Strategizing for the Future using Advanced Asset Management to Plan for Impacts of Aging Infrastructure

Broad Creek Basin is one of twenty-four sewered drainage basins within the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) and is located in Prince George's County, Maryland. The Basin conveys untreated wastewater to the Broad Creek Wastewater Pumping Station (WWPS). From there, wastewater is delivered to the Piscataway Wastewater Treatment Plant. Broad Creek Basin is currently operating under requirements set forth by the Consent Decree from the Maryland Department of Environment (MDE) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) to address high flow caused by rainfall derived inflow and infiltration (RDII) and groundwater infiltration (GWI). Accordingly, Broad Creek Basin is a priority basin for WSSC making it an ideal candidate for asset management planning. An asset management plan (AMP) has been developed for Broad Creek Basin and WSSC has recently begun implementation of its recommendations. Development of the AMP required significant involvement from WSSC staff and provides recommendations to improve both the physical infrastructure of the basin, enhanced operations and maintenance, recommendations for the personnel and business processes to help implement the infrastructure improvements. This paper discusses the development process of the AMP and the value it has provided to Broad Creek Basin and WSSC organization.