Asset management

Public assets such as city buildings, roads and parks have estimated service lifespans and costs for rehabilitation and replacement.

Learn about the condition of city-owned assets and how we plan to manage them in the future.


On this page

  1. Asset values and conditions
  2. Asset classes
  3. Asset management approach
  4. Asset management plan
  5. Asset management policy

Asset value and conditions

We categorize public infrastructure into 'asset classes' that each have:

  • an inventory and estimated replacement value
  • a current and projected condition
  • an average annual funding amount
  • an estimated funding gap to reach target performance

This information is updated regularly, based on:

  • the best available asset inventory, condition and deterioration trends
  • the most recent approved budget and funding forecast

Asset value, condition and funding gaps

Asset groups

Replacement value

Current condition

Condition in 25 years

Annual funding needed

Average annual funding

Annual funding gap

Bridges and Culverts $57 million Good Very poor $800,000 $500,000 $300,000
Cemeteries $15 million Fair Poor $200,000 $100,000 $100,000

Facilities

$542 million

Poor

Very poor

$16.7 million

$5.2 million

$11.5 million

Fire

$15 million

Fair

Good

$1.3 million

$1.2 million

$100,000

Fleet and Shop Equipment

$28 million

Poor

Fair

$3 million

$2.8 million

$200,000

Forestry

$113 million

Excellent

Excellent

$500,000

$100,000

$400,000

Information Technology

$19 million

Fair

Fair

$1.2 million

$1.2 million

$0

Library

$6 million

Good

Good

$300,000

$300,000

$0

Parking

$38 million

Fair

Poor

$600,000

$200,000

$400,000

Parks

$69 million

Poor

Very poor

$4.2 million

$1.8 million

$2.4 million

Public Art

$2 million

Good

Good

$15,000

$5,000

$10,000

Sanitary Collection

$526 million Good Fair $6 million $3 million $3 million

Stormwater

$761 million Fair Poor $17.2 million $4.3 million $12.9 million

Transportation

$1.1 billion Fair Very poor $30 million $7 million $23 million

Water Distribution

$636 million Good Fair $3.8 million $3.8 million  $0

Total

$3.9 billion

 

 

$85.8 million

$31.5 million

$54.3 million


Asset classes

Assets are funded by different revenue sources. We use two categories to separate assets based on their funding source:

  • property taxes (tax base assets)
  • user fees (enterprise assets)

Expand the tabs below to find detailed information about each asset class.

Tax funded asset classes

Facilities

The city is responsible for 1.2 million square feet of total floor space.

Value and conditions
  • Total replacement value: $541 million
  • Current condition: poor
  • Projected condition in 25 years: very poor
Standards and strategy 

The city's facilities assets are our buildings including recreation facilities, fire stations and libraries, and their fixtures. We are committed to the maintenance of our buildings, energy efficiency and equipment to support the services provided to the community.

Facilities are typically rehabilitated through the replacement or refurbishment of individual components or groups of components. Each component has an industry-accepted estimated service life that is combined with observations during site investigations.

The current performance of facility assets is considered poor and is anticipated to decline to very poor over the next 25 years. This is anticipated to be unacceptable to most interested and affected parties.

Funding
  • Projected funding needed to meet target: $16.7 million
  • Average annual funding: $5.2 million
  • Annual funding gap: $11.5 million

Download Facilities Report Card (PDF)

Fire

The city is responsible for 1,500 pieces of protective equipment and and 22 vehicles. Fire stations are included in the facilities asset class.

Value and conditions

  • Total replacement value: $15 million
  • Current condition: fair
  • Projected condition in 25 years: good
Standards and strategy

Fire equipment and personal protective equipment is replaced when it reaches the end of its useful life in accordance with industry standards along with professional management by fire staff. 

Fire vehicles are replaced when they reach the end of their useful life, based on professional management by fire staff.

The current performance of fire assets is considered fair and is anticipated to improve to good over the next 25 years.

Funding
  • Projected funding needed to meet target: $1.3 million
  • Average annual funding: $1.2 million
  • Annual funding gap: $100,000

Download Fire Report Card (PDF)

Forestry

The city is responsible for about 31,000 street trees and 6,300 park trees.

Value and conditions

  • Total replacement value: $113 million
  • Current condition: excellent
  • Projected condition in 25 years: excellent
Standards and strategy 

The city's urban forest includes trees planted along streets and on city-owned lands like open spaces, parks and woodlots. We remove and replace trees when they are dying, damaged or impacted by invasive pests.

