19 contractors have signed on to deliver the first stage of Watercare’s $3.5 billion asset renewal programme.
The companies will work on the first half of a decade-long programme to replace ageing water and wastewater pipes, as well as upgrade pump stations and treatment plants.
Some of the companies include McConnell Dowell, Pipeline & Civil, Worley New Zealand and HEB Construction.
Watercare asset upgrades and renewals general manager Suzanne Lucas said there was a strong set of criteria in place assessing contractor proposals.
“We’re really confident that we’ve found the right partners who’ll help us to design and deliver the first phase of our $3.5b asset renewals programme, which will be the biggest investment we’ve ever made in proactive network renewals,” Lucas said.
“It’s hugely exciting to be at this point, and we can’t wait to start developing and allocating targeted programmes of work that for our customers will ultimately mean fewer leaks and water outages, and fewer wastewater overflows.
“Over time, we should see the benefit of our investment with a reduced spend on reactive maintenance work from fewer pipe breaks.”
Watercare head of supply chain and procurement Stuart Bird said the request-for-proposal process will save time in the years to come.
“The traditional project-by-project procurement process simply wouldn’t have worked for the volume of projects this programme of work will cover,” Bird said.
“Doing it this way means a big investment in time up front, but it will pay dividends by reducing the amount of time and money spent on individual tenders for small, short-term bundles of work.”
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