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About Asset Management
For wastewater management utilities, asset management can be defined as managing infrastructure capital assets to minimize the total cost of owning and operating them, while delivering the service levels customer's desire. It is successfully practiced in urban centers, and large and small sewer collection systems to improve operational, environmental, and financial performance.
Each utility is responsible for making sure that its system stays in good working order-regardless of the age of components or the availability of additional funds. Asset management programs with long-range planning, life-cycle costing, proactive operations and maintenance, and capital replacement plans based on cost-benefit analyses can be the most efficient method of meeting this challenge.
As part of the EPA's Sustainable Infrastructure Initiative, the Office of Water works in collaboration with partner organizations to hosts and co-sponsor training sessions and facilitate discussions on best practice in Advanced Asset Management.
- Check Up Program for Small Systems (CUPSS) Software CUPSS is a free, easy-to-use, asset management tool for small drinking water and wastewater utilities. It provides a simple, comprehensive approach to implementing an asset management program and developing effective asset management plans. CUPSS is a computer-based program that allows users to baby-step their way into asset management and comes loaded with example data and tutorials. EPA has established a growing network of trainers to help new users get started.
- Fact Sheets
- Asset Management: A Best Practices Guide (PDF) (4pp, 274K, about PDF) This guide will help you understand what asset management means, the benefits of asset management, best practices in asset management and how to implement an asset management plan. It is intended for owners, managers and operators of public water systems; local officials; technical assistance providers; and state personnel.
- Asset Management for Local Officials (PDF)(2pp, 86K, about PDF) This guide will help you understand the basics of asset management for local officials and local officials’ vital role in successfully implementing an asset management program. It is intended for local officials who are directly or indirectly involved in decisions affecting public water systems.
- Building an Asset Management Team (PDF)(2pp, 78K, about PDF) This guide will help you understand how forming and having a team can help your system successfully implement asset management and the components of a successful asset management team. It is intended for local officials, owners and operators of public water systems, technical assistance providers, and state personnel.
- Bridging the Gap - Video for Public Officials and Water Managers
Bridging the Gap is a ground-breaking on-line video designed to help elected officials and water and wastewater managers make smart choices as they address water and wastewater infrastructure issues. The video outlines the key steps to developing an asset management plan for both novice and experienced professionals. The hosting website provides an on-line learning experience with an extensive array of reference materials to support the central concepts and real-world examples of emerging best practices and innovations in water asset management. Developed with EPA grant funds, this innovative video and website is a collaborative undertaking with Penn State’s College of Engineering, World Campus, and its Public Broadcasting units. Access to the video and related materials is available at: https://courses.worldcampus.psu.edu/public/buried_assets/.
- EPA and water associations sign Statement of Intent on utility management, (PDF) (3pp, 908K, about PDF). EPA and six leading water and wastewater utility associations announced a major collaborative effort to ensure the long term viability of our nation's water systems. The statement of intent formalizes the collaborative effort to promote effective utility management. The joint effort will focus on improved water and wastewater utility performance through education, management tools and performance measures.
- Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and USEPA Memorandum of Understanding for Collaboration on Asset Management, (PDF) (5pp., 751K, about PDF). Under this MOU, the FHWA and the EPA intend to exchange information, coordinate activities, provide opportunities for cross-training, and provide technical expertise and assistance in support of each other’s Infrastructure Asset Management Programs. The MOU facilitates and encourages working arrangements between the agencies and fosters increasing dialogue to identify commonalities in Asset Management approaches including policy initiatives; and encourages information sharing in efforts to advance the state-of-the-practice of Asset Management, while working with our customers and partners in various levels of government to protect and enhance our Nation’s critical infrastructure.