Ten years of joint research on the nature and causes of discoloured water has resulted in guidelines for the implementation of self-cleaning distribution networks. These were first introduced in the Netherlands in 1999. The self-cleaning concept has been monitored right from its beginnings. Based on this evaluation, significant observations were found on the contribution of changes in flow velocity to the self-cleaning characteristics of pipes. These observations will be further investigated and will form the basis for the concept of dynamic sediment transportation modelling.
This paper gives an overview of the asset management landscape on drinking water in the Netherlands and twenty years of research on this topic executed by KWR in close collaboration with water companies. A description is given of research questions and the international developments in the field of asset management. This is followed by the developments on asset management at the Dutch water company Evides. Twenty years of asset management research at KWR is presented in five phases, showing a transition from the question how can the concepts of asset management help to better plan the replacement of distribution networks, towards integrated decision making on the asset system as a whole. A focal point for research could be how research can contribute creating value for water companies. More formal information and improved modelling will continue to play a central role, however attention is required for making use of expert knowledge, scenario building, data quality and the integration of information of technical, financial and societal origin.
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