Switz City, IN Asset Management Plan (AMP) – Progress Report – Feb 2025

by | Feb 25, 2025 | BAMI-I JOURNAL, BAMI-I News, Blog, Journal 2025 Edition 1, Projects, Switz City AMP Project

Background

The Switz City, IN Asset Management Plan (AMP) project was launched in January 2023 as a collaborative effort between BAMI-I, the Alliance of Indiana Rural Water (AIRW), Ziptility, Bynum Fanyo Utilities (BFU), Purdue Underground Infrastructure Team (Purdue UIT), and several industry partners. In July 2024, the project received an initial $650,000 in funding from the Indiana Finance Authority (IFA). Of this amount, $250,000 is allocated to support the development of a comprehensive, scalable, and efficient asset management model for small utilities in Indiana, while $400,000 is designated for Switz City’s emergency repair projects. This initiative supports Indiana Senate Bill 272 (2022), which mandates approved AMPs for all water utilities applying for state infrastructure funding.

Project Progress & Key Milestones

A special thanks to the following partners for voluntarily providing early support for the Switz City AMP project, helping to establish the initial asset management framework and foundational data collection:
Ziptility contributed existing asset data for Switz City and conducted an initial asset condition assessment. Notably, team member Adam Hershberger later joined AIRW, continuing to support the AMP project. InfoSense (Acoustic Assessment) performed SL-RAT acoustic testing across 90% of the sewer collection system, classifying pipe conditions using a color-coded GIS map. Utility Inspection Services (UIS) conducted CCTV inspections to assess pipe blockages and detect structural defects. Additionally, 4M Analytics (GIS & Satellite Imaging) introduced AI-driven satellite imaging to enhance asset location mapping and developed comprehensive geospatial asset databases for Switz City..

1. Key Expert Participants & Their Contributions & Progress

Since securing funding, BAMI-I and its partners have made significant progress across multiple fronts. The project has engaged expert organizations to perform various analyses, evaluations, and implementations to ensure a comprehensive and data-driven AMP for Switz City.

1.1 Pipeline & Sewer System Condition Assessments

ADS (Flow Monitoring Services)

ADS provided essential flow monitoring services for the project, contributing to the assessment of infiltration and inflow (I&I) levels. ADS has successfully completed its flow monitoring and data collection work for the Switz City AMP project. In September 2024, ADS installed three flow meters at critical locations within the sewer system. Over the next several months, from September 2024 to January 2025, they conducted comprehensive flow monitoring to assess infiltration and inflow (I&I) levels. With the completion of this phase, ADS has provided crucial pipeline flow data, which will be used for risk assessment, system optimization, and informed decision-making in asset management planning.

ACE Pipe Cleaning Company

ACE Pipe Cleaning Company has completed its assigned tasks and submitted the relevant data and reports. In September 2024, the team carried out sewer pipe cleaning and CCTV inspections, successfully identifying previously unlocatable manholes. Following this, in October 2024, they conducted smoke testing within the wastewater collection system to detect leaks and unauthorized connections. Their findings contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of Switz City’s sewer infrastructure and will inform future maintenance and rehabilitation efforts.

1.2 Engineering & Infrastructure Analysis

George Kurz (Independent I&I Consultant)

George Kurz, serving as an independent I&I consultant, led the infiltration and inflow (I&I) analysis for the project. His work focused on evaluating the extent of I&I within the wastewater system to identify potential inefficiencies. In October and December 2024, he provided detailed engineering reports on flow and rainfall monitoring, offering critical insights that will support data-driven decision-making for infrastructure improvements and asset management planning.

Kurt Wright (Independent WWTP consultant)

Kurt Wright conducted a comprehensive evaluation of Switz City’s wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) as part of the asset management planning process. In November 2024, he visited the WWTP for an on-site assessment and participated in multiple virtual discussions with project stakeholders to refine his analysis. Following these efforts, he has submitted the official evaluation report, which includes a detailed assessment of the WWTP’s infrastructure, current operational challenges, and recommendations for future upgrades. His findings have also been incorporated into a dedicated WWTP chapter within the Asset Management Plan (AMP), providing a strategic framework for long-term system improvements.

PROCESS FLOW DIAGRAM SWITZ CITY WWTP

1.3 Financial & Utility Management Analysis

Water Finance Assistance (WFA)

Glenn from Water Finance Assistance (WFA) visited Switz City on November 4, 2024, where he introduced the ongoing work on the rate structure and led a discussion on the city’s financial data. As part of WFA’s contributions, he conducted a comprehensive rate study to evaluate affordability, financial health, and long-term funding strategies for the city’s utilities. His findings will be presented to Switz City officials, providing valuable insights to support informed financial planning and sustainable utility improvements.

1.4 Data Collection & Quality Control

Purdue UIT (Underground Infrastructure Team)

  • Project lead, overseeing coordination and execution

AIRW (Alliance of Indiana Rural Water)

  • Provided field support for data collection, condition assessments, and project management.
  • Assisted in coordinating project meetings and stakeholder engagements.

BFU (Bynum Fanyo Utilities)

  • Supported data collection, field evaluations, and infrastructure inspections.
  • Managed water meter replacements and contributed to sewer system evaluations.

Smart Views, LLC (QA/QC Review)

  • Conducted a Quality Control (QC) review of the field data and verify the accuracy and completeness of the Pipeline Condition Assessment (PCA) data, ensuring compliance with IFA’s “Gold Standard” model for asset management under Indiana Senate Bill 272.

2.Project Management & Team Coordination

Three key organizations—BAMI-I, AIRW, and BFU—have served as the primary execution and management teams, with BAMI-I leading the initiative. To ensure effective project implementation, they have conducted eight stakeholder meetings focused on execution, data analysis, and strategic planning. Regular collaboration with Switz City officials, particularly the Town Board, has helped maintain transparency and alignment with local needs. Additionally, they have facilitated cross-organizational data integration by coordinating efforts among engineering firms, technology providers, and financial analysts to develop a comprehensive Asset Management Plan (AMP). To ensure efficient budget utilization, they have also provided continuous financial and administrative oversight, managing invoices, contracts, and reimbursement requests.

3. Next Steps & Upcoming Priorities

With strong data foundations established through multi-party collaboration, the project is now progressing into the next phase, focusing on the finalization of the Switz City Asset Management Plan (AMP) report and its pilot implementation. The next steps involve integrating all collected data into the final document, reviewing and validating infrastructure condition assessments, and developing 20-year financial projections along with risk management strategies. Simultaneously, the pilot phase will include targeted asset upgrades, such as inflow and infiltration (I&I) repairs, improvements to the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), and the installation of new water meters to enhance system efficiency.

Conclusion

The Switz City AMP project has made significant progress in its first six months, laying a solid foundation for the creation of a comprehensive and replicable asset management model. With strong collaboration between BAMI-I, AIRW, Purdue UIT, and industry experts, the project remains on track to achieve its ultimate goal of enhancing asset longevity, improving financial sustainability, and ensuring regulatory compliance for small utilities across Indiana.
For further updates, inquiries, or collaboration opportunities, please contact: Wei Liao – [email protected] or Dr. Tom Iseley – [email protected]