all major brands and can typically complete a rebuild on the same day as the initial test.
Generally, routine annual testing does not require a separate permit. However, installing a new device or replacing an existing one may require a plumbing permit in some New Jersey municipalities. South Jersey Backflow handles any required permit applications as part of our installation service, so this is one less thing for you to worry about.
How South Jersey Backflow Resolves Your Compliance Notice — Start to Finish
From the moment you call us to the moment your test report is filed and your compliance status is updated, here’s how South Jersey Backflow manages the entire process for you:
Rapid scheduling: We offer flexible appointment times, typically within 48 to 72 hours of your call for routine annual testing. Emergency and expedited appointments are available when deadlines are tight.
On-site device assessment: Our technician arrives at your property with calibrated test equipment, all major brand rebuild kits, and the knowledge to handle any device type — RPZ, DCVA, PVB, and more.
Comprehensive certification test: We perform the full annual test per AWWA and NJ regulatory standards, documenting all pressure readings and device performance data.
Same-day repair capability: If the device fails, we rebuild it on the spot in most cases — eliminating the need for a return visit and minimizing the time your property is out of compliance.
Complete paperwork handling: We complete the official test report in the format required by your specific water authority (NJ American Water, your MUA, or your municipality) and submit it directly to the correct department.
Customer copy provided: You receive a copy of the completed, certified test report for your own records and as proof of compliance.
Follow-up annual reminders: We keep track of your testing schedule and send you a reminder when next year’s certification is coming due, so you never find yourself receiving another compliance notice.
Read what our customers throughout New Jersey say about our service on our testimonials page. We’ve helped thousands of property owners resolve compliance notices quickly, affordably, and without stress.
South Jersey Backflow Services All of New Jersey
Despite our name, South Jersey Backflow isn’t limited to South Jersey. We are a statewide New Jersey backflow prevention service company, and our certified technicians serve residential and commercial properties from Cape May County to Bergen County and everywhere in between.
Our New Jersey service coverage includes all counties and major communities, including:
Burlington County — Mount Holly, Marlton, Moorestown, Medford, Lumberton, Bordentown, Evesham, Hainesport
Camden County — Cherry Hill, Haddonfield, Collingswood, Voorhees, Gloucester Township
Gloucester County — Deptford, Washington Township, Woodbury, Glassboro
Salem County — Salem, Pennsville, Woodstown
Cumberland County — Vineland, Bridgeton, Millville
Atlantic County — Atlantic City, Egg Harbor Township, Galloway
Cape May County — Cape May, Wildwood, Ocean City
Mercer County — Trenton, Hamilton Township, Princeton, Lawrence Township, Ewing
Monmouth County — Middletown, Red Bank, Freehold, Howell
Ocean County — Toms River, Brick Township, Jackson, Lacey
Morris County — Parsippany-Troy Hills, Rockaway, Randolph
Union County — Rahway, Westfield, Clark, Cranford
Essex County — Montclair, Newark, West Orange
Middlesex County — Edison, Woodbridge, New Brunswick
Hudson County — Hoboken, Jersey City, Bayonne
Somerset County — Somerville, Bridgewater, Bound Brook
Hunterdon County — Clinton, Flemington, Lambertville
Sussex County — Newton, Vernon, Sparta
Warren County — Phillipsburg, Washington, Hackettstown
Bergen County — Hackensack, Paramus, Fort Lee
No matter where you are in New Jersey, if you’ve received a backflow compliance notice, South Jersey Backflow can help. Our technicians are dispatched from multiple locations to ensure prompt response times across the state. Whether you’re in the dense urban corridors of Middlesex and Hudson counties or the rural communities of Sussex and Warren counties, we provide the same certified, professional service. Get directions to our service area or call us directly at (856) 291-6809.
Additional Resources to Help You Stay Compliant Year-Round
Receiving a backflow compliance letter is a one-time wake-up call for most property owners. Once you’ve resolved it, the goal is to never receive one again. Here are the most helpful resources on our site to help you stay informed and proactive:
What Is a Backflow Preventer and How Does It Work? — The foundational guide for any property owner who wants to understand their device
Why Do I Need a Backflow Preventer in New Jersey? — Seven compelling reasons the law requires your device and why it matters
How Often Should a Backflow Preventer Be Tested in New Jersey? — Everything you need to know about testing frequency, who can test, and what happens when you don’t
How to Tell If Your Home or Business Has a Backflow Device — A step-by-step guide to locating and identifying your device
Types of Backflow Preventer Valves and Warning Signs — Know your device type and recognize the eight warning signs that service is needed
Backflow Preventer Costs: Installation, Testing, and Rebuilding — Current pricing benchmarks so you know what to expect
Should You Repair or Replace Your Backflow Preventer? — Seven factors to help you make the right economic decision
South Jersey Backflow Library — Our full archive of technical articles, work orders, and educational content
Don't Wait — Resolve Your Compliance Notice Today
A backflow compliance letter from NJ American Water, your MUA, or your New Jersey municipality is not something to set aside for later. It comes with a deadline, and missing that deadline has real financial and legal consequences. The process of resolving it is straightforward, affordable, and quick — especially when you work with a certified backflow specialist who handles everything from the test to the paperwork filing.
South Jersey Backflow has been resolving backflow compliance notices for New Jersey property owners since 2004. We are family-owned, fully licensed and insured, and committed to providing the highest quality service at competitive prices. Our technicians serve all 21 New Jersey counties and are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for emergency situations. Whether you need a routine annual backflow certification test, a same-day backflow repair or rebuild, a new device installation, or a protective backflow enclosure to prevent future weather damage, we have you covered from start to finish.
Ready to Resolve Your Compliance Notice?
Call South Jersey Backflow: (856) 291-6809 | Available 24/7/365
Schedule Online: southjerseybackflow.com/contact
We’ll handle the test, the repair if needed, and every piece of paperwork — so your compliance notice becomes a closed case, fast.