Backflow testing for sprinkler systems in Longview, TX
Texas · Last checked November 2026
Longview requires yearly backflow tests on irrigation systems, but owners who do not use their sprinklers can file an Inactive Irrigation System Certificate instead. The city watches water use to check.
Key facts
- Schedule
- Every year.
- Opt out
- Inactive Irrigation System Certificate if the system is not used.
Need a certified backflow tester in Longview?
Get quotes from independent local pros who do this work. Free, no obligation.
How it works
A lawn sprinkler system connects to drinking water, so it needs a backflow preventer to stop fertilizer and lawn water from being pulled back into the pipes. Most cities require that device to be tested by a certified tester, usually every spring, with the report filed by a set date. Miss it and you can face late fees or a water shutoff notice.
- Find the backflow device near where the sprinkler line leaves the house, often a valve assembly above ground.
- Check your city's deadline. Many fall between May 31 and June 15.
- Hire a tester certified in your state, or wait for the utility if it tests for you.
- Make sure the tester files the report with the city, and keep a copy.
- Not using the sprinklers? Ask about an inactive or deactivation certificate instead of a test.
What it costs
A residential backflow test usually costs about $50 to $150. Some cities add a small filing fee, around $12, and late fees can run $30 to about $80. Repairs to a failed device cost more.
More in Texas and nearby
- San Antonio Test every year
- Herriman Test every year
- Colorado Springs Test every year
- North Ridgeville Test every year
- Gahanna Test every year
- Concord Utility runs the test
Sources
Last checked November 2026. Programs open, close and change funding every year. Confirm with the city before you hire anyone. Report a change.
See all Texas homeowner rules in one place.