Defining a Sustainable Underground Infrastructure Framework: ISO Asset Management and ISO Life Cycle

Sustainability is broadly defined to mean systems that are able to meet the needs of current and future generations by being physically resilient, cost-effective, environmentally viable, and socially equitable. While the term is applied to various types of infrastructure, the real application of sustainability practices needs to be applied to underground water infrastructure. In order to determine the best sustainable outcomes a common standard of weighing alternatives and making decisions should be followed. The International Standards Organization (ISO) is an independent, non-governmental organization which facilitates world trade by providing common standards between nations. The ISO has standards which can benefit sustainable infrastructure decision making specifically in 3 main areas: life cycle assessment, life cycle costing, and asset management. This paper defines a sustainable framework for underground pipe infrastructure in the context of ISO standards and industry best practices.