He Who Pays the Piper- The Critical Need for Redundancy and Spares for Water Systems

In a climate with long lead times and shipments that move at a glacial pace, it is still surprising how often a water system’s maintenance schedule or having spare parts are just an afterthought. In some cases, the water system can be supporting 50% or more of the business’s operations, yet its significants is ignored. So what happens when the water system cannot keep up with demand or completely checks out- you are going to wish you had back up water system. Now what I’m saying isn’t exactly earth-shattering, but it happens more often than you think – but why? It is usually one of two reasons: the person who controls the finances has no idea of how decisions affect the end user or they are trying to save money or allocate it elsewhere. Let’s look at some ways to work through this.

Two is One, One is None

If your organization can afford it and has space, have a full redundancy system. Even if your backup system is not to the same capacity as the main system, some production is better than no production. During the system design this was most likely addressed, but if not, have the designer see what can be done.

If you cannot have a full backup, insist on having spare parts of the critical components. Review the entire system and log various valves, pumps, tanks, and major components, etc. Categorize the parts by what can be easily sourced, by cost or even shelf life to get an idea of where your organization stands. With supplier lead times being similar to how comets are predicted to return, it behooves anyone to have spares on site if your budget allows it. This is especially critical in Bermuda—you’re trying to do everything in the middle of the Atlantic.

Vigilance is Key

What if your space is too small for a backup system, or critical spares are too expensive? You keep detailed logs of everything. Every machine has maintenance schedules, consumable life, optimal temperatures, and other working conditions so keeping regular logs are valuable. They help predict when something will fail. Turning this data into charts or graphs makes it easier to share with those who can assist. Start by discussing the data and your concerns with your superior, then consider bringing it to senior management if needed. This keeps everyone informed and involved.

So even if you can’t make headway with the financial controller of your organization, or if you are the controller, implementing some or all of these will help keep your system moving along smoothly. If you need help reviewing and identifying critical areas of your water system, reach out to Wet Work.