Here’s where it gets real: if you skip the test, the city will send you a reminder letter. Ignore that, and they send another one. Eventually, they might shut off your water or fine you—and nobody wants a surprise bill for doing nothing.
More importantly, if a real backflow event happens and you haven’t tested your device, you could be liable for contaminating the whole block’s water. That’s like being the person who forgets to close the fridge door at a potluck—everyone’s food gets warm, and you’re the one everyone remembers.
Testing is the least dramatic thing you’ll do all year. It’s literally cheaper than a dinner out at a nice Minnetonka spot.
Real life example: The sprinkler sneeze
Last August, my neighbor Tim’s sprinkler system did something weird—one of the heads popped off and water geysered into a mud puddle. That puddle contained dog droppings, lawn chemicals, and yesterday’s rain.
Certified Backflow Testing: A Guide for Businesses
Because Tim’s backflow preventer was tested and working, that dirty puddle couldn’t get sucked back into his pipes. His kids drank from the hose all afternoon without a single upset tummy.
If he’d skipped the test, that puddle juice could have ended up in their sippy cups. Just thinking about it makes me shudder—and reach for a bottle of hand sanitizer.
