Strategic asset management approach for sewage treatment facilities in drainage services department, the government of Hong Kong special administrative region

Abstract

The Drainage Services Department (DSD) is tasked, among other commitments, to operate and maintain (O&M) about 280 sewage treatment facilities, ranging from pumping stations to sewage treatment works at an annual O&M departmental expense amounting to over HK$760 million. To ensure the life cycle cost of the Sewage Electrical and Mechanical (E&M) Assets at these facilities can be optimized, an asset management system based on PAS55-1:2008 standard has been developed and being tried at seven regional plants in the territory. It is aimed that the pilot studies can provide useful insight and solid foundation in establishing an asset management system eligible for PAS55 certification for the pilot plants to be completed tentatively by the end of 2013. This paper introduces the roadmap of developing the Sewage E&M Asset Management System based on PAS55-1:2008 standard and the progress achieved thus far. In the course of its development, the Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency has been engaged as project consultant to provide asset management studies including feasibility study, staff training, overview of major gaps, framework establishment by enhancement of existing DSD’s Integrated Management System, pilot plant maturity review and assessment, etc. The pilot studies mark the evolution of strategic asset management approach in three stages, namely—Stage 1: To establish the scope and objectives of the studies leading to the development of an Asset Management Improvement Plan for Stage 2: To establish a unique asset management system for each of the pilot plants. The effectiveness and efficiency of the asset management system that established can then be determined through pilot implementation for a period of time. Stage 3: To adopt and extend the demonstrated successful examples to all other Sewage E&M Assets of DSD. It is envisaged that the pilot studies will lead to their initial certification of PAS55 for ultimate goal of attaining full certification of all DSD’s Sewage E&M Assets within 5 years.