Reviewing the Long-Term Sustainability of Urban Water System Rehabilitation Strategies with an Alternative Approach

Stian Bruaset, Håkon Rygg and Sveinung Sægrov
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Stian Bruaset: Department of Water and Environment, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway
Håkon Rygg: Multiconsult, 0276 Oslo, Norway
Sveinung Sægrov: Department of Water and Environment, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway

Sustainability, 2018, vol. 10, issue 6, 1-30

Abstract: It is generally difficult to assess the performance of an infrastructure with a substantially longer life span than economic models can handle, and the life cycle concepts in urban water systems are normally limited to single-asset projects. In order to explore the long-term impact of urban water infrastructure rehabilitation strategies, a life cycle approach for survival functions is suggested. A life cycle factor based on survival functions is introduced, which is a measuring value of the total expected service life of all pipes within a group of pipes. Another factor, termed the sustainability factor, is based on the relationship between the life cycle factor and a rehabilitation reference method, which makes it possible to correct the long-term performance of rehabilitation methods based on their expected service life provision. A case study presents the implications for investments in infrastructure rehabilitation when applying the sustainability factor in long-term planning, and shows the importance of considering the service life of rehabilitation methods when planning renewal interventions that minimize costs over their life cycles.

Keywords: strategic asset management; sustainability; life cycle; long-term planning; rehabilitation strategy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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