Backflow Prevention

Cross-Connection Control & Backflow Prevention

Cross-Connection Control is the prevention of actual or potential connections between the public water supply and a source of contamination or pollution. Backflow prevention devices prevent the unwanted reversal of flow from an end user’s water system back into the public water supply. 

The Cross-Connection Control Program serves as a technical reference for policy requirements and industry standards.
View the official policy online
Cross-Connection Control Program Policy, revised Nov. 2020 (PDF)

Cross-Connection Control staff provide consultation for installation of backflow prevention devices in industrial, commercial and residential applications for domestic, fire protection and irrigation systems. Water connections are assessed for the degree of hazard they present and our personnel determine if a device is required on new or existing water lines serving structures. They also decide which containment type of backflow preventer must be installed.

Customers must then apply for an installation permit from the Inspections Division of the Planning and Development Services Department. The installation must be performed by an NC Licensed Plumber Contractor or Licensed Utility Contractor. Initial and annual testing of backflow prevention assemblies must be conducted by one of the approved and registered testing companies linked below. They will submit your test report to ensure compliance with state regulations. Continue reading for details on testing requirements.

Annual Backflow Assembly Testing Notifications

The State of North Carolina requires backflow prevention assemblies be installed on all cross-connections to help keep our water supply safe. These assemblies must be tested and certified every year to ensure that they are working properly.

Property owners are responsible for the installation, operation, testing and maintenance of required backflow prevention devices.

As of January 1, 2020, new state record-keeping guidelines went into effect that require public water systems to enforce the existing law, maintain a database of all cross-connections and report the annual test results within our water system. 

Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utilities has hired BSI Online to assist in administering the backflow test reporting program for our system. BSI Online sends out notification letters to customers listed in our records as having backflow prevention assemblies. The letters are sent 30 days prior to the assembly testing due date.

Please note that letters display a Worth, Illinois return address. BSI Online is our authorized service provider and is located in the state of Illinois.

Important information included in the letter:

  • Customer name on water billing account
  • Physical address of property where backflow assembly is listed
  • Customer Confirmation Number (CNN) the backflow testing company uses to upload test reports for the property
  • Test due date
  • Information concerning assemblies that require testing

Visit bsionlinetracking.com/customer and enter your CCN to check your test status, locate a list of testing companies in your area and learn more about backflow prevention.

  • All failed assemblies must be repaired or replaced at the owner’s expense
  • An initial test report with passing results is required for all new or replaced assemblies

BSI Online provides customer service concerning backflow prevention for Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utilities customers. Water customers can call 888-966-6050 Monday- Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm or email support@backflow.com..

Test Report Submissions-Contractor Information

Test reports are only accepted from testing companies approved by WSFC Utilities. To apply, testing companies must email the following to Cross-Connection Control Supervisor Tom McEwen:

  • Testing Company Application eff. July 2019 (PDF)
  • Copies of each tester’s certification for any staff performing backflow assembly tests within the WSFC Utilities system
  • Copies of Test Kit Calibrations for all testing kits that will be used for testing backflow prevention assemblies within the WSFC Utilities system

After approval has been granted by WSFC Utilities:
To register as a testing company with BSI Online, email documentation, including Tester Certification and Test Kit Calibrations to bsionline@backflow.com or fax to 888-414-4990. 

All test reports must be sent to BSI Online. If you have any questions, please contact BSI Online testing company support at 800-414-4990.

*If setting up a new installation, the Test and Maintenance Report should be email to Cross-Connection Control Supervisor Tom McEwen.

Permits for Fire Hydrant Connection or Tanker Water Use

Print and submit our Fire Hydrant Connection/Tanker Water Use Permit Application (PDF) in-person with payment by cash, check, Visa, Mastercard or Discover at Utilities Customer Service located in the Bryce A. Stuart Municipal Building Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Applications can also be mailed to the address below:

Bryce A. Stuart Municipal Building
ATTN: Utilities Customer Service
100 East First Street, Suite 121
Winston-Salem, NC 27101

The following is a summary of application information from Winston-Salem, NC Water System Policy, Article I, Sec. 17 (b).
View the official policy.

  1. Fire Hydrant Meter
  2. Tanker Water Use
  1. Applicants requesting water service from a fire hydrant must apply to Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utilities (WSFC Utilities) at least five business days prior to the first date of requested service.
  2. Complete the Fire Hydrant Connection/Tanker Water Use Permit Application with all required information and submit with a $500 non-refundable application fee. Incomplete applications will not be approved.
  3. A $1,500 deposit is required for each reduced pressure backflow hydrant meter assembly and will be applied to the cost of water consumption, potential damages to the hydrant or backflow hydrant meter assembly or any additional costs incurred by WSFC Utilities. See the hydrant meter damage repair costs document for more details.
  4. Fire hydrant connection permits are valid for six months. When six months expires, the applicant will be required to reapply and pay the fee for a new permit.
  5. Applicants must clearly demonstrate an engineering requirement for a higher volume of water than can be delivered through a temporary two-inch or smaller water service connection.
  6. WSFC Utilities reserves the right to deny any application for any fire hydrant connection, and at the applicant’s expense may require installation of a temporary two-inch or smaller water service connection with an approved reduced pressure backflow preventer assembly.
  7. WSFC Utilities owns and maintains a limited number of reduced pressure hydrant meter assemblies and may deny an application due to lack of availability.
  8. Only one specific fire hydrant will be authorized for use by an approved fire hydrant connection permit. A separate permit application is required to use any other fire hydrant, even if located at the same work site.

See next tab for Tanker Water Use information.

Application for Connection to Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utilities