How value engineering is helping small systems secure big dollars

Benesch's James Rhoades explains the challenges small utilities face in navigating bureaucratic funding processes, and shares a streamlined approach to value engineering that minimizes time burden on utilities.

Bob Crossen

Alex Cossin

June 12, 2025

James Rhoades highlights the significant pain point for small utilities: navigating bureaucratic funding processes while simultaneously managing day-to-day operations like billing and water line repairs.

Benesch's approach to value engineering directly addresses this by streamlining what can typically be a lengthy process, minimizing the time burden on clients. He cites his hometown of Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania (less than 4,000 people), where Benesch secured $2 million in design funds for the water authority through the IIJA, enabling them to proceed with construction funds and leverage their grant eligibility as an underserved community.

Rhoades expresses hope that more firms will adopt similar approaches to assist the over 150 small water and wastewater systems in the nation, aiming to get them off violation lists and improve overall water infrastructure.

(Editor's note: The description for this video was written with the assistance of generative AI.)

About the Author

Bob Crossen

Editorial Director

Bob Crossen is the editorial director for WaterWorld Magazine, Wastewater Digest, Stormwater Solutions, and Water Quality Products, which compose the Endeavor Business Media Water Group. Crossen graduated from Illinois State University in Dec. 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts in German and a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism. He has worked in business-to-business journalism covering the drinking water, wastewater, stormwater and point-of-use/point-of-entry markets since April or 2016. Crossen can be reached at [email protected] or 847.954.7980.

Alex Cossin

Associate Editor

Alex Cossin is the associate editor for Waterworld Magazine, Wastewater Digest and Stormwater Solutions, which compose the Endeavor Business Media Water Group. Cossin graduated from Kent State University in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism. Cossin can be reached at [email protected].