05 December 2000

Late in 1999 the Water Directorate's Executive Committee identified a need for an acceptable Operations & Maintenance (O&M) manual to assist local government in delivering a reliable and cost-effective operations and maintenance regime.

Earlier this year the Water Directorate conducted a tendering process and engaged the Asset Design Services of Albury City Council to develop a template O&M Manual for Submersible Sewage Pumping Stations.

Whilst it is conceded that most local government authorities have some form of an operations and/or maintenance regime, it is clear that they do not always have all the relevant components. Therefore, a template O&M Manual was developed that can be used by others to suit their specific local installations and conditions.

The Water Directorate has now released the template O&M Manual. Copies of the Manual, including a hard copy and CD ROM in pdf format, have been mailed to all General Managers of member councils.

The O&M Manual is divided into several sections with each section concentrating upon a different aspect of implementing a best practice O&M regime. For instance, the first section, Site Specific Information, outlines the types of activities that are involved in best practice operations and maintenance.

The next section, Supervisor Information, provides a template for the development of Work Method Statements for all activities to be performed at pumping stations.

The third section, Site Specific Technical Information, requires relevant staff (such as operators, maintenance personnel and designers) to collate information about a number of issues including specific pumping station details, plant and equipment and technical details specific to each pumping station.

The final section, Supportive Organisational Information, provides information and guidelines that will assist organisations in ensuring due diligence and compliance with relevant legislative requirements in the operations and maintenance of their facilities.

This Manual is expected to be the first in a series of O&M Manuals that will be developed over the forthcoming year. Other aspects of the water and sewerage industry that will be covered include: wet and dry well; water pumping stations, bores, river intake and booster; chlorination, sewer reticulation, water reticulation; and reservoirs.

Interested in other Water Directorate Publications? Further information can be found at: Technical Publications

For more information contact: