North East Water is seeking to engage a suitably qualified Consultant for the provision of expertise in dam safety management to:

• develop and conduct a dam safety monitoring and inspection program; and

• ensure that North East Water’s Dam Inspection and Monitoring Program is in accordance with ANCOLD guidelines.

BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT

1 Dams Portfolio

North East Water currently owns and operates seven high consequence and seven significant consequence dams as illustrated in Figure 1 below. North East Water also owns and operates a portfolio of 212 Low and Very Low consequence category dams (not shown in Figure 1).

2 Dam Safety Monitoring

North East Water has an ongoing Dam Safety Management Program which has been successfully implemented over many years. There has been an ongoing program of routine and annual inspections, dam safety reviews and assessments, and remedial works at the major storages.

To date, weekly visual inspections of major dams are undertaken by North East Water operational staff (recorded as Visual Inspection Reports (VIRs)) and the intermediate and comprehensive inspections have been undertaken by dam engineering specialists with support from North East Water staff from Assets and Operations.

This contract is seeking consultancy services to continue the services of dam engineering specialists to continue this dam safety monitoring and reporting role.

3 Dam Safety Emergency Management Plan

North East Water have an overarching Dam Safety Emergency Plan (DSEP) along with a specific DSEPs for each major dam asset (High or Significant Consequence Category Dams).

A role for a Dam Safety Consultant is identified in the DSEP to help support North East Water to manage potential hazards and/ or dam safety incidents. This contract is seeking to continue these services.

4 Dam Portfolio Risk Assessment

In 2024, North East Water commissioned SMEC to complete portfolio risk assessment. The objective being to provide North East Water an up to date, risk-based plan and schedule for completion of further studies, reviews, assessments and remedial/upgrade works as required. The Dam Safety Consultant may be approached to deliver some of these recommendations (outside of lump sum contract). The results of the portfolio risk assessment will be made available to the successful tenderer once completed.