Murdoch University – Integrated Water Strategy

Project Brief - 2003

1.0       Stage One - Groundwater Assessment

1.1            Background

Murdoch University, South Street is seeking submissions from suitably qualified organisations for the provision of services to undertake an assessment and report on its current and future groundwater resource.  The report and the findings/recommendations will be used to manage groundwater and stormwater resources sustainability, assess current and future allocation requirements and plan future operational and infrastructure needs.

1.2      Project Objectives
The objective for Stage One – Groundwater Assessment is the provision of reliable information for current and future groundwater management.

The specific objectives of this project are to:

A)      Identify aquifer recharge characteristics (unconfined Superficial Formation aquifer) to consider technical characteristics such as aquifer transmissivity, conductivity, and permeability.

B) Geological / hydrogeological constraints to utilisation addressing local issues such as the presence of peaty lacustrine deposits within saturated sediments.

C) Production demands and aquifer response.

D) Identify current and future sustainable ground water yields.

F)       Access usage patterns and current and future allocation requirements.

G)       Identify potential improvements in management practices and the use of appropriate technologies.

1.3 Project Outcomes
The following outcomes are expected from this project:

A)       An updated ground water contour map and descriptive groundwater recharge information.

B)       A groundwater allocation plan and needs analysis.

C)       Groundwater management recommendations identifying associated responsibilities and any capital costs.

1.4            Scope of Works
The following scope of works will be clearly defined with a timetable and work parameters upon the nomination of the preferred service provider. The Scope of Works requires the following areas of investigation.

A)       Desktop information survey
A variety of in-house information is available on past and current groundwater use and management. In-house information in association with State Government data, knowledge of regional hydrological and soil characteristics will be used to accumulate all available information to assist with progressive project components.

B)       Identification of knowledge gaps
The absence of information will be assessed following the initial desktop information survey.  This phase will identify the future research requirements, streamline stakeholder discussions and determine the extent of field analysis.

C)       Stakeholder discussions
Discussions with a variety of relevant stakeholders will be used to identify current and future groundwater requirements and potential management practices. This will include Murdoch University staff and relevant experts from state government resource management agencies.

D)       Field analysis
In situ field analysis, as necessary, to develop a complete updated data set. The scope of this analysis is dependent upon the degree to which previously gathered information addresses the prescribed outcomes of the project. .

Progress Report
The progress report will essentially be a draft report containing the work to date.  The progress report will present the draft information on the groundwater resource on site. The report will show updated maps of groundwater contours and depth profiles in transects across the campus. 

1.5             Resource Allocation

Stage One outcomes will present the best current available information of groundwater levels at Murdoch University, South Street campus in a report format, present in hard copy and electronic form. The report will be written in non-technical language and show updated maps of groundwater contours and depth profiles in transects across the campus and will contain the following information.

A)       An updated ground water contour map and descriptive groundwater recharge information.

B)       A groundwater allocation plan and needs analysis. The determination of future water needs will be presented for various aspects of campus operations based on historical data and future changes to the university.

C)       Groundwater management recommendations identifying associated responsibilities and any capital costs.

D       All data presented in a Geographic Information System (GIS) format with files and metadata.

2.0       Stage Two – Water Cycle Model

2.1       Background
Stage two will consider the stormwater management issues that currently impact upon the site, including an assessment of its in-situ water harvesting and storage potential.  This report and the findings/recommendations will be used for water resource management and planning.  The outcomes will be considered in association with Stage One – Groundwater Assessment. 

Current and potential future risks associated with stormwater arise for the dislocation of asbestos fibre roofing materials and its transport and accumulation through the stormwater system.

2.2 Objectives

The objectives of this project are to:

2.3      Project Outcomes

2.4      Scope of works

Deliverables Stage Two – Storm water management plan.

Stage Two outcomes will present information on storm water at Murdoch University, South Street campus in a report format, present in hard copy and electronic form.  The report will show surface water volumes, flow and recharge characteristics from major hard surfaced areas and buildings. In addition the report will identify existing storm water infrastructure, consideration of asbestos from roof run-off and any future filtration mechanisms.  Specifically Stage two will result in a surface water catchment management plan for Murdoch University using the principles of water harvesting. It will include recommended modifications to the existing storm water system for the transport and storage of surface water and will present costed options for potential stormwater infrastructure.

All data in a Geographic Information System (GIS) format with files and metadata.

3.0      Stage Three  - Integrated H₂O Concept Plan

Stage Three draws stages One and Two together with additional information on the possibility of on-site treatment of waste-water considered.  This concept plan will consider the total water cycle for the Murdoch University, South Street campus along with conservation, reuse and irrigation needs for the campus in the future.  Specific consideration will be given to:

Deliverables Stage Three - Integrated H₂0 Concept Plan Stage

Stage Three will result in an overall concept plan showing the total water cycle at Murdoch University, South Street and possible options for on-site treatment and re-use of waste water using Water Sensitive Design Technologies and smaller scale appropriate technologies.  It will incorporate information from the Stage One - Groundwater Assessment and Stage Two - Surface Water Sources Review into an integrated concept plan showing the total water resource availability, and usage options.

Tender

Proposals are to be provided in a format that best addresses the criteria detailed below and that demonstrates the best understanding of the brief requirements. The relative importance of each section to be addressed is provided below:    

Criteria	Weighting
Relevant Experience	20%
relevant past experience relevant experience with water resources management, urban stormwater management, engineering, water quality, environmental assessment, water sensitive design, and stakeholder consultation
Technical Skills and Capacity	20%
demonstrated ability   relevant skills and capacity communication and reporting requirements Cost Benefit Analysis
Project Management	15%
demonstrated project management experience proposed team structure timeframe for completion of works maintenance of project quality
Methodology	20%
demonstrated understanding of Brief requirements understanding of issues relating to water resources management for Murdoch university and the adjacent catchments understanding of the roles of local government, Water Corporation, Department of Environment, and other agencies in stormwater planning and management details of methodology and applicability to Murdoch University requirements. task breakdown and innovative design that is relevant to the tasks identified extent to which tasks are detailed and their work needs addressed
Price	25%
total cost to the client assessment of value for money

Timeframe for Project Schedule

To be advised.