WATER INFRASTRUCTURE
PROJECT EXPERIENCE
Explore our project experience across Australia and the Pacific.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Research and development of a new electro-chemical water treatment technology for nitrate and heavy metals removal ​​
​The University of Queensland, Water Corporation, Power and Water Corporation, Northern Territory Government, Hydro-dis Australia & Dematec Automation (2020 – ongoing)​
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This research and development project aims to develop a new water treatment technology to reduce nitrate and heavy metal (uranium and arsenic) concentrations within Australian Drinking Water Guidelines. This proposed technology is being designed specifically for remote communities (simple, low operating costs, low maintenance requirements, high water recovery rates, etc.). This project is jointly funded by Water Corporation (WA), Power and Water Corporation (NT), the University of Queensland and two SMEs in South Australia (Dematec Automation and Hydro-dis Australia). Our work encompasses managing all project phases and providing leadership and coordination to the project teams and Steering Committee. Our responsibilities include project management, resource coordination, liaison and stakeholder engagement, project needs assessment, scope definition, budget allocation, and timeline creation. Additionally, we established key partnerships and fostered collaboration with various teams within Water Corporation, Power and Water Corporation, the University of Queensland, and the two SMEs.
University of Queensland, Brisbane (2024)
Aerial photo of the Adelaide River, Northern Territory (2019)
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Adelaide River Off-Stream Water Storage (AROWS) – Strategic project management
Northern Territory Government & Power and Water Corporation (2022 - ongoing)​
The Northern Territory Government and Power Water Corporation are progressing with the development of the Darwin Region Water Supply Infrastructure Program. This program aims to provide long-term water security to the region to enable and support economic development opportunities in the greater Darwin Region. The Adelaide River Off-stream Water Storage (AROWS) project is one of the program's four components. AROWS is an off-stream water storage (dam) that aims to extract water from the Adelaide River during the NT’s wet season and pump it into the AROWS basin (naturally occurring basin). Aquanex provides strategic project management services to scope out and drive the delivery of the next project stages. Our work encompasses a range of activities, including: -> Project Implementation and Logic Mapping (PILM) -> Project risk assessment, including: o Project Risk Management Frameworks o Systemic risk factor review o RAADDIO risk register -> Project cost estimate review & cashflow development -> Project scheduling -> Project delivery model options review -> Project Management Plans
PROCUREMENT MANAGEMENT
Development of a contract and tender document to outsource the operation and maintenance of five water treatment plants​
Power and Water Corporation (2022 - ongoing)​​
Power and Water Corporation supplies water and sewerage services in 72 Aboriginal communities across the Northern Territory. Some communities’ water supplies rely on advanced water treatment plants. Operating and maintaining advanced water treatment plants presents unique economic, social, and technical challenges for Power and Water because they are geographically diverse and have limited infrastructure. Power and Water Corporation is investigating the possibility of outsourcing the Operation and Maintenance (O&M) of five remote advanced Water Treatment Plants in the southern region of the Northern Territory to alleviate those challenges and associated risks. Aquanex provides technical expertise, project management and procurement support to progress the O&M Services Outsourcing Model on behalf of Power and Water Corporation. Our work encompasses: - Compile key asset information and technical data. - Develop a procurement strategy to outsource those services. - Manage procurement activities. - Develop the technical solution and contractual arrangement through an iterating process with the pre-selected contractors and Power and Water staff. - Organise, coordinate and attend site visits. - Conduct commercial negotiations with the pre-selected contractors. - Undertake stakeholder engagement activities. - Write documents, including business cases, memos, and procurement plans.
Ali Curung Advanced Water Treatment Plant in Central Australia, Northern Territory (2024)
Site inspection of the Yulara production bores, Yulara, Northern Territory (2024)
TECHNICAL & PROCUREMENT MANAGEMENT
Yulara Headworks Upgrade Program
Power and Water Corporation (2024 - ongoing)​
The Yulara Water Supply Upgrade Program aims to increase the capacity of the water supply in Yulara to support the township's expansion and growth. This will enable the development of new economic activities, create employment opportunities, and enhance the community's overall quality of life. The township services the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and surrounding communities. The program will deliver key strategic water infrastructure projects. It will unlock significant economic, social, and community benefits for Yulara and the surrounding region, create employment opportunities to support First Nations economic participation and contribute to Closing the Gap Targets (6, 7, and 8). The program includes various infrastructure projects, including a new bore, a rising main, water storage tanks, and a water treatment plant. Aquanex provides technical expertise, project management, and procurement support to Power and Water to advance the program's delivery. Our work encompasses: - Draft project management plan for the entire programme - Draft business cases - Provide technical interpretation, advice, and technical inputs - Review of outputs & design tasks - Review of design & cost estimate documentation - Review of project documentation - Procurement documentation - Approach to market documentation - Supplier selection & Commercial negotiation
TECHNICAL FEASIBILITY MANAGEMENT
Yuelamu Surface Water Treatment Concept Design
Power and Water Corporation (2023)
Yuelamu is an Aboriginal community located 280 km northwest of Alice Springs with a population of around 250. Water is supplied from groundwater, and there is a risk of insufficient supply as community demand increases. A dam, storing surface water, exists and was used before to supply drinking water. In 2015, the dam was decommissioned due to contamination with cyanobacteria (highly toxic bacteria). Coincidentally, a groundwater treatment system was brought online simultaneously, and groundwater was switched to the main supply. In 2022, demand came close to outstripping groundwater availability, and rapid leak repairs were undertaken, and modifications were made to the bore field to maintain supply. In 2023, Pollution Solutions and Designs (PSD) Pty Ltd was contracted by Power and Water Corporation to develop a concept design and cost estimate to treat Yuelamu surface water in order to bring it back to the water supply system. PSD consequently engaged Aquanex to provide technical expertise to undertake various activities associated with the concept design and cost estimation. Our work encompassed: - Review the existing site information and identify any gaps in site knowledge or information - Develop sketched site layout, flow sheet and connections to existing system - Undertake mechanical equipment sizing - Provide technical interpretation, advice, and technical inputs - Review of design - Develop capital and operating cost estimation and documentation - Develop project documentation - Write concept design report
Aerial photo of Yuelamu Advanced Water Treatment Plant, Central Australia, Northern Territory (2023)