OpenGov's latest publication showcases how local agencies can manage their water infrastructure assets more efficiently.

Every day, public works teams are asked to do more with less—stretching shrinking budgets, keeping up with regulations, and maintaining aging infrastructure while ensuring residents never miss a drop of safe, reliable water. If you’re still relying on paper records, maps, or spreadsheets to track assets, you’re already behind.

The truth is, modern challenges demand modern solutions. From ensuring water quality to preparing for seasonal demand shifts, customer expectations, and emergency response, water systems must adopt strategies that extend asset life, increase efficiency, and build community trust.

That’s where asset management comes in. This guide, created with communities of all sizes in mind, outlines five actionable steps to build or improve your water system’s asset management strategy.

Topics Covered:

• How to build a water asset management strategy for my community
• Considerations for water systems when it comes to asset management
• How does your current operation stack up?
• Does my small community need a water asset management system?
• What 7 steps should you follow to select a system?
• Who should be involved in the system selection process?

With real-world case studies from communities like Kingsport, TN and Rosemount, MN—who saved time, money, and resources by modernizing their approach—you’ll see how small changes can create long-term impact.

Read the Report