If you manage a cross-connection control program, you already know the reality: compliance tracking means stacks of faxed test reports, manual spreadsheet entry, and constant follow-up calls to testers who haven't filed. It's a system designed for the 1990s running in 2026. FlowCert offers a modern alternative — and it doesn't cost your department a dime.
The Spreadsheet Problem
Most water utilities track backflow assemblies in Excel or Access databases maintained by one or two staff members. This creates several critical vulnerabilities:
- Single point of failure: If the person who manages the spreadsheet leaves, institutional knowledge goes with them
- Data entry errors: Transcribing test results from paper forms introduces typos and mismatched serial numbers
- No real-time visibility: Reports arrive weeks after testing, making proactive enforcement impossible
- Audit vulnerability: When state regulators audit your program, reconstructing records from disparate sources is time-consuming and error-prone
How FlowCert Replaces Manual Tracking
When backflow testers in your jurisdiction use FlowCert, their test data flows directly into your authority portal — no faxing, no emailing, no data entry on your end.
The Workflow
- A certified tester completes a backflow test on-site
- They enter results into FlowCert's mobile-friendly wizard (takes ~30 seconds)
- FlowCert generates a city-compliant PDF report and files it automatically
- The device, test result, and compliance status appear in your authority portal immediately
- Your staff monitors compliance from the portal dashboard — no manual steps required
What Changes for Your Staff
Instead of opening envelopes and typing data into spreadsheets, your cross-connection control staff can:
- Monitor compliance rates in real time from a web dashboard
- Search for specific devices by serial number or address
- Filter to see only overdue or never-tested assemblies
- Focus enforcement efforts on the properties that actually need attention
Case Study: A Typical Month
Consider a mid-size utility district with 500 registered backflow assemblies:
- Before FlowCert: Staff receives ~40 test reports per month via email and fax. Each takes 8–10 minutes to process (open, read, enter data, file). Total: ~6 hours/month on data entry alone. Overdue devices are identified retroactively during quarterly reviews.
- After FlowCert: Test results appear in the portal automatically. Staff spends 15 minutes per week reviewing the dashboard. Overdue devices are flagged in real time. Data entry time: zero.
Getting Started Is Simple
There's no RFP, no IT project, no budget approval needed. Here's the process:
- Contact FlowCert to register your utility
- We set up your branded portal (typically same-day)
- Share FlowCert with the certified testers in your jurisdiction
- As testers adopt the platform, your portal populates automatically
Accelerating Tester Adoption
The fastest way to get value from the portal is to encourage your jurisdiction's testers to use FlowCert. Many authorities include FlowCert in their approved tester communications or recommend it during certification renewals. Since FlowCert offers a free Starter plan, there's no cost barrier for testers to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this replace our existing tracking system?
FlowCert can complement or replace your existing system. Many utilities run both in parallel during a transition period, then phase out manual tracking as FlowCert adoption reaches critical mass in their jurisdiction.
What data do we see vs. what the tester sees?
You see device registrations, test results, compliance status, and submission confirmations. You do not see tester personal information, pricing, invoices, or other business data. The tester sees their own client and device management tools.
Is this a subscription service?
No. The authority portal is free and remains free. FlowCert's business model is built on the tester side — utilities benefit without paying.