You are given a notice from Sydney Water regarding your backflow compliance test; schedule a licensed plumber to conduct the test and you pass. Your water is now restored and your premises are safe. What next? It’s time to figure out what happens with your documentation.
It is important to understand how the outcome of your backflow testing gets reported to Sydney Water. Property managers and business owners tend to think that just completing the backflow test means they’ve met their requirements. The process isn’t complete until it is reported.
After testing a backflow prevention device that is testable, the accredited plumber fills in the necessary details of the test and submits it via Sydney Water’s backflow submission system. The submission needs to be done within two days of conducting the test, and the property owner is supposed to keep the receipt of the submission.
What Happens After a Backflow Device Is Tested?
After the completion of the physical testing phase, the plumber unplugs his differential pressure gauge and re-establishes the water supply to your premises. After that point, it’s all about compliance documentation.
An accredited backflow plumber doesn’t simply give you a certificate and leave. They have to provide all the performance data for your valve, identify the device, and present the information to Sydney Water in an acceptable format. No matter how many times you get a pass on-site, it won’t count for anything unless the information is lodged.
How Backflow Testing Compliance Is Reported to Sydney Water
The reporting procedure has a fixed process to avoid any mistakes in the process. If our testers come across a commercial building in Sydney CBD or an industrial building in Parramatta, the procedure is as follows:
- Identification of the backflow prevention device: The plumber finds the device and checks its serial number, manufacturer, and model number against the data stored by Sydney Water.
- Testing by an accredited plumber: Using an appropriate testing kit, the plumber tests the differential pressure and ensures that the check and relief valves are performing within acceptable limits.
- Pressure readings are taken and documented: The pressure readings are accurately documented, along with the date and time of testing and the identity of the tester.
- Test Result Formed to be Lodged: The test results are summarised in a standard backflow test report format.
- Lodging Process: You log onto the official Sydney Water system and lodge the test results under your property’s account.
- Confirmation of Lodgement Provided: Your plumber gives you the test report together with confirmation of successful lodging of the test results.
- Report for Future Reference: The test report should be kept by both yourself and your plumber for audit purposes.
These lodgements are being carefully monitored by Sydney Water. An audit conducted recently by the NSW Government revealed that the compliance rate for annual backflow testing in Sydney Water’s region was around 75 per cent, which is below their target of 90 per cent.
What Information Goes Into a Sydney Water Backflow Test Report?
Some of the data items that are needed to confirm that the right equipment has been tested by the right people are mandatory for Sydney Water. An invoice provided by a plumber is not an official report.
The official report contains:
| Report Information | Why It Matters |
| Property details | Identifies the physical site and links the test to your specific Sydney Water account. |
| Device type | Confirms the type of protection installed (e.g., RPZ valve, double check valve). |
| Serial number | Proves the specific device registered to the property is the one that was actually tested. |
| Test results | Records the exact pressure readings to show the device passed testing. |
| Tester details | Establishes who performed the test and confirms their backflow accreditation number. |
| Submission details | Demonstrates the date and time the report was lodged for your records. |
As part of the reporting process, Sydney Water may request photographs from the testers as well. This is typically done by ensuring that there are pictures of the tested unit along with its serial number, along with the calibrated testing equipment used.
Who Is Responsible for Lodging the Backflow Test Report?
It is split into three separate sections which include compliance, testing and lodgement.
The Property Owner: It is your legal responsibility to be in compliance. Should there be any delay with the report, the warning or restriction notice will go out to you and not the plumber. For more information regarding hazard ratings, frequency of testing and property responsibilities, see our guide to backflow testing requirements.
The Accredited Plumber: It is the duty of the plumber to carry out the test physically in line with the Australian Standards. The plumber should be a certified plumber who possesses accreditation to test testable equipment.
The Tester (Lodgement): This involves an accredited plumber carrying out the test and physically filing the information through the Sydney Water online portal. The owners of the properties cannot file the results since the portal needs the unique accreditation details of the tester.
How Long Does Sydney Water Give You to Submit a Backflow Test Report?
Sydney Water will require that the test results be lodged 2 days after completion of the test. It is essential that you know the various time frames that apply to backflow compliance:
- Compliance Notice Deadline: This refers to the deadline written in your letter from Sydney Water. The test should be conducted and submitted before this deadline.
- Regulatory Requirement for Submission of Results: After conducting the test in the field, the plumber is supposed to submit the test results within 2 days to Sydney Water.
- Our Business Turnaround: We understand that property managers require assurance. For this reason, we ensure a standard 24-hour turnaround for reports.
Do not schedule testing of the equipment on the day of expiration of the notice of compliance. The device may fail, and you will have to get it repaired and tested again.
What Happens If the Backflow Device Fails?
Failure to pass indicates that the inner parts of the valve are not stopping the backwards flow of water anymore. If equipment does not work, it is nonconformity.
You cannot ignore a failed result. The certified plumber is required to either fix the valve by replacing the internal rubber seals and springs or to replace the whole valve itself if it can no longer be fixed. After this is done, the plumber needs to conduct another test.
