First off, you may be asking yourself, what exactly is an asset? Everything from your water source (maybe a reservoir or even a well) all the way to the valves, pipes, and storage tanks in your distribution system. Even your treatment chemicals, filters, and pumps. Don’t forget your operators, buildings, and office equipment. All of these are assets and they are essential to protecting public health and the environment.
Asset management has many definitions but think of it as getting the most for your money. Through asset management, you will learn how to optimize the lifespan of your equipment and reduce water quality problems due to failing equipment.
In fact, asset management is one important activity involved with developing adequate Technical, Managerial, and Financial (TMF) Capacity, and it is a best management practice that department inspectors are looking for during the sanitary survey process.
Asset Management Resources & Training Opportunities
Every system has differences in equipment, environment, and financial capacity. Owners and operators must study and understand the specific assets that their system has. They must keep records and make plans in order to make sure their system is operating at its best now and in the future. Unsure how to pull together all of the critical information or where to get started? There are resources and people available to you.
- The EPA provides numerous tools for both owners and operators to explain the benefits of asset management and ways to implement specific asset management practices for small systems.
- The division’s Local Assistance Unit provides various free training opportunities, including Building Resilience in Your Water/Wastewater System, which covers asset management. Operators who participate can get up to 0.4 training units.
If you still have questions after reviewing these tools and attending the free training, consider one-on-one assistance provided by the Local Assistance Unit. Click here to request a coaching visit (virtual or in-person options are available).
We all have the same goal in mind - the protection of public health and the environment, and with some thoughtful planning and communication, we can help ensure this happens.
➽ Jessica Morgan, Facility and Operator Outreach and Certification Board Liaison
