Change In County of Los Angeles Backflow Form Policy

Recently new instructions appeared on the test forms for backflow devices under the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County:

Do not release this original test notice to the testing company. Keep the original and do not presign or predate it. The testing company is only certified to test the device. Once the testing company has filled in appropriately and returned it to you, sign off and mail it in. The testing company should not mail it.

Our policy has been to mail in the test forms for the customer as a courtesy. This also helps keep a record of our test results for our customer's file because we can make a copy in our office before the original is sent out. We can no longer do this for Los Angeles County. If you get a test form from Los Angeles County, we recommend making a copy of the completed form for your records once the device has been certified. Things do occasionally get lost in the mail, and while most agencies only accept original forms, they do sometimes make exceptions and you could save yourself the trouble and expense of having to have the device retested if something does happen to the original.

So far, this is the only local agency we know of that requires this, but it wouldn't be surprising to see others follow suit.

Smart Controllers

What is a “smart” controller? Essentially it’s a controller that “knows” how to water your yard using a combination of historical geography-specific data, a calendar, and additional site information programmed into the controller by the user. These controllers can save water and save you money while protecting your landscape. They can also help to prevent runoff, which is becoming increasingly important as more stringent water regulations are put into effect. As cities and states make a move to be being more water wise, these types of controllers might become a necessity.

Our preferred “smart” controllers to install are the Weathermatic SmartLine series. It’s a modular system, so depending on the model you can have anywhere from 4 to 48 stations. It programs much like a conventional automatic controller, but has additional water saving features like user-preset monthly water budgeting. The real “smart” part comes when you also install the weather station and utilize the Auto Adjust mode. In this mode, the weather station monitors actual weather readings 24 hours a day and in conjunction with site-specific information entered in by the user, like type of sprinkler, plant and soil types, adjusts the controller settings accordingly, even daily if conditions change that frequently. You can even fine tune beyond that using the More/Less function to adjust up or down by percentages for areas of your yard that are in shade or sunlight all day, or even shady in the morning and sunny in the afternoon.

Another reason we like the Weathermatic SmartLine is that there are no added fees, and no Internet or phone lines are required. All data is from on-site, and everything is done at the controller unit itself. If the controller is mounted outside, service can be performed even if you are not home.

Perhaps the most impressive thing about the SmartLine series is that the controller itself isn’t any more expensive than other professional grade controllers that don’t offer the same features. Reducing water usage, protecting your landscape, avoiding fines for water waste and saving yourself money in the process is very smart, indeed.