Backflow Prevention Program

Backflow Prevention Program
330 Wentworth Street North
Hamilton, ON L8L 5W2
Call 905-546-2489
The City's Prevention of Backflow By-law 10-103 ensures that the City of Hamilton drinking water quality and distribution system is protected from each industrial, commercial, institutional or multi-residential property. Under backflow conditions, contaminates from these properties could enter the drinking water system when a property is not sufficiently backflow protected.
The By-law affects all:
- Industrial properties
- Commercial properties
- Institutional properties
- Multi-residential properties four stories or higher
What is Backflow?
The flow of water through a pipe in a direction opposite to that which is normal or intended. When this occurs, contaminates may be drawn back into the City’s water distribution system unless prevented by a backflow preventer.
Two types of backflow that can occur:
- Backpressure is backflow that can be caused when the pressure within the private water supply system is greater than the water pressure supplied by the City’s water distribution system. Can be caused by things such as booster pumps located on the property.
- Backsiphonage is backflow that can be caused by a pressure drop in the City’s water distribution system which could draw water from the private property back into the City’s water distribution system. Can occur due to a watermain break, or excessive demand on the system such as fire fighting.
What is a Backflow Prevention Device?
A Backflow prevention device is a mechanical device installed on a water service downstream of the water meter to prevent backflow.
Backflow Survey Requirements
Property owners with a water service line entering their property that is 38 mm (1.5 inches) in diameter or smaller need to complete a Self Assessed Survey once every 5 years. This will determine the level of backflow risk associated with your property. If there is more than one business located on your property a survey must be completed for each individual business.
Fee: There is no cost for completing this survey.
Complete Online Self Assessed Survey or 5 Year Resurvey
Prefer to submit by mail or in-person? Submit a completed paper copy of the Backflow Self Assessed Survey to:
City of Hamilton
Backflow Prevention Program
330 Wentworth Street North
Hamilton, ON L8L 5W2
If you require more information to complete your Self Assessed Survey call Customer Service at 905-546-2489.
Property owners with a water service line entering their property that is 50mm or larger or are deemed by the City of Hamilton through the Self Assess Survey to require a completed Cross Connection Survey.
Hire a contractor from the approved City of Hamilton list of contractors. The contractor will complete a Cross Connection Survey to determine the hazard level associated with your property.
Fee: $194.74 per form upon submission
Submit an original signed copy of the Cross Connection Survey and the fee within 14 days of completing the survey in person or by mail to:
City of Hamilton
Backflow Prevention Program
330 Wentworth Street North
Hamilton, ON L8L 5W2
You will receive a Cross Connection Survey Acknowledgement by mail from the City of Hamilton. It will identify the hazard level based on the completed Cross Connection survey and determine the appropriate backflow prevention device required for your property.
Backflow Prevention Devices
Register as a Contractor
There are four categories of contractors that can register under the Backflow Prevention program to carry out functions listed in the Backflow Prevention By-law including:
- Plumbing companies
- Sprinkler and Fire Protection Installers
- Professional engineers
- Corporations
The City of Hamilton will issue one permit number per company. The Master Plumber or P. Eng. must do all registrations. In the case of a corporation, the corporation has to register the qualified trades in person for in house work only.
The company pays a registration fee every year. It is your responsibility to ensure that all licenses are kept up to date with the City or you will be classified as inactive and unable to submit any documentation under your permit number.
