D-LeaP, the Danube Learning Partnership, engages in capacity building on a wide range of topics. Asset management is a very prominent one, because up-to-date integrated asset management is the key to improving cost efficiency and overall business performance.

With support from the Global Water Security & Sanitation Partnership, a trust fund administered by the World Bank, D-LeaP is implementing in countries across the region.

Rising costs, aging infrastructures, difficulties to finance investments: Water utility companies everywhere in the region wrestle with the same challenges. An important step towards turning the situation around is the introduction of Integrated Asset Management, an effective and proven set of tools that helps to monitor, maintain and upgrade existing assets systematically and cost efficiently, while improving the service quality and overall business performance. 

The D-LeaP Integrated Asset Management program is an innovative package, already customised for the region through the EDAMS Integrated Asset Management Information Systems, and delivered through AM Hubs in local language.  

The AM Hubs provide participating utilities with training, support, software and best-practice methodologies throughout a three-stage program. The focus of stage 1 is setting up a network geographical database and introducing proper Network Data Management. Stage 2 deals with improving productivity and efficiency by improving maintenance management. Stage 3 completes the package with Commercial Data Management, Water Quality Management,  Distribution/NRW Management, Rehabilitation/Maintenance Planning and Infrastructure Planning.

There is considerable demand for this program, and we can now report that 2024 delivery of three AM Hubs has successfully concluded in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and Serbia.

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the first 2-day workshop in late May counted 25 participants from eight water utilities and seven local governments. Hosted by the Aquasan Network, this introductory workshop walked the participants through the basics of the Integrated Asset Management Approach, the related legal and institutional aspects, asset registration, and of course the technical and financial implications.

In Kosovo, seven regional water companies and the national Water Service Regulatory Authority came on board, with 22 participants in the one-day kick-off workshop on 22 May, and 30 participants in an EDAMS training module on 13 June.

In Serbia, PUC Loznica Waterworks and Sewerage entered the program with six participants who received on the job training over three workshops delivered by UTVSI. 

Readers interested in Integrated Asset Management and the wide range of other D-LeaP training programs will find comprehensive information under the link below.