Water Infrastructure At A Turning Point

The United States can boast the finest water and wastewater systems in the world, but it cannot sustain this extensive infrastructure unless steps are taken to counter its natural wear-down due to age. The resulting task is to initiate and manage a modern, methodical, and sustainable asset renewal process, called asset management. This report fully explores the processes involved in asset management: Define expectations and assess the condition, Estimate the remaining useful life, Manage the wear-out process, and continually Improve the plan. Written for: water utility managers, governing boards , community stakeholders, and others interested in the subject. The United States can boast the finest water and wastewater systems in the world, but it cannot sustain this extensive infrastructure unless steps are taken to counter its natural wear-down due to age. The resulting task is to initiate and manage a modern, methodical, and sustainable asset renewal process, called asset management. This report fully explores the processes involved in asset management: Define expectations and assess the condition, Estimate the remaining useful life, Manage the wear-out process, and continually Improve the plan. Written for: water utility managers, governing boards , community stakeholders, and others interested in the subject.

CD-ROM contains: a PowerPoint presentation entitled "Car Talk."

US water utilities face a significant economic challenge. The oldest underground infrastructure (some is more than 100 years old) is at or very near the end of its expected life span and must be replaced within the next 30 years. AWWA projects expenditures of $250 billion nationwide for the replacement of worn-out pipes and related fittings.