San Jose Water Company is one of the largest water providers in the South Bay, serving over one million residents across San Jose, Cupertino, Campbell, and Los Gatos. If you are a San Jose Water Company customer and you have a backflow prevention device, the company has specific requirements you must meet to stay compliant. This article covers exactly what those requirements are, how the process works, and what you need to do to avoid penalties.
Who Is Required to Test
San Jose Water Company requires annual backflow testing for any customer with a backflow prevention device. This includes residential homes with irrigation systems, commercial properties, multi-family housing, and any industrial or institutional facility. The company maintains a cross-connection control program in compliance with California Health and Safety Code Section 116875. If you have a device, you are on their list.
How the Testing Process Works
- Receive a notice: San Jose Water Company sends a test notice by mail approximately 60 days before your test is due. The notice includes your account number, device serial number, and the deadline.
- Hire a certified tester: The tester must hold a current California backflow tester certification and be registered with the California Water and Wastewater Association. We are fully certified and registered with San Jose Water Company.
- Schedule the test: Most residential tests take 15 to 30 minutes. You do not need to be present unless the device is in a locked or inaccessible area.
- Submit the test report: The tester fills out the official test report and submits it directly to San Jose Water Company. We handle this electronically within 24 hours of the test.
- Receive confirmation: San Jose Water Company will confirm receipt and update your account. You will not be notified unless there is a failure or a missing report.
What Happens If You Miss the Deadline
San Jose Water Company enforces compliance more strictly than many smaller districts. If you miss the deadline, the following sequence usually occurs: a second notice is sent within 30 days; if you still do not respond, an administrative fee of $50 to $100 is added to your water bill; continued non-compliance may result in a water service restriction. For commercial properties, the risk is higher. San Jose Water Company has restricted service to non-compliant commercial accounts in the past. Residential customers are typically given more leeway, but repeated non-compliance is not tolerated.
Schedule your San Jose Water Company backflow test today.
We serve San Jose, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, and the entire South Bay. Same-week scheduling available.
What Happens If Your Device Fails
If the test fails, the report is submitted to San Jose Water Company as a failure. You will receive a notice with a 30-day repair deadline. The notice will include a failure-to-repair warning. If you do not repair the device within 30 days, the company may escalate the case. In extreme cases, this can lead to a compliance flag on your account. The best approach is to repair the device immediately and schedule a retest. We offer both repair and retest services, and the retest is included in the repair price.
Bottom Line
San Jose Water Company takes backflow testing seriously. They have a large customer base, a well-organized compliance program, and a track record of enforcing deadlines. The test is affordable, the process is straightforward, and the consequences of non-compliance are real. If you are a San Jose Water Company customer, schedule your test proactively, keep your records, and respond promptly to any notices. The peace of mind is worth far more than the small cost of testing.