You asked for it: Backflow preventer exemptions

By Michele Leivas

The Resident recently heard from a reader with a question regarding an article in our May edition on the periodic testing of backflow preventers required by JEA.

“Your May 2024 article by Laura Phelps (An Ounce of Prevention…) inspired me to contact JEA for an exemption,” Patricia Kendrick wrote. “Our office is a small converted home from the early 1900s, which is a business for one attorney and one CPA.”

Kendrick said she was informed by JEA that she does not qualify for an exemption because a backflow preventer has already been installed at her property. The Resident reached out to JEA for further clarifications on these exemptions and what types of properties qualify for them.

According to JEA, exemptions are only granted with regard to the installation of backflow preventers. Once a preventer has been installed at a property, it must be maintained and tested and cannot be removed. This has always been JEA policy. 

A recently updated JEA Cross Connection Control Commercial Backflow Exemption application lists seven criteria that must be met for an exemption to be granted. In addition, there are 19 conditions that can disqualify a property from receiving an exemption.

One of the seven exemption criteria requires the property in question to have had water service started prior to 1991. As stated in the May article, the exemption application does inform applicants that exemptions must be renewed “at the end of its term (one to four years)” through the application process.

While the processing time for exemption applications can vary depending on the necessary research of a specific property, they are generally processed within two business days.

Customers can contact the JEA Cross Connection Control Team at (904) 665-4410 or [email protected] for more information.