The Asset Test

 From the October 2013 issue of Municipal Sewer & Water - The Asset Test: Cambridge, Ontario:

"The city’s approach to asset management is paying big dividends. The city reduced inflow and infiltration to the sewer system by 22 percent between 2009 and 2012. Between 2010 and 2012, the city saved $2.5 million and reduced I&I by almost one billion gallons. Water losses were likewise reduced by 22 percent between 2009 and 2012, which saved the city 580 million gallons of water and $1.6 million in revenue from 2010 to 2012. The number of water main breaks peaked at 52 in 2007, dropped to 37 in 2011 and was down to only 27 in 2012.

"Asset management and new technologies help to advance data and information sharing among the team, increase the cooperation and intelligence around renewal and other infrastructure needs, and enhance operations in the field through better work planning processes," says Shah. "That results in better coordination and improved opportunities for proactive maintenance. At the end of day, people are working smarter and more cost-effectively.""