by Harry Dunn-Davenport
This article was published in the Spring 2026 issue of our newsletter.
I think we can all agree that the cost of just about everything has gone up significantly recently, especially in the water and wastewater fields. Projects that were quoted just two years ago have almost doubled in price. I understand that the cost of materials has gone up significantly along with the cost of construction and engineering.
So where can we cut costs? In today’s world it is more important than ever to look for ways we can save a few dollars.
I have traveled to countless water systems throughout the state, and a few things have really stood out to me about working relationships. Some towns work very nicely between different departments. They have a cohesive understanding that by working together, they can save taxpayers a significant amount of money.
However, there definitely are towns that have contentious relationships between departments, so this sort of collaboration doesn’t happen. Fire districts may not have a working relationship with town government.
Partnering with the town garage or department of public works could be a way to reduce costs for projects that involve excavation.
Whether it is a fire district or a water department, both are responsible for keeping costs affordable for the users of the system. Working together can be a way to save money. For example, the town’s public works department, town garage, or highway department could help with excavation during a repair project, rather than hiring a private company to do this.
Fire districts could establish a working relationship with the town(s) they serve, and contract with the public works department for services like excavation.
I asked some operators at different systems about what works well and doesn’t work well in regards to inter-departmental relationships. Here is some of the advice I got from Alan-Glen Burnell, chief operator for the Town of Poultney, and Mitchell Gallison, chief operator for Vergennes-Panton Water District:
1. Towns are already beginning to ask water departments, highway departments, and town garages to work more closely together. So start building and cherishing those bonds.
2. Cohesive relationships come from a place of mutual respect. If your water system includes multiple towns and multiple road crews, let the appropriate department know of any work that might happen on their road, regardless of what time it is. Sometimes even a text will do, like for an emergency repair at 2 am. Understand that people are busy and it’s best to have projects scheduled well in advance.
3. Pop in to chat from time to time. We all know those people who tend to make an appearance only when they need something. Don’t be that person. Stop in even if it’s just to share a stupid joke.
The rise in project costs is coming as water systems are entering phase two of the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions, which requires systems with lead, galvanized, or unknown service lines to develop a Service Line Replacement Plan by 2027. Systems must identify the materials of unknown service lines and replace all lead and galvanized pipes within 10 years.
These tasks come with big sticker prices. I have been to multiple systems and have seen the estimates for phase two of the lead and galvanized pipe removal projects. One item that really sticks out to me is the cost for locating and identifying unknown service lines. Sometimes the cost for this is $20k or more, and that is just identifying the pipe material. Most of these estimates are for outside contractors to come in and do the digging.
If towns and fire districts can bridge the gap between departments and work together, they can significantly reduce the cost of lead service line replacements. We are all on the same team and we should all have the same goal of reducing costs for the users of the system in a safe and compliant way.
As projects get astronomically more expensive, let’s try to reduce costs where we can. Building constructive, lasting relationships not only creates a better team but also reduces costs to the end user. Who doesn’t like saving a little cash?