The only record that is submitted is the passing result at the end. In cases where the device needs to be replaced entirely, it is the responsibility of the plumber to change the information on the Sydney Water website to match the new device.
Does Every Backflow Device Get Reported Through Sydney Water?
No. This is a critical distinction that often confuses property managers and general plumbers.
Boundary containment is controlled by Sydney Water. Boundary containment refers to the backflow protection device that is fitted at either the water metre or property boundary to prevent contamination of the public water main. Medium- and high-hazard boundary containment devices need to be tested whenever they are fitted and yearly thereafter.
However, other commercial properties such as hospitals, factories, or hotels may also have zone and individual backflow prevention devices. The zone device could be meant to prevent contamination on one particular floor of the property, while the individual device could be meant for protection of a chemical dispenser or coffee machine.
According to existing regulations, zone or individual backflow preventer equipment must not be registered at the backflow prevention portal maintained by Sydney Water. Although the PCA and local standards continue to mandate that the above-mentioned internal equipment must be tested annually for occupational health and safety reasons, all documentation remains internal with the facility or property owner.
What Happens After Sydney Water Receives the Report?
Once the registered plumber provides the report, the Sydney Water system updates your property file. The initial risk of being restricted from using water services or receiving any form of penalty is over. The system automatically calculates the date for your next test, which is typically 12 months from your previous test.
Sydney Water performs audits on backflow lodgements. Where there are inconsistencies found in the information, which may include impossible pressures, wrong serial numbers, or no photo evidence, Sydney Water will call the testing plumber to explain or retest the backflow.
What Should Property Owners Keep After a Backflow Test?
Documentation becomes your back-up plan because there will be cases where you have made a mistake during submission or an auditor wants to know about your previous data. You cannot solely depend on the plumber and government site for record keeping.
Keep a dedicated compliance file containing:
- Backflow test report once completed
- Confirmation from the contractor that the report has been lodged
- Original compliance notice issued by Sydney Water
- Brand, model, and serial number of all devices
- Details of repairs and replacement of parts conducted during servicing
- Photographs taken by the tester
Common Backflow Reporting Mistakes in Sydney
There are usually problems with compliance in relation to commercial property management due to administrative errors and not machine malfunctions. Some of the most prevalent reporting errors are as follows:
- Employing an unlicensed tester: Hiring an ordinary plumber licensed but not possessing the special backflow licence required to make the report.
- Incorrectly assuming that installation equals compliance: Assuming that once the plumber has installed the new valve, compliance must be achieved without making sure the first commissioning test report has been made.
- Confusion of types of devices: Attempting to lodge the zone internal devices with Sydney Water.
- Delay in completing the test: Leaving it to the last minute to perform the tests, as the report is only due on the week that the notice is due.
- Inability to document testing: Discarding the test report and not being able to prove compliance in case a strata committee requests it.
How Backflow Testing Sydney Handles Testing and Lodgement
We oversee the entire process, from the initial inspection right through to paperwork, so that you do not need to run around chasing plumbers for your compliance documentation.
Here is how the process works: You arrange an appointment and our licensed and certified plumber visits your property where we conduct the test and submit the report straight to Sydney Water.
Our services cater to the entire Sydney region, including Chatswood, Bankstown, Surry Hills, and Penrith. Backflow testing is offered at the flat rate of $199 + GST per valve, without any hidden costs associated with the lodgement process. Once your paperwork is lodged, we will email the test results and lodge a certificate to you within 24 business hours.
Final Takeaway
Compliance testing backflow is a stringent process that culminates in the lodgement of correct data. While the physical test confirms the functionality of the valve, the compliance report confirms this to Sydney Water. As a property owner or manager, it is crucial that you make sure that you engage the right accredited plumber and also know the devices that have to be registered.
If your notice from Sydney Water is due, Backflow Testing Sydney will do the testing and submit the report for you to ensure you have the paperwork you require. Get in touch with us now to arrange your test for the year.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I report a backflow test to Sydney Water?
You can’t submit the test results yourself. A plumber who is licensed and accredited for backflow should conduct the test physically and submit the necessary information via the Sydney Water backflow prevention portal.
How long do I have to lodge a backflow test report with Sydney Water?
Tests need to be lodged within two days of the actual testing process. It is the responsibility of the property owner to conduct testing within the time limit specified on the backflow compliance notice.
Who can submit a backflow test report?
Only an accredited plumber with a valid backflow testing licence is able to make the report. The plumber uses their own unique accreditation licence to sign in at the Sydney Water reporting portal and enter the test results against your property.
What happens if a backflow prevention device fails its test?
If the device fails, it is considered to be non-compliant. The certified plumber should then have the internal parts of the device fixed or should completely change the valve. After fixing, the device will then be tested again and the result will be filed at Sydney Water.
Do all backflow devices need to be reported to Sydney Water?
No. Only boundary backflow devices (which protect the public water main) can be registered via the Sydney Water website. Zone and individual backflow devices should be tested annually according to the Plumbing Code of Australia but not registered with Sydney Water.