Summary Description:
In 2017, in conjunction with our JV partners J Murphy & Sons, we completed delivery of meter installations services to Irish Water for two of the eight domestic water metering regions. The two regions, the South West and West, included the installation of over 262,000 domestic water meters, with a combined contract value of circa €100m. Installation of the water meters commenced in September 2013, less than 6 weeks after signing of contracts, and peaked at almost 400 direct and indirect staff across Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, Clare and Galway.
Detailed Description:
The Domestic Metering Programme was implemented to improve water conservation and Irish Water begun the process of installing domestic water meters countrywide in 2013. The Irish Water Domestic Metering Programme was divided into 8 regions. Our joint venture with J Murphy & Sons, was appointed by Irish Water for the installation of all domestic meters in two of the Irish Water regions; the South West (Cork & Kerry), and the West (Limerick, North Tipperary, Clare and Galway). This award was ultimately equivalent to almost 33% (262,000) of the meters to be installed under the programme.
Murphy Mainline undertook all works associated with the meter installation process including site survey, design, customer liaison, traffic management design, supply of AMR (Automatic Meter Read) meters and boundary boxes, construction, installation, commissioning, AMR testing, and provision of detailed as-built documentation. The project used the latest technology for remote works management with all field work scheduled, coordinated and reported on via Mainline’s in-house Water Information Management System (WIMS), incorporating full cradle to grave meter database, call centre and mobile field device management. This ensured maximum resource and programme efficiencies could be achieved, along with access for all project personnel to accurate real time information, reducing duplication and time-consuming data verification tasks.
Boundary box installation works involved over 225,000 excavations and connections to the existing water pipework of individual domestic properties. Excavation techniques included the use of suction excavation equipment and traditional mechanical and ‘hand digging’ methods. Installation team sizes range from between 2 to 8 personnel. 37,000 meters were also installed in existing boundary boxes. Production levels for the meter installations peaked at approximately 11,000 per month by 2015, utilising almost 400 staff and operatives.