Originally published: July 2026
A failed backflow test in Portland requires repair or replacement before your assembly can pass a retest. Repairs need no advance notice to the Portland Water Bureau, but you must get Water Bureau approval before replacing the assembly.
Refusing to fix a failed assembly can result in a water shutoff without further notice under the authority of OAR 333-061-0070.
An unresolved failed test can escalate to a fast shutoff. Modern Plumbing repairs and replaces backflow assemblies across Portland — schedule your repair today.
A failed backflow test means your assembly isn’t protecting the water supply as required, and the property owner must act immediately. Portland’s own guidance directs owners to have a malfunctioning assembly cleaned, repaired, or replaced right away rather than waiting for the next scheduled test cycle.
Your certified tester identifies the specific repair the assembly needs during the same visit that produces the failing result.
The tester’s findings determine whether a licensed plumber can repair the existing unit or whether the assembly needs full replacement.
If you’re ready to get started, call us now!
No, routine repairs do not require advance notice to the Water Bureau. Property owners can schedule cleaning, part replacement, or rebuild work directly with a licensed plumber without contacting the city first.
Irrigation-specific assemblies are the one exception to the “licensed plumber” rule — those repairs can go to a landscaper licensed by the Oregon Landscape Contractors Board instead. Either way, the repair itself proceeds without a Water Bureau notification step.
Yes. If your assembly requires a full replacement rather than repair, you must obtain Water Bureau approval before the replacement occurs. This requirement is separate from the notice-free repair path, and skipping it turns a straightforward swap into a compliance problem in its own right.
| Scenario | Water Bureau Notice Required? | Who Performs the Work |
| Routine repair or rebuild | No advance notice needed | Licensed plumber (or licensed landscaper for irrigation assemblies) |
| Full assembly replacement | Yes — approval required first | Licensed plumber, after Water Bureau approval |
| Assembly removal | Yes — Water Bureau must verify no remaining backflow risk | Licensed plumber, after Water Bureau verification |
When the replacement assembly is installed within a building, the Water Bureau’s Water Quality Inspection group requires drawings showing property lines, setbacks, street frontage, the water main, service location, and the proposed assembly type before approving the work. A Water Quality Inspector then inspects the completed installation, and a backflow inspection fee applies.
Coordinating repair timelines with Water Bureau approval steps can slow a replacement down if it isn’t planned ahead.
Modern Plumbing manages both the replacement work and the Water Bureau paperwork together — reach out before your assembly fails a second test.
If you’re ready to get started, call us now!
Your assembly must be tested again after any repair, regardless of when your last annual test occurred. A repaired assembly that hasn’t been retested is not considered compliant, even if the physical repair itself was completed correctly.
This retest confirms the specific fix worked under actual test conditions, rather than assuming a completed repair automatically restores protection. The same state-certified tester requirement that applies to your annual test also applies to this post-repair retest.
Leaving a failed assembly unrepaired creates two separate risks. First, the property owner can be held liable for any illness or injury connected to the unprotected cross-connection while the assembly remains out of compliance.
Second, refusing to install, test, or maintain a required assembly — or ignoring a correction notice — gives the Water Bureau authority to shut off water service without further notice.
This shutoff authority applies regardless of how long the property has operated with a failed or unrepaired assembly, and it isn’t limited to properties that have first received multiple warnings.
What happens right after my backflow assembly fails its annual test?
Your certified tester identifies the specific repair needed during the same test visit that produced the failing result. Portland’s guidance requires you to have the malfunctioning assembly cleaned, repaired, or replaced immediately, rather than waiting until your next scheduled annual test cycle.
Do I need to notify the Water Bureau before repairing a failed assembly?
No. Routine repairs, including part replacement or rebuilds, can be scheduled directly with a licensed plumber without advance Water Bureau notice. Irrigation-specific assemblies can instead use a landscaper licensed by the Oregon Landscape Contractors Board.
Do I need Water Bureau approval before replacing a failed assembly?
Yes. Full assembly replacement requires Water Bureau approval before the work happens, separate from the notice-free repair path. Installations within a building also require submitted drawings and inspection by a Water Quality Inspector.
Is retesting required after every repair, or just major ones?
Retesting is required after any repair, regardless of size. A repaired assembly is not considered compliant until it passes this retest, even if the underlying physical repair was completed correctly by a licensed plumber.
Can I be held liable if my failed assembly causes contamination?
Yes. Portland’s guidance states that a property owner can be held liable for any illness or injury resulting from a failed assembly that wasn’t promptly repaired, independent of any separate enforcement action the Water Bureau may pursue.
Can the Water Bureau shut off my water over a failed backflow test?
Yes. Refusing to install, test, or maintain a required assembly, or ignoring a correction notice, gives the Water Bureau authority to shut off water service without further notice, regardless of how long the assembly has been non-compliant.
Who can perform backflow assembly repairs in Portland?
A licensed plumber can perform most backflow assembly repairs. For assemblies serving irrigation systems specifically, a landscaper licensed by the Oregon Landscape Contractors Board may also perform the repair without the need for a separate plumbing contractor.
How do I know whether my assembly needs repair or full replacement?
Your certified tester determines this during the failed test based on the extent of the damage and the assembly’s condition. Age is a common factor, since older assemblies nearing the end of their service life are more likely to need full replacement.
Don’t let a failed test turn into a shutoff notice. Modern Plumbing handles backflow repairs, replacements, and Water Bureau paperwork across Portland — contact us to resolve a failed test quickly.
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