Minister: Water & Wastewater Plan Update

[Updated with video] “This massive undertaking involves the trenching of much of the main roads in St. Georges and a similar exercise in Southside to completely replace the infrastructure from piping, pumping stations, water producing plants and waste treatment plants to bring relief to the long suffering residents of these areas in providing reliable water and waste water services, ” Minister of Public Works Lt/Col David Burch said today.

Speaking at a press conference today, Minister Burch said, “Good morning and welcome to Severn Bridge in St. David’s. I am joined today by MP Lovitta Foggo of Constituency 3 while the 3 remaining St. George’s MP’s – Minister Renee Ming – Constituency 1, Minister Tinee Furbert Constituency 4 and MP Kim Swan of Constituency 2 are unable to be here – as well as Mr. Andrew Dias, Interim CEO of BLDC, Mr. Stephen Tucker the project manager for the Water & Waste Water Master Plan and Ms. Tabia Butterfield of Crisson Construction.

“As outlined in the government’s platform of 2017, members of the public will recall several commitments designed to enhance our citizens’ lives. Specific to the Ministry of Public Works, the government committed to reviewing the current system for handling Water and Wastewater and working with the private sector to facilitate systems that would properly treat sewage waste across the island, including the two Municipalities.

“In July 2020, I announced that working with the Bermuda Land Development Company Ltd [BLDC], the Ministry of Public Works [MPW] will initiate a 30 Million Dollar project as the first phase of the water, wastewater, and resource recovery Master plan. This project will be responsible for upgrading failing infrastructure, removing the Corporation of St George’s sewage outfall, and expanding water and wastewater networks in the Parish of St. Georges.

“I am pleased to be here today to provide an update on the Water and Wastewater Master Plan Implementation.

“In preparation for the project and as far back as February 2020, the Project team invited all relevant stakeholders involved or impacted by the project to meet for an open discussion to set the groundwork that will ensure the project’s success.

“Since that time, the team has been collaborating with the following stakeholders.

• Department of Environment and Natural Resources
• Department of Health
• Department of Planning
• The Estates Section in the Department of Public Lands and Buildings
• Department of Parks
• Corporation of St George’s
• Bermuda Airport Authority
• The Water and Sewage Section in the Department of Works and Engineering
• The Highways Section in the Department of Works and Engineering
• HotelCo Bermuda, and
• The Corporation of Hamilton

“Also, following the initial announcement and recognizing the vast scope and critical importance of this project, BLDC secured the services of local engineering firm Onsite Engineering Services [www.onsite.bm ] and Chicago based, Milhouse Engineering and Construction [www.milhouseinc.com].

“To help identify local contractors interested in participating in the BLDC Water Wastewater Infrastructure Program, the team sent out a public Request for Qualifications [RFQ]. This allowed the project team to match contractor expertise and capacity to the scope of work included in each of the tender packages.

“The RFQ provided a general overview of Phase I, including a narrative description of each of the anticipated tender packages, the necessary qualifications and experience and the staffing capacity required to perform the work. The RFQ also provided a detailed description of the information required in the respondent’s Statement of Qualifications [SOQ], as well as a list of the criteria for evaluating submissions.

“Respondent submittal requirements included a cover letter, project-specific experience, staffing and project team organization and quality control plan. The Contractors were able to submit their qualification on one or more of the several tender packages identified in the RFQ.

“The evaluation committee consisted of BLDC officers, Ministry of Public Works technical officers and the program management consultant representative.

“The Submissions were evaluated and scored against the following criteria:

• 1. Conformance with the required content specified in the RFQ.

• 2. Demonstrated sufficient experience and technical competence of the General Contractor and Subcontractors, considering the types of construction works required, the complexity of the project, the aggressive schedule and the strength and adequate experience of the key personnel who will be dedicated for the project.

• 3. Demonstrated sufficient experience and technical competence to install HDPE piping with fusion-welded connections underwater as designed and specified [Tendering Package # 1].

• 4. Demonstrated sufficient experience and technical competence to install and commission packaged wastewater treatment systems [Tendering Package # 4].

