New Decade - New Challenges Annual Conference September 2010 Water Services Training Group 14 th...

New Decade - New Challenges Annual Conference September 2010

Water Services Training Group

14th Annual Conference

New Decade – New Challenges9th September 2010


Water Conservation / Mains Rehabilitation – Implementation 2010-2012

Gerry O’Donoghue

Senior Adviser, Water Inspectorate

DEHLG

Contents

Background WSIP 2010 – 2012 Present Status of Water Mains Rehab Specific Issues Going forward


Background

Circular L6/2007 – Water Conservation Circular L6/09 – Needs Assessment Expectation that rehabilitation works

would have commenced by end 2010. WSIP 2010 - 2012


WSIP 2010 -2012

€321m for contracts to commence 2010-2012

Potential replacement of 3% of the national public network

Challenge is managing the physical delivery


Status of Water Conservation / Rehabilitation

A few Local Authorities have not yet fully completed stage 1 and stage 2 works.

21 have submitted Rehabilitation Strategies

14 have submitted Rehabilitation Works proposals under L6/2007.

Rehabilitation Works budgets have been approved for 10 of these Local Authorities


Stages

Rehabilitation StrategyRehabilitation Works Schemes –

PlanningContract Document StageTender StageFinal Report Stage


Specific Issues (1/2)

Prioritisation of Works / Role of Circular L6/2007

Flexibility of Scope Rehabilitation Works Proposals WSIP Allocations (carry-over or

redistribution) Conditions of Contract (CWMF) Backyard Connections


Specific Issues (2/2)

Lead Services Leakage in New Developments Powers under Water Services Act Staffing Training



L6/2007 is a procedural Circular. Rehabilitation Strategy includes DMA

prioritisation. Works Proposals list prioritised mains.

There is an underlying need for competent technical judgements to underpin the projects.



“The information required in these Guidelines provides indicative measures of need and value. Nothing within the guidelines should prevent the identification and implementation of appropriate rehabilitation works yielding the best value. Accordingly the final decisions on works to be undertaken should allow discretionary technical judgements, supported by evidence. For example, while the general approach proposed is to prioritise initially on a DMA basis, proposals may include specific limited works to address particularly problematic mains within lower ranked DMAs.”


Flexibility of Scope

Data is key to asset management, leakage control and rehabilitation planning.

Rehabilitation Works Proposals will rely on data collected at Stages 1 and 2, other available records and targeted investigations.

It is inevitable that following approval of a Rehabilitation works proposal further information can come to light.


Flexibility of Scope

The procedure should not be a constraint on making appropriate adjustments based on improved data.

However; Adjustments to scope must be justifiable under the

principles of Circular L6/2007. Any such adjustments should preferably be

identified prior to construction works. Projects should be managed within approved

budgets, and where necessary prior DEHLG approval should be obtained for budget increases.


Rehabilitation Works Proposals

Observations from submissions to date: Purpose is to demonstrate scope and value of

each element – different elements should not be grouped on a single form.

Ensure required A4 drawing is included. Economic assessment – value of water saved

– average or marginal cost? Average cost better reflects the potential longer term savings in capital investment.


WSIP Allocations (carry-over or redistribution)

Overall expenditure targets should be met.

Where allocations will not be drawn down within the term of the Programme, funding may be reallocated by the Department.


Conditions of Contract (CWMF)

All construction related contracts to be under the Capital Works Management Framework.

“Public Works Contract for Civil Engineering Works designed by the Employer” has been used. Adequate site investigation (location of

mains and services) Change Orders – plan to ensure value


Backyard Services

Part 5 of Circular L6/2007 – Private Side Leakage “Where justified under the criteria for prioritising

rehabilitation works, the cost of providing alternative communication pipes and connections to the front of properties is eligible for funding under the rehabilitation programme.”

“This work should only be undertaken where all the property owners will connect to the new pipes, as the saving is only realised when the backyard services can be decommissioned.”


Backyard Services

Only works on public side are eligible for Department funding.

Grants may be available to homeowners under specific circumstances, e.g. Housing Aid for Older Persons Scheme.


Backyard Services


Backyard Services


Waterworks

Service ConnectionDistribution System

Backyard Services


Waterworks

Service connectionDistribution System?

Lead Services

WSIP 2010-2012:

“Funding is available for the replacement of lead connections on the public side, in order to meet the current and 2013 limits for lead in water. It is expected that Water Services authorities would prioritise any such works required in developing their Mains Rehabilitation Strategies, taking account of EPA guidance”.


Lead Services


Lead Services

Local authorities should identify and remove as a matter of priority any remaining lead distribution mains.

Opportunistic replacement. Planned and targeted replacement of lead

communication pipes over time, prioritising lead service connections and lead plumbing in Local Authority own buildings.

2013 parametric limit 10ug/l


Lead Services

Water Conservation/ Mains Rehabilitation Programme:Replacement of lead mains should be

prioritised,Replacement of lead connections (Public

side) eligible as a component of Rehabilitation Works Proposals.


Leakage in New Developments

Part 5 of Circular L6/2007 Developer responsible until taken in

charge Some Local Authorities charge for water

on metered basis at commercial rates until taken over.


Powers under Water Services Act

Local Authorities have been serving notices under Water Conservation Regulations 2008, SI 527 of 2008


Staffing

To date no request for approval to numbers for temporary staff for DEHLG Water Services projects has been refused. This applies to RE and Project Office staff where Posts funded by DEHLG Applications supported by Water Services

DEHLG.


Staffing

It is likely that a regional approach to project offices would reinforce this position.

For other staff, the overall restriction on numbers apply.


Training

WSTG Courses Distribution System Operation and

MaintenanceWater ConservationWater Treatment & Distribution -

AppreciationLeakage Control - ManagersLeakage Control - Operatives Drinking Water Incident Management

training


Training


In Conclusion

Straightforward Procedures Maximised devolution consistent with

Departments oversight role Funding available A great need for works to be done Operational benefits for Local Authorities

and Customers


In Conclusion

Full delivery of Water Rehab element of the WSIP (€321m), and demonstrated benefits, will support the case for continued funding.

New Decade - New Challenges Annual Conference September 2010 Water Services Training Group 14 th...

Documents

Transcript of New Decade - New Challenges Annual Conference September 2010 Water Services Training Group 14 th...