Water Assets
Our water assets comprise a network of storage tanks, water pipes, pumping stations, monitoring systems and meters, as outlined in the below table. It is important that we maintain these assets so we not only meet the needs of our customers’, as outlined in our Customer Charter, but also meet environmental standards.
| Our Water Assets | 2002–03 | 2003–04 | 2004–05 | 2005-06 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kilometres of water mains (distribution and reticulation) | 3,785 | 3,906 | 4,004 | 4,078 |
| No. of pumping stations | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| No. of tanks (sites) | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
Maintaining Our Assets
Our asset management policy describes our approach to managing water and sewerage assets. This approach is based on evidence that is derived from asset condition and performance, community and customer service requirements, risk management, lifecycle costs and the environment.
The focus on evidence reflects our requirement to obtain factual and objective information as a prerequisite for considering, planning and implementing intervention and investment strategies and actions.
We have short-term and long-term planning for asset investment. Short-term plans are developed from detailed analysis of an individual asset’s performance, and include the best solution whether renewing, replacing, decommissioning or further monitoring the asset. Our long-term planning - that is 20-year and 30-year plans for new infrastructure - aim to meet urban growth and maintain existing assets.
We also schedule preventative maintenance to prevent the breakdown of critical assets, such as pumping stations.
In 2005–06, we spent $1.04 million on scheduled maintenance of water assets. Investment in water main renewals remained relatively constant at $8.4 million compared to $8.9 million in 2004-05, with 34.4 kilometres of water mains renewed.
New Assets
As Melbourne’s residential and industrial areas grow, our water supply systems grow too. This year we partnered with developers to lay 83 kilometres of new water pipes and invested approximately $9.8 million in new water infrastructure assets.
We work closely with developers, local councils, the Department of Sustainability and Environment and Melbourne Water to plan our infrastructure requirements to meet the future needs of our service area.
In particular, we are focusing on planning infrastructure to service new developments in the major growth corridors of Wyndham and Melton.
