The More You Know the Less You Realize You Do: Boise's Journey in Understanding Reliability and Redundancy

In the dynamic landscape of utility management, the City of Boise's Water Renewal Services (WRS) serves as a compelling case study illustrating the evolution in understanding reliability and redundancy. This journey has illuminated the intricate interplay between infrastructure investment, operational efficiency, and regulatory compliance, shedding light on the complexities of managing a dynamic and interconnected water renewal system. We will explore how Boise's journey in more deeply understanding these concepts has paved the way for constructive dialogues addressing the inherent tension between redundancy, simplicity for staff and project teams, financial constraints, and regulatory compliance. What Do We Even Mean by 'Redundancy'? In the context of set utility goals and expectations, the definition of redundancy is paramount. Boise has transitioned from a simple definition perception of redundancy as mere system backup to a nuanced understanding of its multifaceted dimensions. Reliability is now perceived as the capacity to ensure continuous and reliable water renewal operations, not just in the face of equipment failures, but also in response to dynamic environmental conditions and evolving regulatory standards. This more nuanced definition of reliability has paved the way for a more strategic approach to defining redundancy. Appreciating the multifaceted considerations for reliability, the city's definition of redundancy had to evolve beyond the simplistic 'N + 1' model to a more nuanced definition. Redundancy is not universal rather it is context-specific with interconnected conditions and circumstances. Over several iterations spanning multiple years that leveraged input, insights, and knowledge from diverse staff and stakeholder across WRS, Boise has defined scenarios comprised of combinations of internal and external factors that establish conditions where redundancy is required. By defining precise conditions where redundancy is expected, the city has been able to focus its resources effectively, optimizing its response to potential failures. This strategic approach ensures redundancy investments are aligned with the system's critical components allowing for targeted investments that enhance overall operational robustness. The Multiple Levels of Redundancy Redundancy exists at multiple levels within Boise's system, which includes multiple water renewal facilities connected through infrastructure, regulatory requirements, and community expectations. Redundancy for Boise begins at the equipment level and continuing through the unit process and facility levels all the way to system level redundancy. The multiple levels of redundancy provide Boise a robust and durable system, but they also present the potential for the overinvestment in redundancy at multiple levels. Developing a more holistic definition and approach to redundancy required first understanding and then connecting redundancy between the various levels to meet the overall system reliability goals. Investing in Redundancy and Maintenance 'What actually breaks in this process?' This was an oft-repeated question during Boise's journey of more deeply understanding reliability and redundancy. The city recognized that while infrastructure redundancy provides a safety net against catastrophic failures, it can be capital-intensive. Alternatively, investing in skilled staff, predictive maintenance technologies, and operational redundancy strategies can achieve similar levels of system reliability while being more cost-effective in the long run. Boise's experience reinforces the need for meticulous evaluation and prioritization of unit process elements, enabling a more streamlined, cost-effective approach to achieving reliability. Providing Perspective to the Journey The Dunning-Kruger effect describes the cognitive bias where individuals initially overestimate their understanding of a topic, an overestimation that is realized through increased understanding. This phenomenon is an apt lens through which to view Boise's journey to understand and define reliability and redundancy more deeply. The journey of the City of Boise's Water Renewal System in understanding system redundancy, facility redundancy, and unit process reliability is a testament to the evolving nature of utility management. Boise's experience underscores the importance of defining conditions for redundancy, optimizing investments, and integrating system and facility-level redundancy. Ultimately, the city's journey serves as a valuable case study, offering insights and best practices for utility managers navigating today's complex terrain.