Sweco’s network asset management implementation guide for the Finnish Water Utilities Association

In 2022, Sweco launched a project to examine the practices of asset management in water utilities together with the Water Utilities Association and its 11 member utilities. The project started with workshops by the steering group, which examined the current state of the network’s asset management and mapped out future challenges and necessary measures. The aim of the project was to prepare an asset management implementation guide to support water utilities’ asset management measures.

By defining the steering group, the project focused on the challenges of network asset management, as networks make up approximately 80% of water utilities’ assets. The challenges raised in the workshops were solved by interviewing water utilities both in Finland and abroad.

The guide is a continuation of the asset management handbook published in 2019, which is based on the ISO 55000 standard and provides a simplified asset management system structure.

Focus on practical review of asset management procedures and clarification of the basics

In addition to the ISO 55000 standard and asset management manual, Sweco’s implementation guide also took into account other publications related to asset management in water supply. The main focus of the implementation guide for network asset management for water utilities is on a practical examination of asset management procedures and clarification of the basics. The guide covers everything from starting systematic asset management work to studying the state of assets, information management and finances, and includes concrete case examples of the tried and tested asset management practices of the institutions interviewed and participating in the workshops.

In connection with the guide, an audit tool developed by Sweco was utilised, which provides the filler with an overall picture of the situation of their own water supply company in asset management and helps them set goals. Even small water utilities can assess the condition and condition of their property using the tool. In the project, the model was developed and tested with fifteen different types of water cooperatives. The tool works in the form of an excel spreadsheet. The guide and audit tool can be downloaded free of charge from VVY’s online store.

Interested in water management or an implementation guide?

Our experts are happy to help you with tasks related to water supply asset management, such as contract planning and construction work, network and plant renovation needs surveys, as well as various water supply mapping and financial surveys.