Sewer System Master Planning in Difficult Financial Times: A Newark, NJ Case Study

摘要

Sewer system master planning can serve many important purposes and goals. One of these is defining the current condition of a sewer utility and the level of investment necessary to reach its desired state of operational and financial stability. Sewer system master planning can provide an opportunity for self-examination and re-structuring. It can break the inertia of a “business-asusual” mode of operation and can open a dialogue with elected officials and the general public on the investment needed for infrastructure improvements. It can highlight the consequences and risks associated with these needs and present the rationale for investing in the sewer system, even when facing tough budget choices. This article describes how established concepts in asset management and master planning were applied to the wastewater and stormwater assets of the City of Newark, NJ. It discusses the issues confronted in assessing the existing condition of the sewer infrastructure and the successful approaches implemented to identify the capital investments needed to sustain the sewer utility at a high level of performance.