What are the sticker labels in my Portland backflow letter?
If your Portland Water Bureau backflow notice came with sticker labels, you're not alone in wondering what to do with them. They're one of the most-asked-about parts of the letter, and the letter itself doesn't explain them very well.
What the stickers are
Each label corresponds to one backflow assembly the Water Bureau has on record for your property, tied to that assembly's entry in the city's compliance database. When your tester files the test report, the label information is what links the report to the right device — so the city knows that assembly passed, not just that a test happened at your address.
What to do with them
- Keep the letter and stickers together until your test.
- Hand them to your tester at the appointment (or read the information to them when you book).
- If you have multiple assemblies, make sure each test gets matched to the right label — each assembly needs its own test.
Lost the stickers?
It's not fatal. Testers can usually identify an assembly from the serial number stamped on the device itself, and the Water Bureau can confirm what's on record for your address. Mention it when you book and your tester will know how to handle it.
Next step: schedule the test itself. If you haven't read it yet, start with what to do when you get the notice.