A Simple Guide for Commercial & Multi-Dwelling Property Owners
By Easy Breezy Plumbing, LLC — your trusted Brighton plumbing experts.
What Is a Backflow Device — and Why Does It Matter?
If you own or manage a commercial building or a multi-dwelling property in Brighton, Colorado, you’re required by city code to have a backflow prevention device installed on your water system.
A backflow device is a safety valve for your water supply. It ensures water only flows in one direction — from the city’s clean water main into your property. If water pressure drops, contaminated or “used” water could flow backward into the public system, potentially introducing fertilizer, chemicals, or bacteria into Brighton’s drinking water. That’s why the City of Brighton enforces strict backflow prevention requirements — to protect the community’s health and ensure safe drinking water for everyone.
Who Needs a Backflow Device in Brighton?
According to the City of Brighton’s Cross-Connection Control Program, all non-single-family properties are required to have a backflow prevention assembly installed and tested annually.
This includes commercial buildings such as retail, restaurants, offices, and warehouses; multi-dwelling residential properties like apartments, condos, and townhome complexes; irrigation systems for shared lawns or landscaped areas; fire sprinkler systems; and properties with wells, chemical feeders, or non-potable water sources. If you’re not sure whether your property needs one, you probably do. The best way to find out is to have your system inspected by a licensed Brighton plumber like Easy Breezy Plumbing.
Types of Backflow Devices
Depending on your system, Brighton may require one of these device types: RPZ (Reduced Pressure Zone Assembly) for high-hazard systems; DCVA (Double Check Valve Assembly) for moderate hazards; PVB (Pressure Vacuum Breaker) for irrigation and sprinklers; or an Air Gap, which is a physical separation between the water outlet and the receiving source. Your plumber or certified tester will determine which type meets your building’s specific code requirements.
Brighton’s Backflow Compliance Checklist
- ✅ Step 1: Identify Your Water Systems
- ☑ Commercial or multi-dwelling property?
- ☑ Irrigation, boiler, or chemical system?
- ☑ Secondary water sources (like a well)?
If you check “yes” to any of these, a backflow device is required.
- ✅ Step 2: Install a Code-Approved Device
- ☑ Hire a licensed Brighton plumber (Easy Breezy Plumbing can help).
- ☑ Use the correct type (RPZ, DCVA, or PVB).
- ☑ Ensure installation follows Brighton and Colorado plumbing codes.
- ✅ Step 3: Test Annually
- ☑ Test every 12 months by a certified backflow tester.
- ☑ Submit passing results to the City of Brighton Utilities Department within 10 business days.
- ☑ If your device fails, you must:
- Notify the city within 24 hours,
- Repair or replace the unit, and
- Re-submit a passing report within 3 business days.
- ✅ Step 4: Keep Records
- ☑ Maintain 3 years of backflow testing documentation on-site.
- ☑ Label devices and keep them accessible for annual inspections.
- ✅ Step 5: Respond to City Inspections
- ☑ Cooperate with site surveys or compliance notices.
- ☑ Avoid water shut-off or fines by staying up to date on your testing.
Annual Testing Reminder Schedule
- January – February: Review last year’s test date and book the next test to beat the spring rush.
- March – April: Start testing season, ideal for irrigation and commercial systems.
- May – July: Mid-season testing and submit results to the city.
- August – September: Final testing window to avoid fines or water shut-offs.
- October – December: Winterize systems and protect outdoor devices from freezing.
Easy Breezy Plumbing offers automatic reminders so you’ll never miss your annual test date.
What Happens If You Don’t Comply?
Ignoring backflow requirements is a violation of Brighton city code. Possible consequences include fines and enforcement fees, water shut-off until testing or repairs are complete, and legal liability if your property contaminates the public water system. It’s more affordable and safer to stay ahead of compliance than to deal with enforcement actions later.
Why Backflow Prevention Matters
Backflow prevention protects public health by keeping contaminants out of Brighton’s drinking water, prevents costly shutdowns by ensuring your water service stays active, builds community trust by showing you care about safety, and keeps you compliant to avoid code violations and potential fines.
Choose Easy Breezy Plumbing for Brighton Backflow Testing & Installation
At Easy Breezy Plumbing, LLC, we’re proud to serve our Brighton community with honest, professional plumbing services. We provide certified backflow testing, installation, and repair; same-day or next-day scheduling; fast documentation submission to the City of Brighton; and free quotes for commercial and multi-dwelling properties.
We are local to Brighton and serve surrounding areas like Thornton, Henderson, and Commerce City.
Call us today at 303-562-6464 or contact us using our online form. Let’s keep Brighton’s water safe — one property at a time.