Boosting operational efficiency and asset management

Sycamore Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility Plan

Originally built in 1958, Cincinnati’s Sycamore Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant has been improved and expanded over the years to treat eight million gallons of wastewater per day. Recognized as leaders in wastewater infrastructure asset management, the Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati (MSD) wanted to develop a facility plan to ramp up their operational efficiency. They engaged us to help.

As part of the facility plan, we helped integrate MSD’s existing operations, information management, and computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) software into a geographic information system (GIS). This layered context is crucial for analyzing patterns, trends, risks, and relationships in geographic data—and would help MSD visualize and analyze the spatial data of their vertical assets (multiple components within the treatment plant building, or above-ground assets). As part of the facility plan, we updated process mapping, data collection, and sampling points.

Using this integrated GIS information, we created a detailed dashboard to show integrated process and asset information. This included critical processes, assets, potential projects, likelihood of failure, consequence of failure, and risk data. After facility technicians vetted the list, we made cost estimations and prioritized projects. We also recommended ways for improving data collection and analysis.

These dashboard insights, from data analysis and visualization tools, will provide MSD with a holistic view of the plant‘s operational and asset management. MSD can use this to enhance their decision-making, leading to enriched proactive planning, resource allocation, and improved services to the community.