Application of benchmarking for urban water supply system : case of Hue City, Vietnam
- Pathum Thani, Thailand : Asian Institute of Technology, 2008
- 110 p. : ill.
- Thesis ; no. UE-08-17 .
- Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. UE-08-17 .
A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Urban Environmental Management
Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2008
Process benchmarking has been used as a tool to provide opportunities for organizations to improve their management system. This study applies process benchmarking for water supply in a selected city of Hue to close the gaps in water utility performance and knowledge in benchmarking. The study is conducted for understanding performance measurements used in water supply in Hue city, exploration opportunities to apply process benchmarking by comparing performance indicators among utilities with gender and disaster considering, and development of recommendations used in development plans for water supply of the city. The scope of process benchmarking is considered within four areas: operation process, environment, services, and finance and efficiency. From comparison results among Hue and benchmarking partners, Singapore and Ho Chi Minh are among the utilities for Hue to adopt. Instead of preparation of a plan for improvement, the study develops recommendations for improvement that can be integrated into the development plan of the city. The recommendations consider changes that can be applied for water treatment process, waste management for protecting environment, public awareness campaign for services, more gender involvement in the process and some additional process when the utility increases capacity for more efficiency. Moreover, recommendations are also for the city government to manage the water source and catchment on Huong River, and to construct drainage, sewerage and wastewater treatment system as well as for integrating several types of infrastructure for sustainable development. The study has adopted process benchmarking that normally is used in industry, combined specific areas and sub-processes and adjusted the process of public sector to fix with Hue context. The study results can be applied to other utilities with consideration of using Hue case as one of good benchmarking partners for some good performance, especially water loss control, awareness campaign and PR activities. With other urban environmental facilities,. the same process can be applied such as for wastewater and solid waste management system with modification of their indicators and selection of best practice in the world for benchmarking partners