Decision-making Model of Distribution Watermains Renewal With Lining and Replacement Techniques

This project aims to formulate a Life Cycle Cost-based decision-making model for watermains renewal with lining and replacement techniques in consideration. The model enables asset managers in municipalities in Ontario, Canada, to fulfill the legislation mandates of asset management planning via setting levels of service, formulating lifecycle activities, and putting watermains management into financial planning. It also addresses concerns about the uncertainty that entails the current age-based condition estimation method adopted by most of the municipalities in Canada. The model incorporates five key components and is developed into a Microsoft Excel-based planning tool. The application of the tool is then demonstrated in a case study with a hypothetical network. The results have shown that asset managers could address the legislative requirements on levels of service, lifecycle activities, and financial planning and tackle some of the problems faced in budgeting exercise with a constrained investment.