Technical survey and evaluation of water and sewage services

Abstract

A new and simple method of technical surveying and valuation of water or sewerage services has been developed. The methodology is based on the simulation of an ideal and theoretical service adapted to the local environmental and demographic situation and reconstructed according to its basic equipment and operating costs. In the first stage, assets are set against current and future needs. Investments or specialised investigations can be recommended. The operating tasks are then compared to good practise (efficiency of leak detection, pipe repairs, reservoir cleaning etc). In the second stage, prices can be compared to consolidated elementary costs. This can be done by comparing asset depreciation to effective provisions and operating prices to assessed costs. The method ends with a financial study of public accounts allowing a simulation of investments scheduled over the next 10 years, with the resultant impact on the water price.