Belfast: Sewers Rehabilitation Framework

DAWSON-WAM were engaged by NI Water to complete the rehabilitation and upgrade of Belfast's aging sewer network under a framework agreement. The work involved the sewer rehabilitation of sewer pipes ranging from 150 to 1800mm in diameter, up to 6.5m deep, in city centre conditions. New lines were also installed ranging in diameter from 350-900mm.

DAWSON-WAM completed over 12km pipework in the City using various construction techniques including Open-Cut, CIPP lining, Tunneline and directional drilling. Specialist trenchless construction was completed by our specialist subcontractor McAllisters. The majority of pipework was installed by open-cut techniques as existing assets were in very poor condition or had actually failed. Vast majority of pipeline construction delivered by in-house resources and not subcontracted.

Generally not subcontracting delivered NIW better quality product/service. DAWSON-WAM in-house resources delivered successful project management, site supervision, resource allocation of plant, equipment, labour and efficient programme control.

We had extensive input to design process as construction representatives on Framework delivery team. We carried out all functions from contractor site screening reports, needs assessments, SI works/assessments, rehabilitation technique decision matrix compilation, Client proposal presentations to testing/commissioning. Design input includes buildability, constructability, SI assessments, optioneering, construction method assessment and determination. We proposed, presented and finalised solutions for NIW with our design consultants Taggarts.

Belfast sewer replacements required dealing with extensive issues around existing services, Statutory Authorities, City Centre Management, City Council, Police, Roads Service, Translink, Taxis, Customer Care/Public Relations, Residents and businesses, Land/home owners, Schools and churches.

Also included were letter drops and advanced notifications, environmental management liaison & programming work with City Council tree experts, traffic management in conjunction with PSNI/Roads Service and seasonal working and programming work to mitigate disruption.

Presentations and Public Meetings were also chaired by delivery team and actively mitigated potential for disruption to the works and engaged and satisfied all stakeholders.

Design, Build and Commissioning of the rehabilitated and new sewers included;

• Appraising design-optioneering
• Solution development
• Value Engineering/Hazops
• Partnering/Collaborative working
• Risk/PR Management
• Agreeing Cost
• Innovation-design/construction
• Liaison-NIE/Roads Service/PSNI/Councils etc
• NEC-OptionB
• Principal Contractor responsibility - H&S/EMS/Quality management - Monitor, Audit, Review and Improve
• Develop Project Quality Plan(PQP) - all Stakeholders
• Monthly Reporting-finance/progress/measurement Performance-vs-PQP
• Selection/development/monitoring Supply-Chain utilising PQP
• Use common IT-Systems
• Testing/Commissioning/Handover

For further information please click on the UK Water Projects Online Link