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Urban Water Solutions Contributes to Award Winning Sewer Relining Project

Urban Water Solutions was engaged by the John Holland – KBR Joint Venture to provide hydraulic analysis for sewer flow management associated with a project to renew Melbourne Water’s Epsom Road Main Sewer. The sewer, which was originally constructed over 100 years ago, provides an essential link between major sewers in Melbourne’s sewerage network. This renewal required the installation of over 3.5km of pipes and associated pump systems for sewage bypass at 12 locations for flow rates of up to 550 l/s.

Urban Water Solutions conducted the hydraulic modelling required to simulate the bypass systems and the sewage flow management strategies that were necessary for the works to be completed safely and on time. This modelling work included:

    • Modifying and combining existing Melbourne Water (MW) and Greater Western Water (GWW) sewer network models using Infoworks ICM,
    • Ensuring that the combined model simulations reproduced simulations previously conducted by MW and GWW,
    • Verification of the combined model against newly commissioned flow monitoring data,
    • Incorporation of by-pass pumps and associated rising mains into the Infoworks ICM model,
    • Development of protocols for operation of the sewage diversion system based around forecast and observed rainfall, and
    • Provision of advice to assist with emergency evacuation plans.

Urban Water Solutions work on this project contributed to Melbourne Water and its project partners, John Holland – KBR JV, Interflow, and Welltech, winning the Water Industry Safety Excellence Award at the 2023 Australian Water Association National Awards.

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Welcome, Stephen D’Agata, to the Urban Water Solutions family

The Urban Water Solutions family has grown this week with the appointment of Stephen D’Agata as a Principal Engineer. Stephen brings over 35 years of experience in water supply and sewerage infrastructure planning, modelling and asset management to the team.

He commenced his engineering career with the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works in 1988 and went on to pioneer the use of computerised hydraulic modelling for sewerage network analysis and catchment planning at Yarra Valley Water in 1995. He then led the water supply and sewerage asset management team for Goulburn Valley Water before managing the provision of network modelling, GIS, and asset management services for the Australian branch of a multinational engineering consultancy.

Over the past decade, Stephen has managed drainage services and implemented flood mapping for two inner Melbourne city councils, held an executive position on the Stormwater Victoria committee, and worked as a Principal Consultant providing water management services to both the private and public sector.

An accomplished wordsmith, Stephen’s skills in written and verbal communication have been used to translate detailed hydraulic model results into outputs that have been used to garner investment for several major infrastructure projects.

Outside of work, Stephen is a published novelist, actor in amateur theatre, YouTuber, and occasional stand-up comedian.

A long-time friend of many of our team members, we greatly look forward to Stephen sharing his knowledge and experience with us and our clients.