Decision support system for water pipeline renewal prioritisation

Many Water Utilities are faced with the problem of ageing pipe networks and the associated increasing costs. In response to this challenge there has been considerable effort around the world on improving practices of pipeline asset management. There has been progress in data collection and data management practices, in risk management including failure prediction models, as well as in the area of Decision Support Systems. Decision Support Systems, such as PARMS-PLANNING support long-term planning and budget settings in relation to pipeline replacement decisions. To complement these system overviews, PARMS-PRIORITY has been developed to support pipeline renewal prioritization, which involves the analytical assessment of different activities, such as pipeline replacement and pressure reduction in terms of their associated risks. Such a prioritisation model is described in this paper and includes the development of the methodology, the calculation modules, the input data, and outputs. The modules are based on key tasks: risk calculation, failure prediction, cost assessment, data exploration and scenario evaluation. The model uses asset and failure records data within a standard risk approach. The novelty and innovation lies in the application of the particular models within a specific context and the model should therefore in the first place be judged on how useful it is to decision makers. PARMS-PRIORITY is currently being trialled by two Water Utilities with initially good feedback. The assessment of the tool is by nature on going.