The current performance of forestry assets is considered excellent and is anticipated to maintain that performance profile over the next 25 years.

Funding
  • Projected funding needed to meet target: $500,000
  • Average annual funding: $100,000
  • Annual funding gap: $400,000

Download Forestry Report Card (PDF)

Information technology

Information technology assets includes remote sensing data, computer hardware, on premise software and applications, and infrastructure such as fibre optics, phone systems, and servers.

Value and conditions
  • Total replacement value: $19 million
  • Current condition: fair
  • Projected condition in 25 years: fair
Standards and strategy 

Technology assets are replaced when they reach the end of their useful life. Estimated service life ranges between 3 and 10 years for software and hardware assets and 25 years for fibre optic infrastructure assets.

The current performance of technology assets is considered fair and is anticipated to maintain that performance profile over the next 25 years.

Funding
  • Projected funding needed to meet target: $1.2 million
  • Average annual funding: $1.2 million
  • Annual funding gap: $0

Download IT Report Card (PDF)

Library equipment and furniture

Library assets include computers, electronics, equipment and furniture.
Value and conditions
  • Total replacement value: $5.5 million
  • Current condition: good
  • Projected condition in 25 years: good
Standards and strategy 

The City of Waterloo supports the Waterloo Public Library's purpose to satisfy the multiple literacy needs of the community. The library provides public access to print and digital collections to support its customers' information, cultural, learning and leisure needs. Library assets include the equipment, furniture, electronics and computers used by residents to access and enjoy the collections, and to support library programming.

Funding
  • Projected funding needed to meet target: $300,000
  • Average annual funding: $300,000
  • Annual funding gap: $0

Download Library Report Card (PDF)

Parks

Park assets includes 2 major parks and 136 neighbourhood parks.

Value and conditions
  • Total replacement value: $69 million
  • Current condition: poor
  • Projected condition in 25 years: very poor
Standards and strategy 

There are different performance standards for all the elements in our park assets that are replaced when they fall below the target performance for their component. Pieces that would have a greater impact on park users if they are worn or damaged for example, playgrounds have a higher target performance expectation than other pieces such as benches.

The current performance profile of Park assets is poor and is anticipated to decline to very poor over the next 25 years. This is anticipated to be unacceptable to most interested and affected parties.

Funding
  • Projected funding needed to meet target: $4.2 million
  • Average annual funding: $1.8 million
  • Annual funding gap: $2.4 million

Download Parks Report Card (PDF)

Public Art

Public Art assets include permanent art installed across the city.

Value and conditions
  • Total replacement value: $2.3 million
  • Current condition: good
  • Projected condition in 25 years: good
Standards and strategy 

The City of Waterloo recognizes that public art is a valuable asset that enhances the quality of life for citizens, strengthens community pride, improves the aesthetics of the public environment and contributes to the city’s cultural aspirations, social well-being and economic vitality. Public art is a mechanism to celebrate culture and heritage, reflect community diversity, express shared values and define the unique local identity.

Funding
  • Projected funding needed to meet target: $15,000
  • Average annual funding: $5,000
  • Annual funding gap: $10,000

Download Public Art Report Card (PDF)

Transportation

The city is responsible for:

  • 850 lane km of roads
  • 554 km of sidewalks
  • 166 km of trails
  • 106 bike racks
  • 5,400 traffic and wayfinding signs
Value and conditions
  • Total replacement value: $1.1 billion
  • Current condition: fair
  • Projected condition in 25 years: very poor
Pavement quality index (PQI)

Roads are rehabilitated when their condition falls below the target pavement quality index. Pavement quality index is a rating from zero which is very poor condition, to 100 which is excellent condition. PQI takes into account surface condition, ability to support and bear weight, and how rough the road is to ride on. PQI targets vary based on road classification, with busier roads generally held to higher standards.

  • Current PQI: 59
  • Target PQI: 60
Standards and strategy 

Roads are replaced in coordination with other underground infrastructure, such as watermains and sanitary/storm sewers. Roads are typically resurfaced when no underground infrastructure replacements are required. Sidewalks and trails are replaced when they are in very poor condition.

Current average funding levels are projected to result in conditions declining to an unacceptable level.

