Denver Water's Integrated Approach to Linear Asset Replacement Leveraging the Optimizer WMR Software Solution

Historically, determining which pipe assets should be replaced has been a highly manual process that relied heavily on individual judgement to balance factors such as break history, pipe condition, consequence of failure, fire flow deficiencies, lead service line replacement, paving moratoriums and feasible project sizes. Recognizing these challenges, Denver Water looked for a software that 'could create a comprehensive, dynamic and defensible plan using data from across Denver Water's utility to optimize main replacement'. Working with Optimatics, Denver Water has established a process to incorporate Optimizer for Water Main Replacement (WMR) in their development of their annual water mains replacement plan, as depicted in the attached diagram. Denver Water first collates data sources across the organization into a single GIS file, then uses a pipe grouping tool developed by Optimatics to generate potential projects which is used as input to the Optimizer WMR. Working with Optimatics, Denver Water has translated business priorities into optimization parameters. Optimizer WMR takes the input data, potential projects, and business parameters and runs hundreds of thousands of combinations, resulting in a set of solutions which provide the maximum benefit across the defined priorities for the lowest cost possible. The engineer in charge of this process identifies a shortlist of plans that are promising options. These are then exported into ArcGIS where a dashboard developed with Optimatics highlights important metrics and serves as the basis for conversation within Denver Water stakeholders. Once a plan has been agreed upon, they can export the plan data back into an internal ArcGIS file that is accessible to users across the organization to implement the agreed-upon plan. Denver Water has found that Optimizer WMR can highlight projects which meet multiple criteria that might be missed under the manual process traditionally used. A project with a likelihood of failure that is below the cutoff rate to determine projects in the traditional process may also contribute to fireflow deficiencies, or connect to a number of lead service lines, making it a more valuable replacement project than another with similar likelihood of failure but which does not address other issues. Optimizer can also prioritize projects in areas with previously scheduled road work to take advantage of the opportunity to replace pipes before a paving moratorium is in effect, and evaluates the distribution of spending across Denver Water's network to ensure that there is sufficient investment across the communities they serve. The process developed to incorporate Optimizer WMR into the annual planning process also facilitates internal discussions within Denver Water about priorities related to asset management. Tools like the ArcGIS dashboard are intended to structure the decision making process and improve internal communication by providing a detailed understanding of the entire plan and enabling engineers to justify their decisions to stakeholders. By focusing on integrating current systems with new technology and using data to streamline processes, Denver Water has leveraged Optimizer software to develop a water mains replacement plan more efficiently and transparently. The presentation will focus on how Optimizer WMR functions and Denver Water's experience with incorporating a new software into their processes.