Who can and when are tests required.
The testing of backflow assemblies in the Gwinnett County Water System shall be performed by Gwinnett County approved testers holding a GAEPD recognized tester certification. Backflow assemblies shall be tested annually, when they are installed, when they are repaired, relocated, or as specified by the Department.

Tester Policies and Code
Gwinnett County, as requested by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, established a Backflow Prevention Program for the benefit of its customers. This program is maintained to assure that Gwinnett County exercises its responsibility to provide safe drinking water to its customers. This program requires Commercial Properties and HOA Subdivision customers that have pools and irrigation to install backflow prevention assemblies that are required to be tested on an annual basis. All Irrigation systems are required to have a backflow prevention assembly installed and maintained per section 608 of the Georgia State Minimum Standard Plumbing Code. Gwinnett County requires anyone wishing to test these backflow prevention assemblies to obtain a State recognized Backflow Prevention Tester Certification, Current Test Kit Calibration, a Business License, Proof of Insurance, and Sign a Gwinnett County Tester Acknowledgement Form. They will then be entered on our website for approved testers. In addition, they will be required to adhere to all Gwinnett County Policies and Code of Conduct. Should a tester fail to comply with any of Gwinnett County Policies and Code of Conduct, he or she will be denied inclusion on the Gwinnett County certified backflow prevention assembly tester list. As a result, any submitted test reports from such individual would not be recognized or accepted. Gwinnett County Tester Policies and Code of Conduct are provided below:

• The approved tester shall only record data and sign test forms for assemblies that he/she has tested. A tester shall not falsify any data or results obtained from the field test and report it on the test data and maintenance report.
• The approved tester shall confirm all data (make, model, size, serial number, meter number, etc.) on the test data and maintenance report is correct for the assembly being tested. Any test report that is submitted without this information will not be accepted by Gwinnett County and will be returned to the tester. If an assembly has been replaced, the tester must notify the Backflow Department; stating that the old device/assembly has been removed and replaced by a new device/assembly. If any service needing a backflow test is locked off, the tester shall contact the Backflow Department and make arrangements to check out a meter lock key at our 684 Winder Hwy, Lawrenceville, Georgia address. The key must be returned within 24 hours. Any meter needing unlocked should be locked back as found. Failure to return meter key will result in backflow tests not being accepted, a fee will apply for not returning the key.
• Should any approved tester be observed doing "drive-by" testing (falsifying documents), they will be subject to immediate removal from the Gwinnett County certified testers list and the tester's certifying agency will be notified regarding the incident.
• The appropriate passing, failing or retest data and maintenance report shall be submitted to the Gwinnett County backflow prevention division within fifteen (15) days of performing the field test. If a test report is received after this time frame, the test report will not be accepted and the assembly will be required to be re-tested and a new test report submitted.
• The approved tester shall only test backflow assemblies with a properly working and certified test kit that has an associated National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) traceable certification number. A copy of the annual calibration report must be submitted to the Gwinnett County backflow department. Any test data and maintenance report submitted with an expired test kit will not be accepted by Gwinnett County and will be returned to the tester.
• The approved tester shall observe existing installations to assure the assembly provides the correct type of protection for the degree of hazard present and that the assembly is properly installed and maintained to Gwinnett County's specifications. If the tester finds either situation to be non- compliant, the tester may or may not proceed with the field test and note the discrepancy on the test data and maintenance report for the County's review. The County will address the problem if the customer does not correct the problem voluntarily.
• The approved tester shall comply with Gwinnett County backflow department in the exercise of their duties as covered by the rules. The tester shall supply any requested information and/or appear on site of the assembly when requested by Gwinnett County backflow department.
• The Approved Tester has neither the responsibility nor the authority to represent or enforce the Gwinnett County backflow prevention program. Enforcement lies solely with Gwinnett County and its appointed officials.

Any approved tester failing to comply with Gwinnett County Policies and Code of Conduct shall be subject to loss of recognition of test reports and be removed from the list of testers within Gwinnett County's area of authority. If a violation has been determined by the Gwinnett County backflow department to be endangering or potentially detrimental to the system, the department reserves the ability to ban a tester from the area of authority; regardless of the amount of offenses. Gwinnett County will establish a notification system of non-compliance to tester policies and code of conduct that shall operate as follows:

First Offense - Written warning and/or suspension of testing privileges for up to thirty (30) days within the Gwinnett County water system; depending on the frequency and severity of the offense.

Second Offense - Written warning and/or suspension of testing privileges for up to ninety (90) days within the Gwinnett County water system; depending on the frequency and severity of the offense. The Tester's Certifying body will be notified.

Third Offense - Written permanent revocation of testing privileges within the Gwinnett County distribution system. The Tester's Certifying body will be notified.

Certification Acknowledgment