Fee Schedule

All cross-connection fees from the City are appended “whenever services are rendered” to your Milpitas Utility Bill.  

These fees may include (if administered through Public Works for non-compliance ONLY):

  • Backflow Testing Fee (Pending authorization to change to Backflow Prevention Assembly Service Fee)
    • For customers that fail to independently have their assemblies inspected, and/or tested, and/or their sites assessed.  Includes City provided services of any one or combination of the following: Inspections, Testing, Hazard Assessments, and Shut-Down Tests.
    • Fee Amount: Actual Cost; per hour
  • Backflow Prevention Assembly Administration/Record Filing Fee (not in effect - pending authorization)
    • For customer that fail to independently have their annual assembly(s) information electronically uploaded into City database. Includes City provided service to upload assembly information instead of customer retained third party provider.
    • Proposed fee amount: $60
  • Backflow Installation, Removal, and Relocation Testing Company Fee (not in effect - pending authorization)
    • This is an annual fee assessed to qualified contractors who wish to conduct backflow testing and/or hazard assessments in the City.
    • Proposed fee amount: $264 per company
  • Backflow Tag and Geolocation Fee (not in effect - pending authorization)
    • One-time fee. Tag will be affixed on all new backflow prevention assemblies upon passing initial inspection and geolocated. Does not apply to existing assemblies.
    • Proposed fee amount: Actual cost for 1.5 hours + $10; per assembly.

For more details on fees, including current rates, please view the Master Fee Schedule. 

Why does the customer have to pay for, install and maintain the backflow prevention assembly (BPA)?

Once water goes beyond the City’s meter, water quality could be altered and no water may flow back into the public water system. State law and City municipal ordinance require the installation of a BPA whenever there is a potential for water to backflow into a public water system. State and City requirements specify the type of BPA required depending on the hazard present at each site as well as annual testing and maintenance. Per City ordinance, the customer is to pay for BPA installation, annual testing and maintenance

Since backflow prevention assemblies are necessary to maintain safe water quality, the property owner who created the actual or potential Cross-Connection should purchase, install, and maintain the backflow assembly as a condition of service. 

Why are there fees involved in the inspection and testing of backflow prevention assemblies (BPA)?

Water customers, per the City Municipal Ordinance, are required to pay for BPA installation, annual testing, initial hazard assessment, and maintenance. The only time fees are due is when:

  • Customers fail to independently have their assemblies inspected, and/or tested, and/or their sites assessed.
  • Customers fail to independently have their annual assembly(s) information electronically uploaded into City database.