To make the best choice for their utilities and customers, design engineers and utility managers need to look beyond the basics when evaluating pipeline materials. By taking in the big picture—including a pipeline’s full life cycle and the essential factors that affect it—they can make smarter, more impactful decisions.  The true worth of a pipeline as an asset goes beyond just its initial price tag—it’s about understanding all the factors that influence its longevity and reliability. This webinar will provide tools to assess the complete life cycle cost for pipelines tied to both installation and long-term operation.

First, we will dive into an innovative model developed by researchers from the University of Michigan, giving utilities and engineers a powerful tool to assess the complete life cycle cost of water transmission and distribution pipelines. Designed specifically to compare ductile iron (DI) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipes—two of the most widely used materials in the utility industry—this model incorporates key factors like:

The production and consumption of raw materials,

During the second part of the webinar we will explore The Total Cost Equation (TCE).  TCE is a game-changer for responsibly evaluating bid proposals across pipeline materials, uncovering that the real cost difference between options goes far beyond the initial per-foot price. TCE brings a deeper analysis, factoring in crucial elements tied to both installation and long-term operation. Relying solely on the upfront cost per foot can be misleading—often concealing hidden expenses down the line. This presentation examines the interwoven contributive costs of:

·        The initial bid pipe price along with the distinct bedding required for each material,

·        corrosion protection costs and/or the maintenance of same over time,

·        tapping requirements and line locating costs,

·        operational energy cost disparities over time, and

·        other tangible advantages provided by the extended service life of DI pipe.

 Who Should Attend: Water utility professionals, engineers, operators, asset managers, sustainability experts, and decision-makers

Presenters

Roy Mundy, Senior Regional Engineer-Sales Operations Group McWane Ductile

Roy has extensive experience in the waterworks profession having spent 35 years working up through the ranks at American Water Company to reach the position of President and CEO of AWC's Kentucky-American Water Company. Roy then served as the Commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Vehicle Regulation in the Transportation Cabinet before becoming an instructor and Vice-President of Advancement with Midway College in Kentucky.

At McWane, Roy leads specification development pursuits on major projects and with major utilities both public and private as well as support relationships with those utilities and major consulting engineering firms. Roy is based out of Lexington, Kentucky and operates throughout the states east of the Mississippi River.

Roy has BS in Civil Engineering and a MS in Engineering Management from West Virginia University.  He is a registered Professional Engineer in six (6) states. 

Jeff Houser, New England District Manager McWane Ductile

Jeff started his career in the water works industry in 1989 in a small family run water works supply house in Rutland, VT. During the next 3 years Jeff was introduced to the water & waste water markets in a variety of applications & users. Having been considered a hands-on type individual, these new challenges in developing knowledge in sales and installation of a vast assortment of products began. In 1992 Jeff accepted a position with McWane Ductile, a second generation to work for the company, managing a sales territory of Northern New England. Throughout the years Jeff has been elevated from entry level sales representative, to District Manager in New York, and more recently, the past 10+ years as New England District Manager. Jeff has been exposed to several unique situations in the proper application, handling & installation of Ductile Iron Pipe.