To protect the Town's water system, Cary's Cross Connection Control Ordinance requires all single-family residential irrigation customers to have an approved backflow prevention assembly installed.

In accordance with Senate Bill 166, residential irrigation backflow assemblies can be tested every three years instead of annually, excluding irrigation systems with booster pumps and chemical feeds, which still must be tested every year.  Citizens opting to go to the three-year testing cycle are required to formally opt out of the annual testing program.

In order to protect the water supply, Cary strongly encourages annual backflow assembly testing   Newly installed and repaired backflow assemblies are required to be tested at the time of installation or repair.  It is highly recommended that backflow assemblies not winterized be tested annually regardless of the backflow assembly testing cycle.

To assist customers, the Town conducts a Residential Backflow Assembly Testing Program that coordinates and manages the annual testing process. Residential irrigation customers are automatically scheduled for testing conducted by Town-certified backflow technicians and will receive a letter with program details in advance of the start date. Citizens can either select to remain in the Cary's annual residential testing program, which requires no further action by the citizen.  The $50 fee for the backflow certification will be applied to the citizen's utility bill.

Citizens opting to move to a 3-year testing cycle are responsible for maintaining their testing schedule.  Citizens would need to opt out using the online form on the year they do not wish to have their backflow tested, or if they are having their own certified tester inspect the backflow.  Opting to use Cary's contractor will require no action by the citizen. 

If you prefer to coordinate your own testing, you can opt out of the Town-coordinated program and complete the required testing using an approved tester of your choice.  

• View a list of Town-certified testers
• If your backflow is damaged beyond repair, please contact 311 or (919) 469-4000 for the Reduced Pressure Zone Backflow Preventer replacement information.

Opting Out of the Program

Customers who do not want to participate in the program must inform the Town of their decision each year. The opt out process for the 2026 Residential Backflow Assembly Testing Program's will begin March 1, 2026.

Testing begins in May and is usually complete by September. The Town currently contracts with Impact Fire Services, Inc. to conduct this service. Impact Fire Services, Inc. staff will be in uniform with visible identification and drive vehicles with a "Town of Cary Contractor" magnetic placard affixed to the driver's side.

Learn when technicians will be in your area

Process

• Testing requires a 15-minute interruption of water service and utilizes less than one gallon of water.
• The technician will leave a door hanger with results once the test is complete.
• It is not required for you to be home during the testing.

Backflow Prevention Assembly Test Report

Backflow Prevention Assembly test reports will be mailed upon request.

•      By phone:  Call 311 or (919) 469-4000 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
•      On the Web: Use our backflow prevention assembly test report form and submit your name, address and contact information.

Fee

• The program fee is $50 and includes an internal repair kit, if needed.
• The fee will appear on your utility bill following the completion of testing.

Limits of testing

• If your assembly is damaged beyond repair and has a failed test result, you will be responsible for contacting a plumber to repair or replacing it with a Reduced Pressure Zone device, having it tested and submitting results to the Town of Cary.
• If your assembly is located inside the crawl space of a building, under decks, inside a shed, or in a closed restricted access or structure, you will be responsible for arranging your own test and submitting results to Cary. You must opt out of the Town coordinated program and complete the required testing using a Cary approved tester of your choice.

Discontinuing Irrigation Service

If you discontinue the use of an irrigation system, you have the option to remove a separate irrigation meter at no cost. Call 311 or (919) 469-4000 to make your request.

If you do not have a separate meter, you can contact a licensed plumber to disable and cap off the irrigation below grade. This action requires a plumbing permit and inspection by a Cary plumbing inspector. Call 311 or (919) 469-4000 for more information.

Contact

Dial 311 in Cary or (919) 469-4000 outside Town limits

Service Request Portal

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