Potomac homes on WSSC Water fall under WSSC's cross-connection program: testable assemblies such as irrigation pressure vacuum breakers and RPZs need a test every year and again after any installation, repair or relocation. For a test, a failed device or a rebuild, call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Potomac.
Large lawns and landscaped grounds are common around Potomac Village and along Falls Road and River Road, and most of them have in-ground irrigation with a testable backflow assembly. WSSC Water's program sets the schedule: a field test every year, ideally at spring start-up, done only by journeyman or master plumbers credentialed by WSSC who are also certified cross-connection technicians. Non-testable devices aren't forgotten either: WSSC wants dual checks and boiler backflow devices rebuilt or replaced every five years. Program support is at 301-206-4004. Montgomery County gives every property a water and sewer category, and some properties are planned for private wells and onsite systems instead of public service, so confirm which applies to yours.
What to do now
- Confirm your water source. Your bill shows whether you are a WSSC customer. A home on a private well isn't part of WSSC's testing program.
- Locate every device. Large properties can have more than one: a main sprinkler assembly, a pool fill line and a boiler device.
- Shut off a leaking unit. Close the irrigation valve if water is escaping.
- Check the five-year items. If nobody remembers when the dual check or boiler device was last rebuilt, ask the plumber to look while on site.
- Book before the season. A spring test before landscaping crews start leaves time for repairs.
Signs and what they usually point to
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Water running from the relief opening | First check or relief valve not sealing |
| Spray from the top of a vacuum breaker | Worn canopy or poppet seal |
| Uneven sprinkler pressure after start-up | Partly closed shutoff or debris in a check |
| Split brass body | Freeze damage from water left in the line |
| Boiler relief discharging often | A backflow or pressure-reducing part due for service |
Cost factors
- How many assemblies the property has
- Whether parts are needed and a retest follows
- RPZ versus vacuum breaker servicing time
- Distance between devices on a large lot
- Permit work if an assembly is replaced or moved
Potomac is unincorporated, so a replacement goes through WSSC Water Permit Services for the plumbing and Montgomery County for any building permit, with no town layer in between. Ask the plumber to price each device separately on a property with several.
Backflow Testing questions in Potomac
What are dual check valves, and do they need attention?
My home is on a private well. Does backflow still matter?
How often does a testable backflow assembly need a test here?
Does a pool, boiler or water softener need backflow protection?
More plumbing services in Potomac
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