Terms of Reference

VISION

The O&M SG is the forum for discussing, promoting and seeking opportunities for improvement within the framework of the operation and maintenance of water transmission, distribution and sewerage systems (henceforth Scope of Interest).

It is an IWA vehicle to implement strategies and policies.

It is the meeting point on a world scale for professionals who are involved in running, managing and researching in this Scope of Interest.

MISSION

To deliver and exchange knowledge to facilitate the improvement of methods to operate and maintain water supply and sewerage systems. To create a common place to integrate knowledge, needs and points of view of practitioners and researchers. All improvement activities shall be oriented in terms of quality of service and economic and environmental profitability.

SCOPE OF INTEREST

The Scope of Interest includes all the components that constitute the processes of conveying, locally storing and distributing water, from the place where it is abstracted and / or potabilised up to the delivery point of the customers, and then drained to the wastewater receptors (wastewater treatment plants or natural water environment).

The major components of the water service that are included in the scope of interest are as follows:

• The transport, distribution and sewerage infrastructures.
• The resource as it flows through the infrastructures until it is used and the eventual destinations.
• The technologies used to provide the service and its standards.
• The procedures and methods that constitute the know-how of those who handle the systems.

Drinking water and wastewater treatment plants are not included, and neither are private pipelines or domestic plumbing.

WHO CONSTITUTES IT?

Professionals involved in this area of knowledge. These professional come from the widest range of activities. Included are representatives of companies owning and managing the infrastructures and processes, regulators, R&D centres, university departments, consultants, technology providers and construction companies.

From a functional viewpoint the members are classified in two groups:

• a) those who are prepared to play an active role
  
• b) those interested in the ongoing activities

WHO IS THE GROUP WORKING FOR?

• The companies and bodies that run distribution and sewerage systems
• The Association managing structures

This must not overshadow the individual group members and relegate them to the background, because they are the real source of life for the Group and they are responsible for the eventual results.

ADVANTAGES OF PARTICIPATING IN THE GROUP

While carrying out the Association tasks, the SG must also satisfy the expectations of the individual members and their companies (or at least create opportunities for doing so). A summary of what the SG offers its members is shown below:

• Opportunities for receiving updated information and knowledge about the techniques and methods used in O&M
• Opportunities for obtaining knowledge from and establishing relationships with the most outstanding professional in the sector on a worldwide scale
• Opportunity for professional development through taking part in the tasks on an international level.
• Opportunities to contribute upon the codes of good practices that are of a corporate nature and are published by the Association.
• The possibility of making a contribution in promoting current and future topics of professional interest.
• Having general business opportunities.
• The possibility of contributing to the world of water and turn it into a more human, efficient and environmentally friendly one.

MODUS OPERANDI

The mission will be accomplished with specific goals, which will generally stem from the strategies of either the Association or the Scientific and Technical Council's or Management and Policy Council's.

The SG is structured into TF for carrying out the tasks commissioned in the general strategy.

The work groups are generally of a temporary nature, being associated with a specific task.

The following types of activities will take place with a view in order to fulfil these targets, together with those outlined by the specific interests of the group:

• Organising events that involve the exchange of experiences (conferences, workshops, meetings, etc )
• Participating in events organised within the Association (Congresses or others organised by the other SG)
• Taking part in debates outside the Association
• Establishing criteria and methods to enhance water management.
• Diffusing the breakthroughs and improvements to practise and methods for operation and maintenance of the systems publicly known.
• Publishing manuals and handbooks concerning codes of good practise
• Taking part in forums and support groups to help countries that are clearly in need of backing and collaboration.
  

SPECIFIC AREAS OF INTEREST

A recent survey involving the group members revealed that the following specific areas of interest were considered to be priorities:

• Performance Indicators Water services
• Performance Indicators for sewerage and wastewater
• Water losses terminology
• Water losses. Long, medium and short term best practices.
• Principles for operation of transmission and distribution systems
• New technologies for distribution and sewerage networks O&M
• Damage rates
• Integration of distribution management, Customer Care and Quality of service
• Water networks asset management
• Rehabilitation
• Operation as a way to improve efficiency in water resources management
• Water consumption management versus demand management
• Water quality in distribution
• Risk management
• Monitoring and controlling water networks
• Pumps, elements and systems
  

HOW IS IT STRUCTURED?

The O&M group is structured in Task Forces. Every TF has its terms of reference, objectives and plan of activities. It is a general criterion of the group that each TF includes representatives from every sector of interest.