472 Finding and Fixing the Invisible: Chris MacDonald on Pressure Pipe Inspection and Rehab

In this episode of Scaling Up H2O, host Trace Blackmore welcomes Chris McDonald, CEO and President of CPM Pipelines, to discuss the critical yet often overlooked challenges of pressure pipe inspection and rehabilitation. Chris shares his journey from working with major manufacturers and distributors to founding CPM Pipelines, a company uniquely positioned to offer both inspection and rehabilitation services—something few in the industry do. He emphasizes the importance of proactive, data-driven decision-making in infrastructure maintenance, highlighting a recent project where high-resolution inspection saved a small agency nearly $10 million by pinpointing repairs to just half of a force main. The conversation delves into the massive infrastructure shortfall—estimated at $4 trillion—driven by decades of underinvestment and decentralized development, and how trenchless rehab solutions can reduce costs by 50% and project timelines from months to weeks. Chris also reflects on leadership, team culture, and the need for continuous learning, drawing parallels between urban planning and pipeline systems through the lens of books like 'Seeing Like a State' and 'Antifragile'. The episode closes with a call to action for listeners to stay curious, document their processes, and embrace innovation to solve real-world water infrastructure challenges. Key takeaways include: 1) Proactive pipe inspection prevents costly, reactive replacements; 2) Trenchless rehab can save 50% in costs and time compared to traditional dig-and-replace; 3) The most valuable solution isn't always the most obvious—sometimes it’s finding the exact problem, not replacing the whole system; 4) Documenting processes early enables scalable growth; 5) Success in niche industries like pressure pipe rehab hinges on unique, integrated service models; 6) Leadership is about aligning team values, trusting instincts, and hiring for fit over skill; 7) Reading broadly—especially outside your field—can spark transformative insights; 8) The future of water infrastructure lies in smarter, localized, and sustainable solutions that preserve existing assets.