Do You Submit the Official Backflow Test Report, or Does the Testing Company?
- bill57931
- 3 hours ago
- 4 min read
In most cases, the certified backflow tester submits the official test report to the water purveyor or city—especially when the agency has a specific form, portal, or tester ID requirements.
That said, requirements can vary by jurisdiction and water supplier. In certain situations, the property owner/manager is still responsible for ensuring the report is received, accepted, and recorded on time—even if a tester submits it.
Bottom line: Our Backflow Testing Long Beach experts recommend treating submission like a shared responsibility: we submit, and you confirm it’s posted/accepted.
Why Submission Rules Vary (And Why It Matters)
Backflow program administration can differ depending on whether your account is monitored by a city water department, a municipal utility, or another local water purveyor. Each agency may have its own:
Approved tester requirements (certifications, registration, tester ID)
Official forms (device details, test kit info, pass/fail, repairs)
Submission method (online portal, email, mail, in-person)
Deadlines (annual due dates, compliance windows, penalties)
This is why our Backflow Testing Long Beach experts recommend verifying exactly who your regulating purveyor is and what that purveyor expects for reporting.
How Atlas Backflow Services Typically Handles Reporting
At Atlas Backflow Services, our process is built to reduce your administrative load while supporting your compliance documentation.
Here’s what our Backflow Testing Long Beach experts recommend and typically do:
Perform the backflow test on your prevention assembly (as required by your program).
Complete the official test report accurately (device serial, size/type, location, results, gauge info, etc.).
Submit the report to the water purveyor/city using the method they accept (portal upload, email, or other approved channel).
Provide you a copy for your records (helpful for audits, property files, and tenant/insurance documentation).
If a device fails, we explain next steps so you can address compliance quickly.
Important note: Some agencies require the property owner to upload results through their own account login.
If that’s your case, our Backflow Testing Long Beach experts recommend that we still complete the form and provide it immediately, so you can upload without delays.
When You Might Need to Submit It Yourself
Even if your testing company is proactive, there are scenarios where you may need to submit (or re-submit) the report:
Owner-only portals: Some systems require the customer to log in and attach the report.
New account / new device: If the device was recently installed or your account changed, the purveyor may need owner confirmation or additional paperwork.
Report rejected or “not received”: Occasionally a report is missing a field, has a mismatch (serial/location), or gets filtered/held.
Property management workflows: Some managers prefer all compliance records flow through an internal admin process.
In these cases, our Backflow Testing Long Beach experts recommend not assuming “no news is good news.” Instead, confirm acceptance.
What “Submission” Actually Means (And What You Should Confirm)
Submission isn’t just sending a PDF. “Accepted” typically means the purveyor has:
Logged the test into your account/compliance system
Marked the device status as passed (or flagged it if it failed)
Updated the next test due date
Cleared any pending compliance notice (if applicable)
Our Backflow Testing Long Beach experts recommend you confirm one of the following within a reasonable time after the test:
You received a confirmation email/receipt number, or
Your online account shows the test as received/accepted, or
The purveyor confirms by phone that your device is in compliance
Timelines: How Fast Should a Report Be Submitted?
Many purveyors expect results promptly after testing, especially if you’re close to a deadline.
Our Backflow Testing Long Beach experts recommend aiming for:
Same-day or next-business-day submission whenever possible
Extra buffer time during peak seasons (many annual tests cluster at certain times of year)
Immediate action if you’ve received a late notice or “final notice”
If you’re already past due, it’s even more important to test and submit quickly to minimize penalties or service interruptions (where applicable).
If Your Device Fails: Who Reports That, and What Happens Next?
If a backflow assembly fails, the test report typically still gets submitted—showing a fail result—because the purveyor needs visibility into the compliance status.From there, you may need:
Repairs (and a retest) to restore compliance
Documentation of repair parts and outcomes
A new report showing pass after correction
Our Backflow Testing Long Beach experts recommend handling failed tests as a “two-step event”: fail submission + corrective action + passing retest submission. Atlas Backflow Services can guide you through the exact sequence required by your purveyor.
What You Should Keep in Your Records (Even If We Submit)
Even when Atlas Backflow Services submits the official report, you should keep:
A copy of the completed test report
Any repair documentation (if repairs were needed)
The date/time of test and the technician’s certification details
Any confirmation from the purveyor (email or portal screenshot)
Our Backflow Testing Long Beach experts recommend saving these for at least several years, especially for commercial properties, multifamily buildings, restaurants, medical facilities, and sites with prior compliance issues.
Quick FAQ: Reporting & Responsibility
Q: If Atlas Backflow Services submits the report, am I 100% off the hook?
A: You’re still responsible for compliance as the customer of record. Our Backflow Testing Long Beach experts recommend verifying acceptance—especially near deadlines.
Q: Can the city reject a report?
A: Yes. Common reasons include incorrect device info, missing fields, or account mismatches. We help correct and re-submit if needed.
Q: Will I get a copy?
A: You should. Our Backflow Testing Long Beach experts recommend keeping your copy for your property compliance file.
The Simple Answer (And the Best Next Step)
For most Long Beach-area compliance programs, Atlas Backflow Services can handle submitting the official backflow test report to the water purveyor or city.
When an owner-only portal or special circumstance applies, we’ll provide the correctly completed paperwork so you can submit it without confusion.If you want the smoothest path, our Backflow Testing Long Beach experts recommend:
Schedule your test early, confirm who your purveyor is, and verify your report is marked “accepted” before the due date.
Ready to Make Reporting Easy?
Atlas Backflow Services helps take the stress out of compliance—testing, documentation, and (in most cases) submission—so you can focus on running your property or business.
If you’re unsure who your water purveyor is or what they require, we can help you figure it out as part of the process.If you’d like, tell me your property type (home, multifamily, restaurant, etc.) and who your water provider is, and I can tailor a short “what to expect” checklist for your exact situation.