Performance Measures Sustain City of Tuscaloosa’s Gravity Line Preventive Maintenance Program

The City of Tuscaloosa Water and Sewer Department (TWSD) has a vision to be a “best in class” utility. A part of working toward attaining this vision the TWSD Linear Asset management team decided to develop a strategic approach using performance measures as a key tool to improve wastewater collection system operations performance. TWSD gradually developed the measures starting in mid-2013 which have since been tracked and analyzed on a frequent basis. Engaging each staff level in the development and application of the measure has been an important role to provide integrity of the measures as a standard and activity and work function. The gravity line preventative maintenance program would be the initial focus of the performance measure emphasis, particularly on sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs). TWSD has been successful in increasing productivity which in turn has helped reduce SSOs. In addition, the emphasis on performance measures has helped TWSD management make better decisions on how to maximize and sustain the increased levels of productivity and service.