Quote:
Originally Posted by KC911
You can't design most large scale systems to account for everything ... out to the peripheries. It's unaffordable ... or simply logistically impossible in many cases.
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Yes you can design systems to address these. Upgrading is done as old, under performing system components age out. Greater future loads are funded by the entity loading the system, it is quite simple. It all has to do with the rate structure and management of the system. The best rate structure for retail, IMHO is an AWWA M1 structure. This type of structure incorporates all components and is easy, very easy to explain to the public/rate payers. It also, in accordance with a proper Master Plan of Facilities identifies facilities replacement with the funding for those replacements already incorporated into the rate structures.
Logistics is a function of executing incorporating general and specific plan components into the master plan of facilities for the utility. A properly done Master Plan of Facilities will show the impacts of every existing and every planned system impact and improvement. The associated costs are identified in the Master Plan.
The Masterplan will also identify the funding source and identify capital improvements required for new users. There are a number of funding mechanisms available. The risk is that the cash reserves containing the pre-payments for future improvements are tempting targets for politicians to raid for their favorite projects.
Designing and constructing or modifying a system to provide a given flow and suction head at a point of delivery (fire hydrant) is never impossible. There are impediments to implementing those programs, but engineering, financing and hydraulics are not one of them.