Wilson's cross-connection ordinance requires an approved assembly on split-tap lawn irrigation and on every commercial service, tested within 10 days of installation and at least once a year by a certified tester at the customer's expense. Records go to the water distribution department within 10 days. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Wilson.
Wilson's backflow rules in brief
The City of Wilson's Cross Connection Control rules sit in City Code Chapter 44, adopted in 1994 and amended in 2011. Lawn irrigation on a split tap needs a double check assembly, or a reduced pressure assembly where booster pumps or chemicals create a health hazard. Every commercial service needs at least a double check. Testers must be certified and recertify every two years. The penalty for a violation can reach $1,000, so it's worth staying current. The City owns the service line from the main to the property line or meter pit, and the assembly on your side is yours.
What to do now
- Confirm you're a City of Wilson water customer. Wilson County water districts buy city water for many outlying areas, but a county district bill means county rules may apply.
- Find your assembly. On split-tap irrigation it's usually near the meter pit; on a business it's where the service enters the building.
- Check the date of the last test. Annual means at least once every 12 months.
- Hire a certified tester. Make sure their certification is current, since Wilson requires renewal every two years.
- Make sure the record reaches the City. Test records go to the water distribution department within 10 days.
- Questions? The program contact is Wilson Public Services at 252-296-3406.
Signs and likely causes
| What you notice | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Water dumping from an RP's relief port | A check valve fouled or worn; pressure fluctuation |
| Steady drip from a test cock | Worn test cock seal |
| Cracked body after a cold night | Water froze inside the assembly |
| Weak sprinkler pressure | Partly closed shutoff, debris in the device, or a failed check |
| Assembly fails its annual test | Debris, worn rubber parts or weak springs |
What affects cost
- Routine annual test versus a rebuild
- Double check versus reduced pressure assembly
- Number of assemblies, common on commercial buildings
- Replacement after freeze damage
- Permits for new work, issued at the Permit Desk in City Hall through Wilson's Inspections Department
Wilson has a mix of early-1900s neighborhoods and newer subdivisions in the northwest, so device age and pipe condition vary widely from one address to the next.
Backflow Testing questions in Wilson
Does an in-ground sprinkler system need its own backflow assembly?
How often does a testable backflow assembly have to be checked?
Where does the test report go once the test is done?
Do shops, offices and restaurants face stricter backflow rules?
More plumbing services in Wilson
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