04/28/2026
Cross-connection control programs don’t fail because people don’t care, they fail because they lack system, structure, and support.
For municipalities, protecting the drinking water supply goes far beyond having rules on paper.
It requires a program that functions consistently across teams and over time:
🔹 System – Organized processes for tracking devices, inspections, testing, and compliance.
Without a reliable system, even the best intentions fall apart.
🔹 Structure – Clear SOPs, defined roles, and accountability.
Everyone, from inspectors to customer service to management, needs to understand exactly what happens, when, and why.
🔹 Support – The tools, training, and interdepartmental coordination needed to keep everything aligned.
Cross-connection control doesn’t live in one department, it requires collaboration between utilities, billing, permitting, and enforcement.
When these elements are in place, programs become proactive, defensible, and scalable.
When they’re not, gaps form, and that’s where risk lives.
The question is: does your program have all three?