Backflow Testing in San Joaquin County, California
AWWA-certified annual backflow testing across Stockton, Manteca, Lodi, Tracy, Lathrop, Ripon, Escalon, and Cal Water Stockton service areas, dispatched from our Modesto headquarters.
- CCL: #1062017
- AWWA Backflow Tester Cert.: #15112
- AWWA Specialist Cert.: #03373
- 8 San Joaquin purveyors covered
Serving: Stockton, Manteca, Lodi, Tracy, Lathrop, Ripon, Escalon, French Camp, Linden, Woodbridge.
Do I need backflow testing in San Joaquin County?
If you have a backflow prevention assembly on a San Joaquin County service, yes. Every city utility and Cal Water Stockton enforces annual testing under its own municipal code or CPUC Tariff Rule 16, aligned with the CA SWRCB CCCPH.
“The City of Lathrop requires annual testing of backflow prevention devices installed on water service lines for domestic use, irrigation, and fire service lines.”
The City of Lathrop alone monitors over 550 backflow devices each year, and county-scale purveyors (Stockton MUD, Cal Water Stockton, Lodi, Tracy) add tens of thousands more across the region.
Not sure which utility serves your address? Call (800) 684-8346 and we will identify the purveyor and filing method.
Water purveyors in San Joaquin County requiring annual testing
Each city administers its own cross-connection program under its Title 13 water code; Cal Water Stockton operates under CPUC Tariff Rule 16.
| Purveyor | Service Area | Governing Rule |
|---|---|---|
| City of Stockton Municipal Utilities | City of Stockton (~53,000 connections, ~183,000 people) | Stockton Municipal Code Chapter 13.04 — City Water System |
| City of Manteca Public Works — Water | City of Manteca (~83,498 people) | Manteca Municipal Code Chapter 13.06 — Cross-Connection Control Program |
| City of Lodi Public Works | City of Lodi (~66,348 people) | Lodi Municipal Code Chapter 13.10 — Cross Connections |
| City of Tracy Utilities | City of Tracy (annual deadline June 30) | Tracy Municipal Code 11.04; CA H&S Code §§ 116275(h), 116407, 116555.5 |
| City of Ripon Public Works | City of Ripon | Ripon Municipal Code (water utility); SWRCB CCCPH |
| City of Escalon | City of Escalon | Escalon Municipal Code Chapter 13.04 — Water Service System |
| City of Lathrop Public Works | City of Lathrop (550+ backflows monitored annually) | Lathrop Municipal Code (water utility); SWRCB CCCPH |
| California Water Service — Stockton District | Portions of Stockton (~47,700 connections / ~175,000 people) | CPUC Tariff Rule 16 — Cross-Connection Control |
“Testing must be done annually by June 30 on all backflow prevention assemblies. Only City of Tracy-approved backflow testers are allowed to test in City service area.”
Woodbridge Irrigation District and Stockton East Water District are wholesale / conjunctive-use suppliers, not retail cross-connection authorities. Retail CCC sits with the city or Cal Water at the meter.
How our testing process works
- 1
Identify your purveyor
Stockton MUD, Cal Water Stockton, Manteca, Lodi, Tracy, Lathrop, Ripon, or Escalon. Each has its own filing channel.
- 2
On-site test (10 – 20 minutes)
We run the certified test procedure with calibrated gauges. Most residential and small commercial devices test with a full water shut-off.
- 3
If a device fails
We quote the repair on site and schedule the retest. We avoid starting work without your approval.
- 4
Report filed within 24 hours
We submit to your utility using its required channel and send you a copy with the invoice.
- 5
Annual reminder
We track your anniversary date and reach out ahead of time so you never face a non-compliance notice.
Devices we test
ASSE 1013
Reduced Pressure Assembly (RPA / RPZ)
High-hazard: Port of Stockton refrigerated warehouses, Tesla Lathrop process loops, Lodi winery CIP and boilers, hospital fire systems.
ASSE 1015
Double Check Valve Assembly (DCVA)
Residential fire lines, commercial irrigation without chemical injection. Most common residential device across the county.
ASSE 1020
Pressure Vacuum Breaker (PVB)
Above-ground irrigation protection. Very common on residential landscape accounts and small-acreage orchards on city water.
ASSE 1056
Spill-Resistant Vacuum Breaker (SVB)
Modern PVB variant with reduced nuisance spill. Common retrofit on residential irrigation when a legacy PVB reaches end of life.
California and federal compliance context
“The Cross-Connection Control Policy Handbook (CCCPH) took effect July 1, 2024.”
779K
residents of San Joaquin County (2020 Census); 41-mile deepwater ship channel at the Port of Stockton adds substantial industrial-RP load.
