As municipalities navigate increasing demands, aging infrastructure, and limited budgets, there is a growing need to rethink how we approach infrastructure planning. The question is no longer just “Can we afford to build it?”—but also “Can we afford to maintain it?” and “What impact will it have on the future of our community?” Sustainable infrastructure isn’t just a trendy term. It’s a mindset that blends environmental responsibility with financial realism—a way to serve communities today without compromising the generations to come.
In the context of Asset Management, sustainable infrastructure refers to assets that minimize or eliminate their environmental footprint and support a long-term financial strategy. That doesn’t mean choosing one over the other. In fact, sustainability demands that we consider both. There is little value in choosing an environmentally friendly option if it cannot be maintained within the means of the municipality. Likewise, an affordable asset that accelerates environmental degradation could cost far more in the long run.
Increasingly, municipalities are being asked to look beyond upfront costs when acquiring major infrastructure—especially in water and wastewater services. Asset Management is the lens that allows us to make these decisions wisely, by considering the full life cycle cost of ownership and the long-term impact on both finances and the environment.
How Asset Management Supports Sustainability
Asset Management and sustainability go hand in hand. At its core, Asset Management is about delivering the right service at the right level, for the lowest long-term cost. That naturally leads to better sustainability outcomes. When municipalities adopt AM principles, they:
- Extend the useful life of infrastructure through timely maintenance and renewal.
- Right-size assets so they meet actual community needs without overbuilding.
- Reduce energy consumption by choosing efficient equipment and optimizing operations.
- Support long-term planning, helping councils understand future obligations and avoid short-term decisions that lead to long-term costs.
Municipalities that actively apply Asset Management strategies often find themselves making better decisions around infrastructure renewal, energy upgrades, and facility modernization. Sustainability becomes the outcome, not just the goal.
One small municipality, for example, was evaluating the renewal of a recreation facility. Instead of rebuilding to the same specifications, they used their AM Plan to reassess community needs, energy costs, and asset performance. The result was a smaller, more efficient building that used less energy and met the community’s actual demand, rather than historical assumptions. This is sustainability in action: data-informed, community-aligned, and cost-conscious.
Real-World Examples of Sustainable Infrastructure in Action
A leading example in Manitoba is the City of Selkirk, which has integrated sustainability into both its Asset Management and infrastructure renewal strategies. When upgrading its wastewater treatment plant, Selkirk pursued energy-efficient systems and modern controls that significantly reduced energy use and operating costs. These investments weren’t just environmentally responsible—they were also part of a larger Asset Management strategy to reduce life cycle costs and improve service resilience.
Selkirk’s broader AM framework supports the city’s Climate Change Adaptation Strategy, aligning infrastructure decisions with emissions reduction goals and long-term affordability. By embedding sustainability into their AM systems, Selkirk isn’t just reacting to infrastructure needs—they’re designing systems for a better future.
In another example, a small municipality in Ontario replaced aging stormwater infrastructure with a naturalized stormwater management system, including bioswales and permeable paving. The system requires less maintenance, reduces flooding risk, and provides co-benefits like groundwater recharge and greenspace for the community. This is a prime example of infrastructure that reduces environmental impact while lowering long-term operating costs.
Whether it’s energy-efficient buildings, low-impact transportation solutions, or climate-resilient utility upgrades, these examples show what is possible when Asset Management is aligned with sustainability planning.
Opportunities in Common Municipal Service Areas
Sustainable infrastructure doesn’t have to mean brand-new technology or big-city innovation. It can be as simple as rethinking how we design, build, and maintain everyday services. Let’s look at a few relatable examples across typical service classes that small municipalities manage.
1. Roads and Transportation
Gravel and asphalt roads are major cost centers, especially in rural areas. Sustainability here can mean prioritizing high-traffic routes for upgrade while using recycled asphalt for local roads to reduce material costs and environmental impact. Some municipalities are experimenting with dust control strategies that reduce grading frequency, cutting down on fuel and equipment wear.
In urban centers, adding sidewalk infrastructure using permeable pavers not only improves walkability but also manages stormwater naturally—reducing the load on storm systems.
2. Water Distribution
Replacing aging water mains—including older LDPE or poly pipes—with properly sized HDPE piping can significantly improve system performance and reduce water loss. Right-sizing the distribution system by matching pipe diameter and pressure zones to actual demand not only lowers energy consumption at pumping stations but also helps extend the useful life of the infrastructure.
In many cases, municipalities can also enhance sustainability by improving flushing practices, maintaining valves regularly, and conducting targeted pressure testing—simple, cost-effective steps that help identify problem areas before they lead to major failures.
3. Wastewater and Lagoons
Small municipalities with lagoon systems can improve sustainability by focusing on preventative measures that reduce risk and extend system life. For example, installing level sensors in key manholes can provide early warnings of high levels, allowing staff to respond before a backup or overflow occurs. These low-cost technologies support better operational decision-making while helping municipalities stay compliant with environmental regulations and protect surrounding ecosystems.
With lagoons, properly maintained berms and regular dredging schedules, supported by Asset Management planning, not only sustain the system’s function but protect surrounding ecosystems from overflow events.
4. Buildings and Facilities
Energy audits in municipal buildings—like recreation centers, fire halls, and community offices—can highlight opportunities for LED lighting, better insulation, or geothermal heating retrofits. Even a simple programmable thermostat can make a noticeable difference.
Facility renewal projects guided by AM principles often yield more compact, multi-use spaces, reducing long-term operating costs while serving broader community needs.
5. Fleet and Equipment
Public works departments are often overlooked in sustainability conversations. But right-sizing the vehicle fleet, switching to hybrid or electric models for light-duty vehicles, or implementing preventive maintenance programs all contribute to a lower carbon footprint and lower lifecycle costs.
Some municipalities are now sharing equipment between departments or neighboring communities, reducing the need for duplicative purchases.
These examples may seem small in isolation—but collectively, they represent meaningful shifts in how municipalities plan and manage infrastructure. Each project becomes more than a fix—it becomes a step toward sustainability.
Sustainable Planning Pays Off in the Long Run
While sustainable infrastructure may sometimes come with a higher initial price tag, its long-term benefits far outweigh the costs. These benefits include:
- Lower lifecycle costs from reduced maintenance and energy use.
- Improved public trust by delivering reliable, future-focused services.
- Greater resilience in the face of climate change and extreme weather events.
- Opportunities for external funding, as more grants and programs prioritize sustainability.
Perhaps most importantly, sustainability provides municipalities with a strategic advantage. It positions them to attract residents, secure long-term investment, and deliver services that are financially and environmentally viable well into the future. For communities facing aging infrastructure and rising service demands, it’s not just a good idea—it’s a necessary evolution.
This is where Asset Management shines. It provides the framework to consider environmental and financial impacts together. It helps communities define Levels of Service that include sustainability goals. And it gives staff and councils the tools to make balanced, informed, and visionary decisions.
Final Thoughts and Your Call to Action
Sustainability isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress. And Asset Management gives us the structure to make steady, measurable progress over time. Every decision matters—whether you’re selecting a new facility design, choosing materials for a road renewal, or upgrading a treatment system.
When we view infrastructure not just as a cost, but as a long-term service delivery tool, sustainability stops being an add-on and becomes part of our everyday decision-making.
How is sustainability considered in your municipality’s infrastructure decisions? Do you have a project or policy your team is proud of? Share your wins and lessons learned—let’s inspire others.
Reach out to me:
- Phone: 204-384-7754
- Email: chad@buhlinam.ca
- LinkedIn: Chad Buhlin
Together, we can build infrastructure that not only stands the test of time, but leaves a legacy worth building on.