McLean homes are on Fairfax Water and under Fairfax County's cross-connection rules, which require testable assemblies on lawn irrigation, in-ground pools, directly connected hot tubs, steam saunas and fire sprinklers to be tested at installation, after repair or relocation, and at least yearly. To schedule a certified test or fix a failed device, call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in McLean.
Local conditions in McLean
McLean is an unincorporated part of Fairfax County, so the County's Land Development Services handles permits and runs its Cross Connections Group in partnership with Fairfax Water. Most Fairfax Water customers get water from the utility's own plants on the Potomac River and the Occoquan Reservoir, while some receive Potomac water treated by the Washington Aqueduct. Either way, the cross-connection rules are the same.
What makes McLean different is what sits on the lot. Homes along Georgetown Pike, in Langley and in West McLean often have extensive irrigation, in-ground pools, spas and sometimes residential fire sprinklers, and each of those connections can need its own testable assembly. Lawn irrigation calls for a testable assembly rated for a high hazard, checked every year. The tester has to hold a DPOR Backflow Prevention Device Worker certification and appear on the County's authorized vendor list, and the median home was built in 1976, so plenty of devices are older than their owners realize.
| Connection | Covered by the County program? | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Lawn irrigation | Yes | Testable high-hazard assembly, tested yearly |
| In-ground pool fill | Yes | Testable assembly on the fill line |
| Hot tub piped to the water supply | Yes | Testable assembly, tested yearly |
| Steam sauna | Yes | Testable assembly on the supply |
| Residential fire sprinklers | Yes | Assembly type depends on the system design |
Signs you should call
- Nobody can find a test record for the pool or sprinkler assembly
- Water weeps from a relief valve or vent during irrigation
- The pool auto-fill was installed without a separate device
- A device was moved during a landscape or hardscape project
- Ice split a brass body over the winter
Seasonal notes
Many McLean owners shut down irrigation in the fall and open it again in spring. That spring start-up is a sensible time for the annual test, since the plumber can confirm the assembly survived the cold and the zones run at full pressure. Before winter, close the irrigation supply and open the test cocks so no water stays inside the body. A permit is needed when a new irrigation assembly goes in or an old one is replaced.
Backflow Testing questions in McLean
Do pools, hot tubs and fire sprinklers need backflow protection?
Who is allowed to test my backflow assembly?
Is a permit needed to install or replace a backflow preventer?
Can I remove an old backflow device on my own?
More plumbing services in McLean
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