The current performance profile of Transportation assets is fair and is anticipated to decline to very poor over the next 25 years. This is anticipated to be unacceptable to most interested and affected parties.

Funding
  • Projected funding needed to meet target: $30 million
  • Average annual funding: $7 million
  • Annual funding gap: $23 million

Download Transportation Report Card (PDF)

Uptown Business Improvement Area (BIA)

Uptown Business Improvement Area assets include Christmas décor, lighting, benches, waste receptacles and planters.

Value and conditions
  • Total replacement value: $200,000
  • Current condition: poor
  • Projected condition in 25 years: excellent
Standards and strategy 

The Uptown Waterloo Business Improvement Area (BIA) and the City of Waterloo annually partner on beautification and place-making initiatives to add vibrancy to the core. Examples include Christmas décor, street banners, lighting, benches, waste receptacles and planters. Additional assets include equipment supporting administration and operating initiatives, such as laptops, photocopiers and office furniture. Most initiatives are funded by additional grants applied for by the BIA.

Funding
  • Projected funding needed to meet target: $80,000
  • Average annual funding: $40,000
  • Annual funding gap: $40,000

Download Uptown BIA Report Card (PDF)

User fee funded groups

Bridges and Culverts

The city is responsible for:

  • 54 pedestrian bridges
  • 22 road culverts
Value and conditions
  • Total replacement value: $57 million
  • Current condition: good
  • Projected condition in 25 years: very poor
Standards and strategy 

Pedestrian bridges and road structure culverts are replaced when they reach the end of their useful life. Inspections completed every two years determine if there is a need for work to be done, ranging from replacement of railings to asphalt and concrete repairs, right up to full bridge replacement.

Bridges are jointly funded by the tax base and the stormwater enterprise.

The current performance profile of bridges and culverts is good and is anticipated to decline to a very poor performance profile over the next 25 years. This is anticipated to be unacceptable to most interested and affected parties.

Funding
  • Projected funding needed to meet target: $800,000
  • Average annual funding: $500,000
  • Annual funding gap: $300,000

Download Bridges and Culverts Report Card (PDF)

Cemeteries

The city is responsible for two cemeteries and a crematorium.

Value and conditions
  • Total replacement value: $15 million
  • Current condition: fair
  • Projected condition in 25 years: poor
Standards and strategy 

Cemeteries assets are treated when they fall below the target performance for the respective component.

The current performance profile of Cemeteries assets is good and is anticipated to decline to poor over the next 25 years. This is anticipated to be unacceptable to most interested and affected parties.

Funding
  • Projected funding needed to meet target: $200,000
  • Average annual funding: $100,000
  • Annual funding gap: $100,000

Download Cemeteries Report Card (PDF)

Fleet and Shop Equipment

The city is responsible for 338 assets including electric vehicles, trucks, ice resurfacers, backhoes and turf vehicles.

Value and conditions

  • Total replacement value: $28 million
  • Current condition: poor
  • Projected condition in 25 years: fair
Standards and strategy 

Fleet assets are replaced when they reach the end of their useful life. Estimated service life ranges between 4 years and 15 years depending on the type of vehicle.

Fleet and shop equipment is funded by the tax base and the user rates.

The current performance of fleet and shop equipment assets is considered poor and is anticipated to improve to fair over the next 25 years.

Funding
  • Projected funding needed to meet target: $3 million
  • Average annual funding: $2.8 million
  • Annual funding gap: $200,000

Download Fleet Report Card (PDF)

Parking

Parking assets include a parking structure, paved and gravel lots and 1 electric vehicle charging station.

Value and conditions
  • Total replacement value: $38 million
  • Current condition: fair
  • Projected condition in 25 years: poor
Standards and strategy 

Surface parking lots are resurfaced when they reach the end of their useful life. The Uptown Parkade is managed like a facility, where individual components are refurbished or replaced as they reach the end of their useful life. The useful life of parking assets range from 5 to 150 years depending on the item.

The current performance profile of parking assets is fair and is anticipated to decline to a poor performance profile over the next 25 years. This is anticipated to be unacceptable to most interested and affected parties.

Funding
  • Projected funding needed to meet target: $600,000
  • Average annual funding: $200,000
  • Annual funding gap: $400,000

Download Parking Report Card (PDF)

Sanitary collection

Sanitary collection assets includes 421 km of pipes and 6 sewage pumping stations.

