The adoption of asset management within the water sector still varies considerably at present.
Approaches used range from those focused on asset condition and performance, to those
focused on the underlying purpose of owning the assets (i.e. the provision of service at an
acceptable level of risk). The level of sophistication also varies ranging from informal,
through basic to advanced asset management techniques. Advanced asset management
requires the use of sophisticated software-based modelling tools. The "Pipeline Asset and Risk
Management System" (PARMS) is a suite of computer-based modelling tools, developed in
collaboration with water sector partners in Australia, and designed to assist in the
management of water distribution networks. A new tool has recently been added to the
PARMS suite, PARMS-PRIORITY, which helps water utilities to determine those assets that
should be rehabilitated to manage cost and improve levels of service. The analysis is based on
estimating risk, where risk is calculated by combining failure predictions for pipes with the
output of cost assessment models. Through this risk analysis, PARMS-PRIORITY assists
water utilities to make pipe renewal and valve insertion decisions. Development of
sophisticated asset management tools such as PARMS, in conjunction with data improvement
efforts, will facilitate the adoption of advanced asset management focused on delivering
sustainable solutions. Such tools will thereby help the water sector to meet the challenges
associated with expected population growth, and the need to underpin economic growth and
environmental quality. Includes 24 references, tables, figures.
| Edition : | Vol. - No. |
| File Size : | 1
file
, 340 KB |
| Note : | This product is unavailable in Ukraine, Russia, Belarus |
| Number of Pages : | 17 |
| Published : | 03/01/2007 |
