| Quick facts | Answer |
|---|---|
| Cost range | $75 to $175 per device, including utility paperwork filing |
| Time | One visit per device; reports filed with filing fees |
| Who's qualified | A state certified backflow prevention tester with a current certification card |
West Ashley, SC: what's different here
West Ashley is in Charleston County, South Carolina, about 10 miles and roughly 17 minutes by car from Charleston via US Route 17 / Savannah Highway. Older West Ashley neighborhoods are often mostly raised-foundation homes, while many homes in the area are also slab or crawl-space construction. A 1964-built ranch on N Sherwood Drive illustrates the age and foundation mix common in the area. Local pros we refer know this housing stock and test devices accordingly.
Who can perform annual backflow certification in West Ashley?
South Carolina DES requires all backflow testing to be done by a state certified backflow prevention tester. A certified tester holds an up-to-date certification card issued by the Department. Ask the pro for proof of certification before the test.
What does the $75-$175 price include?
A Charleston-area listing gives a typical annual certified backflow test price of $75 to $175 per device. That covers the testing itself and filing the paperwork with the water utility. Charleston Water System requires reports to be filed with applicable filing fees through its third-party reporting process.
How often must backflow devices be tested and certified?
Charleston Water System requires annual testing for backflow assemblies. Test equipment and gauges must also be certified or calibrated annually. Tester certification itself is renewed every 3 years in South Carolina.
How does someone become a certified backflow tester in South Carolina?
Certification requires a proctored practical exam and a written exam. A course at Midlands Technical College costs $699 tuition, not including fees and equipment, and requires all 4 days of training plus a hands-on exit exam. The state lists a Charleston-area class at the North Charleston Convention Center with dates shown as June 9-12, 2026.
What to do next
- {'text': 'Confirm your water utility requires annual testing and third-party report filing with filing fees.'}.
- {'text': 'Ask the pro for proof of a current state backflow prevention assembly tester certification card.'}.
- {'text': 'Get a written quote showing the per-device price and whether utility paperwork filing is included.'}.
- {'text': "Ask whether the tester's gauges and test equipment were certified or calibrated within the last year."}.
- Call (843) 286-4721 or email [email protected] for a free quote from a licensed, insured local backflow tester.
CHS Backflow is a free referral service: an independent contractor does the work and may pay us a referral fee. You never pay us anything.
