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Engineering and Design

With almost 100 in-house engineering staff, United Water has proven experience in the delivery of small capital works programs through to the design and project management of multi-million dollar treatment plant upgrades.

Each year, we partner with our clients to design and deliver multi-million dollar capital works projects. Our largest engineering project to date has been the successful completion of the A$240 million SA Water Environmental Improvement Program to reduce the nitrogen levels of discharged effluent. We are currently project managing a $200 million upgrade of the Christies Beach Wastewater Treatment Plant in Adelaide.

Our proven capabilities include:

• Process engineering - water and wastewater treatment;

• Network design and management - pipe systems and pumping stations;

• Water quality management;

• Reuse – reclaimed water and residuals;

• Design of Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) schemes;

• Hydraulic and surge analysis; and

• Cathodic protection and corrosion control.

Our design capability is underpinned by expertise in the following key areas:

• Mechanical, electrical and hydraulic engineering;

• Cathodic protection engineering & standards;

• Instrumentation, control & automation engineering;

• Civil and structural engineering;

• Network modelling and process hydraulic performance;

• Historical data analysis and system “troubleshooting”; and

• Hazardous areas assessment and design.

Our experience in process, pilot-plant & operations includes:

• SBR & BNR processes;

• Saline wastewater treatment;

• Membrane bioreactors and immersed membranes;

• Tertiary treatment of wastewater;

• Odour treatment;

• Conventional filtration and DAFF;

• Dewatered biosolids management;

• Coagulation / flocculation (jar tests and pilot trials); and

• Disinfection facilities & chlorine residual decay.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

United Water employs a team of project managers and additional support personnel who partner with our clients to manage all aspects of project management from concept to commissioning.

Our team operates with a priority focus on risk management and mitigation, aims to minimise impact on the community during project construction, and is committed to improved environmental outcomes through efficient and innovative design.

Our capabilities include:

• Project scoping and options studies;

• NPV analysis of potential options;

• Development of concept plan designs;

• Value management studies;

• Preparation of contract documents; and

• Generation of technical specifications and engineering drawings.

Our experienced project management team also undertakes the calling and appraisal of tenders on behalf of our clients, construction management of the specified works, contract administration, and can perform a superintendency role if required.

For larger projects, United Water has successfully applied the Engineering Procurement Construction Management (EPCM) model to achieve the required project outcomes. Our team’s experience in EPCM project management includes the following areas:

• Separation of major projects into supply and discipline and/or area work packages;

• Design and documentation for all packages;

• Separate contracts aimed at maximising tendering opportunities, lowering package costs;

• Construction management of multiple contracts.