Water and wastewater worksites are filled with opportunities for improvement. Many municipalities and companies in this sector recognize their projects can be done in a better way. They are increasingly open to embracing innovation, technology and a changing mindset to open doors to transform their worksites by achieving greater speed, efficiency and productivity.
Constantly evolving regulations are applying new pressures on water and wastewater projects. Larger, more complex projects and tighter labor markets add to the stress of tight timelines and budgets. While these factors aren’t new, what is new is how the interplay of these factors is creating complexity at today’s worksites.
Organizations are looking for equipment rental partners to support them across all these business challenges. Municipalities and companies want an equipment rental provider they can trust, someone who can help them take control of equipment, getting the right equipment, where and when they need it. They want a provider that can deliver on the promise of innovation and technology to get the job done.
Taking An All-Inclusive Approach
In tackling projects at water and wastewater sites, such as bypasses, emergency repairs and scheduled maintenance, municipalities and contractors are poised to take advantage of new innovations to improve worksite performance. Equipment, data, safety and expertise are the pillars behind the transformation, with organizations aiming to approach them in an all-inclusive way to improve worksite performance.
Let’s look at each of these pillars.
Equipment. Equipment availability and reliability are essential to helping entities achieve worksite success. Project complexity typically leads to different project phases requiring different equipment solutions and customers need to tap a broad inventory to address specific tasks through a job lifecycle. With respect to the nature of water and wastewater sites, having a rental provider with a broad offering of submersible pumps, both electric and hydraulic for applications more than 25-feet below grade, as well as diesel pumps for larger flows, is crucial. Specialty solutions, such as trench protection systems and on-site services like hand-washing stations and hand sanitizer dispensers, are also important.Data. In our digital-first world, data is the currency of the worksite, providing a real-time look into equipment, people and resources. Digital capabilities like telematics, online self-service tools and benchmarking equipment utilization provide organizations with the visibility to put actionable data into the hands of more people. The democratization of data drives better decision making and real cost-savings at worksites. Expect to see organizations look to extend the power of data farther into the field, onto the worksite, to even more users. Access to data for additional users brings the decision making closer to the work which increases
efficiency and saves money by reducing under-utilized equipment.Safety. Worker health and worksite safety are business imperatives. The risk presented by an unsafe worksite can cost a great deal in time and money. Creating a successful safety culture is often a top priority – driving both worker well-being and worksite productivity. Rental providers can help customers achieve these goals with safety and operational training. Courses such as excavation safety for competent persons, confined space entry, fall protection and equipment operator certifications can reduce that risk. Training also may include helping organizations educate personnel on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines.Expertise. Equipment rental is no longer purely transactional. Today, organizations rely more on outside expertise on their worksites. As an example, tapping into the expertise of a professional engineer to review the conditions of a complex sewer bypass can help ensure safe velocities are maintained so that pump cavitation does not occur. Perhaps as important as having the right equipment is working with a company that has expertise in solving complex challenges and working with owners and contractors in a cooperative way that satisfies the needs and safety of all parties involved. Oftentimes “outside the box” thinking will be required, and working with a rental provider with experience on multiple projects can be a key factor in the success of a project. Before beginning any project, it is always best practice to consult the necessary experts regarding the specific circumstances, applicable rules, regulations and advice to get the job done safely and efficiently.
