Six Criteria To Look For When Selecting An I&I Partner

Choosing the right partner to help your municipality, city or utility stop inflow and infiltration (I&I) is an important decision. It’s a decision that can either save your organization time, money, stress and whole lot more, or pro-long your I&I issues.
When considering a partner to assist with your I&I challenges, consider the following criteria:
- Industry Experience: Experience in the industry, and with the unique situation that you are likely facing is going to be extremely beneficial in your fight against I&I. Ask potential partners for case studies that demonstrate their overall experience, as well as their experience with challenges similar to yours.
- Customer Support: Customer support means your questions will get answered, and your challenges will be solved in a timely manner. When looking into potential I&I partners, call their customer service line. Do you reach a machine, or a person? If you reach a person, ask a few questions to see how they respond.
- Reputation: Reputation is important in any industry. Ask around about the I&I partners that you are considering. Do they have a good reputation, would others in the industry recommend them? If you find that they do not come highly recommended, proceed with caution.
- Product Value: While product cost is often considered, we urge you to consider the overall product value, instead of just the cost. Will the product last a long time? Will the product need to be maintained on a regular basis? Will the product help stop I&I, or just minimize it? All of these factors go into the overall value of the product.
- Availability: When you’re looking to stop I&I, you typically need product quickly. Ask potential partners where their materials are sourced from, and how quickly product can be shipped to you. A long lead-time means your I&I problem will continue until product is available.
- Warranty: Consider the product warranty! A warranty is a safeguard for your organization. It’s also a way for partners to show that they believe in their products. Compare partner warranties for length and what they cover.
We encourage you to ask questions of potential partners, and find the right fit for your organization.
If you’d like to set up time to chat about your I&I issues, give us a call at 800-345-3764 or contact us online.