Resources for Backflow Testers

At Fort Wayne City Utilities we are proud of the work we do to protect our drinking supply from contamination from cross-connections or backflow events. We rely on the community of Certified Backflow Prevention Device Testers to help us ensure the safety and reliability of the water system. We’ve created this webpage as a location where you can find resources, tips and tools to help you do the vital work to support the health and safety of City Utilities’ customers. Here are the most recent updates and information you need to know:


Submitting Test Results

City Utilities contracts with Aqua Backflow, a private company that will receive, maintain and track backflow device test results. Aqua Backflow operates a secure website at www.TrackMyBackflow.com where you must register and submit backflow tests electronically. Each test entry will cost $9.95—payable directly to Aqua Backflow. If you are not currently registered and need to submit test results, please review the attached brochure.

— Need to submit test results for a newly installed backflow device? Devices that are new installations or existing devices that have never been reported to City Utilities will not be found on the website. Therefore, you will not be able to enter your test results and you must email the report. The device will be added into the system for you, and you will be provided the Hazard ID # so you may enter the test results as usual. To ensure the new device is processed quickly, you may email the test report to Info@aquabackflow.com and CrossConnectionControl@cityoffortwayne.org. All new devices are reviewed by City Utilities before being added to Trackmybackflow.com.


Need Water Turned on by City Utilities for Backflow Testing?

If a customer has had their water disconnected due to non-compliance or has an irrigation meter in a pit that is turned off and has contacted you to perform testing, you – not the customer – must contact City Utilities to have the water turned on for testing of the backflow device. Call City Utilities Water Maintenance and Service Department at 260-427-2476 to schedule an “On/Off for Backflow Testing” service appointment at least one business day in advance. These appointments can be scheduled Monday through Friday; weekend appointments are not available.

FOR NON-COMPLIANCE

A City Utilities’ Field Service Representative will meet you on site to turn the water on for testing and will wait 15 minutes while you perform the testing. If you require more than 15 minutes, the Representative will leave to go to their next appointment while you perform the testing. After the testing is complete, you must call the Representative on their cell phone to inform them of the results. If the device passes testing, the water will be left on. If the device fails testing, the Representative will return to the site (unless they are still there) and turn the water back off to protect the safety of the public water supply. The results of the test should be submitted immediately to prevent the service from being disconnected again. If you cannot keep the scheduled appointment time, you should call Water Maintenance and Service to reschedule.

FOR IRRIGATION METERS IN PITS

If the customer does not want to leave the water on after testing is complete: A City Utilities’ Field Service Representative will meet you on site to turn the water on for testing and will wait 15 minutes while you perform the testing, and then will shut the water back off. The customer’s account will stay in the “Seasonal Off” status and the normal trip fee will not be charged.

If the customer does want to leave water on after testing is complete: A City Utilities’ Field Service Representative will meet you on site to turn the water on for testing and will wait 15 minutes while you perform the testing, and then will leave the water on. The customer’s account will change to the “Seasonal On” status and the normal trip fee will be charged.

TEMPORARY WATER METERS

Need a temporary water source to test a mobile backflow device that will be utilized on a temporary/construction meter? Call City Utilities Water Maintenance and Service Department at 260-427-1182 to schedule a time to utilize a City Utilities hydrant to test the backflow device at our facility.


Enforcement

How does City Utilities enforce backflow testing requirements? We use a multi-stage process that gives backflow device owners several notices before enforcement actions are taken. These include: Reminder Notice, Test Past Due Notice, Final Disconnect Notice and Recorded Phone Call Alert—all prior to water service termination.

The graph below shows the various levels of enforcement activity and the number of notices at each level generated in the current month. This data may help you—as a certified testing firm—to anticipate the number of requests for service you may receive.


Access To On-Line Maps

If you are ever unsure about which water utility serves the location where you are preforming a backflow preventer test or you need help finding a customer’s location, you can find more information through City Utilities’ GIS interactive mapping system.  If it is your first time using the mapping system, you may call 260-427-2543 to receive basic instruction by phone or you may access written instructions.


Tags, Forms and Printable Resources

— Need Inspection Tags? Templates and printing instructions may be found here.

— Need Backflow Prevention Device Test Forms? Choose from a Fillable PDF form or Excel version.


Newsletters

City Utilities publishes a periodic newsletter with information that may be of interest to businesses that do testing of backflow devices and those that may have backflow devices. Recent newsletters are found below:

Contact Us

Contact Aqua Backflow

Fort Wayne City Utilities
Cross Connection and Backflow Prevention
200 E. Berry Street, Suite 130
Fort Wayne, Indiana 46802
Phone: (260) 427-1234
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Aqua Backflow – Cross Connection Control Operations
977 Elizabeth Street
Elgin, Illinois 60120
Phone: (847) 742-2296
Fax: (847) 742-9696
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.