Capital Equipment
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WASA's lifetime capital equipment budget totals $97 million, compared to a lifetime budget of $85.6 million in the FY 2002 ' FY 2011 plan. This increase is primarily attributable to the inclusion of a new asset management system in the capital equipment plan, with a lifetime budget of $10.3 million. Also, a decision has been made to purchase, rather than lease, photocopiers beginning in FY 2004, for a lifetime increase of $2.6 million. The 10- year disbursements budget for capital equipment is $82.5 million, compared to the FY 2002 — FY 2011 capital equipment budget of $78.6 million, also due to the projects and purchases mentioned previously. The increases for these new projects are partially offset by FY 2003 disbursements that were $4.4 million less than budget, as well as a downward revision of $3. 2 million in the vehicle replacement budget, reflecting ongoing efforts to “rightsize” the Authority's fleet over the next several years.

The FY 2004 revised disbursement budget has increased by $4.8 million over the FY 2004 approved budget. Again, this increase is driven by the first year implementation cost of the asset management system, $1.3 million for photocopiers, increases in several systems budgets, and disbursements for radios and water system security being pushed from FY 2003 into FY 2004.

Capital Equipment Disbursements by Major Expenditure Categories
Capital Equipment

Click here to see a larger image of the graphs in PDF format.

Capital equipment is defined by a purchase price greater than $5,000 and an item that has a useful life of more than three years, or will extend the life of an asset by more than three years. Capital equipment expenditures fall into two broad categories: equipment purchases and ongoing projects. Purchases include items such as fire hydrants, catch basin components, water meters, vehicles, and computers. Budgets for equipment purchases are closed out at the end of each fiscal year. Ongoing projects extend over multiple years and are largely technology- related.

Equipment Purchases

Equipment purchases are made by the Departments of Wastewater Treatment, Water Services, Sewer Services, Customer Service, Fleet Management, Facilities and Security, Information Technology, and Maintenance Services. Amounts shown below are 10- year disbursement totals.

Department of Wastewater Treatment - $0.8 million

Capital equipment expenditures for this department are for laboratory equipment purchases to maintain a certified laboratory. Metering and recording device purchases are planned beginning in FY 2004. Revising the virtual tour of the Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant is a new activity planned for FY 2004. The plant model was completed in FY 2002, and includes chlorine treatment. Chlorine was removed from the plant shortly after September 11, 2001, and the model will be revised to show the sodium hypochlorite treatment that has replaced chlorine.

Department of Water Services - $7. 2 million

The Department of Water Services is responsible for replacing deteriorated or damaged fire hydrants, water system valves, and system appurtenances. These purchases are separate from Capital Improvement Program activities for the systematic replacement of valves, rather they are for interim replacement of these items as individual needs are encountered by field crews. Activities in the FY 2004 revised and FY 2005 proposed budgets remain the same as those carried out by the department in previous years.

Department of Sewer Services - $3. 1 million

This department is responsible for replacing catch basins, manhole covers and frames, and rehabilitating regulators and outfall gates. Design for the South Capitol Street outfall gate was started in FY 2002, and construction completion is scheduled for FY 2004. During FY 2003, conceptual design for the floatable visitors' center was completed. A budget increase to this project has resulted in a minor increase in the department's 10- year disbursement plan.

Customer Service Department - $0.5 million

In FY 2004, the Authority's dispatch function will be consolidated within the Customer Service Department, in conjunction with the deployment of the 800 MHz frequency radio project. Construction of the dispatch center will be completed in a short time frame at the beginning of FY 2004. This consolidation has resulted in moving 13 positions from the Water Services and Sewer Services Departments to the Customer Service Department.

Department of Fleet Management - $13.3 million

A major emphasis will be placed on coordinating equipment purchases with the realigned needs of the Authority as Internal Improvement Plans continue to be carried out in FY 2004. The result of this effort, begun in FY 2003, is a $3.9 million decrease in the 10- year disbursement plan. Purchases of alternative fuel vehicles are a priority of the department. Additionally, vehicle replacement evaluation processes will be enhanced to assure continued cost effective management of WASA's fleet.

Department of Facilities and Security - $8.9 million

A new initiative in FY 2004 is to purchase, rather than lease, photocopying equipment. The purchase is budgeted at $1.3 million in FY 2004, and again in FY 2009, but offers potential savings in operating costs. Other capital equipment activities for this department in FY 2004 include HVAC system upgrades at various locations, and fencing and rollup door replacements.

Department of Information Technology - $ 10.4 million

In addition to managing WASA-wide technology projects, the Department of Information Technology is responsible for computer, printer, and other hardware purchases. The department has additional responsibilities for installing telecommunications equipment throughout the Authority, and for replacing copper cabling with fiber cabling. The 10- year spending plan for the Information Technology Department includes a new project for a wireless technology survey.

Department of Maintenance Service - $16.2 million

This department is responsible for rehabilitating and replacing large process equipment throughout the Authority, including pumps, screens, variable frequency drives, and large motors. A major emphasis has been placed on the High Priority Rehab Program over the past several years, which ensures that large equipment will function properly until its scheduled replacement in the Capital Improvement Program. Beginning in FY 2004, dollars budgeted for this activity begin to decrease as the CIP progresses.

