Most of the City of South Fulton is on Atlanta DWM water, and DWM asks for a backflow prevention assembly on commercial accounts and on some homes, such as those with irrigation or certain home-based businesses. Reports are filed by registered testers through SwiftComply. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in South Fulton.
Backflow in South Fulton: whose rules apply
South Fulton became a city in 2017, pulling together communities like Cliftondale, Sandtown, Red Oak and Welcome All. It does not treat its own water. Fulton County says it supplies drinking water only north of the Chattahoochee, so this side of the county is served by the City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management. Some accounts may be billed through the City of South Fulton or a neighboring city, and edges near Union City, Fairburn, East Point and College Park could fall under those cities' systems. Check your bill to see which utility you're dealing with.
For DWM customers, the backflow compliance program is run by its Environmental Compliance Section. The assembly sits on your property near the meter box or just inside the building before the first branch line. Registered testers file results in SwiftComply, and DWM notes that a fee applies to passing tests. DWM does not list a retest interval on its page.
Common assemblies compared
| Assembly | Typical use | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| Double check valve | Lower-hazard lines such as plain lawn irrigation | Two check valves in series; often set in a box below grade |
| Reduced pressure (RP) | Higher-hazard connections, like irrigation with chemical injection or some businesses | Has a relief valve that discharges water; must stay above ground with room to drain |
| Pressure vacuum breaker | Some residential sprinkler systems | Must sit higher than every sprinkler head it protects |
| Hose bib vacuum breaker | Outdoor faucets | Simple screw-on part, not a testable assembly |
DWM decides what protection a given account needs, so confirm with DWM before buying hardware.
Signs to act on
- A DWM compliance letter or a missed test reminder
- A steady drip from the relief port when nothing is running
- Irrigation heads that lost pressure after work on the device
- A new sprinkler system or a business now operating from the house
- Split brass or a popped fitting after a freeze
Timing notes
Spring is a practical time to test, since the irrigation comes back on and any winter damage shows. If you shut down and drain the sprinklers in fall, get the test done first so a failed check can be rebuilt in mild weather. For new construction or added fixtures, plumbing trade permits go through the City of South Fulton's Permitting Department.
Backflow Testing questions in South Fulton
How do I find out which utility serves my address?
How do test results get to the water utility?
Why does a lawn irrigation system need backflow protection?
What's the difference between a double check valve and a reduced pressure assembly?
More plumbing services in South Fulton
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