Abstract
From a municipal operational and maintenance perspective water and sewer infrastructure systems are complex systems with numerous components leading to recurring water pipe bursts and sewer blockages. This prompted the study to assess, analyze and quantify the characteristics of factors that compromise water distribution and sewer services reliability around Johannesburg (used as a case study). The aim of the study was firstly to investigate water and sewer infrastructure challenges by researching the relationship between operations, maintenance, design and construction. To develop a short-term framework for improving the day to day operations process based on data highlighting common failures.
The common trend found in the literature case studies is the use of a water audit as a basis for assessing bursts, blockages, leaks and water losses. The water audit approach enables researchers to discover patterns in big data without formulating hypotheses by using a grading system (Lycett, A., 2013).This study considered various methods of managing water and sewer systems, developing a framework for addressing various types of infrastructure failures related to water and sewer. The study fills a gap by supporting effective project management of water leaks and sewer blockages by implementing quality management systems during construction to prevent recurring burst/blockages and post construction (maintenance plan linked to operations and complaint loggings from residents).
In order to simplify understanding a Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) approach was used to develop and present a proposed framework. Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) was used as a method to identify potential failures of a design, construction operations, maintenance, product and process identified. The FMEA was used as a continuation from the data to create the Framework
The initial study focused on developing a short-term framework for improving the day to day operations process based on data findings. This is then to be escalated into a longer term framework over time.