Backflow Testing & Prevention in Windsor, CO
Annual testing, repair and installation of backflow preventers on irrigation systems, businesses and fire lines. Test results are prepared for the water provider.
- Annual testing
- Irrigation and commercial devices
- Repair and replacement
- Reports for your provider
A test notice, a leaking device, or an irrigation system that was never tested
Most people reach this topic through a notice from a water provider that a device is due for testing, a device that drips or spits water, or a new irrigation system that needs a backflow preventer. There is rarely a symptom in the water, since backflow is a risk and not an event.
Backflow is water flowing the wrong way, from a private system back into the public supply. A backflow preventer is the valve assembly that stops it, and backflow testing is the annual check that it still works.
Backflow device types and where each is used
| Device | Typical use | Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Atmospheric vacuum breaker | Simple fixtures without back-pressure | ASSE 1001 |
| Hose connection vacuum breaker | Hose bibs | ASSE 1011 |
| Pressure vacuum breaker (PVB) | Lawn irrigation, installed above the highest sprinkler head | ASSE 1020 |
| Double check valve (DCVA) | Low-hazard commercial and fire lines | ASSE 1015 |
| Reduced pressure zone (RPZ) | High-hazard connections such as irrigation with chemicals or commercial processes | ASSE 1013 |
The right device depends on the hazard level. A test is only valid on the device the provider requires, so ask which one applies before buying. A leaking device, or a sprinkler line that sprays after the test, is often a leak detection question as well.
Backflow device due?
Call and tell us the device and where it is.
What Windsor requires
The Town of Windsor requires every business and industry on Town water to have its backflow devices tested each year by a certified tester, with results submitted to the Water Department. Devices on service mains, fire suppression lines, process lines and sprinkler supply lines are all covered. Residential irrigation devices are also part of cross-connection control, and many providers require annual testing.
The stakes show in the region. A notice from the City of Greeley, printed in the Town of Windsor's 2025 water report, says Greeley's backflow testing ratio fell short in 2023 and some assemblies went untested for two or more years. The city returned to compliance by August 31, 2024, which is a reminder that missed tests are a real finding. Businesses are covered further under commercial plumbing.
What a backflow test involves
- 1
Identify the device
Make, model, serial number and location are recorded.
- 2
Isolate and test
A calibrated test kit checks each check valve and relief valve for tightness and opening pressure.
- 3
Repair if it fails
Worn seats, springs and discs are replaced, or the device is rebuilt or swapped.
- 4
Retest
The repaired device is tested again to document a pass.
- 5
Report
A completed test report is prepared for the provider.
What to do before a backflow test
- Locate the device and clear brush, snow or debris around it.
- Have the make, model and the provider's test notice ready.
- Make sure shutoff valves on both sides of the device turn.
- Tell the tester if the device has leaked or been repaired.
- Do not remove or alter the device yourself.
What affects backflow testing cost
A routine test on an accessible device is a short visit. A failed device that needs parts adds repair or replacement. The price is explained before work starts.
Insurance does not pay for testing, which is a compliance cost. A failed backflow device that leads to contamination is a liability issue, which is why the annual test matters.
Backflow questions from Windsor property owners
Most providers require annual testing for irrigation devices. Ask your water provider, and note that many newer subdivisions have separate non-potable systems run by an HOA.
It is repaired or replaced and retested. A device that stays failed can lead to a provider notice or a shutoff.
Yes. The Town requires annual testing by a certified tester for businesses and industries on Town water.
A single accessible device usually takes under an hour. Complex assemblies and multiple devices take longer.
Testing requires a certified tester and calibrated equipment, and the provider generally accepts only certified results.
Yes, along with Severance, Timnath and Milliken. Greeley runs its own cross-connection program, and each town has a page.
Backflow testing in Windsor
Get the device tested, repaired and reported on schedule.
☎ (970) 708-6013