• 5. Staff capacity, depth and ability to dedicate multiple crews to the works on a full-time basis until completing the works at the end of 2021.

• 6. Training and experience of key personnel.

• 7. Successfully completed projects of similar scope, scale, complexity and schedule requirements.

• 8. Reference checks.

• 9. Ability to provide the equipment [owned or rented] necessary to execute the works on a full-time basis until completing the works at the end of 2021.

• 10. Ability to achieve the daily production rates necessary to successfully complete the works by the end of 2021.

“I can confirm that the following contractors have been pre-qualified to submit tenders:

• 1. D&J Excavating & Landscaping Ltd.
• 2. Greymane
• 3. Invisible Trenching
• 4. Island Construction Services
• 5. Crisson Construction Limited
• 6. Ascendant Technologies Limited
• 7. H&H Plumbing & Mechanical
• 8. Island Engineering
• 9. Smith Excavation & Hauling
• 10. ACS Excavating

“It must be noted that while some tender packages have been awarded, there remain many packages to be tendered. Contractors interested in this project can go to the BLDC website and under the heading “Tenders & RFPS” to download the pre-qualification tender information.

“The deadline for submittals is Monday, May 31st, 2021.

“To briefly advise on the progress of the following Tender Packages:

• Tender Package #1 – Stoke’s Point Water Crossing

• Contractor – Crisson Construction
  • Granted full notice to proceed
  • Currently forming the concrete weights to cover the pipes to be laid along the sea bed

• Tender Package #2A – Stoke’s Point Road

• Contractor – D&J Excavating
  • Granted full notice to proceed
  • Work proceeding very well;
  • Has trenched up to 250 ft. already along with pressured tested several length of HDPE pipe.
  • Started to back fill some of BELCO lines already in the ground

• Tender Package #2E – Fort Victoria to St Regis

• Contractor – Invisible Trenching
  • Approximately 95% complete
  • This work includes the temporary solution in providing a sanitary service for the St Regis Hotel

• Tender Package #2C – York Street to Fort Victoria

• Tenders have been submitted and are under review
• Plan to award contract within 2 weeks

• Tender Packages currently out for tender

• #2B.1 – Echo Lane to Mullet Bay Park
• #2B.2 – Mullet Bay Park to Tiger Bay Lift Station
• #2D – Wellington Street [Tiger Bay Lift Station] thru St George’s Club via Rose Hill

• Tender Packages #3A & #3B – Sewer Force Main for Southside

• Engineering drawings 95% complete; currently being reviewed

• Tender Package #4 – New Sewage Plant

• Initial payment sent to vendor
• Reviewing all shop drawings and schematics

• Tender Package #5 – Potable and Reclaim water transfer network for Southside

• Engineering drawings 85% complete

• Tender Package #6 – Telemetry

• Engineering drawings 80% complete

• Relocation of the Botanical Gardens Tank to Fort Victoria

• Sent the down payment to the overseas vendor,
• Already received Planning permission, now awaiting Building Control

“This massive undertaking involves the trenching of much of the main roads in St. Georges and a similar exercise in Southside to completely replace the infrastructure from piping, pumping stations, water producing plants and waste treatment plants to bring relief to the long suffering residents of these areas in providing reliable water and waste water services.

“It is the kind of project that addresses the country’s needs of getting people working, earning and providing for their families while their valuable labour is transforming Bermuda’s infrastructure for the better.

“Let me end with a Covid word – while we have made much progress, I have no doubt we will continue to face challenges. But I want to remind everyone that the Ministry of Public Works remains committed to Bermuda and putting our economy back on the path to prosperity by supporting COVID-19 vaccinations for all willing residents and advancing capital projects that keep our people employed and strengthens the infrastructure of our island home.

“Each of us has a role to play in stopping the spread of the coronavirus. Follow Public Health guidelines, wear a mask, practice good hand hygiene, maintain physical distance and download the WeHealth Bermuda app.

“Do the research, talk with your doctor and make an informed decision about getting the COVID-19 vaccine.”

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