From Assessment to Action: Leveraging Digital Dashboards for Wastewater Risk Management

Introduction
This presentation describes the unique approach taken by the City of Clearwater (City) to evaluate its lift station and force main infrastructure and develop a digital dashboard for wastewater asset management. The project included mechanical and electrical assessments of 78 City-owned lift stations, a desktop review of the force main network, risk evaluations, and the creation of a prioritized rehabilitation plan. The dashboard integrates real-time data to aid decision-making, improve planning, and enhance emergency response. The dashboard has proven invaluable, especially after hurricanes, by supporting emergency responses and providing operational insights into lift station and force main conditions.

Objectives
The project's primary objectives were to establish a baseline assessment of wastewater infrastructure and develop a real-time digital dashboard to better facilitate:
- Viewing lift station and force main data in real-time.
- Planning rehabilitation and repairs.
- Swift emergency response.
- Improved resource allocation for system upgrades.

Project Status
Key project activities-including condition assessments, inventory updates, and risk evaluations-were completed successfully. The condition assessments and inventorying were completed in 2023 and digital dashboard went live in 2024. The system proved invaluable during the 2024 hurricane season by aiding the City in recovery by:
1. Locating lift stations for post-storm assessments.
2. Identifying bypass connection ports during power outages.
3. Comparing existing infrastructure issues with storm-related damages.

Methodology
GIS was a central tool in the project, enabling efficient data collection and visualization. Field inspections were conducted using ArcGIS Field Maps, providing detailed condition data. A Business Risk Evaluation (BRE) was developed, combining the likelihood of failure (LOF) based on physical inspection with the consequence of failure (COF), determined by factors such as capacity, proximity to critical facilities, and land use. Inspection data, risk analyses, and cost estimates were published to an online GIS dashboard for streamlined planning and resource allocation.

The project involved several steps:
- Lift Station Condition Assessments: Visual, mechanical, structural, and electrical inspections, supported by CleverScan technology for wet wells and drawdown testing for pump performance.
- Force Main Inventory Update: Desktop analyses identifying updates to the force main network, digitizing GIS data and attaching record drawings to the dashboard.
- Risk Evaluation: Developing LOF and COF criteria to assess risks, guiding prioritization efforts for repairs and upgrades.
- Prioritization: Creating rehabilitation plans for a six-year term, integrating project bundles into the City's Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).

Findings
The project highlighted several key findings: While GIS data covered all force main and lift station assets, there was limited information on the year of installation and force main material, as only 13% of the force main length had as-built drawings. The desktop assessment of force mains was limited due to a lack of information on age and material, prioritizing these force mains for further data collection. Based on the condition assessment results, ten (10) lift stations were identified as requiring near-term action to maintain operational functionality. The risk assessment, combining the likelihood of failure (LOF) and consequence of failure (COF) scores, resulted in a prioritized list of lift stations and force main segments requiring action. Several force main segments were identified for further condition assessment, with the list subject to revision as more information is gathered. Additionally, the implementation of a digital dashboard provided a real-time, interactive view of the infrastructure, significantly enhancing the City's ability to monitor and manage its wastewater assets. Cost estimates were developed for each of the lift stations to assist the City with annual budget and planning.

Significance/Conclusion
This project has strengthened the City's ability to manage its wastewater assets proactively. The risk evaluation and prioritized rehabilitation plan ensure critical infrastructure needs are addressed, protecting public health and the environment. Recommendations were categorized into on-call contractor repairs and CIP projects, enabling effective budget planning. The dashboard, critical during the 2024 hurricane season, facilitated the monitoring of high-risk lift stations and identified facilities with backup power capabilities. Moving forward, planned enhancements include a change tracker and integration with City Works for asset management. This project serves as a model for municipalities aiming to implement robust infrastructure assessment and management programs.