Cross Connection Control & Backflow Prevention

Law and Regulation | Program | Certification | Recertification | Upcoming Workshops | Links | Certified Testers | Contact

The Cross Connection Control/Backflow Prevention program is a state-mandated program designed to protect the public's drinking water from contamination by identifying and eliminating cross connections.

Looking to Get Your Backflow Tested? Listing of Certified Backflow Testers

The General Inspector provides the service of testing backflow prevention assemblies to the general public.

General - Backflow Prevention Equipment Certified Testers - 02/2023

Law

R.44-55-20 (6) and 44-55-40 (6) State Safe Drinking Water Act

Regulation

Cross Connection Control
Entire State Primary Drinking Water Regulations - See Section R.61-58.7 (F)
Lawn irrigation sprinkler - Policy Letter
Vertical Tube Test Procedure No Longer Allowed - Policy Letter

Program

Every public water system must initiate and maintain a viable cross connection control program. This is accomplished by surveying the distribution system for unprotected cross connections. Once identified, these connections can be controlled through the proper use of backflow prevention assemblies. The public water system must maintain accurate records pertaining to the location of existing backflow prevention assemblies, type and size of each assembly and annual testing results (see Backflow Assembly Test Report Form). All testing must be done by a state certified backflow prevention tester. Additionally, backflow prevention assemblies used in South Carolina must be on SC DHEC's (List of Approved Backflow Prevention Assemblies for South Carolina).

Certification

The Backflow Assembly Tester Certification course is a rigorous four-day* course that meets SC DHEC standards for certification in backflow assembly prevention testing. Time is spent in the classroom and Wet Lab environments with experienced instructors. This course will educate students on how backflow may occur and how cross-connections should be protected or eliminated using approved assemblies, devices or methods. Students will receive many hours of practical/hands-on instruction on how to test backflow prevention assemblies and learn troubleshooting basics. Upon successful completion of a proctored practical exam and a written exam, students are awarded a certification as a Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester. There are no prerequisites or qualifications needed to attend this workshop, however experience in a water related industry is highly encouraged. For a class overview click here 

*Reciprocation: SC DHEC must be the certifying agency for all testers in SC. Please forward any current tester certifications from other agencies to our office or Mr. Steve Fox at foxsc@dhec.sc.gov. The agency will review and respond with instruction on how to proceed.

Recertification

A certified backflow prevention tester's license will expire every three years. In order to become re-certified, the tester will be required to take a 25-question, written exam and test a double check valve assembly, pressure vacuum breaker, and a reduced pressure principle assembly in the wet lab. The tester's differential gauge must be accurate to within 2% of full gauge scale or +/- 0.3 psi differential.

The two ways to complete the requirements for recertification are listed below.

  1. One way to renew your backflow certification license is to request a study guide from Mr. Steve Fox at foxsc@dhec.sc.gov. You can also print the study guide at this link (Backflow Recertification Study Guide).
  2. The second way to become re-certified is to go back through the state-sponsored backflow prevention certification workshop described under " Certification ."

Upcoming Workshops

To join our waiting list, please fill out the electronic form in the link below. If an opening becomes available, you will be notified by email, and/or phone call. You will receive a link to register for the available class.

Tester Certification Classes

Location Address Date Class Type Class
Availability
Registration Form
North Charleston, SC Embassy Suites Charleston Area Convention Center
5000 Coliseum Dr
North Charleston, SC 29418
January 17-20, 2023 Tester Certification FULL FULL
Columbia, SC Hilton Garden Inn Harbison, 434 Columbiana Dr. Columbia, SC 29212 February 7-10, 2023 Tester Certification FULL FULL
Myrtle Beach, SC Bay Watch Resort & Conference Center, 2701 S Ocean Blvd, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582 March 21-24, 2023 Tester Certification OPEN Myrtle Beach Backflow Tester Certification Registration Form - March 2023
Seneca, SC Gignilliat Community Center, 615 North Townville Street Seneca, SC 29678 April 18-21, 2023 Tester Certification OPEN Seneca Backflow Tester Certification Registration Form - April 2023
Spartanburg, SC Holiday Inn Express, 895 Spartan Blvd. Spartanburg, SC May 23-26, 2023 Tester Certification FULL FULL
North Charleston, SC Embassy Suites Charleston Area Convention Center
5000 Coliseum Dr
North Charleston, SC 29418
June 13-16, 2023 Tester Certification OPEN North Charleston Backflow Tester Certification Registration Form - June 2023
Rock Hill, SC Manchester Meadows
337 E. Mount Gallant Rd.
Rock Hill, SC 29730
July 25-28, 2023 Tester Certification OPEN Rock Hill Backflow Registration Form - July 2023
Seneca, SC Gignilliat Community Center, 615 North Townville Street Seneca, SC 29678 August  22-25, 2023 Tester Certification OPEN Seneca Backflow Tester Certification Registration Form - August 2023
Columbia, SC Hilton Garden Inn Harbison, 434 Columbiana Dr. Columbia, SC 29212 September 19-22, 2023 Tester Certification OPEN Columbia Backflow Tester Registration Form - September 2023
Myrtle Beach, SC Bay Watch Resort & Conference Center, 2701 S Ocean Blvd, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582 October 17-20, 2023 Tester Certification OPEN Myrtle Beach Backflow Tester Certification Registration Form - October 2023
Columbia, SC Hilton Garden Inn Harbison, 434 Columbiana Dr. Columbia, SC 29212 December 5-8, 2023 Tester Certification OPEN Columbia Backflow Tester Registration Form - December 2023

Program Administrator Classes

Location Address Date Class Type Class
Availability
Registration Form
Dillon, SC Dillon Wellness Center, Dillon, SC 29536 December 6, 2022 Program Administrator  OPEN Dillon Backflow Admin Class Registration Form - December 2022
Myrtle Beach, SC 8170 Jackson Bluff Rd, Conway, SC 29526 March 10, 2023 Program Administrator  OPEN Myrtle Beach Backflow Admin Class Registration Form - March 2023

Contact

Steve Fox, Cross Connection Control & Backflow Prevention: (803) 898-4426, foxsc@dhec.sc.gov

 

Tags

Drinking Water Environment Training & Education