Port Lincoln Summit 10ML Emergency Tank
SA Water
Port Lincoln, South Australia
In the fastest ever build of a 10 million litre (ML) tank, SA Water together with the McConnell Dowell Diona joint venture delivered an impressive 75 per cent reduction in construction time as part of SA Water's ongoing investment in the Eyre Peninsula’s water future.
Original article by SA Water here.
In an almost unbelievable achievement, SA Water was tasked with the challenge last September to build the tank to increase capacity at Port Lincoln Summit Storage from 9 ML to 19 ML and have it online and operational by middle of the 2021 summer.
In partnership with capital delivery water north portfolio contractor, the McConnell Dowell Diona joint venture (MDJV), SA Water used the opportunity to work together and think creatively about alternative ways to construct a water tank. This has significantly reduced the traditional timeframe of two years and enabled delivery in just six months.
The construction process was considerably reduced by fabricating the pre-cast concrete panels off site and craning them into place. This method reduces the working at height risks imposed and is less labour intensive on site.
“Using pre-constructed panels, quality can be optimised with full control over quality aspects to maximise the life of a tank," said Construction Technical Manager Kym Bowden.
"Historically, tank walls fail due to poor quality control during construction and then as a result of the environment that they are in contact with."
Kellogg Brown and Root (KBR) Senior Project Manager Stephen Mellier said while this type of tank construction has never been done at SA Water before, the collaboration, including with several local contractors, enabled this project to be delivered in such a short period of time with the entire team working together with customer outcomes front of mind.
"The six metre high tank was impressive to watch being constructed, consisting of 78 individual pre-cast concrete panels that are craned into place," said Stephen.
Daniel Graetz, MDJV Area Manager for the project, explained that the team faced a series of challenges during construction.
"This included the state's circuit breaker lock down last November, other COVID-19 related delays and high winds, which caused some delays to our program," Daniel said.
"The team remained resilient and focused on the end goal of having the tank online by mid-summer for Port Lincoln customers."
The new 10 ML tank is lined and roofed with a material approved for contact with drinking water and sealed against contamination. The tank became operational Port Lincoln customers in early 2021 with remaining minor civil works completed by May 2021.