From Reactive to Proactive – Implementing a Utility Asset Management Division in Baltimore, MD

The City of Baltimore (City) operates 4,500 miles of water, 1,500 of wastewater, and 1,200 miles of stormwater infrastructure. With an average age of about 80 years, the aging infrastructure is showing signs of deterioration in terms of water main line brakes, sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs), and storm water flooding and sinkholes. The City entered into a Consent Decree with EPA and the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) for the collection system in September 2002, and recently negotiated a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit with fairly strong stringent requirements. Furthermore, Baltimore is currently implementing an aggressive Water Infrastructure Renewal Program to replace the aging water distribution system.In 2012 the City decided to implement a Utility Asset Management Division (UAMD) within the Bureau of Water and Wastewater. The primary goal of the division would be to implement preventive maintenance programs that move the City to a more pro-active mode of operation. The UAMD would be responsible for implementing preventive maintenance programs and asset management principles designed with the following objectives in mind:Keep the City in compliance with Federal and State regulations related to water, wastewater, and storm water utilities.Provide a sustained level of service to minimize system failures (SSOs, water main breaks, storm-water flooding, etc.) by applying asset management principles.Maximize the life and capacity of the existing infrastructure.Provide timely and accurate reporting of operational events as required by federal, state, and local regulations.Develop and implement a sustainable funding strategy for the preventive maintenance and rehabilitation programs.Ensuring that asset management is centered on managing risk at the tolerance level appropriate for the City of Baltimore.Integrate sound evaluation and incorporation of full life cycle cost analysis into asset planning and decision-making.