You must register in person as a contractor at:
City of Hamilton
Public Works, Hamilton Water Division
330 Wentworth Street North
Hamilton, ON L8L 5W2
Depending on the category, you will need to bring copies of these documents for our records:
Plumbing Company
The Master Plumber must complete the registration. You can register any Journeyman Plumbers and Apprentice Plumbers under your company. You need to provide copies of these documents:
- City of Hamilton Master Plumbing License
- City of Hamilton Contractors License
- Journeyman Plumbers: Journeyman’s License along with an OWWA or ASSE Testers Certificate
- Apprentice Plumbers: Contract of Apprenticeship along with an OWWA or ASSE Testers Certificate
- Calibration Certificate for your backflow device test equipment
Fire and Sprinkler Installation Company
The Master Sprinkler and Fire Protection Installer must complete the registration. You can register under your company any:
- Journeyman Sprinkler and Fire Protection Installer
- Sprinkler and Fire Protection Installer
- Apprentice Sprinkler and Fire Protection Installer
You need to provide copies of these documents:
- City of Hamilton Master Sprinkler and Fire Protection Installer License
- City of Hamilton Contractors License
- Journeyman Sprinkler and Fire Protection Installer: Journeyman’s License along with an OWWA or ASSE Tester Certificate
- Apprentice Sprinkler and Fire Protection Installer: Contract of Apprenticeship along with an OWWA or ASSE tester Certificate
- Calibration certificate for your backflow device test equipment
Professional Engineers
The P. Eng. must complete the registration. You can register any certified Engineering Technologists under your company. You need to provide copies of these documents:
- Your P. Eng. Diploma or wallet card along with an OWWA or ASSE testers certificate
- CET: your CET certificate along with your OWWA or ASSE testers certificate
- Calibration certificate for your backflow device test equipment
Corporations
The corporation must complete the registration. You can register under your corporation any:
- Journeyman
- Plumbers or Apprentice Plumbers
- Journeyman Sprinkler and Fire Protection Installer
- Apprentice Sprinkler and Fire Protection Installer
You need to provide copies of these documents:
- A letter on company letterhead indicating that the corporation authorizes the individuals to carry out functions for in house use only
- Journeyman Plumbers: Journeyman’s plumbing license along with an OWWA or ASSE Testers Certificate
- Apprentice Plumbers: Contract of apprenticeship along with an OWWA or ASSE Testers Certificate
- Journeyman Sprinkler and Fire Protection Installer: Journeyman’s license along with an OWWA or ASSE Tester Certificate
- Apprentice Sprinkler and Fire Protection Installer: Contact of Apprenticeship along with an OWWA or ASSE Tester Certificate
- Calibration certificate for your backflow device test equipment
Approved List of Contractors as of January 31, 2023
COMPANY NAME | ADDRESS | PHONE |
---|---|---|
1844813 Ontario Ltd.Roto Rooter | 617 Parkdale Ave N Unit 8A Hamilton ON L8H 5Z1 | 905-570-8788 |
A-1 Plumbing & Mechanical Inc. | 440 Lake Ave., N Unit 1 Hamilton ON L8E 3C2 | 905-662-7444 |
Aaron Atkinson | 617 Parkdale Ave N Unit 8A Hamilton ON L8H 5Z1 | 905-570-8788 |
Adams Plumbing | 94 Lynden Rd Lynden ON L0R 1T0 | 905-627-7739 |
Archie Horn & Son | 31 Bigwin Road Unit 1 Hamilton ON L8W 3R3 | 905-318-5020 |
Aw Reaney | 189 Cedardale Ave Stoney Creek ON L8E 1R4 | 289-308-6665 |
Backflow Pro/Tessco Plumbing | 21 Hobart Cres Brantford ON N3P 1V5 | 519-750-4244 |
Besseling Mechanical Inc | 79 Covington Street Hamilton ON L8E 2Y4 | 905-560-0200 |
