An increasing demand for infrastructure management skills can be observed in the environmental engineering practice. This course gives an introductory overview of infrastructure management skills needed for urban water infrastructures, with a specific focus on performance, risk and engineering economics analyses.
Learning objective
After successfully finishing the course, the participants will have the following skills and knowledge: - Know the key principles of infrastructure management - Know the basics of performance and risk assessment - Can perform basic engineering economic analysis - Know how to quantify the future rehabilitation needs
Content
The nationwide coverage of water distribution and wastewater treatment is one of the major public works achievements in Switzerland and other countries. Annually and per person, 135,000 L of drinking water is produced and distributed and over 535,000 L of stormwater and wastewater is drained. These impressive services are done with a pipe network with a length of almost 200,000 km and a total replacement value of 30,000 CHF per capita.
Water services in Switzerland are moving from a phase of new constructions into one of maintenance and optimization. The aim today must be to ensure that existing infrastructure is professionally maintained, to reduce costs, and to ensure the implementation of modern, improved technologies and approaches. These challenging tasks call for sound expertise and professional management.
This course gives an introduction into basic principles of water infrastructure management. The focus is primarily on Switzerland, but most methods and conclusions are valid for many other countries.
Lecture notes
The script 'Engineering Economics for Public Water Utilities' can be downloaded from the moodle course page.
Performance assessment
Performance assessment information (valid until the course unit is held again)
The performance assessment is offered every session. Repetition possible without re-enrolling for the course unit.
Mode of examination
written 180 minutes
Additional information on mode of examination
During the semester the students are asked to formulate and submit for discussion (at least) 8 questions (approximately one per week) related to the topics presented in the lectures - the goal is to ensure the students identify and learn the most relevant concepts presented in the course. This will be assessed on a pass/fail basis. The mentioned learning tasks which have been completed and handed in can improve the total course unit grade by up to 0.25 grade points
Written aids
Open book with no restrictions on written material. All calculators having no possibility of external communication are allowed.
This information can be updated until the beginning of the semester; information on the examination timetable is binding.
Performance assessment as a semester course