Author(s)

A. R. Perks, S. Devnani, R. Denham& M. N. Thippeswamy

Abstract

New models for asset management applicable to the needs of secondary cities and towns can help achieve more sustainable public water services, operated on a sound technical and financial basis, and more responsive to customer needs. This paper describes Guidelines for Asset Management prepared by R.V. Anderson Associates Limited (RVA) with the financial assistance of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). The guidelines were intended to promote pragmatic asset management practices in India, based on pioneering work carried out by RVA in Canada, coupled with the firm’s planning, design and operations experience in India over the last 10 years. The approach is illustrated through an example Cost of Service determination for the City of Bangalore using readily available operating data and information. Keywords: water, asset management, cost of service, operations, maintenance, private sector, capacity building, partnership. 1 Introduction Environmental infrastructure, such as water supply, wastewater treatment and solid waste systems, is the foundation for all urban settlements. However, such infrastructure is very capital intensive, and must be developed over many decades at significant cost and investment. These investments may be implemented with development assistance loans to exacting international design standards. But once commissioned, the management capacity is often not present in the local municipalities that are now responsible for operations and maintenance in India. The result has often been rapid deterioration of physical

Keywords

water, asset management, cost of service, operations, maintenance, private sector, capacity building, partnership.