dependent upon a number factors - skills available, size, complexity and value of the infrastructure, experience and culture of staff and the approach to risk management. The Council recognises there is an element of diminishing returns between the effort required to collect data and the subsequent improvement in decision making. The water infrastructure is laid out in relatively small and comprehensible systems. Whilst there are competing demands for resources between different networks and functions within the networks they are managed by a single and experienced management team. Advanced asset management techniques are employed only where it will add significant value to the current decision making process. Core asset management is being developed to provide intelligence to operational managers and to ‘future –proof’ the existing knowledge base. Advanced techniques such as mathematical modelling, option identification and selection, cost-benefit and total benefit analysis, risk management techniques, asset condition grading are all regularly used within the current asset management implementation A team within the Assets and Services department continue to collect data on asset condition, location and performance to support the asset managers. The quality of the data is systematically and continuously reviewed and improved. As the treatment processes and connectivity of the reticulation become more sophisticated network modelling and other techniques provide insights into the complex behaviour and performance of the infrastructure. Dynamic mathematical models are being developed and deployed to model and predict future scenarios There is a current reliance on the knowledge and experience of a stable and highly skilled workforce. The depth and breadth to the skills base across the workforce precludes many of the risks associated with reliance on individual staff members. However high quality data and empirical analysis is required to optimise effective decisions and forward planning. There is an increasing demand for logical and robust processes to support and demonstrate effective management. The Council approach to asset management will select and deploy advance techniques where they will assist in resolving conflicting demands whilst maximising the skills and practical experience available. . Page 14