A new scientific society, the Society for Decision Making Under Deep Uncertainty, is arguing that water managers need to use a different system of analysis for planning ahead. The Society thinks that uncertainty in this time of rapid environmental and social change implies that managers need to consider potential outcomes and the probability of those outcomes occurring. The deep uncertainty … [Read more...]
On-Site Water Systems – Its Impact on Water and Infrastructure Asset Management
Many cities are searching for ways to develop and manage local resources. The Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF), through its sustainable integrated water challenge, is seeking to help cities and towns change the way that they manage their water by gearing them towards the integration of infrastructure. In San Francisco, an exciting new project called "Blueprint for On-Site Water … [Read more...]
Best Infrastructure Asset Management – NE Fixes South Platte River Issue
The South Platte River that flows into Nebraska has been recently high but flooding impact has been limited. Central Platte Natural Resources District (CPNRD) board spent almost $17 million over the last few years to rehabilitate three Dawson County irrigation canals to deal with the excess water from the river. Most of the diversions of the river into the canals will be used to recharge … [Read more...]
In Preparation for Water Week
The Water Environment Federation, or WEF, as it's known in the industry, has always celebrated thinking outside the box when it comes to water strategies and technologies. Eileen O'Neill, Executive Director of WEF comments as Water Week 2015 approaches and experts all over the USA get ready to converge and discuss plans for the future of American water. "Accelerated innovation in water … [Read more...]
Arizona Strengthens Groundwater Supply Resilience thru Innovative Partnership
In order to combat drought in Arizona, a partnership between the state's publicly owned supplier of Colorado River water and private water company Liberty Utilities has been utilized to replenish Groundwater. With financial aid from the Central Arizona Project, Liberty Utilities will construct an $8 million recharge facility near Luke Air Force Base. The CAP will pay $6 million of that cost … [Read more...]
How Can New Orleans Avoid Making a Serious Water Problem Worse
New Orleans is a city that deals with water issues on a sometimes daily basis. As flood-level water pours in, they have a system of levees and pump stations that can have the city clear of the water in 30 minutes. This all seems good at surface level, but below the surface, problems abound. The main one being: the land under the city is sinking. This is due to the sponge-like earth which … [Read more...]
Infrastructure Asset Management Planning Needed If Florida Recycles Its Wastewater
Florida, along with many other states is facing drinking water shortages in the long term. As a result, they are trying to come up with new ways to meet the water needs of the state. A thought on the horizon for Florida is to recycle their wastewater, potentially use the recycled water for irrigation and eventually for drinking water. USA Today reports: "Highly processed sewage, which … [Read more...]
Asset Management Impacts of Kansas’ Smarter Infrastructure Dream
Kansas City is just one of many cities who are looking at incorporating new "smart" technology into its core infrastructure. The technology itself is innovative and has the potential to really improve things, but the concern is that the cost is too high. Fortune Magazine examines the idea in depth in their article, "Cities are looking to technology to save electricity used by street … [Read more...]
Infrastructure Management Outlook on St. Louis Eyeing Selling Water
St. Louis, Missouri is looking to the future and realizing it is well-placed to supply water to other drier states as the demand increases. If they continue to follow in that vein of thought, well-implemented infrastructure asset management will need to be put in place to ensure that the region can sustain the provision of water for itself and for selling on to those areas which are in the … [Read more...]
Infrastructure Asset Management Application of ‘Deliberate Practice’
In October 2014 the NAMS Forum 'Advanced Asset Management, A Journey to Excellence' was held in Auckland, New Zealand. The Forum organizers asked Ross to develop a presentation that provoked thought and discussion for the Forum attendees, and the technical streams that followed. Ross developed a paper and presentation based on Geoff Colvin's book 'Talent is Overrated'' which … [Read more...]
Infrastructure Asset Management Impacts of Nuclear Fusion Reactors
There is a very interesting article in The Australian newspaper regarding the work that Lockheed Martin the US Defence contractor is doing with small nuclear fusion reactors. What used to be the stuff of science fiction appears to be getting closer to reality - although the Australian newspaper article notes there are still many hurdles to be overcome. The video is well worth watching … [Read more...]
Dancing Traffic Light, Using Non-Asset Solution to Fix a Real Problem
I came across this short video the other day and thought I might share it, as it illustrates some 'out of the box' thinking that can help us as we consider infrastructure asset management. Traditionally, when a problem is presented to be solved in an infrastructure field, we will engineer a solution - often involving the construction of assets. In this case, the problem presented is 'people … [Read more...]