Backflow Testing in Knightdale, NC

Knightdale's setup

Knightdale merged its water and sewer system with Raleigh's, and Raleigh Water now owns and operates every public line in town. Backflow falls under Raleigh Water's Cross Connection Control Program. For a typical house, protection is a non-testable dual check device inside the meter box. There's nothing for the homeowner to schedule for it.

Testable assemblies are another matter. Under Raleigh's schedule, testable assemblies are tested by a City of Raleigh Certified Tester at installation, at replacement and annually for domestic and fire service; residential irrigation assemblies every three years by July 1; and commercial irrigation every year by July 1. Reports are filed electronically through Raleigh's VEPO portal.

About 74% of Knightdale homes were built since 2000, and many of those subdivisions came with irrigation. That means a lot of three-year residential tests due across town. Raleigh maintains water lines to the property line, and the assembly on your side of it is yours. Building and trade permits here go through Wake County Permits and Inspections on the Town's behalf.

Dual check versus testable assembly

Signs to act on

• You've been told your irrigation assembly is due by July 1
• The device near the street is dripping or spraying
• Sprinkler pressure dropped after a cold snap
• A business in Knightdale Station or along Knightdale Boulevard has a domestic or fire assembly due
• A previous test failed and was never retested

When to schedule

Because the residential deadline is July 1, spring fills up with test requests from across eastern Wake. Getting the test done in late winter or early spring leaves time for repairs. Drain the assembly and shut off irrigation before the first hard freeze, and check it for cracks when you turn the system back on. A slow drip at the street is easy to ignore, but it shows up on the water bill and can wash out the mulch bed around the device.