Most homeowners don't think about their backflow preventer until they get a letter from the water utility saying theirs is overdue for testing. South Carolina requires annual backflow prevention assembly testing under SCDES Regulation 61-58.7(F) for any connection with a cross-connection hazard — irrigation systems, pools, fire lines, commercial supply, and certain residential connections.
Plumbing Paramedic 911 provides SCDES-certified backflow testing, repair, and installation across Abbeville, Greenwood, Anderson, Laurens, and McCormick counties. We test, certify, and file the paperwork with your utility for you. Owner Eric Callaway is a South Carolina Master Plumber (M114506) with 30 years in the trade.
Backflow Services We Provide
- Annual residential backflow preventer testing — required for irrigation, pool, and fire connections
- Commercial backflow compliance — restaurants, medical offices, manufacturing, multi-family
- SCDES certification paperwork — we file directly with your water utility
- Backflow device repair — rebuild kits, check valves, relief valves, test cocks
- Backflow device replacement — RPZ, DCVA, PVB, AVB assemblies
- New installation — sizing, installation, and initial certification
- Freeze protection and winterization — insulation, shutoff procedures
- HOA and subdivision group testing programs — bulk pricing for 5+ properties
- Commercial cross-connection surveys — identify all required devices at your facility
What You Need to Know About SC Backflow Requirements
When backflow testing is required
SCDES Regulation 61-58.7(F) requires backflow prevention devices on any water service connection where a cross-connection hazard exists. The practical list across Upstate SC:
- Every home with an in-ground irrigation system (SC law — required by every water utility)
- Every home with a swimming pool with auto-fill
- Every commercial building with a fire sprinkler system
- Restaurants, medical offices, hair salons, auto repair, manufacturing
- Any commercial service with chemicals or industrial use
- Multi-family buildings with boilers or certain HVAC systems
Greenwood CPW's updated Cross Connection Control Manual (January 2025), Laurens CPW, Abbeville, Anderson, and McCormick CPW all follow the statewide standard: commercial devices tested annually; residential devices every 1–2 years where a program exists.
Which assembly type do you have?
There are five common backflow preventer types across SC. Each tests differently:
- RPZ (Reduced Pressure Zone): highest protection, used for fire lines and high-hazard commercial
- DCVA (Double Check Valve Assembly): common on irrigation and moderate-hazard commercial
- PVB (Pressure Vacuum Breaker): common on residential irrigation
- AVB (Atmospheric Vacuum Breaker): on individual irrigation zones
- SVB (Spill-resistant Vacuum Breaker): indoor applications
We identify your assembly type on arrival, run the correct test procedure, and pass or fail it according to USC-FCCCHR standards. Failed assemblies require repair or replacement before re-test.
Why choose Plumbing Paramedic 911 for backflow testing
Three reasons we're the right call:
- We file the paperwork with your utility. Most testers hand you the report and leave you to mail it. We submit directly to Greenwood CPW, Abbeville, Anderson, Laurens CPW, McCormick CPW, and every other utility in our coverage area.
- If it fails, we can fix it. Some backflow-only shops only test and hand you a failure. We test, diagnose, repair or replace, and re-test — one trip, one bill.
- Group pricing for HOAs and subdivisions. If your HOA or new construction community has 10+ devices, we offer volume pricing and handle scheduling across all properties.