Page last updated on February 12, 2026 at 9:21 am
What is the Backflow Prevention Program?
The goals of the CBU Backflow Prevention Program are to safeguard public drinking water and protect the health of our customers by maintaining a high level of backflow prevention and cross-contamination control. To protect the water system, backflow prevention assemblies are required for all connections that may present a potential source of contamination from cross connection of the public water system.
What is a Cross Connection?
A cross connection is any physical arrangement whereby a public water supply is connected, directly or indirectly, with any secondary water supply system, sewer drain, conduit, pool, storage reservoir, plumbing fixture, or other device which contains or may contain any water, contaminated liquid, or other waste of unknown or unsafe quality that could impart a contaminant to the drinking water as a result of backflow caused by backpressure or backsiphonage.
What is a backflow prevention device?
Backflow prevention devices prevent contaminated water or chemicals from flowing back into the public drinking water supply system. The simplest, and most effective, way to provide backflow prevention, is to provide an air gap, or an open space between any device that connects to a plumbing system (like a valve or faucet) and any place where water can collect or pool. Common backflow prevention devices are atmospheric vacuum breakers on hose bibs, double check valves on fire lines, pressure vacuum breakers on irrigation lines, and reduced pressure principle devices.
Why are backflow prevention devices required?
Backflow prevention devices are an important component of the CBU’s drinking water protection program to protect the public water system. Rules established by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) and CBU require certain customers to install backflow prevention devices on service lines where a cross connection hazard exists. These devices ensure contaminants at a customer's facility cannot enter the drinking water distribution system.
Who is responsible for testing a backflow prevention device?
Water service customers are required to install, maintain and test backflow prevention devices according to all relevant City, State, and Federal requirements. Devices must be tested upon installation and annually thereafter. Test results must be signed by a Certified Backflow Tester and be uploaded via www.trackmybackflow.com.
How do I test a backflow prevention device?
Backflow prevention devices must be properly tested by a certified backflow tester. To become certified, testers must complete specialized training from an IDEM approved training provider.
Where can I find a Certified Backflow Device Tester?
CBU’s partner company, Aqua Backflow maintains a tool to look up local backflow testers.
An IDEM maintained list of certified backflow testers in all Indiana counties can also be found on IDEM’s website.
Why did I get a letter stating that my a backflow prevention device is past due for testing?
If you receive a letter, CBU records indicate that you have at least one backflow prevention device installed on your water service, fire service or irrigation service. The letter is a reminder that your device is out of compliance and should be tested as soon as possible. Each backflow prevention device is required to be tested annually and record of test results are required to be submitted to CBU. Failure to complete this testing may result in further enforcement action.
Where can I find more information about backflow prevention devices and regulations?
If you have additional questions, please call 812-349-3633 speak to the Environmental Program Coordinator about backflow prevention.
Who regulates backflow prevention?
The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) under provisions of the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 has established natural standards of safe drinking water. Typically, states are responsible for enforcement of these standards and the supervision of public water supply systems. The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) sets forth the requirements in the Indiana Administrative Code under Title 327 IAC 8-10, Indiana Register, Volume 11, Number 2. IDEM requires utilities to monitor backflow (also known as cross-connection control) devices for compliance and to maintain records of test results.
For more information regarding backflow prevention and compliance requirements see the following links:
IDEM Backflow Prevention Manual