Two weeks ago, we asked a simple question:
“If you could automate one thing in your job tomorrow, what would it be?”
We posed that question because automation in water utility operations isn’t just about fancy tech — it’s about solving real, daily frustrations that eat up time and energy. The response? It sparked an important conversation — not always in our inbox, but across industry forums, case studies, and articles where operators have been sharing their pain points for years.
So we dug in.
Based on dozens of interviews, trade publications, and field reports, here’s what most water professionals actually want to automate — and why it matters.
- Chasing Test Reports and Reminders
It’s the #1 time-waster. Property owners forget. Testers delay. Compliance officers are left sending manual reminders and following up repeatedly. Automating scheduled notifications, overdue alerts, and escalations could save dozens of hours per month — and improve compliance rates without the babysitting. - Manual Data Entry Across Multiple Systems
Still using spreadsheets, PDFs, and shared drives? You’re not alone. Many cities rely on disjointed systems that require the same information to be entered multiple times. Operators want seamless integration — test results, inventory changes, and compliance status updated once and synced everywhere. - Scheduling and Tracking Backflow Tests
Knowing which devices are due for testing (and when) is critical — but far too often, that data lives in outdated formats. Automating device lifecycle tracking and syncing it with local tester networks or scheduling tools can streamline this entire process. - Generating and Sending Compliance Letters
Operators don’t want to be in the document formatting business. They want templates, auto-filled data, and click-to-send communication — not hours spent customizing Word documents and licking envelopes. - Organizing and Filtering Historical Device Data
Backflow device histories — repairs, replacements, failed tests — are often scattered across PDFs or siloed folders. What operators want is searchable, filterable access. Automation tools that surface key trends, flag patterns, or even detect anomalies would change the game. - Contractor and Tester Coordination
Field crews often rely on outdated contact sheets or inconsistent emails to coordinate with testers. Automation here could mean standardized notifications, live dashboards, or even opt-in alerts for testers when new jobs are posted or deadlines approach. - Reporting for Leadership and Regulatory Agencies
Monthly reports, annual summaries, audit preparation — these eat up far more time than they should. Operators want one-click reporting that reflects real-time data, complete with visuals and exportable formats. - Device Inventory Management
With thousands of devices to monitor, manually updating model numbers, install dates, and service histories is a nightmare. Automated syncing from tester reports, barcode/QR tracking, and cloud-based inventories are high on the wish list.
So, Why Are These the Top Automation Targets?
Because none of them require human judgment — just human oversight. They’re repetitive, rules-based, and prone to error when done manually. And they take operators away from the work they actually want to do — protecting water quality, responding to emergencies, planning future systems.
What This Means for the Future of Backflow Program Management
At Flo-Trace, we’re building toward a future where automation does the heavy lifting, and operators stay in control. That means reducing friction, improving visibility, and giving you tools that work with your process — not against it.
The automation wishlist from across the industry isn’t a dream — it’s a blueprint. And it’s one we’re working hard to bring to life.
What Would You Add to This List?
We’re still collecting insights. If there’s something we missed — something you wish you could automate but haven’t seen a solution for — we want to hear it. Send us your thoughts at news@flo-trace.com. No pressure. No sales pitch. Just tell us what slows you down.