Asset Management Guide - Revised December 2021 - Director's message and chapters

Sep 12, 2026

Asset Management Guide for publicly owned treatment works presents a framework to help municipalities plan, finance, and manage wastewater and conveyance assets. It explains why asset management is critical for repairing and rehabilitating deteriorating systems, improving transparency, and supporting long-term infrastructure competitiveness. The guide positions POTWs to document needs for annual financial planning, educate communities on wastewater treatment costs and sewer rates, and strengthen eligibility for DEC competitive grant programs. It also emphasizes that each organization sets priorities while evolving program maturity over time.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryForms

FormatPDF

Pages73

Reading Time26 min

AccessFree to download

Background

Chapter 1 Introduction to Asset Management

What is Asset Management?

Purpose and Use

Getting Started

What goes into an Asset Management Program?

What makes a Successful Asset Management Program?

Chapter 2 The Asset Management Team, Staffing and Succession Planning

Introduction

Creating an Asset Management Team

Staffing

Knowledge Retention and Succession Planning

Mission and Vision Statements

Conclusion

Chapter 3 Electronic Asset Inventories

Introduction

Defining and Organizing Assets

Electronic Databases

Asset Hierarchy

Asset Inventory Development

Condition Assessment

Condition Scoring

ASSET MANAGEMENT GUIDE for PUBLICLY OWNED TREATMENT WORKS Revised December 2021 DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION DIVISION OF WATER 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233 P: 518-402-8233 | F: [518-402-9029 |](518-402-9029 | Asset@dec.ny.gov)[ ](518-402-9029 | Asset@dec.ny.gov)[Asset@dec.ny.gov](518-402-9029 | Asset@dec.ny.gov) [www.dec.ny.gov](www.dec.ny.gov) A Word from the Director Dear Reader, In New York State, water infrastructure is in dire need of repair, replacement or rehabilitation. Despite unprecedented federal and state funding, local municipalities struggle to keep up with increasing costs due in part to local tax cap restrictions and lagging rate changes. Economic growth is dependent upon updated and sound infrastructure that can handle current and increased demand. Without investing in our infrastructure, New York State will not be competitive – New businesses will not invest in our state if they cannot depend on the infrastructure to serve them. An asset management program positions municipalities to be transparent about the state of their wastewater infrastructure needs, plan for improvements or investment, and attract new business. The Division of Water is pleased to share this Asset Management Guide, which we offer as a tool that can be used by any POTW to help make decisions regarding the management of their assets and develop a sound financial strategy for reinvestment in their infrastructure. Let’s face it, nothing lasts forever, and we know that there are many municipal conveyance and treatment systems that have fallen into disrepair. Asset management programs can be used to: provide clear and concise documentation to support your annual financial planning; educate your community about the costs of wastewater treatment operations and how that translates to individual sewer rates; and help you run your POTW as efficiently and economically as possible. Additionally, going forward an asset management program may better position your projects for funding under DEC’s competitive grant programs such that communities taking a proactive approach will be encouraged and rewarded for their efforts. As an owner or operator of a POTW, you know your system better than anyone and DEC does not intend to dictate the details of how you manage your wastewater infrastructure; it is up to you to decide priorities. We recognize that asset management program development for any organization is an evolutionary journey. All POTWs start at a certain place and, with concerted efforts and dedicated resources, can grow in maturity over time to reap the benefits in service, financing, transparency, and performance. This Guide will help you to develop and evolve your POTW’s asset management program. As you follow the guidance, please send us feedback so that we can continually improve it. We hope this Guide will help you to plan and budget for the capital improvements and management strategies necessary to proactively maintain your water infrastructure into the future. Sincerely, Mark Klotz, Director Division of Water Background .............................................................................................................................. 5 Chapter 1 Introduction to Asset Management ................................................................... 6 1.1 What is Asset Management? ....................................................................................... 6 1.2 Purpose and Use ......................................................................................................... 6 1.3 Getting Started............................................................................................................. 7 1.4 What goes into an Asset Management Program? ........................................................ 7 1.5 What makes a Successful Asset Management Program? ............................................ 8 Chapter 2 The Asset Management Team, Staffi

FAQs

Why does New York State emphasize asset management for wastewater infrastructure?

Because water infrastructure needs repair, replacement, or rehabilitation while municipalities face rising costs. Asset management supports planning and investment so systems can meet current and increased demand.

What are the main benefits an asset management program provides to POTWs?

It provides clear documentation for annual financial planning, helps educate communities about treatment operation costs and sewer rates, and enables more efficient and economical operation. It may also improve project positioning for DEC competitive grants.

Does DEC require POTWs to manage assets in a specific way?

No. DEC does not intend to dictate the details of how POTWs manage wastewater infrastructure; priorities are determined by each owner or operator.

Sep 12, 2026

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