Efficient Approach to Targeted Asset Maintenance and Network Management for Water Utilities

Prioritisation of network assets for routine maintenance is a complex exercise. Failure to operate key valves or to isolate critical network pipes during planned or emergency work on the network could have a significant impact on the level of service for customers in terms of disruption due to flooding, lack of water or very low pressure. The situation is further complicated by the fact that there are several thousand network valves and water utilities have a finite maintenance budget. This paper presents a case study in which an automated approach is used to identify the most critical network assets in order to prioritise them for maintenance, improve serviceability and reduce customer complaints. In the absence of this type of modelling methodology, the Water Utility has to rely on the experience of operators to identify critical assets without clear visibility of the consequence of failure.