| Quick facts | Answer |
|---|---|
| Cost range | $60 per device per year; re-testing $13; $50 annual program fee |
| Time | Yearly test at installation and annually after |
| Who's qualified | A state-certified backflow prevention tester with an up-to-date certification card |
Mount Pleasant, SC: what's different here
Mount Pleasant is in Charleston County, about 9 miles and roughly 15 minutes by car from Charleston via the main highway. The area has historically included many lowcountry homes built on crawl spaces rather than basements. A shallow water table and flood-prone setting make crawl-space construction common. Local water rules make annual irrigation backflow testing a routine part of owning an irrigated yard here.
How often is irrigation backflow testing required in Mount Pleasant?
New irrigation backflow assemblies must be tested upon installation and then every year. A Charleston-area utility requires commercial and irrigation customers to contract approved certified backflow testers for each test. Mount Pleasant Waterworks also requires reduced pressure principle backflow preventers on all irrigation systems.
Who can perform backflow testing in Mount Pleasant?
South Carolina requires all backflow testing to be done by a state-certified backflow prevention tester. A certified tester is a person holding an up-to-date tester certification card issued by the Department. Certification is renewed every 3 years.
How do testers get certified in South Carolina?
Tester certification requires a four-day course and passing both a written exam and a hands-on lab test. Training costs $699 in tuition at one Midlands Tech program, while a Charleston-area utility lists a $140 course cost. Recertification fees can be no more than $50.
What does the Mount Pleasant Waterworks backflow program cost?
Mount Pleasant Waterworks charges an annual fee of $50 for customers enrolled in its backflow testing program. Testing and inspection is listed at $60 per device per year, with re-testing at $13. Ask the pro how these fees apply to your irrigation system.
Where can I take the tester certification class near Mount Pleasant?
South Carolina DES lists a Charleston-area training class at the North Charleston Convention Center, with dates shown as June 9-12, 2026. The class covers the written exam and practical exam needed for certification. Check the state program list for current dates and details.
What to do next
- Confirm your irrigation system has the reduced pressure principle backflow preventer Mount Pleasant Waterworks requires.
- Ask the tester to show an up-to-date backflow prevention assembly tester certification card issued by the Department.
- Get a written quote that separates the $60 annual test from the $13 re-test and the $50 program fee.
- Schedule the test at installation and set a yearly reminder so the annual requirement is never missed.
- 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.
