• INDUSTRY OUTLOOK •
As a result, valve selection could not be based solely on initial cost; technical performance, durability, and total installed lifetime cost were key factors in the evaluation and decision-making process.
This approach maximized life cycle value while reducing the risk of costly unplanned shutdowns, including valve replacement, regulatory penalties, and lost production.
Another notable example comes from a wastewater utility in the Southeast that initially faced continuous pump run times of 24 hours per day and was subsequently reduced to 1.2 hours per day. By incorporating advanced technology and replacing two critical valves along the force main, it achieved substantial reductions in energy costs. This resulted in an immediate ROI that recouped the cost of the valves within just a few months despite the higher initial expense compared to traditional solutions.
This upgrade not only optimized operational efficiency but also reduced labor requirements for operators and significantly decreased pipeline failure rates.
Collaboration is No Longer Optional
As regulatory pressure mounts, aging infrastructure strains budgets, and effects of climate change increase, water and wastewater operators must seek new ways to deliver reliable, scalable systems.
Collaborative delivery is not just a procurement model; it is a mindset that sees each valve not as a standalone part, but as an intelligent node in an evolving water ecosystem. In that ecosystem, partnership is the new power.
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This article was originally published by the Water Collaborative Delivery Association( WCDA), one of the leading organizations dedicated to advancing collaborative delivery methods in the water sector, including various forms of design-build as well as construction management at risk( CMAR). The association’ s education, research, and advocacy programs help utilities provide high quality, cost effective, and resilient water infrastructure and deliver better projects, together.
• ABOUT THE AUTHORS •
Eli Boone is a National Account manager at Core & Main, supporting strategic clients through collaboration, technical expertise, and early engagement to drive alignment and successful project outcomes.
Sanford D. Pauly is a Core & Main sales professional with 30-plus years in water infrastructure, AWWA leadership, DBIA board service, serving as Kentucky Co-Chair, and collaborative delivery advocacy.
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