Backflow

Font Size: + -

Feedback Print

The Town of Silverthorne Water Department strives to provide the highest quality water possible. If properties have potential water contaminants, it poses a risk to everyone. The Town is mandated by the State of Colorado and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to identify and protect all connections to the Town’s water system in the form of a backflow prevention assembly.

For further information or questions on backflow assemblies, testing and applications please contact the Field Operations Lead by email or at 970-513-4870.

The Town of Silverthorne contracts with BSI Online for backflow reporting. For questions, please contact BSI Customer Service at:

Testing Company Support

Phone: 800-414-4990
Fax: 888-414-4990
Email: bsionline@backflow.com
Website: https://bsionline.com

Water Customer Support

Phone: 888-966-6050
Email: support@backflow.com

Backflow Requirements and Information

A backflow prevention assembly is a plumbing fixture that allows water to flow in only one direction, preventing any potential containments from flowing backwards into a drinking water system from the interior of a home or building. Testable backflow assemblies require annual testing by a certified backflow technician using specialized equipment that can determine proper operation of the backflow assembly.

Devices that Require Annual Testing

These are the three common types of testable backflow assemblies that require annual testing:

Residential fire sprinkler systems – In Silverthorne, most are found in the Three Peaks Subdivision and multi-family dwellings with four or more units.
Commercial buildings including warehouses, restaurants and retail establishments
Irrigation systems

It is the property owner’s responsibility to have their backflow assembly tested annually by a certified backflow technician. Any repairs necessary to keep the device maintained are the owner’s responsibility.

Any backflow assembly that has not been tested annually will be in violation of Town code, as well as State and Federal laws. Backflow assemblies that are in violation for more than 30 days will receive a service shut off notice from the Utility Department. Service shut off and re-connection fees will apply.

BSI Online Backflow Testing

The Town of Silverthorne has contracted with Backflow Solutions, Inc. (BSI) to assist in their cross-connection control/backflow program. Below is the pertinent information.

You will be required to register on the BSI Online website and submit your credentials, including licenses and test gauge calibrations.

Start Dates and Fees:

February 15, 2024 - All annual test reports must be submitted to BSI Online through www.bsionline.com.
There will be no filing fee for backflow test reports filed for the Town of Silverthorne. However, at this time, you must still go through the "payment process."
If only filing Silverthorne reports: when checking out, simply select the option to pay with a balance. You do not need to have any money in your balance, and if you do, none will be deducted. Complete the checkout process and the reports will be filed and emailed to both you and the Town.
If filing reports for Silverthorne and other communities at the same time: when checking out, simply proceed as normal. Pay with a credit card or balance, and the Silverthorne reports will not be charged to your card or balance. Only reports for other communities will be charged.
For a new assembly or previously unknown assembly to the system, email the report to BSI Online and we will process.

Special Requirements:

Please help the Town of Silverthorne and BSI by sending any devices you may know about in their jurisdiction. Email those reports to: bsionline@backflow.com.

Credentials:

Each tester must have any (1) of the credentials listed below:

ABPA Certification - CO
ASSE - WY
ASSE - CO

AND must have the below:

An annual test gauge calibration

If valid credentials are not submitted and up to date, test reports will not be accepted.

Reminders:

For a new assembly or previously unknown assembly to the system, email the report to BSI Online.
Please obtain the Customer Confirmation Number (CCN) from your customer prior to performing the test. The CCN is needed to access customer records on the website.
Update your contact information on your BSI profile, including an email and phone number.

Benefits for Testing Companies:

Email notification when your past customer's initial notice is mailed.
Last company of record's name & phone number are listed on the customer's notices (if available).
Full access to all your reports submitted and transaction receipts.

BSI Customer Service Information:

Phone: (800) 414-4990
Email: bsionline@backflow.com
Fax: 888-414-4990

Certified Tester Requirements

It is up to the property owner to have annual backflow testing scheduled and completed. The testing company is required to submit the paperwork to the Town by email and the owner is required to keep a copy for three years.

The Town of Silverthorne requires that all certified backflow technicians have a current certification (ASSE or ABPA), a current calibration report for the gauge used, and if testing a fire system, a valid State of Colorado issued Fire Suppression System Contractor Certification. These documents are required to be emailed to the Town annually.

Test Form Requirements

Test forms are required to include the following:

BF size
Manufacture
Model
Type
Serial number
Location
Type of use
Line PSI
Date tested
Tester certification and expiration date
Gauge serial number and expiration date
Owner contact information
Ideally a photo of the installation

Requirements for Property Owners

Every property in the Town of Silverthorne is required to have a backflow prevention assembly that provides an equal or higher degree of protection than is required by State Law.

All new single-family homes are required to have at least a dual check backflow prevention device as part of the water meter setup.

Some older homes do not have a dual check backflow prevention assembly. The Town understands the challenges that face property owners to upgrade or modify their plumbing systems. The homeowner is responsible for properly installing the device while protecting their system from thermal expansion. If you would like to upgrade your plumbing system and have questions about the Town of Silverthorne’s policies and incentives, email the Utility Department for further information.

Any home or building with a fire suppression system must have a reduced pressure assembly. Some single-family homes have water storage tanks and a pump for their fire suppression system. These are allowed as long as they are isolated with an approved air gap (2x pipe, 1” min) or a reduced pressure backflow assembly.