Water Infrastructure Asset Management Is Evolving

Assela Pathirana,Frank Den Heijer,Paul B Sayers

doi:10.3390/infrastructures6060090

Assela Pathirana, Frank Den Heijer + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/infrastructures6060090

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Journal: Infrastructures	Publication Date: Jun 18, 2021
Citations: 9	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: HAN University of Applied Sciences

Abstract

Infrastructure Asset Management (IAM) is the process by which decisions are made and resources allocated to ensure organisational or societal assets continue to deliver, as required. IAM is an evolving field. We discuss this evolution and present our perspectives on the future direction of IAM. IAM was born as a response to the poor state of maintenance of infrastructure, largely due to lack of resources, and emphasizes the need to prioritize maintenance and renewal using risk-based approaches. The demands on IAM have also continued to evolve as asset systems have become more complex, with multifunctionality, adaptative capacity and nature-based infrastructure, all issues that IAM must now consider. These challenges underpin the changing context of Water Infrastructure Asset Management (WIAM) and the opportunity for WIAM to harness new technical developments from other IAM domains. WIAM will need to continue to evolve, responding to these challenges and take advantage of these opportunities through research and application in collaboration with a relevant education and capacity development agenda.

Highlights

We are pleased to introduce the Special Issue on Water Infrastructure Asset Management (WIAM), showcasing some of the current innovations in the field of InfrastructureAsset Management (IAM) related to the water sector
This issue includes seven papers covering different aspects of water asset management, ranging from condition assessment and modelling of sewer and drainage systems [1,2,3]; large scale flood management infrastructure [4,5], asset management maturity analysis of institutions [6]; adopting asset management principles for complex, highly unpredictable situations [7]. We reflect upon these papers and the ongoing evolution of IAM. We explore issues, such as why an IAM perspective is needed; how IAM can be delivered to best support
Again, WIAM will likely transform as a result of researchers paying attention to such new areas, breaking new ground, in disciplinary interfaces [50]

Summary

Introduction

We are pleased to introduce the Special Issue on Water Infrastructure Asset Management (WIAM), showcasing some of the current innovations in the field of Infrastructure. Asset Management (IAM) related to the water sector This issue includes seven papers covering different aspects of water asset management, ranging from condition assessment and modelling of sewer and drainage systems [1,2,3]; large scale flood management infrastructure [4,5], asset management maturity analysis of institutions [6]; adopting asset management principles for complex, highly unpredictable situations [7]. In this perspective article, we reflect upon these papers and the ongoing evolution of IAM. The priority research gaps we see in this continued evolution of the water infrastructure asset management are set out together with the innovations in education and training that may be needed

Development of Water Infrastructure Asset Management

A of timeline of the development

Where Next foractionable

Where Next for WIAM?

The Need for Education and Training

Conclusions