How to Justify AI for Sewer Inspections to Your Boss (Without Losing Your Mind)

Let’s be honest: getting your boss to approve ANY new technology can feel like trying to explain TikTok to your grandparents. You know it’s useful. You know it’s the future. But somehow you end up defending it like you’re on trial.

If that’s you right now, deep breath. We’ve got your back.

Here’s your cheat sheet for making a rock-solid case for AI-powered sewer inspections (and yes, that means PipeAid).

1. Start with the pain points they already complain about.

Your boss probably doesn’t care about “AI algorithms” or “digital twins.”

But they do care about things like:

·       Budgets being blown on avoidable repairs

·       Crews spending too much time on rework

·       Inspectors disagreeing on how to code the same defect

·       Endless data sitting unused in a folder somewhere

Open the conversation with the problems keeping everyone up at night.

Then say the magic words: “There’s a smarter way to do this.”

2. Show them how AI actually makes their life easier.

Make it about them, not the tech.

PipeAid helps you:

·       Get consistent, unbiased defect coding

·       Cut review time dramatically

·       Catch the issues humans miss

·       Give leadership accurate, defensible data

·       Pull everything into GIS so the system basically maps itself

That means fewer surprises, fewer arguments, and fewer “why didn’t we catch this earlier?” emails.

3. Address the “Is AI going to take jobs?” question head-on.

Spoiler: No.

AI doesn’t replace inspectors; it replaces the tedious parts of their job.

Your team still makes the final calls. PipeAid just gets the tedious data coding and cleanup out of the way, so you can focus on the important stuff.

The message: AI is a tool, not a takeover.

4. Bring receipts (the financial kind).

Leadership speaks fluent ROI.

Hit them with the numbers:

·       Faster coding = lower project costs

·       More accurate data = fewer unnecessary fixes

·       Automated QA/QC = less time spent on review

·       Better defect predictions = more accurate capital planning

PipeAid doesn’t just speed things up; it reduces long-term risk. That’s music to any decision maker’s ears.

5. Remind them that the industry has shifted.

Cities across the country are adopting AI tools for inspection and asset management.

Waiting to implement AI tools may feel like you are saving  money today, but it just means catching up later, usually at a higher cost.

You’re not asking for a gamble.

You’re asking to keep pace with where wastewater management is quickly going.

6. Remove the procurement anxiety.

This is the part where you watch their shoulders relax.

PipeAid is available through BuyBoard and Carahsoft, which means if your organization uses these cooperatives, the contracting process is already done for you.

No reinventing the wheel. No long RFP. No legal marathon.

Just choose the contract and go. PipeAid is pay as you go so no upfront software costs.

7. End with the kicker: “We’re not holding your data hostage.”

Bosses love control. PipeAid gives it to them.

Your data stays your data.

You can export it anytime, plug it into GIS, and use it however you need.

That freedom builds trust and it’s a huge differentiator.

The Bottom Line

You’re not trying to sell your boss on a shiny piece of tech.

You’re giving them a solution that:

·       Reduces risk

·       Cuts costs

·       Improves accuracy

·       Makes planning easier

·       And removes procurement headaches

In other words… a solution that makes them look good.