Aging Infrastructure Overview

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“A Game Plan for Aging Water Infrastructure” by Gregory M Baird 

2010 American Water Works Association AWWA Journal (April 2010)*
This article focuses on the development of an overall game plan to address the nation’s aging wet infrastructure crisis by working towards asset sustainability and affordability through applying asset management and condition assessment activities while also pursuing financing options and improving stakeholder relations. 

“Fasten your seat belts: Water Main breaks and the Issuance of Boiling orders” by Gregory M Baird

 American Water Works Association AWWA Journal (March 2011)**
This article explains the risks of contamination with an increased occurrence of water main breaks and highlights a water distribution system valve control point best practice to reduce the inherent risks. 

Navigating Service Level Expectations: Asset Management Planning by Gregory M Baird
American Water Works Association AWWA Journal (February 2011)**
Asset Management planning includes determining the appropriate service levels that the assets should support and therefore the cost associated with providing the complete service. The service level and cost discussion should be communicated to stakeholders in order to provide common ground to discuss rate increases and capital replacement budgets.

“Expressway to the Future: GIS and Advanced Metering Infrastructure” by Gregory M Baird
American Water Works Association AWWA Journal (January 2011)**
EsriGIS ARCGIS software provides spatial analysis tools that can be better captured and utilized by utilities with a GIS-centric Computer Maintenance Management System (CMMS). Future integrated advancements in water and wastewater utilities include Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) integrated with EsriGIS.

“Water Affordability: Who’s going to pick up the Check?” by Gregory M Baird
American Water Works Association AWWA Journal (December 2010)*
This heavily researched article describes the development of the EPA’s expectation that affordable water and sewer rates based on average median household incomes within utility jurisdictions should total about 5.0%. This concept is then applied to the State of Colorado and a large segment of Canada demonstrating the potential for 200-400% increases in rates and the difficulty it imposes to rural communities and disadvantaged and low income households. 

“How to Eat an Elephant: The Infrastructure Investment Gap” by Gregory M Baird
American Water Works Association AWWA Journal (June 2010)*
This article explains the various private and governmental studies on the gap of funding for water and wastewater infrastructure and the importance of action at the federal, state, regional and local level.