Condition Assessment: The Cornerstone of Asset Management

Prioritizing Your Aging Water Infrastructure Needs through a Systematic, Comprehensive Approach

By Ahmad Habibian

The deteriorating state of the nation’s water infrastructure has resulted in premature failures, costly emergency repairs and negative publicity. Given the limited availability of resources, utilities are looking for cost-effective condition assessment technologies that allow them to prioritize their assets in need of rehabilitation.

In order to receive the full benefit of condition assessment, utilities must adopt a systematic and comprehensive approach that establishes a framework for prioritization of assets for inspection, establishes protocols for inspection and develops analysis tools for interpreting the inspection data. This approach culminates in the development of a condition assessment program, which is an integral part of an asset management program.