Orbit Cross-Connection

Backflow programs run on spreadsheets and reminders.

Cross-connection control is the kind of program every utility has to run and nobody wants to staff for. Annual testing, tester certifications, device inventory, customer compliance — most utilities track all of it in a spreadsheet and a wall calendar. Orbit Cross-Connection brings the program into the same platform as your WOMS, Portal, and Insights.

app.orbitwork.io · cross-connection · annual tests

Backflow Devices · Annual Test Schedule

1,847 devices · 12-month rolling view

Jun

142

Jul

156

Aug

198

Sep

167

Oct

134

Nov

156

Dec

89

Jan

145

Feb

178

Mar

201

Apr

142

May

139
DeviceLocationLast testNext dueStatus
RP-0421142 Main St · CommercialMay 2025Jun 4SMS sent
DC-0887321 Oak · SchoolApr 2025May 28OVERDUE
RP-1042887 Cedar · RestaurantJun 2025Jun 12Scheduled
PVB-0156156 Pine · IrrigationMay 2025Jun 18Tester assigned
DC-0492492 Elm · MedicalApr 2025Jun 22SMS sent

What we hear at the water conference

What we hear from utilities running cross-connection on the side

  • Backflow device inventory lives in a spreadsheet — and the spreadsheet has not been audited since whoever built it changed roles.
  • Annual test reminders go out by phone call and postcard. Customer compliance rates sit below 60%.
  • Tester certifications expire and nobody knows until a test report bounces in review.
  • State compliance reporting requires pulling the same data three different ways for three different agencies.

Cross-connection is exactly the kind of recurring program Orbit's recurring-WO engine was built for — scheduled annually, audit-clean, no single-person dependency.

app.orbitwork.io · audit · WO-2847

Full event timeline

WO-2847 · Hydrant H-142 · Annual Flush

08:42

Created automatically

Recurring schedule (annual)

08:42

Auto-routed to Crew Bravo

Zone-2 · distance 0.8mi

09:11

Crew en route

M. Dingee · GPS pinged

09:34

On site · geofence confirmed

M. Dingee

09:52

Flush completed · 1,240 gal

M. Dingee · flow meter logged

09:55

Photos + data captured

IMG_2847.jpg · IMG_2848.jpg

10:03

AI QA/QC review passed

Auto + PM J. Hicks signed off

10:04

Posted to council report queue

Auto-batched · monthly export

What Orbit Cross-Connection does

A program built into the platform you already run

Device inventory, scheduling, test results, certifications, compliance — same login as Portal, WOMS, and Insights.

Device inventory

Every backflow assembly tied to a service address, with install date, manufacturer, model, and last-test history. Geofenced on the map.

Annual test scheduling

Recurring WO engine fires annually per device. Auto-assigns to certified testers. Customer notification SMS goes out 30/14/7 days ahead.

Test result tracking

Tester enters results in the field via the same mobile app crews already use. Pass/fail logged, retests auto-scheduled, customer notified.

Tester certification tracking

Every certified tester's credentials tracked with expiration alerts. No more bounced test reports because someone's cert lapsed.

Compliance reporting

State compliance formats auto-generated. Customer-compliance dashboards for council. Audit-clean records per device.

Customer non-compliance workflow

Missed tests trigger escalation: SMS reminder → letter → service-shutoff WO. The escalation runs itself.

How utilities use Cross-Connection day-to-day

How cross-connection actually runs on Orbit

C

Compliance Officer

Mid-market utility

Annual test compliance went from 58% to 91%

Old workflow: postcard reminders, phone calls, a spreadsheet of who failed and who is overdue. New workflow: SMS at 30/14/7 days, auto-escalation when missed, customer self-service rescheduling. Compliance jumped 30+ points in 8 months.

I

Independent Tester

Certified backflow tester, contracted

Test results submitted in 30 seconds, not after-hours data entry

Used to fill paper test reports, drive back to the office, transcribe into the utility's spreadsheet. Now he enters results on the phone at the device. Pass/fail logged, retest auto-scheduled if needed, customer notified.

P

Public Works Director

Small utility · side-of-desk program

Program runs itself between annual cycles

Cross-connection was always the program that fell behind — no time to staff it. Orbit's recurring-WO engine fires the annual schedule automatically, sends reminders, escalates non-compliance. He looks at it monthly instead of daily.

One platform, not three integrations

Cross-Connection shares the same data layer.

A backflow test failure surfaces in WOMS for retest, in Portal for resident notification, and in Insights for compliance reporting.

Cross-Conn

Annual test scheduled

Recurring WO fires per device · tester auto-assigned

WOMS

Tester dispatched

Same mobile app, same dispatch board

Test fails — retest required

Auto-creates follow-up WO + customer notification

Portal

Customer notified

SMS with retest scheduling link

Insights

Compliance dashboard updates

Council and state reports stay current

Common questions

Things utilities actually ask about Orbit Cross-Connection

This is exactly the side-of-desk program Orbit's recurring-WO engine was built for. Annual test schedule runs itself. SMS reminders at 30/14/7 days. Escalation when missed. You look at it monthly instead of daily.

Built by people who installed the meters

Built by people who installed 100,000+ water meters across 21 states.

100K+

meters installed

21

states

200+

collectors deployed

We built Orbit because the software our crews were handed didn't work. Then we made it available to every utility we work with.

Live sandbox · No card required

See it with Utility data

Magic-link in and explore a pre-seeded utility workspace. Real WOs, real reports, no setup.

We'll email you a one-time link to utilitysandbox.orbitwork.io

Ready to put your crew in orbit?

Book a 15-minute demo and see how Orbit can streamline your field operations. No commitment, no pressure — just a quick look at what's possible.

See the platform live with your use case
Get answers to your specific questions
Walk away with a clear implementation plan

Book a demo

Fill out the form and we'll be in touch shortly.