I haven't used my sprinklers in years — do I still need a backflow test?
Yes. This is one of the most common questions Portland homeowners have, and the answer surprises almost everyone: the requirement is based on the assembly being connected to the water supply, not on whether you ever turn the system on.
Why a dormant system still counts
Backflow doesn't require your sprinklers to be running. If pressure in the public system drops — a main break, a large hydrant draw — water can be siphoned backward through any connected line, including one that's been idle for a decade. The stagnant water sitting in unused irrigation pipes is, if anything, a bigger contamination concern than fresh water. As long as the physical connection exists, Oregon law (OAR 333-061) treats it as a live cross-connection that needs a working, tested assembly.
Your two real options
- Keep testing annually. A routine test is roughly $50–150 a year and preserves the option of using the system later.
- Permanently disconnect the system. A plumber physically severs the irrigation line from the water supply, and you confirm with your water provider that the assembly is removed from their records. That ends the annual letters for good. Turning the shutoff valve off does notcount — the connection has to be physically removed.
Which one makes sense
If you're certain you'll never irrigate again, the one-time disconnection usually pays for itself within a few years of skipped test fees. If there's any chance you'll want the system later, keep testing — reconnecting typically means a permit and a new assembly, which costs far more than a few years of tests.
If you go the disconnection route, contact your water provider first to confirm what documentation they need — the process for updating their records varies by purveyor.