Starting in June 2025, this course, and other courses related to cross-connection control and backflow prevention, are being offered in partnership with Madison Area Technical College (Madison College). We will provide the same high quality training, and Madison College will be handling course registration and course coordination.

Register for this course or other cross-connection and backflow prevention courses

Earn the ASSE Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester certification by completing this course and exam. The ASSE Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester certification meets Backflow Tester certification requirements in Minnesota, Michigan and many other states.

• Plumbers, sprinkler fitters, and facility maintenance personnel seeking certification and practical training.
• Utility workers and consulting engineers involved in cross-connection control and backflow prevention.
• Managers and technicians responsible for ensuring compliance with backflow prevention standards.

This course will be held at Madison Area Technical College. Please see website at: ASSE

Day 1

Introduction to Cross-Connection Control and Backflow Prevention 

• Cross-connection basics
• Hazards to public health
• Causes of backflow and backflow prevention methods
• Air gap
• Barometric loop

Backflow Prevention Assemblies—Double Check Valve Assembly (DC)

• How the DC works
• Appropriate application of the DC
• Assembly limitations

Testing of Backflow Prevention Assemblies

• 3-valve and 5-valve test gauges
• Care and maintenance of test gauges
• Calibration requirements

Workshop

• Demonstration of proper testing practices
• Demonstration of DC assembly test procedures
• Hands-on practice with DC testing

Day 2

Quiz

Backflow Prevention Assemblies

• Reduced Pressure Principal Assembly (RPZ)
  • How the RPZ works
  • Appropriate application of the RPZ

• Pressure vacuum breaker (PVB) and spill-resistant vacuum breaker (SVB)
  • How the PVB and SVB work
  • Appropriate application and limitations of the PVB and SVB
• Test procedures for (RPZ), (SVB), and (PVB) assemblies
• Hands-on practice—all testable assembly types

Day 3 

Backflow Prevention Devices

• Appropriate device applications
• Limitations of devices

Cross-Connection Program Authority, Responsibility, and Liability

• Federal authority
• State responsibilities
• Municipality or water purveyor responsibilities
• Designer, installer, and manufacturer responsibilities
• Facility owner responsibilities
• Liability issues

Safety

• How to minimize hazards for testers
• Personal protective equipment
• Confined space, lockout/tagout, fall prevention

Quiz

Day 4

Wisconsin Rules and Codes

• Rules and regulations
• Requirements for new and existing services

Municipal and Utility Cross-Connection Programs

• How to establish a utility cross-connection control program
• Cross-connection survey programs
• How to manage cross-connection programs—documentation, tracking, and follow-up

Troubleshooting Reduced Pressure Principle Backflow Preventers

• How to relate malfunction symptoms to cause
• Repair of backflow preventers
• Hands-on troubleshooting and discussion

Troubleshooting Workshop—Hands-On Practice Classroom

Review Session

Individual ASSE Tester Practical Exams 

Day 5

Individual ASSE Tester Practical Exams Continue

Manufacturer Presentations

• Discussion of backflow prevention assemblies from various manufacturers

 ASSE written exam

Benjamin Jordan

Benjamin J. Jordan, PE, is a program director with Interdisciplinary Professional Programs in the transportation sector. He has over 35 years of experience in civil engineering and public works. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign and a Master of Public Affairs degree with a Certificate in Public Management from the University of Missouri-Columbia. He is a Licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Illinois.