In College Park, WSSC Water requires any testable backflow assembly it has on record to be tested every year by a WSSC cross-connection technician, with the result sent to WSSC electronically by a registered principal master plumber. WSSC doesn't test devices itself, and keeping them in working order is the owner's job. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in College Park.
College Park mixes early 20th-century streets like Calvert Hills and Old Town with newer apartments and mixed-use buildings along US 1 and around the University of Maryland. Houses with lawn sprinklers, rentals with boilers and storefront businesses can all have an assembly that WSSC tracks. When the annual reminder lands, here is how to handle it.
What to do now
- Read the notice. It identifies the assembly on record. Check it against what is at the property, especially if you bought the place recently.
- Find the device. Irrigation assemblies usually sit on a riser near the house; others are near the water meter, boiler or fire line.
- Book a qualified tester. WSSC accepts tests only from a plumber it registers who also holds cross-connection certification.
- Make sure the result is filed. The registered principal master plumber transmits it to WSSC electronically. Ask for your own copy.
- Handle a failure quickly. A repair or replacement is followed by another test.
Symptoms and likely causes
| What you see | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Water spilling from the relief port | A first check that no longer seals, often from debris |
| Steady drip from a vacuum breaker canopy | Worn poppet or seat |
| Weak spray from sprinkler heads | Partly closed shutoff on the assembly or a stuck check |
| Cracked brass body or split bonnet | Water froze inside over winter |
| Test cock leaks after the test | Worn test cock seal |
Lakeland and other low spots along Paint Branch and Indian Creek can hold standing water, which is one reason irrigation devices should sit above grade and be kept clear of puddling. A vacuum breaker or RPZ sitting in pooled water can let that water reach openings that are meant to stay dry, and the device will also corrode faster. If your assembly sits in a low corner of the yard, ask the plumber whether it can be raised during a repair.
Cost factors
- Number of assemblies at the address, common on apartment and commercial buildings
- Device type and size, with RPZs taking the most time
- Rebuild kit versus full replacement
- Whether replacement needs a permit through WSSC, which handles plumbing permits in Prince George's County
- Access and how quickly water can be shut off to the device
Backflow Testing questions in College Park
How does the test result get to the water utility?
Will I get a reminder when the test is due?
Why is water dripping or spitting from my backflow device?
Who pays for the test and any repairs?
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