Binbrook Plumbing Limited | Rr#1 4045 Guyatt Rd Binbrook ON L0R 1C0 | 905-549-7252 |
Black & Mcdonald | 328 Green Rd Stoney Creek ON L8E 2B2 | 905-560-3100x610 |
Bml Multi Trades | 32 Ryan Place P.O. Box 1627 Brantford ON N3T 5V7 | 519-756-4150 |
Caledon Creek Mechanical Ltd | 78 Centennial Rd Unit #10 Orangeville ON L9W 1P9 | 519-940-8557 |
Central Plumbing & Heating | 601 Green Mountain Rd East Stoney Creek ON L8J 2Z7 | 905-527-2406 |
Cove Mechanical Inc | 850 Legion Rd, Unit #12 Burlington ON L7S 1T6 | 905-632-2683 |
Ddk Plumbing And Heating | 22 Brookhurst Crescent Waterdown ON L0R 2H3 | 905-690-1483 |
Df Gerow Plumbing/Aqua Flow | Po Box 555 Beamsville ON L0R 1B0 | 905-905-5267x923 |
E.S.Fox Ltd | 1202 Egerter Rd SPort Robins L0S 1K0 | 905-384-9999 |
Forest Mechanical | 3325 Harvester Rd Unit #8 Burlington ON L7N 3N2 | 877-330-4082 |
Fred'S Maintenance & Repair | 11 Ross Ave Hamilton ON L8W 2N2 | 905-961-8123 |
Full Flow Plumbing | 1290 Renfield Dr Burlington ON | 416-317-5069 |
G.O. Tap Plus Inc | 335 Watline Ave Mississauga ON L4Z 1P3 | 416-695-4377 |
Glad Mechanical | 416-605-1755 | |
Glenn Richardson Plumbing & He | 2413 Industrial Street Burlington ON L7P 1A6 | 905-335-2945 |
Greg Moro Plubing & Heating | P.O. Box 11039 Stoney Creek ON L8E 5P9 | 905-664-2543 |
Griffin Mechanical Inc. O/A Secure Water Systems | 27 Monarch Road Unit 1B Guelph ON N1K 1N4 | 905-580-1698 |
Gta Plumbing Ltd | 6 3995 Sladeview Cres Mississauga ON L5L 5Y1 | 905-569-7558 |
Hills Plumbing Service | P.O. Box 69007 1900 King St. E Hamilton ON L8K 6R4 | 905-741-7241 |
Hoffer Mechanical | 460 Grays Road Hamilton ON L8E 2Z4 | 905-561-6660 |
Ian C Allen | 211 Carnwith Dr W Whitby ON ON L1M 2G3 | 905-242-1016 |
Jordan Kindt | ||
Jordan Kindt Benchmark Plumbing | 239 Kirkwood Dr Dundas ON L9H 7A5 | 519-771-2848 |
Jts Mechanical Systems | 5061 Wellington County Rd 32 Guelph ON N1H 6J4 | 519-635-0022 |
Keiths'S Plumbing & Heating | 647 Parkdale Ave N Hamilton ON L8H 5Z1 | 905-544-8118 |
Kerr Mechanical Inc | 422 Delaware Ave Burlington ON L7R 3B5 | 905-973-5114 |
L.J. Barton Mechanical Inc | 1341 Osprey Drive Unit 4 Ancaster ON L9G 4V5 | 905-304-1976 |
Lunardo Plumbing Inc | 3 Brewster Rd Unit 13 Brampton ON ON L6T 5G9 | 905-794-0755 |
Mattina Mechanical Limited | 211 Lanark St Unit A Hamilton ON L8E 2Z9 | 905-544-6380 |
Meadowbrook Construction Inc | 5579 Mcadam Rd Mississauga ON L4Z 1N4 | 416-819-3800 |
Naylor Group Incorporated | 455 North Service RdOakville ON L6H 1A5 | 905-338-8000 |
Orella Group Inc. | 5035 North Service Rd Unit C9 Burlington ON L7L 5V2 | 289-962-7336 |
Peel Mechanical Contractors | 29 Foxtail LaneSt Thomas ON N5R 0J2 | 905-457-5121 |
Pitton Plumbing & Heating Inc | 566 Rennie St Hamilton ON L8H 3P5 | 905-544-0006 |
Plumbers Edge | ||
Plumbway Inc. | 171 Glover RdHann L0R 1P0 | 905-574-3456 |
Proactive Water Solutions Inc | 10 242 Applewood CrescentConcord ON L4K 4E5 | 416-249-2837 |
Rapid Plumbing Inc | 94 Kenhar Drive Unit #19Toronto ON M9L 1N2 | 416-246-1264 |
Robert D. Stewart Mechanical | P.O. Box 57309 110 King Str W Hamilton ON L8P 4X2 | 905-529-4805 |
Russell'S Plumbing | 225 Gibson Ave Hamilton ON L8L 6K2 | 905-541-2877 |
Townsend Plumbing & Heating Lt | 70 Hempstead Dr Unit B Hamilton ON L8W 2E7 | 905-574-1100 |
Wallace Watkins Jaywall Mechanical Ltd | 13796 Hurontorio StCaled L7C 2B8 | 905-327-4826 |
Modern Niagara | 8125 Highway 50Vaughn ON L4H 4S6 | 416-748-3882x5508 |
Ontario Fire Protection | 65 Imperial St Hamilton ON L8L 4E2 | |
Troy Life & Fire Safety Ltd | 241 South Service Road, Unit 102 Grimsby ON L3M 1Y6 | 905-945-8769x212 |
Brian Young P.Eng.(Professional Engineer) | 79 Abbotsford Trail Hamilton ON L9B 0A4 | 905-679-3713 |