Value and conditions
  • Total replacement value: $526 million
  • Current condition: good
  • Projected condition in 25 years: fair
Standards and strategy 

Sanitary sewers can be rehabilitated or replaced. Waterloo's strategy is to replace those in poor or very poor condition in coordination with replacement of the road and other subsurface infrastructure. When possible, sewers are rehabilitated using trenchless technology without disturbing the road base.

Pumping stations are rehabilitated on an as-needed basis as components in each facility reach the end of their useful life. 

The current performance profile of sanitary collection assets is good and is anticipated to decline to fair over the next 25 years.

Funding
  • Projected funding needed to meet target: $6 million
  • Average annual funding: $3 million
  • Annual funding gap: $3 million

Download Sewer Report Card (PDF)

Stormwater

Stormwater assets includes 361 km of pipes, 59 ponds, 2 impoundments and 70 km of natural channels.

Value and conditions
  • Total replacement value: $761 million
  • Current condition: fair
  • Projected condition in 25 years: poor
Standards and strategy 

Stormwater management is a network of pipes (including catchbasins and manholes), ponds and creeks. Storm sewers can either be rehabilitated or replaced. The current strategy in Waterloo is to replace storm sewers that are in very poor condition in coordination with the replacement of the road surface and other underground infrastructure.

The current strategy for stormwater management ponds is to dredge them on a routine basis to remove sediment and restore their full capability to capture runoff. 

Natural assets (creeks) in the urban environment are maintained to support adequate flow through the system, control erosion, and reduce risk to critical infrastructure.

The current performance profile of sanitary collection assets is fair and is anticipated to decline to poor over the next 25 years. This is anticipated to be unacceptable to most interested and affected parties.

Funding
  • Projected funding needed to meet target: $17.2 million
  • Average annual funding: $4.3 million
  • Annual funding gap: $12.9 million

Download Stormwater Report Card (PDF)

Water distribution

Water distribution assets includes 442 km of pipes and 2601 fire hydrants.

Value and conditions
  • Total replacement value: $636 million
  • Current condition: good
  • Projected condition in 25 years: fair
Standards and strategy 

Water distribution is a highly regulated service and the City of Waterloo must meet strict provincial regulations and drinking water quality standards.

Watermains can be rehabilitated or replaced. The current strategy in Waterloo is to replace watermains that experience a high number of breaks or that have reached the end of their useful life. Replacement is coordinated with the replacement of other subsurface infrastructure such as stormwater mains and roads.

The current performance profile of water assets is excellent and is anticipated to decline to fair over the next 25 years.

Funding
  • Projected funding needed to meet target: $3.8 million
  • Average annual funding: $3.8 million
  • Annual funding gap: $0

Download Water Report Card (PDF)


Asset management approach

Asset Management is an integrated approach that brings together different municipal disciplines to manage infrastructure planning. 

The objective is to manage infrastructure through strategic investments that rehabilitate or replace assets at the right time for the right amount of money.

We use this approach to:

  • maximize the value of existing assets
  • manage future risk
  • provide satisfactory and sustainable services to the community

Waterloo Decision Support System

The city uses an award winning system to guide decisions regarding building, operating, maintaining, renewing and disposing of infrastructure assets.

This system is used to:

  • help prioritize asset rehabilitation and replacement
  • provide information on asset strategies
  • inform the asset management plan and report cards
  • inform the long term financial plan and capital budget process

Asset Management Plan

Our Asset Management Plan helps the city manage its resources effectively using the best available information on our assets, their performance, and how they might wear out over time. The plan also aligns with the city’s financial strategy. Asset performance may shift over time, so we monitor it regularly.

We developed our plan to meet the requirements of Ontario Regulation 588/17: Asset Management Planning for Municipal Infrastructure.

View the city's Asset Management Plan (PDF, 22 MB).


Asset management policy

The city has an official policy that ensures we understand the long-term consequences of managing public infrastructure.

This is accomplished by combining evidence-based analysis with professional management in order to:

  • facilitate effective decision-making and risk assessments
  • meet legislative and regulatory requirements
  • establish service levels
  • adjust service levels as necessary to accommodate asset efficiency, effectiveness, sustainability, growth, and people-centred outcomes
  • prepare for climate change
  • work toward meeting asset accessibility requirements

Download the Strategic Asset Management Policy

This policy is updated every 5 years and was last revised in 2023. Download the policy (PDF).