AECOM has been the main provider of dam engineering services to Northern Ireland (NI) Water for approximately 50 years. This role has involved carrying out numerous inspections, reports, detailing, assessments and administrating remedial works contracts.
We have undertaken 10 yearly reservoir safety inspections for all 50 of Northern Ireland Water’s reservoirs since 1970. The most recent round of inspections was completed in 2017/2018 with accompanying reports provided in line with the procedures of the 1975 Reservoirs Act. On completion of the inspections, we produced an implementation report and presented the findings to the Dam Safety Committee, identifying the key risks across all sites. We have also responded to a number of emergency reservoir incidents.
For example, in 2017 we provided reservoir safety guidance to help manage the incident and prevent a rapid drawdown failure of the dam, following a valve failure. Our team further assisted by undertaking a confined space inspection of the valve arrangement and detailed remedial proposals.