Project

A substantial percentage of the Water District’s water system was constructed in the 1980s to address increasing demands. As a result, numerous facilities now exceed 30 years of age. Research has demonstrated that replacing or repairing utility components under emergency conditions is both more expensive and disruptive to customers than affecting maintenance through a systematic approach.

With this in mind, the Water District’s asset management strategy is to proactively reduce the life-cycle cost of infrastructure while maintaining high levels of reliability and meeting water-quality standards. This infrastructure management strategy is based on five foundational principles:

• Extend infrastructure life and prevent failures through timely maintenance and repairs
• Protect system assets through continual condition assessments
• Assess and prioritize projects to ensure critical system operations remain functional
• Minimize financial impacts through orderly, phased implementation
• Minimize financial outlays by maximizing asset life cycle

Key system components that must be addressed during the 10-year planning horizon include:

• Reservoirs
• Pumping stations
• Pipelines and service laterals
• Valves and vaults
• Meters
• Water quality systems
• Groundwater wells
• Facilities and building improvements
• Electrical systems
• Communication systems

Cumulative costs associated with the repair and/or replacement of these hundreds of thousands of components—measures necessary to maintain current service levels, system reliability and water quality—are projected to be approximately $390 million over the next decade.