Proper maintenance of infrastructure and equipment is essential to prolong the usable life of these assets. With the right strategic approach, the capital investment required for maintenance becomes the most cost-effective solution.

As companies and municipalities face economic challenges, they are required to get more out of their water infrastructure and equipment. Extending the replacement cycles for pumps, filters, mixers, and other components defers the cost of replacing them. Conversely, without regular and proper maintenance, this approach backfires – leading to underperformance, breakdowns, and eventually an expensive catastrophic failure that will necessitate replacement.

“Anyone who has driven an under-maintained car knows it’s a case of diminishing returns,” says Chetan Mistry, strategy and marketing manager at Xylem Africa.

“Fuel consumption goes up, performance declines, and once one thing breaks, it often triggers a domino effect of other issues. Similarly, under-maintenance of water systems invites trouble and unnecessary scheduled maintenance has its drawbacks. The key is to strike a balance that ensures longevity and cost-efficiency.”

This balance is why more private and public water system managers are turning to preventative maintenance agreements (PMAs).

The maintenance conundrum

Water infrastructure and equipment require regular upkeep. For instance, filters and tanks may need annual inspections, while other components – though durable for several years, benefit from frequent checks. General inspections are also critical to discovering emerging issues such as leaks or component wear.

Despite its importance, maintenance is often seen as a grudge purchase. It involves costs, disruptions, and logistical headaches. Many site managers adopt an “if it’s not broken don’t fix it” attitude towards maintenance to avoid these difficulties, but this approach ultimately proves costly.

According to the Water Research Council, annual maintenance of infrastructure like pipelines or pump stations can cost less than 1% of their replacement value. By contrast, poor maintenance can reduce a pump’s lifespan by 30% to 50%. The cost of failure extends far beyond the direct cost of repair and replacement of equipment and includes secondary impacts, such as contamination and service interruptions.

Underperforming water systems pose significant risks, especially in industrial settings. For example, low water pressure can compromise fire prevention, and failed dewatering systems can endanger fragile areas.

To address these challenges, a suitable maintenance strategy needs to be adopted to ensure cost-effective reliable operations. The shift away from reactive maintenance (operate to fail) to condition-based maintenance, provides owners of water infrastructure and pumping equipment an opportunity to reduce maintenance costs while extending the usable lifespan of their assets efficiently.

Implementing such systems with limited resources and expertise can become overwhelming. This is where preventative maintenance agreements (PMA) stand out.

How PMAs reduce costs and improve reliability

A preventative maintenance agreement is a supplier-managed solution that provides structured, cost-effective maintenance. A well-designed PMA offers numerous benefits, including:

• Predictable maintenance budgets
• Detailed equipment status reports after each inspection
• Priority service from authorised technicians
• 24-hour emergency response guarantees
• Unlimited telephone support
• Extended warranty protection for equipment.

Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are uniquely positioned to deliver high-value PMAs. By auditing a site’s equipment and tailoring maintenance plans to its budget and scope, OEMs can offer solutions that meet both operational and financial needs.

Cost-effectiveness of PMAs

PMAs save costs in three key ways:

1. Proactive issue resolution
   By addressing potential problems early and using OEM replacement parts, PMAs reduce the likelihood of failures.
2. Fewer site visits
   With lower failure rates, inspection intervals are tailored to the equipment in use and the specific site conditions. Inspections may vary from four to one inspection per year.
3. Access to skilled technicians
   PMA clients benefit from expert technicians who complete tasks efficiently, without incurring additional costs for critical repairs or advanced workshop services.

“Maintenance is resource-intensive, requiring staff, money, and time,” explains Mistry.

“While some tasks can be handled by on-site teams, they often have competing priorities. Unexpected or critical repairs can become prohibitively expensive. A PMA alleviates this burden, providing predictable costs and ensuring equipment up-time.”

Versatility beyond OEM products

PMA benefits are not limited to a specific vendor’s products. Leading OEMs, such as Xylem, have the expertise and resources to service third-party equipment. This flexibility ensures that all systems on-site remain productive, allowing staff to focus on other priorities while managers maintain cost predictability and uptime.

A well-designed preventative maintenance agreement delivers value by ensuring water infrastructure and equipment remain reliable and cost-effective. By planning for maintenance rather than reacting to failures, companies and municipalities can navigate economic challenges with confidence, extending the life of their assets and avoiding costly disruptions and service delivery challenges.

When it comes to maintaining water systems, the right PMA ensures equipment keeps doing its job – efficiently, reliably, and within budget.

According to the Water Research Council, annual maintenance of infrastructure like pipelines or pump stations can cost less than 1% of their replacement value. By contrast, poor maintenance can reduce a pump’s lifespan by 30% to 50%.