Hunter Water Corporation Operational Audit 2010/11 - IPART - NSW ...

2 Overview of audit findings and recommendations
In relation to these matters the auditor has recommended that Hunter Water:
1 Implement automated rapid response processes for all plants to prevent water being
supplied to consumers if not treated to within critical limit specifications as
recommended in the ADWG 2011. (Recommendation 1; clause 3.2.1)
2 Review and address, where necessary, the criteria used to define adequate integrity of
storage tanks and reservoirs to ensure that there is no entry of vermin and no
unacceptable water ingress into these tanks. Validate inspection regimes and amend
maintenance procedures to inspect and maintain tanks in the future
(Recommendation 2; clause 3.2.1)
Develop more robust practices for rehabilitation and renewals of water mains by:
– Undertaking a benchmarking exercise involving discussions with other water
agencies to develop explicit preventative measures and target criteria for the
preventative measures that remove debris and ingress from depressurised
water mains during rehabilitation or replacement processes (clause 3.2.1)
– Amend work procedures to meet the resulting criteria and implement the
preventative measures (clause 3.2.1)
We support the auditor’s recommendations, with minor amendments to the third
recommendation:
3 Develop more robust practices for rehabilitation and renewals of water mains to
prevent/ reduce the potential for debris and ingress from depressurised water mains
during rehabilitation or replacement processes. Hunter Water should consult with
other utilities (including Sydney Water) to compare Hunter Water’s current practices
with the rehabilitation and renewals of water mains practices of other utilities. Hunter
Water should amend work procedures in this area and train staff to reflex the new
preventative measures that should be adopted (Recommendation 3; clause 3.2.1)
Wastewater and recycling operations (clause 3.6)
Four sub-clauses were audited under this section of the operating licence. The
auditor awarded high to full compliance for the audited obligations. Sub-clause
3.6.3 requires the wastewater and recycling operations plan to provide for
monitoring, reporting and incident management procedures. The auditor awarded a
high compliance to this clause because “at this stage, incident triggers and
procedures are not fully developed for recycled water schemes.” The auditor made a
recommendation regarding the development of timeframes for completing this work,
which we support (see recommendation 4 below).
Hunter Water Corporation Operational Audit 2010/11 IPART 11