Sydney Water Operational Audit 2011/2 - IPART - NSW Government

Possible confusion in approaches between Sydney Waterand , BOO sites, and those
externally maintained;
Maintaining appropriate registers of qualified Sydney Water staff and those qualified to
set and enforce safety standards for a contractor;
Clear accountabilities where a difference in approach may occur where operations and
maintenance at one location are shared by different parties for different asset classes.
3.5.3 Reservoirs
A site visit was conducted to one of the reservoirs identified to require maintenance to the roof
during the previous audit. The completed site assessment sheet W5 was provided detailing the
inspection, and recommended actions for WS 047 and 151 Heathcote (dated 7/8/12). The sole
action for WS 151 related to two holes recorded on the roof on the west side. The general site
and roof top was accessed. In accordance with the categories listed on the inspection sheet the
following was noted:
• Access to the site had already been facilitated upon arrival.
• No rubbish was seen on the site.
• Those signs that could be seen upon pedestrian entry appeared adequate.
• The access ladder was padlocked upon arrival and no access was allowed until a safety
briefing had been given by Sydney Water staff.
Once the roof was accessed by the side stairway a simple, escorted walkover was completed.
The following were noted:
• Minor debris was noted on the gutters – certainly well under the minimum noted on the
inspection sheet.
• Central vents contained mesh protection from vermin.
• All roof accesses were either riveted shut or padlocked.
• All plating was intact and no holes were observed.
• Foam seals were intact.
• Ridge capping was intact and in some locations appeared to have been strengthened.
In conclusion the inspected reservoir roof appeared to be in good condition and the fields on the
sheet W5 had captured successfully the condition and hazards that could be expected from a
visual inspection only. An internal Sydney Water email dated 27 September 2012 was provided,
which communicated that the works orders raised following the inspection had been completed.
No other reservoir sites were visited due to time constraints. The successful implementation of
an entire maintenance program cannot be guaranteed from one sample visit and it was noted
during the presentations that not all identified actions for every reservoir had been completed at
the time of this Audit. However if the Sydney Water inspection process, risk assessment,
business case and resulting budget and actions have been and will be implemented
consistently, there should be little further cause for concern and no further action required of
later audits.
3.6 Recommendations
3.6.1 Key Recommendations
There are no identified Key Recommendations.
GHD | Report for Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal - Operational Audit of Sydney Water Corporation, 23/14602 | 17