Ulaanbaatar, January 21, 2025 - The provision of asset management technical assistance for Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (USUG) of Ulaanbaatar City is planned as part of the Utility Operations sub-activity of the Water Sector Sustainability Activity. The kick-off meeting for the Consulting Services for Asset Management Technical Assistance for Water Supply and Sewerage Authority was held today.

Opening the kick-off meeting, Ms. Enkhgerel Enkhtuvshin, CEO of Millennium Challenge Account-Mongolia (MCA-Mongolia), emphasized that “As part of the Water Sector Sustainability Activity, USUG operations was thoroughly assessed between 2019 and 2021 with the AquaRating methodology developed by the International Water Association to identify priority areas for further improvements in the utility operations. The AquaRating assessment findings identified needs for improving the USUG’s asset management and provided the technical background for the procurement preparation”.

Theo objectives of the consulting services consists of conducting asset management needs assessment for USUG, development of asset management policy and asset management plan for USUG, and provision of facilitation and support in computerized maintenance management software at USUG.

The French engineering consulting company Seureca in collaboration with the local subcontractor Prestige Engineering LLC of Mongolia has been selected as the consultant to provide the asset management technical assistance. Arnaud David, the team leader of the consultancy team and asset management expert of “Seureca” engineering consulting company, presented on the experience of Seureca and the work plan, methodology, roles and responsibilities, and outputs and objectives of the asset management technical assistance for the USUG.

“This project to provide asset management technical assistance for USUG is a timely and important project,” said Batsukh Baljinnyam, Director of the Downstream Wells Activity of MCA-Mongolia. “There is an urgent need for USUG to learn from and apply international best practices in asset management in water utilities.”

Ms. Unurjargal Lkhanaa, Director, Sustainability of MCA-Mongolia, who moderated the meeting, highlighted that active participation, ownership and feedback of USUG and relevant water  entities is critical for successful implementation of the asset management technical assistance. 

Representatives from MCA-Mongolia, different departments and units of USUG, including the Engineering Policy Department, Operations Control Department, Economic and Financial Accounting Department, Water Supply Division, IT & Automation Unit, Pipe-fed Kiosk Division, Truck-Fed Kiosk Division as well as representatives of the Water Service Regulatory Committee, Seureca, Prestige Engineering LLC attended the meeting.