The age and condition of our nation's water infrastructure has been well documented. It would take billions of dollars at current value to update, and in most areas of the country, it is a ticking time bomb waiting to explode. We have websites dedicated to showing you the largest and most recent main breaks of the day -- heck they even made a 90 minute video about it titled, "Liquid Assets." What can be puzzling is that many of our customers acknowledge the problems this video portrays but are still slow to embrace new technology.
What is the latest technology?
Whether your choice is metal or plastic, you now have pipe that has reduced wall thicknesses, yet is stronger and able to test at much higher pressure ratings. You can even have pipe that has no joints and can be pulled through your existing pipe; talk about a savings! Throw out your slide rule! Fire hydrants are now available with friction loss coefficients below 2 psi at 900 gpm due to vastly improved casting manufacturing capabilities. Plus, there are new coating processes that not only make your hydrants shine longer, but the paint does not need maintenance for several years.
How about complete lines of service brass that is 100% lead-free and fully compliant with federal standards? You can still use your favorite trusted vendor -- all you need to do is update your standards. Not impressed yet? Have you seen the new water meters that have no moving internal parts? No pistons or discs to wear out and LED registers that take you immediately into the age of Smart Metering.
Tired of tightening bolts and swapping out end rings and gaskets on your pipe repair couplings? Two bolt couplings with ranges that accept a variety of pipe types mean an end to infinite coupling parts inventory. If you are looking for some pampering, you can even buy them now with handles on the barrel to help you at installation. Concerned with your water use accountability? How about high tech leak correlators that operate while you sleep, using components of your existing system? Better yet, use the right AMR reading system and the end points can collect and transmit the leak survey data while your meters are being read.
There is no longer a need to wait for a formal sales presentation in a controlled environment. Check out your WASDA Vendor at www.wasda.com/member_companies.php for product videos, tutorials, and animated installation guidelines. While surfing the web, just punch up the product name on YouTube and you will likely see a live demonstration in real jobsite conditions.
