Setting priorities for neighbourhood-based sewer renewal in Edmonton, Alberta

Samuel Ariaratnam, Ashraf El-Assaly, Herman Ng, Sid Lodewyk, Ken Chua

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

As our underground network of sewers continues to deteriorate, the need for methods and models to identify and assess those sections requiring rehabilitation is more and more critical. Unfortunately, the area of sewer infrastructure management has traditionally been under-researched. Modern infrastructure systems are highly developed with considerable capital funding invested in them. While capital is spent on new infrastructure initiatives, the maintenance and renewal of the present infrastructure must not be neglected. Increasingly, public agencies are being urged to develop improved systematic strategies for setting priorities for optimizing sewer renewal keeping in mind fiscal responsibilities. This paper describes the factors used in setting priorities for a neighbourhood-based sewer renewal strategy employed by the City of Edmonton, Alberta. The two main factors used in developing a neighbourhood renewal strategy are: 1) sewer rehabilitation factors; and 2) neighbourhood prioritization factors. Sewer rehabilitation factors include; size, depth of cover, waste type, age, material, construction, slope, and location. Neighbourhood prioritization factors include; sewer deficiency, sewer separation, plan factors, and flooding frequency. These factors were weighted based on importance using a cross-disciplinary panel of experts and the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). The rankings provided by the AHP analysis provide the framework for development of a model to assess and set priorities for a neighbourhood-based sewer renewal strategy. The results indicate that waste type and sewer deficiency are the most critical factors in sewer rehabilitation and neighbourhood prioritization, respectively.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationCSCE 30th Annual Conference Proceedings
Subtitle of host publication2002 Challenges Ahead - 4th Structural Specialty Conference, 4th Transportation Specialty Conference and 2nd material Specialty Conference
Pages641-648
Number of pages8
StatePublished - Dec 1 2002
EventCanadian Society for Civil Engineering - 30th Annual Conference: 2002 Chellenges Ahead - Montreal, QB, Canada
Duration: Jun 5 2002Jun 8 2002

Publication series

NameProceedings, Annual Conference - Canadian Society for Civil Engineering
Volume2002

Other

OtherCanadian Society for Civil Engineering - 30th Annual Conference: 2002 Chellenges Ahead
Country/TerritoryCanada
CityMontreal, QB
Period6/5/026/8/02

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Engineering

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Setting priorities for neighbourhood-based sewer renewal in Edmonton, Alberta'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this