Raleigh Water's Unified Vision: Mastering Integrated Planning Unified Vision

The Raleigh Water Integrated Master Plan (IMP) is a powerful illustration of integrated planning in the South Atlantic region. Raleigh Water, serving North Carolina's capital and six neighboring communities, adopted an innovative planning approach by unifying all utility systems, both linear and facility components of the water, wastewater, and reclaimed water system, within a single master plan framework for the planning horizon through 2050. The IMP encompasses water supply and treatment, water distribution, wastewater collection, wastewater treatment, reclaimed water, biosolids management, odor and corrosion control, and asset management. The plan's development occurred in two phases: Phase 1 defined the IMP goals and objectives, established the basis of planning and the technical activities necessary to achieve the IMP objectives, and set the level of service targets. Phase 2 addressed strategic questions identified in Phase 1 to set the long-term direction for all utility systems and developed a comprehensive and integrated capital plan for the eight technical areas. Collaboration between six Raleigh Water Divisions, 48 staff members, and external technical experts ensured cross-functional engagement and input, enhancing the plan's depth and credibility. The resulting IMP yielded the identification of 145 capital improvement projects valued at nearly $2 billion over the next decade. This presentation will emphasize the IMP's process, outcomes, and the primary benefits; those primary benefits included: Holistic Integration for Enhanced Efficiency: By focusing on holistic, organization-wide integrated planning, the project allowed for enhanced efficiency, reducing redundancy through cross-technical collaboration. Integration extended beyond the technical areas, merging insights from technical evaluations such as wastewater collection systems, wastewater treatment, and odor & corrosion control, as well as reuse and water supply. Unified Basis of Planning: The adoption of a common basis of planning, including water demand and wastewater forecasts, regulatory drivers, and level of service analysis, streamlined the planning process. By completing master plan evaluations simultaneously, Raleigh Water created a synchronized and comprehensive planning vision, departing from isolated evaluations of individual technical areas. Integrated and Prioritized Capital Projects: The IMP delivered an integrated and prioritized capital project recommendation across all project drivers. This alignment ensured that projects were supported not only with immediate needs but also with long-term strategic goals, as defined by the City's Strategic Plan and Raleigh Water's Departmental Business Plan. Cross-Divisional Collaboration: This effort provided a unique opportunity to involve cross-functional staff, spanning from a steering committee to utility engineering and operations and maintenance staff members, to share knowledge and drive successful plan implementation. The pivotal role of staff engagement and trust in the planning process emerged as a critical factor influencing the project's success and the effective execution of recommended projects. Long-Term Vision with Technical Support: Going beyond the typical 10-year Capital Improvement Plan, the IMP crafted a vision extending to 2050. Moreover, it introduced a range of support tools and models, ensuring adaptability and flexibility in the face of evolving challenges and opportunities, allowing Raleigh Water to make informed decisions on the implementation of major capital projects. Equity Integration: The IMP considered equity at various stages of the planning and prioritization processes. The Raleigh Water IMP stands as a testament to the potential scalability of integrated planning, highlighting the advantages of centralizing technical evaluation and fostering organizational alignment. This case study emphasizes the power of integrating planning efforts, ultimately showcasing a model for adaptable and actionable integrated planning strategies. The IMP's outputs extend into a vision stretching out to 2050, fortified by supporting tools and flexible models that enable adaptation in response to changing landscapes. This endeavor resonates with Raleigh Water's commitment to continuous improvement, reflecting the organization's dedication to embracing change and innovation.