Louisiana Water Supply Protection Specialist Endorsement Recertification

Course Description:

This course is designed for Licensed Plumbers and Irrigation Contractors to recertify their Water Supply Protection Specialist (WSPS) Endorsement for their State Plumbing Board (SPBLA) License.

The course consists of an overview of the theory of backflow, hazards of backflow, basic water hydraulics; backflow prevention assemblies, devices and methods; responsibilities and liabilities; troubleshooting, maintenance and repair.

The course includes hands-on field testing and troubleshooting of the Reduced Pressure Assembly (RP), Double Check Valve Assembly (DCVA), and Pressure Vacuum Breaker Assembly (PVB) in a controlled laboratory setting.

Prerequisites:
1. Must be a Licensed Plumber or Licensed Irrigation Contractor.
2. Must take a National third Part Written and Lab Exams through the American Backflow Prevention Association (ABPA).   

Hours:

8 Hours

Learning Outcomes:

• Students will demonstrate how to field test properly operating and malfunctioning backflow prevention assemblies (reduced pressure principle assembly, doublecheck valve assembly, pressure vacuum breaker assembly, and spill resistance vacuum breaker assembly in a controlled laboratory setting.
• Students will identify hydraulic conditions in a water distribution system that could allow backflow to occur.
• Students will interpret field test results for backflow prevention assemblies after conducting the field test.   

Must Know:

Students must attend the entire course and successfully pass the American Backflow Prevention Association (ABPA) written exam (70% or greater) and lab practical for Certificate to be awarded.

Licensed Plumbers - The WSPS endorsement allows Licensed Plumbers to perform installations, field test, maintenance and repairs of backflow prevention assemblies within the scope of the plumbing system.

Licensed Irrigation Contractors - The WSPS endorsement allows Licensed Irrigation Contractors to perform installations, field test, maintenance and repairs of backflow prevention assemblies within the scope of the irrigation system.

Licensed Plumbers and Irrigation Contractors wishing to have the WSPS endorsement attached to their SPBLA License are required to take a third-party National Certification Exam administered by the American Backflow Prevention Association (ABPA) or the American Society of Sanitary Engineers (ASSE) prior to making application to the SPBLA for the WSPS endorsement. This requirement is in addition to the required training class. AETA classes are designed to prepare students for the American Backflow Prevention Association (ABPA) national Backflow Assembly Tester Written and Performance (Lab) Exams.

Students are responsible for making application and payment to ABPA at least 14 days prior sitting for an exam. To register for an exam, go to the ABPA Community Calendar where Exam Sessions are listed https://www.abpa.org/events/event_list.asp. Select a class and complete the required information.

The AETA does not collect ABPA Exam fees. This fee must be paid by the Exam Applicant directly to ABPA. Contact Brittany Laswell at brittany@abpa.org or call (801) 436-7238 Ext 1.