Maximizing Return on Investment Using Intelligent Algorithms to Prioritize Capital improvements

This presentation will provide municipalities with an example framework to prioritize capital investments using a best in practice approach to apply intelligent algorithm optimization. The case study maximizes return on investment (ROI) with respect to scheduling capital improvements to reduce the frequency and severity of sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) as early as possible. There are many factors to consider when prioritizing collection system capital improvement projects. Selecting the implementation sequence that maximizes overflow volume reduction is one factor to consider; however, there may be value delivered to a greater number of customers if an investment is made that reduces several overflows in close proximity to houses rather than reducing a large centralized overflow away from direct customer exposure. Other factors may include sensitivity of receiving environment, wastewater constituents (upstream contributing industrial land use) and asset risk minimization. In this case study, these factors are considered when prioritizing capital projects to maximize return on investment.