What the law requires

Owners must install special plumbing devices, known as a backflow prevention device(s) on the water service pipes that supply their property. The device prevents water from flowing back into the City’s drinking water supply. Owners must obtain the approval of plans submitted to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) before installing the device and have the device tested by a state certified backflow-prevention device tester at least once a year.

DEP’s Bureau of Water and Sewer Operations is charged with enforcing Part 5 Section 5-1.31 of the State Sanitary Code and Title 15, Chapter 20 of the Rules of the City of New York (RCNY).