This webpage provides information to assist property owners and their representatives to better understand their responsibility regarding backflow prevention devices that have been installed on their property and to update you on changes that Council has introduce to streamline how Council manages its backflow prevention device program.
What is a backflow prevention device?
A backflow prevention device is a valve that prevents potentially harmful polluted water from entering the Council’s drinking water supply when an incident, such as a drop in pressure, causes water to be drawn back into the water main from private properties.
There are two different types of backflow prevention devices - testable and non-testable devices.
The type of device installed on a property is determined by the potential contamination hazard level (low, medium or high). When the potential for contamination is medium or high, a testable backflow prevention device is required.
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You may have a testable backflow prevention device on your property if you have any of the following installations:
- an irrigation system
- fire hose reels or fire hydrants
- commercial or industrial equipment or activities that could pollute the drinking water supply (air-conditioning cooling towers, chemical cleaning areas, etc.)
- water outlets in proximity to pollutants, grease traps or chemicals
- an alternate water supply.
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The majority of new devices will be installed as part of a larger scope of plumbing works. When devices are shown on hydraulic drawings to be assessed by Council through a plumbing and drainage application, the registration fee is charged at lodgement. The corresponding Form 9 test reports must be submitted prior to requesting the final inspection.
When devices are installed under the notifiable work category, it is the responsibility of the licensed plumbing contractor to submit a Form 4 to the Queensland Building and Construction Commission and submit the completed Form 9 test report and registration fee for each device to Council. Form 9 can be found on the Queensland Government website.
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Under the Plumbing and Drainage Regulation 2019, each property owner is required to register all installed testable backflow prevention devices with Council.
Additionally, all testable backflow prevention devices must be tested at least once every year after the device is registered with Council. In most cases, devices are tested around the same time each year, either as part of a maintenance schedule or an ongoing arrangement with a licensed contractor.
All devices must be tested by an endorsed backflow plumber. An endorsed backflow tester can be found by searching for "backflow tester Brisbane" via the internet.
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The Plumbing and Drainage Act 2018 requires the person testing the device to submit a Form 9 test report to the local government within 10 business days of the test.
When a device is removed or replaced, it is the responsibility of the licensed plumbing contractor to submit a Form 4 to the Queensland Building and Construction Commission and submit the completed Form 9 test report and registration fee for each device to Council.
Completed Form 9 test reports can be submitted by email.
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Under the Plumbing and Drainage Regulation 2019 (s102), it is an offence to not have your device tested every 12 months.
Council does investigate devices with outstanding test results. Failure to test your device annually may result in the issuing of a penalty infringement notice for each device that is untested.
What is Council’s role in the management of Backflow Prevention Devices?
Under the Plumbing and Drainage Regulation 2019 (s101), Council is required to maintain a program for the registration, maintenance and testing of all testable backflow prevention devices installed within the local government area.
Council collects an annual fee from property owners for the service of managing this program.
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The annual fee (per device) covers:
- the administration of the testable backflow prevention program, including issuing the notices and testing reminders
- monitoring testing compliance in order to protect the community’s access to safe drinking water
- recording and maintaining testing results and documentation for every device in the local government area and carrying out investigations and audits.
The annual fee for FY25/26 is $76.00.
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Over the last 12 months Council has been looking at ways to enhance the way we manage backflow devices across the city and enhance our service to the community.
As part of this process, Council is consolidating the way we bill customers and will move from a standalone invoice for the backflow prevention program to a single charge on the property rates notice. Ultimately, incorporating the annual fee into the rates notice.
Consolidation of billing channels provides customers with a single recognised notice for all property related charges.
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From July 2025, customers will see a charge on their rate notice that includes the backflow prevention device annual fee.
The annual fee will appear as a single line and dollar figure that will reflect the number of backflow prevention devices installed on a property.
Payment of the fee will be through payment of the rates notice.
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No, the billing change will occur automatically.
However, property owners will need to ensure their backflow prevention device information is kept updated with Council.
The best way of doing this, is by ensuring your device is tested annually and that your endorsed licensed backflow contractor provides yearly testing certificates to Council.
Council does issue testing reminders throughout the year to prompt property owners whose devices remain untested.
More information
For more information, please contact Council’s Backflow Team via email backflow@redlands.qld.gov.au or via telephone 3829 8999.