Water and Wastewater

Laramba Asbestos Cement Watermain Replacement

Location
Laramba, Northern Territory
Value
$4.1 million
Client
Power and Water Corporation
Status
Complete
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About the project

BMD Urban was contracted to replace the asbestos cement watermain feeding the township of Laramba in Central Australia from the bore fields located 30 kilometres from the town. The project involved construction of approximately 24 kilometres of DN200 HDPE rising main and installation of all necessary isolation valve, scour valve and air valve assemblies within a short 18 week timeframe.

Scope

Supply and installation of approximately 24 kilometres of DN200 SDR 9 PN 20 HDPE rising main and fittings between chainage 8766 metres and chainage 30805 metres, and chainage 1982 metres and chainage 51 metres

Provision of necessary isolation valve, scour valve and air valve assemblies

Connection to existing Bore 1 (RN13213) and Bore 2 (RN15890) manifolds and the provision for an additional future bore feed

Connection to existing DN100 PVC rising main at chainage 8766 metres and chainage 1982 metres

Decommissioning of existing asbestos cement rising main, redundant air valves, scour valves and all other surface infrastructure

Connection to existing above-ground pipework to the Power and Water Corporation water tanks at Napperby Station, and the offtakes to the Napperby Station homestead, the Napperby Station stock tank and the community power station

Outcomes

With the project located 200 kilometres north-west of Alice Springs, it is one of BMD’s most remote worksites. The project team successfully overcame the logistical challenges associated with operating in the remote environment by ensuring accuracy of quantities prior to placing material orders, coupled with sourcing frequently updated delivery schedules from all suppliers.

To ensure the project was completed in the short 18 week timeframe, trenching was completed along the entire length using GPS with crews achieving 800 metres of welding installation and backfilling per day. The project was ultimately completed on time and budget.

The project team ensured BMD’s goal of Zero Harm was upheld throughout works as well as our commitment to support the communities in which we operate. As a result of these philosophies, 10,000 hours were worked without any recordable incidents and over 30% Indigenous engagement was achieved from the local Laramba and Alice Springs communities.