BACKFLOW PREVENTION & TESTING IN ONTARIO
At Kontrol Buildings, we deliver fully licensed, OWWA-certified backflow prevention services across Ontario — from the GTA to Ottawa, Hamilton, London, Kitchener-Waterloo, and Niagara. Our journeyman plumbers and certified testers ensure your commercial, industrial, and institutional properties stay 100 % compliant with the Ontario Building Code, the Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002, and all local municipal bylaws.
Why Backflow Prevention Matters in Ontario
The Walkerton Inquiry (2000) made it clear:
“As part of their comprehensive distribution system program, water providers should have active programs… to detect and deter cross-contamination.”
— Hon. Dennis O’Connor, Report of the Walkerton Inquiry, Part 2
A single backflow event can reverse the flow of contaminated water into the public drinking water supply — putting employees, tenants, and the community at serious risk. Ontario municipalities now enforce strict cross-connection control programs to prevent this.
| Regulation / Standard | Key Requirement |
|---|---|
| Ontario Building Code (OBC) – Section 7 | Mandatory premise isolation for most commercial/industrial properties |
| Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002 | Work on drinking water systems must be performed by qualified individuals |
| CSA B64.10 / B64.10.1 | National standard for selection, installation, maintenance, and testing |
| Municipal By-laws (Toronto Ch. 851, Ottawa 2019-74, Peel, etc.) | Annual testing, certified testers, electronic submission of results |
Requirements vary slightly by municipality — we handle them all and submit test reports directly on your behalf.
Who Is Legally Allowed to Work on Backflow Preventers in Ontario?
| Task | Who Can Perform It (Legally) | Governing Law / Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Installation | Only a licensed Journeyman Plumber or registered apprentice under direct supervision | Ontario Trades Qualification Act |
| Repair / Replacement | Only a licensed Journeyman Plumber or registered apprentice under direct supervision | Ontario Trades Qualification Act + Safe Drinking Water Act |
| Testing | Trained and municipality-approved tester (usually OWWA or equivalent certified) | Local municipal by-law + CSA B64.10 guidelines |
Our Team’s Qualifications
All testers hold OWWA Cross-Connection Control Certification (based on the AWWA Canadian Cross Connection Control Manual)
Completed the standardized 40-hour course with hands-on lab and written examination
Registered and approved with every major Ontario municipality (Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Vaughan, Markham, Ottawa, Hamilton, London, etc.)
Continuously updated training to remain on municipal “Authorized Tester” lists
Why Choose Kontrol Buildings?
One-stop shop: survey → installation → annual testing → repairs → municipal submission
Digital reports with photos and serial numbers submitted the same day
Fleet of fully stocked service vans for same-day or next-day response
24/7 emergency service for failed tests or municipal “red tag” notices
Transparent pricing