The Water Online Show
The Water Online Show is a network of podcasts serving the water and wastewater treatment and engineering communities, delivering the latest in industry news, regulatory guidance, technology solutions, and management best practices. Produced by Water Online, the industry’s premier information resource, Water Online pods feature entertaining conversations with thought leaders, decision-makers, and innovators, helping you to stay on top of your profession and better protect the world’s most precious resource. Be sure to subscribe so that you don’t miss an episode.
The Water Online Show
Return On Investment By Modernizing Utility Operations
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In the latest episode of The Water Online Show, host Travis Kennedy sits down with Bobby Barker, Senior Director of Global Utility at Geospace, to explain why the humble water valve is being reimagined as a powerhouse of ROI.
The most immediate drain on a utility’s budget often isn't a pipe leak—it's the vehicle. Barker reveals that a single manual disconnect and reconnect cycle can cost between $200 and $300 when accounting for labor, fuel, and safety risks. By automating this process, smart valves eliminate "windshield time" and allow staff to focus on more critical tasks. While most infrastructure projects are measured in decades, Barker asserts that a targeted deployment of smart valves can achieve a full return on investment in as little as two to three months, a timeline he describes as a "nothing burger" compared to traditional lifecycle costs.