Comprehensive Asset Management

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Comprehensive Asset Management - Overview

Comprehensive asset management includes the full range of services provided by the City of Ottawa, including transportation, drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, solid waste, public transit, parks and recreation, libraries, and emergency services

Comprehensive Asset Management is an integrated business approach involving the different disciplines of planning, finance, engineering, maintenance and operations to effectively manage existing and new infrastructure.

The objectives of this integrated approach to infrastructure management are to maximize benefits, reduce risk and provide safe and reliable levels of service to community users in a socially, culturally, environmentally and economically conscious manner.

The Comprehensive Asset Management Program encompasses all aspects of the management of each asset through its lifecycle in that it:

  • Integrates with the Corporate Planning Framework to complement the strategic objectives of the City, other key business systems, legislation, and regulations;
  • Creates a framework that establishes the mechanism for a clear line of sight between our Asset Management program and Corporate objectives and strategies; and
  • Commits to providing approved levels of service for present and future customers and communities, in the most effective and efficient way, through the planning, design, construction, acquisition, operation and maintenance, renewal, and disposal of assets.

To learn more about asset management, watch this video from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities: Why Invest in Asset Management?

Comprehensive Asset Management - Reporting

In compliance with Ontario Regulation 588/17: Asset Management Planning for Municipal Infrastructure, under the Infrastructure for Jobs & Prosperity Act, the City periodically updates Asset Management Plans and the Comprehensive Asset Management Policy.  Other reports include the Strategic Asset Management Plan, and historical State of the Asset Reports.

Asset Management Plans

Ontario Regulation 588/17 requires all municipalities to prepare baseline asset management plans for their core municipal infrastructure assets supporting the delivery of:

  • Water
  • Wastewater
  • Stormwater
  • Transportation

Baseline asset management plans are also required for other non-core infrastructure, which include:

  • Community and Social Services
  • Emergency and Protective Services
  • Government Services and Information Technology
  • Greenspace and Forest Services
  • Library Services
  • Recreation and Cultural Services
  • Solid Waste Services 
  • Transit Services

An Asset Management Plan reports:

  • The current state of the assets
  • Levels of service provided
  • Strategies and activities applied by the City
  • Historical and forecasted financial details 
  • Potential improvement actions

It is a strategic document that provides a snapshot of current conditions and establishes a basis for future asset management planning and decision making. The core Asset Management Plans were approved by Council as of April 13th, 2022 and the non-core Asset Management Plans were approved by Council as of May 15th, 2024:

Drinking Water Asset Management Plan identifier
o	Wastewater Asset Management Plan – Click here for the Wastewater Asset Management Plan
Stormwater Asset Management Plan identifier
Transportation Asset Management Plan identifier

As per the provincial regulation, all Asset Management Plans require updates to include proposed levels of service by July 1, 2025. There will be annual updates tracking the progress towards meeting these values and provide direction to adjust funding as required to meet them.

Comprehensive Asset Management Policy

The Comprehensive Asset Management Policy guides the City’s adoption and application of recognized asset management principles and practices to its service delivery. The City will strive to provide accepted levels of service to our residents and the broader community at the lowest lifecycle cost while managing the risks to service.

Strategic Asset Management Plan

The Strategic Asset Management Plan captures information prepared for various uses such as the City’s Strategic Plan, the Transportation Master Plan, and the Infrastructure Master Plan. This information is transformed into asset-specific measures or actions that the City is taking or pursuing to provide residents, businesses, and visitors with service levels that correspond to the fees and taxes they pay.

State of the Asset Report

The State of the Asset Reports provided a snapshot of the physical condition of the City’s Assets at a point in time. They provided valuable information to help outline future priorities and financial requirements. These documents have been superseded by the various Asset Management Plans produced by the City since 2022.