Project controls and expertise in technology were evident as the critical success factors for the project. To overcome the challenges of many teams working together as one in the joint venture, WSP engaged early on with our partners and Sydney Water, to develop an approach and solution that meets stakeholder needs now and into the future.
WSP recognised that the required technology needed to be an evolving, changing system. We designed the system to be modular so components can be replaced as technology changes and improves over time. This recognises that the rate of change and advancements in technology is inevitable and therefore needs to be designed into the architecture.
The project was awarded in December 2019, mobilisation began in January 2020 and the system went live on 1 July in the same year despite the restrictions of the Coronavirus pandemic. It was in this regard very much like a start-up company. WSP essentially built an enterprise system in less than six months, including an IT infrastructure and applications architecture that would more usually be implemented over a far longer period.
Contributions to resiliency, sustainability and social values
The P4S model provides a platform to ensure the projects delivered increase the resilience of Sydney’s water and wastewater networks, while aligning with Sydney Water’s net zero targets and prioritising customer at the heart of everything we do.
Sydney Water is aiming to achieve “net zero” with respect to carbon emissions from operations and investment programs by 2030. This will extend to the supply chain by 2040. The 2030 target aligns with the end of the P4S 10-year program providing a perfect platform for WSP to progressively introduce future ready and net zero design principles, taking a Totex view of value for Sydney Water’s customers.
Under the P4S program, design, construction and maintenance are delivered under the one team, integrated with Sydney Water. This approach is yielding benefits in the ability of Sydney Water’s networks and facilities to be made more resilient.
Examples include:
Pipelines
- D4C is using integrated GIS (Create) and design software (Civil3d) to take environmental factors and heritage items in consideration in early phases of the design development of pipeline alignments for growth projects. Pipeline alignments are also published in Create allowing the design team and stakeholders to evaluate different options and adjust on site using portable devices.
- Civil3d modelling was to model the impact of building a pump station within floodplain area. The ability to visualise the required earthworks allowed the team to demonstrate that the suggested site location would have a significant impact on the adjacent riparian corridor, which is an environmentally significant area, and further analyse other more suitable areas.
- Using 3d modelling for critical watermain renewals has allowed the team to make easier optimised route alignments to save significant trees.
- Improved stakeholder engagement, enabled by the P4S model, has resulted in changes to previous Concept Design alignments to avoid installing a new pipeline in newly constructed roads and handing over part of the project to developers to align with construction timing and not disrupt new roads in the future. These changes provide a significant improvement in customer experience.
Pumping stations
- The use of 3D modelling in pumping station in design of pumping station upgrades has allowed the design team to get a better grasp on small building (superstructure) constraints. With this modelling, D4C have been able to confidently place electrical boards within the small building rather than outside. This reduces maintenance and increases the design life.
- 3D modelling is used to make several design optimisations aimed at improving ease of maintenance in brownfield pumping stations with space constraints. One example was the ability to gain a clear picture of clearances which helped to confirm the positioning of large non-return valves whilst providing operators with the confidence that they could access the area for maintenance.
Treatment plants
- Use of 3D modelling for the design of four new screw presses as part of an inlet works upgrade allowed quick stakeholder agreement on optimisation of the design while considering ease of maintenance, process optimisation and cost.
- Ability to confidently locate new wash presses inside the building while assuring the operators that ease of maintenance would be achieved, avoiding having to locate the presses outside the building where they would be visible to the nearby golf course.
- Using lessons learned from other projects deviations from SW technical standards are sought where a benefit can be demonstrated. The use of stainless-steel pipework for an above ground installation at a recent brownfield upgrade provided a reduction in maintenance as well as improved ease of installation compared with the SW standard of ABS or Copper.
- On a Cogen project, the design team have used 3D modelling to help operators / maintainers understand how the infrastructure will operate and then made changes to improve it. These include:
- Increasing the spacing between the cogeneration units to improve access for equipment removal by forklift.
- Minimising the number of ground mounted pipe supports to limit the interference for maintenance access.
- Moving the position of the switch room to improve access for maintenance of the transformers.
- Using the 3D model to discuss and agree piping, valve and instrument arrangements.
Read WSP's Digital Project Delivery white paper on Pursuing Sustainability and Productivity Gains with Digital Project Delivery.
