The Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department (WASD) is undertaking substantial improvements to their water and wastewater systems in order to comply with a 1995 EPA Consent Decree. Among other requirements, EPA specified that WASD implement a maintenance program and tracking system capable of tracking maintenance activities and equipment histories and scheduling preventative maintenance activities. Based on this and the desire to transform itself into a competitive world class utility, WASD made the decision to move forward and pursue a computerized comprehensive maintenance management system (CMMS). WASD is taking an innovative approach that goes beyond automating the status quo to identifying real performance gains through the integration of appropriate business practices with leading technologies. This approach ensures that the CMMS meets current needs and provides flexibility and processes to accommodate the changes in business practices anticipated as WASD restructures to meet regulatory and cost requirements necessary to be competitive.