Program Overview
West Kern Water District is committed to providing safe and reliable water. A Cross-Connection Program is one of the tools used to protect the water distribution system. There are two types of Cross-Connection Control programs, system protection and internal protection. System protection protects the water supply up to the service connection or water meter. System protection prevents any on-site contamination from getting back into the water distribution system by requiring a backflow prevention assembly to be installed at the meter or service connection. Internal protection protects the quality of water within the customer’s plumbing system.
West Kern Water District is responsible for system protection while the Kern County Health Department is responsible for internal protection. The West Kern Water District Cross-Connection Control Program oversees and monitors the installation, testing, and maintenance of backflow prevention assemblies within the West Kern Water District’s service area. The program utilizes administrative staff to maintain our database, send reminder notices, conduct hazard assessments, and assist customers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Backflow occurs when water from your property’s plumbing flows backward into the District’s water system. Backflow conditions can occur when the District’s water system pressure drops (like during a fire or a water main break), or when a customer’s water pressure is higher than the District’s water system.
Under state law, any customer’s water system that has the potential to create a hazardous condition is required to install a backflow prevention device. This includes, but not limited to, fire services, irrigation services, industrial, commercial, medical services, hotels/motels, schools, food facilities, multi-story buildings, and multi-family domestic water services.
If your property is required to install a backflow device, you must follow the requirements for new or upgraded water services. Please contact Operations for more information at 661-763-3151.
It is the responsibility (and at the expense) of the customers at any premise where backflow prevention assemblies are installed to have a field test performed. The field test is to be completed by the due date on the notice and be performed by a certified backflow prevention assembly tester at least once per year.
A backflow prevention assembly tester that is certified with the American Water Works Association (AWWA) and American Backflow Prevention Association (ABPA). Click here for a list of West Kern Water District’s Qualified Certified Backflow Prevention Testers and businesses.
Contact Operations for a list of Qualified Backflow Prevention Testers or click here for a list of West Kern Water District’s Qualified Certified Backflow Prevention Testers and businesses.
If your property has a backflow device, you will automatically receive a Field Test Form from West Kern Water District for your certified tester to complete. You may need another form if you misplace your form, have a backflow device that needs to be replaced, or have a new backflow device that needs to be installed. Download: Form for new and existing devices
West Kern Water District has noticed an increase in backflow device theft. Unfortunately, because backflow preventers are made of brass and copper, they are a target for thieves. If your device is stolen, first inform your local Police Department by calling their non-emergency number. Then, contact West Kern Water to report the theft here. Remember to immediately replace and retest the backflow prevention device.
All test report(s) need to be submitted by a Qualified tester via Syncta’s online tester portal. Click here to submit a test report.
