Backflow Testing in Laurel, MD

How backflow rules work in Laurel

The City of Laurel's own resource page points residents to WSSC Water for water and sewer, and its permit checklist is clear that the City does not review or inspect plumbing work; those permits are applied for directly with WSSC. The City's Department of the Fire Marshal and Permit Services handles building permits. In Prince George's County, most like-for-like fixture swaps need no permit, but water heaters and testable backflow devices are exceptions.

The assemblies WSSC treats as testable in homes are mainly three: the double check on a residential fire sprinkler line, the vacuum breaker or RPZ on in-ground irrigation, and devices on chemically treated boilers. WSSC does not test any of them itself. The county's cross-connection line is 301-206-8601.

Laurel's postal area also reaches into Howard and Anne Arundel counties, which are outside WSSC's two-county service area. If your Laurel address is in one of those counties, the utility named on your water bill sets the rules.

Which assembly is on your line?

Signs your device needs attention

• Water running from the relief port of an RPZ
• A wet patch or drip under the irrigation riser
• Sprinkler zones with weak or uneven spray
• Corrosion, a cracked bonnet or a bent test cock
• No record of a test since you bought the house

Timing and seasons

Irrigation assemblies are best tested at spring start-up, after the line is recharged and before the lawn needs regular watering. In fall, have the line blown out or drained, because an assembly left full of water through a hard freeze near the Patuxent can split. Fire sprinkler and boiler devices can be tested any time of year. If a test fails, schedule the repair right away so the retest happens while the plumber still has the details.