Cross-connection control programs, with their many moving parts, require significant time, labor, and resources to run. Of course, there’s the administrative component (which is often much larger than utilities think), but what about on-site activities?
Effective programs feature on-site surveys that identify unprotected cross-connections and, when needed, result in enforcement action to bring customers into compliance. But that requires training, certifications, and significant staffing, as well as vehicles, tools, and technology—all of which can run up a hefty bill.
The Cost Breakdown
How do the costs shake out? Actual costs vary significantly depending on your state, cost of living, and insurance and fuel prices. But the principle remains the same: You have to factor in all the costs of operating your cross-connection control program when planning and budgeting to ensure safety, compliance, and efficiency.
Staffing
While survey frequencies depend on state regulations, compliance status, and degree of hazard, many utilities across the country conduct annual surveys of non-residential properties and residential surveys on a five-year basis. A mid-sized utility (approximately 10,000 service connections) typically needs two to three full-time surveyors to cover these recurring surveys. And, just like with every employee, you need to account for salary, benefits, and payroll taxes.
Local salaries differ, but on average, you could be looking at $65,000-$90,000/year in salary per employee, plus an additional 30% for benefits and payroll taxes. That means staffing costs alone can reach $250,000-$350,000 annually—just for cross-connection control surveys.
Fleet Management
Next, each surveyor needs a work vehicle that gets them to every property connected to your distribution system. And vehicles come with costs:
- Initial investment
- Insurance
- Maintenance
- Fuel
- Fleet management software
Mid-sized public water systems can spend anywhere from $12,000 to $18,000 or more annually on fleet management, depending on vehicle age, mileage, and local fuel costs.
Training & Certifications
Most states require cross-connection control surveyors to maintain specific certifications. This means you either need to 1) hire certified surveyors (likely at a higher salary), or 2) pay for the initial training required for certification of a new hire. Either way, every surveyor needs continuing education units (CEUs) to maintain their certification.
Initial certification and CEUs can cost utilities anywhere from $2,500-$4,000 per surveyor, leaving you with costs up to $12,000 for three surveyors on staff.
Equipment & Technology
On-site, surveyors need tools and technology to effectively gather and record data about each service connection. Equipment costs can include:
- Technology like tablets or mobile devices for in-field documentation
- Software to record, photograph, and report survey findings
- Inspection forms
- Vacuum breakers, valve wrenches, and pressure gauges
These costs quickly add up, averaging between $3,000 and $5,000 a year for a mid-sized utility.
Making the Most of Limited Resources
All these costs taken together add up to a pretty penny: $270,000 to $385,000 each year—or more—for two to three full-time surveyors. Factor in the costs of employee turnover, hiring, onboarding, and things like vacation coverage and scheduling conflicts, and that number climbs even higher.
Cross-connection control is far from the only responsibility on your staff’s shoulders. But you have limited resources. Does running your program in-house make sense for your utility’s resources and staffing, your community’s makeup, and your state’s regulations? The answer could be yes, but there might be an easier, more efficient way. How can you tell if outsourcing is right for your public water system?
