Frugal Municipalities: How to Save Big on Large Projects

Water and wastewater utilities across the country are coming up with new ways to save money while still completing large projects. This type of out-of-the-box thinking is becoming more necessary as budgets shrink and regs tighten. Innovative technology, new management tools, and resourceful approaches are keys to success.Bursting pipe, not budgets In Billings, Mont., distribution and collections crews are doing most of the utility’s pipe bursting, which saves up to half the cost of hiring outside contractors.“We started with some rental equipment,” says Scott Emerick, distribution and collections superintendent, talking about the decision to bring the work in-house. “Then we did