Water Authority Doesn’t Have Your Backflow Device on Record? Here’s Exactly What to Do in Long Beach

If you’ve ever called your water authority to confirm your annual backflow test only to hear, “We don’t have your device on file,” you’re not alone.

This situation is surprisingly common—especially for newer owners, recently renovated properties, and buildings with older plumbing records.

The good news: it’s usually fixable without major drama, as long as you take the right steps and document everything correctly.

Below is a clear, action-oriented guide to help you resolve missing device records quickly using the backflow testing Long Beach experts recommend.

Atlas Backflow Services works with Long Beach-area customers to locate devices, verify details, test them properly, and help get them recorded so you can stay compliant.

Why your backflow device might not be on record (even if it’s installed)

A missing record doesn’t always mean the device is illegal or unapproved. It often means the paperwork didn’t follow the device through the years. Common reasons include:

• Property ownership changes where maintenance history wasn’t transferred

• Remodels or tenant improvements that altered plumbing without updated reporting

• Device replacements done without proper registration or final documentation

• Old paper records that were never digitized or were misfiled

• Address/unit mismatches (suite numbers, parcel changes, or incorrect service addresses)

• Multiple meters/devices on one property where only one is listed

Whatever the cause, your goal is the same: confirm what’s installed, gather the right device information, and submit what the water authority needs to add it to their system—ideally with help from the backflow testing Long Beach experts recommend.

Step 1: Don’t panic—and don’t assume you’re exempt

The biggest mistake people make is thinking, “If the authority doesn’t have it listed, maybe I don’t need testing.” In reality, if a backflow prevention assembly is installed and required by your plumbing configuration, you’re typically responsible for keeping it tested and documented, even while the record issue is being corrected.Atlas Backflow Services can help you move forward with the backflow testing Long Beach experts recommend while you work on the administrative side.

Step 2: Locate the device and identify what you actually have

Before the water authority can record your device, you need accurate information. A certified tester or backflow specialist can help confirm the device location and type. Common install locations include:

• Near the water meter or service entrance

• In an irrigation box (often in front landscaping)

• Along a side yard service line

• In a mechanical room for commercial buildings

• On fire lines (often handled under separate requirements)

Key details typically needed for registration:

• Device type (e.g., RP/RPZ, DC, PVB, SVB)

• Manufacturer

• Model number

• Size (e.g., 3/4", 1", 2")

• Serial number

• Installation location description (and sometimes photos)

Using the backflow testing Long Beach experts recommend matters here because “close enough” information can lead to rejected forms or the device being added incorrectly—creating future compliance headaches.

Step 3: Check your own records for clues (you may already have what they need)

Before you start making calls, look for:

• Prior backflow test reports

• A purchase invoice or plumbing receipt for device installation/replacement

• A city permit or inspection sign-off (for certain work)

• Irrigation or landscape contractor documentation

• HOA/management maintenance files (for multifamily properties)

Even an old test report can provide the serial number and model—two pieces of data that often unlock everything.If you can’t find anything, Atlas Backflow Services can still help by collecting device details during the backflow testing Long Beach experts recommend and preparing you to submit clean, verifiable info.

Step 4: Call the water authority with the right questions (and document the answers)

When you contact the water authority, ask specific questions so you don’t get stuck in a loop:

• “Is there a device listed under a different address format (unit, suite, parcel)?”

• “Is the device possibly listed under a previous owner’s name?”

• “Do you have a record for the meter number even if not the device?”

• “What exact information do you require to add/register a backflow assembly?”

• “Do you need a test report, an installation form, photos, or all of the above?”

• “Where do I submit documents, and how long does it take to update your system?”

Write down the representative’s name, date/time, and any case/reference number. This paper trail can be helpful if penalties or deadlines come up later.

Step 5: Get the device tested anyway (and ensure the report is complete)

Even if the device is “not on record,” you can often still test it and use that report as supporting documentation. A thorough test report—completed by a qualified professional—typically includes the same identifying details the authority needs to create the record.

This is one reason customers rely on Atlas Backflow Services for the backflow testing Long Beach experts recommend: accurate testing plus properly filled documentation reduces the odds of a rejected submission.If the device fails, you may need repair or replacement and a retest before the authority will finalize the record. Handling that quickly helps keep you compliant.

Step 6: If the device is missing, inaccessible, or incorrect—address the physical issue

Sometimes the real problem isn’t paperwork; it’s that the device:

• Was removed during prior work

• Is buried, boxed in, or inaccessible

• Is installed but not testable (no proper test cocks/clearance)

• Is the wrong type for the hazard level

• Was installed in a way that doesn’t meet current requirements

In these cases, a certified backflow professional can explain the best path forward—whether that’s relocating the assembly, replacing it, or coordinating with a licensed plumber for corrections. Then you can proceed with the backflow testing Long Beach experts recommend once the assembly is properly installed and accessible.

Step 7: Submit a complete “registration package” (not just one document)

To get the fastest approval, aim to submit everything the authority might ask for in one go. Depending on the provider, a strong submission often includes:

• A current test report

• Clear photos of the assembly showing the serial number plate

• The service address and (if applicable) suite/unit details

• Meter number (if requested)

• Any available installation/permit documentation

The more complete your packet, the less back-and-forth you’ll deal with.

How Atlas Backflow Services helps when a device isn’t on record

When the water authority doesn’t have your device on record, you need two things: accurate device identification and clean compliance documentation.

Atlas Backflow Services focuses on making that process straightforward with the backflow testing Long Beach experts recommend, including:

• Locating and identifying the assembly details (model/serial/size)

• Performing certified testing and documenting results clearly

• Helping you understand what to submit and why

• Advising next steps if the device fails or needs correction

The goal is simple: get your device properly recorded and keep you on track for annual compliance going forward.

Quick FAQ: Missing backflow device records

Will I get penalized if the device isn’t on file?

Policies vary. Some authorities issue notices once they detect a cross-connection or learn a device exists. That’s why it’s smart to act quickly and use the backflow testing Long Beach experts recommend to create solid documentation.

Can the water authority add my device based on a test report?

Often, yes—especially if the report includes complete device identification. Some authorities may also require an installation form or photo verification.

What if I truly can’t find a backflow device?

Then it’s time for an on-site assessment. Your property may still require protection depending on plumbing setup (irrigation, fire line, boilers, etc.). Atlas Backflow Services can help evaluate and guide the next step.

Final takeaway: fix the record issue now, then stay ahead of the deadline

If the water authority doesn’t have your device on record, treat it like a time-sensitive admin problem—one that’s easiest to solve with accurate details and a current test report. Get the device identified, tested, and properly documented using the backflow testing Long Beach experts recommend.

For Long Beach property owners and managers who want a clean path to compliance, Atlas Backflow Services is ready to help you verify your device, complete your testing, and support the documentation you need to get it officially on file.