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Ordering Information:
ORDER NO: 3048
DATE AVAILABLE: Spring 2008
Printed Report
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PDF
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PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS:
Anthony Urquhart andStewart Burn
OBJECTIVES:
The objective of this research was to provide water and wastewater utilities with information on (1) the broad range of available asset condition assessment tools and techniques, and (2) guidance on how to effectively use the identified tools and techniques to improve both long-term planning and day-to-day management of assets.
BACKGROUND:
A Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF) sponsored workshop held in March 2002 identified that there were no standardized guidelines for conducting condition assessments, and that there is a need for protocols to help utilities better understand asset condition and performance. This project was jointly funded by WERF, AwwaRF, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to help fill this knowledge gap.
APPROACH:
The research was carried out in two distinct phases: (1) gathering of information about available condition assessment tools and techniques via a web-based survey and comprehensive literature review, and (2) case study analysis at water and wastewater utilities in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia.
IMPACT:
The report is structured for two distinct audiences: (1) utility planning managers who want to embark upon cost-effective condition and performance assessment programs to support long-term planning decisions, and (2) engineering/maintenance managers seeking to identify and understand the advantages and disadvantages of tools and techniques for measuring the condition and performance of utility assets in order to support daily maintenance and operation of assets. Key aspects of the report include the following:
- Describes and reviews 85 individual condition assessment tools and techniques used in the water and wastewater industry, including a discussion of principles, applications, practical considerations, advantages, and limitations
- Recommends criteria for selecting assessment tools and techniques
- Provides a step-wise approach for developing a cost-effective condition and performance assessment program for water and wastewater utilities
- Provides guidance for integrating condition and performance assessment programs into a utility’s overall asset management framework
- Includes case study examples of applications of condition and performance assessment techniques at leading water and wastewater utilities throughout the world
RESEARCH PARTNERS:
- Water Environment Research Foundation
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
PARTICIPANTS:
- Scottish Water ( U.K.)
- Water Corporation ( Australia)
- Water Care ( New Zealand)
- Melbourne Water ( Australia), Sydney Water ( Australia)
- City of Bellevue , Washington
- Massachusetts Water Resources Authority
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation ( Australia)