Kansas AMUG 

Purpose: To provide professional development to water and wastewater professionals to further the implementation of asset management concepts through networking with other systems and content experts.

Kansas Asset Management Users Group strives to provide professional development to Kansas water and wastewater professionals to further the implementation of asset management concepts through networking with other systems and content experts. Kansas AMUG fosters collaboration through our meetings and activities, contributing to improving water management across the state.

Participating in Kansas AMUG provides you with opportunities to connect with fellow Kansas water professionals, as well as access to valuable tools, technical resources, training and publications to sharpen your water utility asset management skills.


Meetings

Kansas AMUG meets twice a year at both in-person and virtual meetings. Sign up for the AMUG Listserv if you would like invites and updates on our next meeting! If you missed one of our virtual meetings, you can watch the recording via the links below!


Recorded June 28, 2024
Chad Caldwell from covered the crucial reasons for prioritizing water tower upkeep (this portion of our meeting is not available to view via our recording). We also discussed water utility cybersecurity risks posed by electronic devices and strategies for protecting utilities from such attacks.


Recorded Dec 8, 2022
This meeting features two presentations that showcased how different tools are used to enhance the capabilities of utility systems. Greg Stumpff, Public Works Supervisor in Newcastle, Wyoming presents on using GIS as a tool for succession planning and effective organizational structure. Kristen Zimmerman and Sheldon Bina of talk about GIS-based compliance options developed for the Lead and Copper Rule.

 

What is Water Utility Asset Management?

Asset management is a systematic approach to managing a water utility's assets and equipment, including keeping the utility in working order and deciding when to replace equipment. Asset management allows the system to accomplish its service goals while sticking to its budget. Asset management is maintaining the desired level of service for the performance you want your assets to provide and the lowest life cycle cost. The lowest life cycle cost is the most appropriate cost for rehabilitating, repairing, or replacing an asset.


Asset management is implemented through an asset management program, usually including a written asset management plan. The plan's components include steps to determine the optimal or best time to rehabilitate, repair, or replace aging infrastructure and assets; deal with rising service demands; overcome opposition to interest rate increases; mitigate resources that are running out; increase customer service expectations; deal with increasingly stringent regulatory requirements; respond to emergencies that resulted in asset failures; and protect facility and wastewater collection system assets.


Asset management has many advantages. It can extend asset life, help you make decisions on whether to rehabilitate, repair, or replace equipment through an efficient and focused operations and maintenance program, help you meet consumer demands while focusing on system sustainability, enable the utility to set rates based on sound operational and financial planning; lets you budget for activities that are critical for long-term performance; help you meet service expectations and regulatory requirements; improve emergency response time; and improve asset security and safety. 

 

Who Should Attend KS AMUG events?

Anyone with an interest in professional development for Kansas public utility professionals. There is no cost to participate. Water professionals and consultants from Kansas border states are welcome to attend too!


Join The Kansas AMUG Email Listserv

Did you know WSU Environmental Finance Center manages an email Listserv for Kansas water and wastewater professionals? Join the conversation, exchange questions and feedback, and discuss current water industry news with colleagues from across the state. Email Brian Bohnsack, brian.bohnsack@wichita.edu, to sign up.


Contact: Danial Botello, Program Manager, daniel.botello@wichita.edu, (316) 978-7312