How value engineering is helping small systems secure big dollars

James Rhoades highlights the significant pain point for small utilities: navigating bureaucratic funding processes while simultaneously managing day-to-day operations like billing and water line repairs.

Benesch's approach to value engineering directly addresses this by streamlining what can typically be a lengthy process, minimizing the time burden on clients. He cites his hometown of Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania (less than 4,000 people), where Benesch secured $2 million in design funds for the water authority through the IIJA, enabling them to proceed with construction funds and leverage their grant eligibility as an underserved community.

Rhoades expresses hope that more firms will adopt similar approaches to assist the over 150 small water and wastewater systems in the nation, aiming to get them off violation lists and improve overall water infrastructure.

(Editor's note: The description for this video was written with the assistance of generative AI.)