Covering Your Assets: Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District's Risk-Based Approach to Asset Management for Biosolids Facilities

The St. Louis Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) operates seven wastewater treatment facilities ranging in size from less than 10 mgd average daily flow (ADF), to over 120 mgd ADF. In 2007, MSD faced the daunting prospect of needing to undertake major renovations to its biosolids systems at a time when it was facing both an uncertain regulatory future and the need for major renovations for its existing solids facilities. MSD was also about to embark on the largest infrastructure improvement program in its history. Additionally, MSD was undertaking a major effort to develop an asset management program utilizing IBM's Maximo™ Asset Management system. These issues effectively created “the perfect storm” in motivating MSD to undertake a major condition assessment program as part of a Comprehensive Solids Handling Master Plan, and roll that program into a risk-based asset management plan for all of their facilities. This paper provides a road map for how this program was developed, and how its implementation is helping MSD cost-effectively plan for the future. Broad elements of this program could serve as a tool for other utilities to consider and use in developing their asset management programs and software.