Intuition and information in decision-making for sewer asset management

Abstract

Decision-making for sewer asset management is inherently complicated, because of limited data and interaction with multiple actors, making it neither transparent nor reproducible, mostly based on intuition. It is unclear which and how information sources and intuition are used for sewer pipe replacement decisions. Therefore, this study assesses the use of information and intuition in decision-making for replacement decisions. Next to that, the success of the intuitive decisions is addressed. Interviews were conducted at seven municipalities in the Netherlands, combined with analyses of their strategic municipal sewerage plans. Content analysis identified twenty-one information sources used in intuitive risk analyses considering the following five aspects: pipe collapse, insufficient hydraulic performance, nuisance to citizens and related reputation of the organization, traffic disruption, costs for excavation and costs for surface level reconstruction. Given the complex context of sewer asset management and limited data, intuitive decision-making is favoured, but is however not skilled.