Who Do I Send the Backflow Test Report To?

Key Takeaways:

• Send your backflow test report to your water purveyor’s Cross‑Connection Control Program—the agency that supplies your water and manages your meter (for example, City of San Diego Public Utilities or your local water district).

• Keep a copy for your records and share it with your property manager or fire authority if they requested it.

• The easiest path? Have the tester submit it for you. At Atlas Backflow Services, our Backflow Testing San Diego experts recommend letting us file directly with the correct agency on your behalf to avoid delays or rejections.

Why this matters

Backflow prevention assemblies protect drinking water from contamination. Most San Diego‑area water purveyors require annual testing(sometimes more often for high‑hazard sites).

Submitting the report to the right authority—on time and in the correct format—is what keeps you compliant and prevents fines, shutoffs, or repeat inspections.

Who is your “water purveyor” in San Diego County?

Your water purveyor is the utility named on your water bill. In the San Diego region, that might be:

• City of San Diego Public Utilities (Cross‑Connection Control Program)

• Helix Water District

• Otay Water District

• Sweetwater Authority

• Padre Dam Municipal Water District

• Vallecitos Water District

• California American Water

• Local city utilities for Chula Vista, Escondido, Oceanside, Carlsbad, etc.

If you’re unsure,check your billor thenotice of required testingyou received. When you work with Atlas Backflow Services, our Backflow Testing San Diego experts recommend emailing us a photo of your notice and device tag—we’ll confirm the purveyor and their submission requirements before we test.

Who should not receive the report (in most cases)

To avoid delays, don’t send your test report to the wrong office:

• Not the County Health Department (unless they are your purveyor or specifically requested it)

• Not the Fire Department for domestic or irrigation backflows (fireline backflows may have separate reporting needs—see below)

• Not the building department unless they’ve asked during a permit process

If your backflow device is on a fire sprinkler system, some jurisdictions also ask for a copy.

Our Backflow Testing San Diego experts recommend letting Atlas Backflow Services route it correctly—to thewater purveyorfirst and any secondary authority that requires a record.

How submission works (and what we do for you)

Every agency has its own rules. Here’s how Atlas Backflow Services handles it:

1. We verify your purveyor and device records. We match serial numbers, size, and location to ensure your report won’t be rejected.

2. We test with calibrated gauges and complete the official report form for your purveyor.

3. We submit the report directly via the method your purveyor requires:

   • Online compliance portals (e.g., BSI Online, SwiftComply, VEPO CrossConnex)

   • Agency email uploads

   • Secure portals hosted by the district

4. We confirm acceptance and provide you with a digital copy for your files.

5. If repairs are needed, we coordinate re‑testing and resubmission so you stay compliant.

Our Backflow Testing San Diego experts recommend this full‑service approach because it prevents the most common headaches: wrong forms, missing device data, and missed due dates.

Deadlines and timing

• Due date: Shown on your notice or tag. Many agencies require testing annually and due on or before the date printed.

• Repairs: If a device fails, most purveyors require prompt repair and re‑test (often within 10–30 days, depending on the agency).

• Proof of submission: Keep the confirmation email or portal receipt. Our Backflow Testing San Diego experts recommend keeping records for at least 3–5 years.

If your deadline is approaching, Atlas Backflow Services can typically test and submit within a tight timeframe—ask about priority scheduling.

What if you want to submit the report yourself?

You can, but watch for these pitfalls:

• Wrong form or missing fields: Many rejections happen because the purveyor needs a specific template, complete with device type, serial number, orientation, and tester gauge details.

• No tester certification attached: Some portals require the tester’s certification and gauge calibration certificates on file.

• Sending to the wrong email/portal: Different districts—even in the same neighborhood—use different systems.

Our Backflow Testing San Diego experts recommend letting us submit for you to avoid back‑and‑forth and late fees. If you still want to submit yourself, we’ll provide the correct completed form and instructions for your purveyor.

Special cases: Fireline, multifamily, and commercial campuses

• Fireline backflow devices: Your water purveyor still wants the report, but your fire authority or insurance carrier may also request a copy. We can send both.

• Multifamily properties and HOAs: You may have multiple devices across common areas. We’ll label, map, and submit each report to the correct account and meter number.

• Campuses and business parks: Different buildings can fall under different purveyors. Our Backflow Testing San Diego experts recommend a master inventory with due dates and purveyor contacts—we’ll build one for you.

How to identify your purveyor in seconds

• Look at the top of your water bill for the utility name.

• Check your Backflow Test Due notice—the sender is usually the purveyor or their compliance vendor.

• Visit your city’s website: search “Cross‑Connection Control” + your city or district.

• Still unsure? Send us the service address and a photo of the device tag. Atlas Backflow Services will verify and confirm where the report must go.

Frequently asked questions

• Can Atlas Backflow Services send the report for me?

  
  

  Yes. Our Backflow Testing San Diego experts recommend full‑service submission, and we include it with testing.

• What formats do agencies accept?

  
  

  Portals, email PDFs, or agency‑specific forms. We handle all three and use calibrated test gauges that meet their documentation requirements.

• What if my device fails?

  
  

  We provide a repair quote, complete the work, and re‑test. We then resubmit a passing report to your purveyor.

• I manage properties in multiple districts. Can you coordinate?

  
  

  Absolutely. We test, track due dates, and submit to each district’s system for worry‑free compliance.

• Do I need to mail anything?

  
  

  Rarely. Most San Diego‑area purveyors accept electronic submissions. If a district requires originals, we’ll handle that.

The bottom line

• Send your backflow test report to your water purveyor’s Cross‑Connection Control Program.

• Let your tester submit it to prevent rejections and late fees.

• Atlas Backflow Services makes it turnkey—testing, repairs (if needed), and official submission with confirmation.

For fast, compliant reporting the Backflow Testing San Diego experts recommend, contact Atlas Backflow Services today and we’ll take it from there.