As of February 1st 2021 the City of Hamilton has changing their permit process for backflow preventers.

Prior to February 1st City of Hamilton backflows were bench tested before being released to the contractor. Once in the contractors hands they did not need to be tested again for the duration of the permit.

What has changed;

• As of February 1st each City of Hamilton backflow must be tested upon installation at the commencement of the project.

• The backflow can be removed and re-installed at a different location on the same project the same day without being tested as long as it is supervised by a licensed operator.

• If the backflow is removed and re-installed another day it must be re-certified

• A backflow preventer can not be moved to a different job site, a new permit must be obtained for each project

What this means;

• If you are installing a City of Hamilton backflow preventer obtained through a permit it must be tested by an OWWA Certified Cross Connection Control Specialist upon installation.

• If you need to move the device to a new location on the same project it must be supervised by an MECP Water Distribution Certified Operator

AQUACOM’s role;

• In any commissioning project that AQUACOM is involved we will attempt to combine the backflow certification with a site visit or the start of commissioning at no extra charge.

• If you require the backflow preventer installed before needing us on site or are commissioning the watermain yourselves we charge a flat 2 hr rate for a licensed operator at $105/hr. If more than 1 backflow preventer is required on the project or another project nearby each additional backflow tested will be at a rate of $105.