Authorities: AWWA M14 5th ed., USC FCCCHR, EPA CCC Manual, H&S Code § 116800.
Cities we serve in San Joaquin County
Stockton
County seat. Split between City of Stockton MUD and Cal Water Stockton District. Dameron Hospital, St. Joseph's Medical Center, San Joaquin General, UOP, and the Port of Stockton's deepwater channel anchor a dense commercial-RP market.
Lodi
Lodi Municipal Code Chapter 13.10 governs. Lodi AVA wineries (Michael David, Oak Ridge, Mondavi Woodbridge) and Pacific Coast Producers drive high-hazard RP demand; Lodi Memorial serves as the city's anchor hospital.
Manteca
Manteca MC Chapter 13.06 makes annual testing the owner's responsibility. Doctors Hospital of Manteca and the Great Wolf Lodge are significant commercial accounts alongside broad residential DC/PVB volume.
Tracy
Tracy Municipal Code 11.04 sets a uniform June 30 annual deadline. Amazon fulfillment centers, the I-205 logistics corridor, and Sutter Tracy Community Hospital drive commercial RP volume.
Lathrop
The City monitors 550+ backflow devices annually. Tesla's Lathrop Megafactory (battery-pack production) is the headline process-water account; River Islands master-planned community drives residential DC/PVB work.
Ripon & Escalon
Small city systems east and south of Manteca. Escalon MC Chapter 13.04 incorporates state cross-connection rules by reference; Ripon runs a city utility under Title 13.
Linden, Lockeford, Morada, French Camp, Woodbridge
Small unincorporated communities served by Cal Water, city systems, or independent wells. San Joaquin General Hospital sits at French Camp; Woodbridge ID delivers wholesale raw water to Lodi and Stockton.
Our credentials
California
CCL #1062017
Active contractor state license.
Backflow tester
AWWA Backflow Tester Cert. #15112
AWWA-certified tester.
Specialist
AWWA Specialist Cert. #03373
Cross-Connection Control Specialist.
Family-owned
Jesse Cuevas
Owner and lead tester.
Jesse Cuevas has 13+ years in backflow prevention, installation, testing, and repair. We maintain active tester status across every San Joaquin purveyor and file directly to the city or Cal Water channel for every test. Field work is not sub-contracted.
Frequently asked questions
How often is backflow testing required in San Joaquin County?
Every major purveyor in San Joaquin County requires an annual test, aligned with the California State Water Resources Control Board Cross-Connection Control Policy Handbook (effective July 1, 2024). Testing is also required after installation, relocation, or repair.
Which water purveyors in San Joaquin County require annual testing?
City of Stockton Municipal Utilities (SMC Ch. 13.04), City of Manteca (MC Ch. 13.06), City of Lodi (MC Ch. 13.10), City of Tracy (TMC 11.04), City of Ripon, City of Escalon (MC Ch. 13.04), City of Lathrop, and California Water Service Stockton District (CPUC Tariff Rule 16) all require annual testing. Woodbridge ID and Stockton East WD are wholesale suppliers, not retail CCC authorities.
What happens if my device fails the test?
We explain the failure on site, quote the repair (commonly a rubber kit, check, or relief valve), and schedule the retest. We avoid starting work without your approval. Purveyors can ultimately shut off water service for uncorrected failures.
Who is legally allowed to test backflow devices in California?
Only a backflow prevention assembly tester certified by AWWA or the USC FCCCHR and listed on the applicable purveyor's approved tester roster. Our lead specialist holds AWWA Backflow Tester Cert. #15112 and AWWA Specialist Cert. #03373. The company carries CCL #1062017.
When are test reports due in Tracy?
City of Tracy requires all backflow prevention assemblies to be tested by June 30 each year, and only City-approved testers are allowed to operate in the Tracy service area under Tracy Municipal Code 11.04.
Do Port of Stockton, Tesla Lathrop, and wine-production facilities need backflow testing?
Yes. Port cold-storage, Tesla Lathrop Megafactory process water, and Lodi AVA wineries all involve classic high-hazard cross-connections (CIP, boilers, chemical injection, fire systems) that require reduced-pressure (RP) assemblies with annual testing.
Annual deadlines in San Joaquin County are enforced by each city utility and by Cal Water Stockton under CPUC Tariff Rule 16. Non-compliance can result in water service shut-off.
Mon – Sat, 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Emergency response available.
Sources and authorities cited on this page
California state authority. CA SWRCB CCCPH, CA H&S Code § 116800.
Federal + standards. EPA CCC Manual, AWWA M14 5th ed., USC FCCCHR.
San Joaquin County purveyors. Stockton MC 13.04, Manteca MC 13.06, Lodi backflow, Tracy CCC, Lathrop, Escalon MC 13.04, Cal Water Rule 16.