Water Services Training Group

1. Water Services Training Group 14th Annual Conference New Decade – New Challenges 9th September 2010

2. Water Conservation / Mains Rehabilitation – Implementation 2010-2012 Gerry O’Donoghue Senior Adviser, Water Inspectorate DEHLG

3. Contents • Background • WSIP 2010 – 2012 • Present Status of Water Mains Rehab • Specific Issues • Going forward New Decade - New Challenges Annual Conference September 2010

4. Background • Circular L6/2007 – Water Conservation • Circular L6/09 – Needs Assessment • Expectation that rehabilitation works would have commenced by end 2010. • WSIP 2010 - 2012 New Decade - New Challenges Annual Conference September 2010

5. 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 New Decade - New Challenges Annual Conference September 2010

6. 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 New Decade - New Challenges Annual Conference September 2010

7. Stages • Rehabilitation Strategy • Rehabilitation Works Schemes – Planning • Contract Document Stage • Tender Stage • Final Report Stage New Decade - New Challenges Annual Conference September 2010

8. 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 New Decade - New Challenges Annual Conference September 2010

9. Specific Issues (2/2) • Lead Services • Leakage in New Developments • Powers under Water Services Act • Staffing • Training New Decade - New Challenges Annual Conference September 2010

10. Prioritisation of Works / Role of Circular L6/2007 • 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. New Decade - New Challenges Annual Conference September 2010

11. Prioritisation of Works / Role of Circular L6/2007 “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.” New Decade - New Challenges Annual Conference September 2010

12. 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. New Decade - New Challenges Annual Conference September 2010

13. 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. New Decade - New Challenges Annual Conference September 2010

14. 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. New Decade - New Challenges Annual Conference September 2010

15. 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. New Decade - New Challenges Annual Conference September 2010

16. 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 New Decade - New Challenges Annual Conference September 2010

17. 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.” New Decade - New Challenges Annual Conference September 2010

18. 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. New Decade - New Challenges Annual Conference September 2010

19. Backyard Services New Decade - New Challenges Annual Conference September 2010

20. Distribution System Service Connection Waterworks Backyard Services New Decade - New Challenges Annual Conference September 2010

21. Distribution System? Service connection Waterworks Backyard Services New Decade - New Challenges Annual Conference September 2010

22. 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”. New Decade - New Challenges Annual Conference September 2010

23. Lead Services New Decade - New Challenges Annual Conference September 2010

24. 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 New Decade - New Challenges Annual Conference September 2010

25. 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. New Decade - New Challenges Annual Conference September 2010

26. 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. New Decade - New Challenges Annual Conference September 2010

27. Powers under Water Services Act • Local Authorities have been serving notices under Water Conservation Regulations 2008, SI 527 of 2008 New Decade - New Challenges Annual Conference September 2010

28. 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. New Decade - New Challenges Annual Conference September 2010

29. Staffing • It is likely that a regional approach to project offices would reinforce this position. • For other staff, the overall restriction on numbers apply. New Decade - New Challenges Annual Conference September 2010

30. Training • WSTG Courses • Distribution System Operation and Maintenance • Water Conservation • Water Treatment & Distribution - Appreciation • Leakage Control - Managers • Leakage Control - Operatives • Drinking Water Incident Management training New Decade - New Challenges Annual Conference September 2010

31. Training New Decade - New Challenges Annual Conference September 2010

32. 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 New Decade - New Challenges Annual Conference September 2010

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