Capital Equipment Technology Projects

In addition to carrying out its own technology projects, such as Web Development and Network Renewal, the Department of Information Technology supports technology projects that are managed by departments throughout the Authority. Projects completed in FY 2003 included the maintenance management system, and the swipe card entry timekeeping component of the Payroll/ HR system, and deployment of the new 800 MHz radio program. Continuing into FY 2004 are enhancements to the customer information and billing system, which offer a variety of payment options and make real time, online information available to our customers.

The major initiative for FY 2004 will be the beginning phase of an Asset Management System implementation, described in more detail below.

Asset Management System - $10.3 million

The Asset Management System will be a major WASA- wide undertaking, beginning in FY 2004. This project was originally planned to be a water and sewer infrastructure asset management system that would complement the recently implemented maintenance management system. After a full year of assessment in FY 2003, this system is now envisioned to encompass the entire organization and integrate technology already in place at WASA (customer information and billing, maintenance management, financial management systems), as well as technology planned for the future, such as geographic information, electronic maps, and process control computer systems. Implementation and integration will span four years.

EMAP Phases I and II - $0.4 million

In order to prepare for integration into the asset management system, WASA's as- built maps and drawings need to be brought up to date and totally incorporated into an electronic environment. Phase I addresses as- builts for all of WASA's infrastructure outside of Blue Plains will be addressed, and Phase II encompasses as- builts at the treatment plant.

e-Contract Management - $0.1 million

This is automated procurement system that will manage and track activity, data, and statistics on annual and multi- year contracts such as contract values, contract terms, contract changes orders, and contractor performance history

Maintenance Management System - $2.3 million

This system, needed to replace an obsolete materiel management system, went online in FY 2003 and will be an integral component of the asset management system. There will be ongoing enhancements throughout the 10- year plan, and in FY 2004, the Department of Facilities and Security has $50,000 budgeted in order to integrate their system needs within the maintenance management system.

Radios - $1 million

In FY 2003, WASA deployed new radios for use with the District's 800 MHz system, replacing a 20- year old system. This system has increased geographic coverage, and allows departments to communicate with each other across the Authority. As previously described, the consolidated dispatch center for the radio program will be located in the Customer Service Department.

Document Management System - $0.04 million

Planning level money is included in the FY 2004 disbursement plan. A thorough assessment of document storage needs for the entire Authority will be made during the coming year, and depending on the outcome of this study, implementation monies may be budgeted in future years.

Financial Management System - $1.2 million

This project is managed by the Office of the Chief Financial Officer, with the support of the Information Technology Department. A system upgrade is planned for FY 2004, in order to maintain full support of all system components by the vendor.

Payroll/Human Resources System - $1.0 million

This project is also managed by the Office of the Chief Financial Officer, with the support of the Information Technology Department. In FY 2003, timed card swipe entry to WASA facilities was implemented as part of this system. This has led to increased accuracy and efficiency in payroll preparation. FY 2004 improvements to the system include kiosks throughout WASA facilities that will allow employees remote access to leave and benefit information.

Customer Information and Billing System - $4.4 million

The Customer Service Department manages the customer information and billing system project, supported by the Information Technology Department. The system went into service in June 2001, and many new options were added during the past year, including recurring credit card payments and budget billing. A system upgrade is planned for FY 2004, and WASA's water and sewer bill will be redesigned. In support of the customer assistance program, a bill roundup option will be introduced in the coming year, with proceeds used to help low income customers.

Systems Security - $0.5 million

Post September 11, 2001 security concerns extend from WASA's physical assets to its technology infrastructure. FY 2003 was the first year that systems security was budgeted, and the 10- year plan includes an increase of approximately $400,000 so the additional security measures can be installed for data and communication systems.

Redundant Data Center - $1.4 million

A disaster recovery analysis of WASA's mission critical systems was completed in FY 2003, and phased implementation of recommended solutions will occur in FY 2004 and FY 2005.

Web Development - $1.4 million

In FY 2003, a major improvement to WASA's vendors was the introduction of the Vendor Portal. This allows vendors to register and be notified when a solicitation relating to an area they provide services for is posted. Vendors are automatically notified by email when a solicitation is posted and emailed again when any amendments are attached to it and made. In FY 2004, a new graphic framework will be developed, and an invoice submission module will be deployed to allow vendors to more efficiently do business with the Authority.

Note:

On the project pages that follow, lifetime budgets prior to FY 2003 reflect only FY 2002 actual disbursements, with the exceptions of the maintenance management, customer information and billing systems, and the web development project. Additionally, out year budgets show only FY 2012 expected spending. This is due to the generally annual nature of purchases and projects occurring in the Capital Equipment service area of WASA's capital program.

Click here to see a larger image of the following reports in PDF format.

Capital Equipment Disbursements 1
Capital Equipment Disbursements 2
Capital Equipment Disbursements 3
Capital Equipment Disbursements 4

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