Water & Wastewater PlanningProviding fully-sustainable water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure systems for customers is of paramount importance to the Department of Water and Wastewater. The department has incorporated sound asset-management principles into all business practices over the past few years in order to facilitate this. This approach will enable the utility to plan, acquire, maintain, operate, rehabilitate, replace, and dispose of assets in the most cost-effective manner, while providing a quality service level.
About the Capital Improvement PlanThe Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) summarizes the major capital-project requirements and serves as both the basis for the City’s financial planning and as a roadmap to guide government operations. The CIP ensures all essential infrastructure improvements are adequately resourced and preserves the City’s ability to respond to contingencies by maintaining adequate cash in the Capital Improvement Funds. It is a five-year strategic planning process that is updated annually.
Water & Sewer System Master PlansIn 2002, the City Council adopted the Water System Master Plan and the Sewer System Master Plan. These plans evaluate the condition of the existing infrastructure and identify new infrastructure needs based on future growth projections and new regulations. They serve as the guidance for the CIP.
Cityworks Work-Order Management SystemNumerous programs and initiatives to support this program are in various stages of implementation, most notably the development and implementation of a computerized work-order management system called Cityworks, which facilitates the collection of important infrastructure data which can be analyzed and assessed to aid in making critical operating and capital-investment decisions.
Data CollectionGlobal Positioning is used to pinpoint the exact location of the infrastructure. The age and size of pipes and appurtenances have also been entered into this system. While crews are performing condition assessment they can use this stored data to assist them in completing the review process. The current condition of the water, sanitary, and stormwater system can be entered by field technicians via work orders. This includes data on water main breaks, CCTV condition assessment of storm and sanitary sewers, valve condition, etc. This data is used to support development of better operational strategies and long-term infrastructure improvements.
Determining PriorityIn determining the priority of projects to include in the CIP, the gathered data is reviewed to ensure money and resources are spent where the most good will be done. Priority is based on public health and safety, regulatory compliance (the project is needed to comply with USEPA and OEPA regulations), system reliability (the project reduces the risk and consequences of asset failure), customer benefit (the project addresses service issues such as pressure complaints or customer satisfaction), and sustainability (the project will result in long term cost efficiencies and have environmental benefits).
CIP ProjectsProjects included in the CIP include:
- Installing new water transmission mains to ensure adequate flow of water through the water distribution system
- Old water meter replacement
- Replacing old and undersized water mains and collapsing sanitary sewers
- Replacing old pumps with newer, energy-efficient pumps
- SCADA System improvements
- Water tower maintenance