Prudent and Efficient

Having a long-term view of investment and improvements of assets is crucial to the delivering reliable and affordable water supply. By increasing asset knowledge utilities are better placed to make data led decisions to decrease risk and increase reliability.

Customer Centric

Optimising operational and financial outcomes has a direct impact on the safe and secure supply of water to the community into the future. By proactively managing assets to avoid failures and keep water reservoirs online by using ROV technology for inspections, Urban Utilities has been able to maintain continual supply of safe drinking water without disruption during ECAP activities.

Operational Excellence

Improving operational safety, standards and efficiencies improves regulatory compliance and adds value by utilising risk-based evaluation to prioritise expenditure and improve asset life cycles.

Delivering quality and reliable water and sewerage services

SMEC has proven expertise in supporting water distributors and retailers to deliver quality and reliable water and sewerage services to their customers. Over the past decade SMEC has been working with Urban Utilities in Queensland, Australia, with the last five years focused on developing an Enhanced Condition Assessment Program (ECAP).

Under this Program, SMEC provided project management, condition assessment and renewals planning across Queensland Urban Utilities (QUU) critical asset base.

The objectives of the ECAP was to support QUU in mitigating business risk across the ageing asset base, improve asset knowledge and help drive continuous improvement in asset management.

SMEC assisted with the collection of asset data, completion of condition assessments and promotion of proactive maintenance across QUU’s pipelines, reservoirs, pump stations and sewage treatment plants.

Long-term partnership

ECAP has delivered outstanding results, allowing Urban Utilities to prioritise its maintenance and capital works programs based on risk and asset intelligence, driving better investment decisions and value for money for customers across the lifecycle of their assets.

By establishing a long-term partnership over six years, the team has ensured alignment between our specialist condition assessment team and the clients organisation. By delivering a portfolio approach, which included assets of all types it has enabled risk profiling and investment planning across the entire asset base.

SMEC’s specialised materials and durability engineers were able to provide accurate assessment of failure modes and risk, utilising highly selective use of technology to ensure meaningful data captured. They used a whole of life cycle TOTEX approach, from establishing project need through to assisting with approvals, concept design, cost estimating, market-ready procurement, construction phase support and asset handover. This ensured data, opportunities and lessons from each phase were captured and leveraged to drive value.

•             A single blended team which has allowed two-way knowledge sharing and genuine collaboration.