Shifting Paradigms: How Proactive Strategies Are Revolutionizing Pipeline Management

By Logan Fesenmair-Black, Manager of Strategy at Xylem

Utilities are evolving their approach to managing buried infrastructure from reactive emergency repairs to proactive risk mitigation, thanks to advanced assessment technologies. These technologies enable utilities to identify, address, and predict pipeline issues before they lead to failures. Traditionally, the aging and deterioration of underground pipelines were hard to detect, leading to costly failures and unnecessary replacements. Today, utilities use a combination of risk analysis, condition assessment, and predictive analytics to create data-driven management plans that extend pipeline life, reduce costs, and enhance network reliability. This approach helps utilities address limited resources and aging infrastructure while maximizing return on investment. Proactive management not only improves service quality but also builds stronger support from customers and stakeholders. The tools for implementing these strategies are available, and the challenge is activating these resources effectively.