Tender Summary: Water Leak Survey Services

Objectives

• Identify and accurately locate both visible and hidden leaks within the municipal water distribution network.
• Reduce physical water losses and prevent further infrastructure deterioration.
• Prioritize leak repairs based on severity and estimated water loss volume.
• Enhance the accuracy of network condition data to support pressure management, maintenance planning, and non-revenue water reduction initiatives. (Non-revenue water refers to water lost through leaks, unauthorized consumption, or metering errors before reaching paying customers.)

Scope of Works

The successful bidder will conduct a comprehensive leak detection campaign across bulk and distribution pipelines, reticulation mains, reservoir connections, valves, hydrants, chambers, and service connections. The assignment begins with reviewing existing network drawings, GIS data, pipe records, and operational logs to identify high-loss zones. The contractor must develop an approved survey methodology, dividing the investigation area into manageable zones or District Metered Areas (DMAs), which are strategically bounded sections of a water network used to monitor flow and detect losses.

Field activities include visual inspections for wet areas, abnormal vegetation, surface damage, and flowing water, followed by systematic acoustic surveys using specialized equipment. Each suspected leak must be confirmed, precisely positioned, clearly marked on-site, and classified by urgency. The provider will issue daily or weekly schedules to municipal repair teams, offer technical support during excavations, recheck unverified locations, and confirm repaired sites. Deliverables encompass an inception report, daily field records, a complete leak register with GPS coordinates and photographs, mapped survey routes, severity classifications, estimated leakage volumes, weekly progress updates, and a final report containing GIS-compatible electronic data, water-saving projections, and strategic recommendations.

Technical Requirements

Bidders must supply fully maintained and calibrated equipment, including acoustic listening devices, ground microphones, leak-noise correlators, noise loggers, pressure and flow data loggers, GPS units, pipe locators, and appropriate vehicles and safety gear. Calibration certificates must be provided upon request. The contractor must comply with occupational health and safety legislation, submit a project-specific safety plan and risk assessments, provide personal protective equipment (PPE), manage traffic and pedestrian control, adhere to confined-space protocols, and minimize environmental disturbance.

Performance will be evaluated against kilometres surveyed, network completion percentage, leak identification and location accuracy, excavation verification rates, critical leak response times, estimated water savings, and reporting completeness. A leak is only counted if its position is confirmed during excavation or via another municipality-approved method. The contract duration is strictly 30 days from appointment, requiring a detailed work breakdown schedule and method statement. Compulsory administrative compliance includes registration with the Central Suppliers Database (CSD), a Letter of Good Standing, municipal database registration, tax compliance, and submission of standard municipal bidding documentation.

Skills & Personnel Requirements

The project demands a multidisciplinary team led by a project manager with proven water-network and Water Conservation/Water Demand Management experience, preferably registered with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA), which regulates engineering practice in South Africa. The team must include qualified leak-survey technicians, GIS/data-capturing support staff, and dedicated health and safety personnel holding a valid Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (HIRA) certificate. Supervisory and intensive labour management roles require relevant Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) grading certifications at NQF Level 4 or 5. A plumber registered with a recognized South African plumbing body (PIRB or IOPSA) is mandatory.

Bidders must submit CVs, competency records, qualification certificates, and contactable references for all key personnel. Additionally, proof of vehicle ownership or lease for a bakkie with a valid licence disc is required. Evaluation follows an 80:20 preferential procurement point system, where 80 points are allocated for technical capability and 20 for socio-economic goals. A minimum of 60 technical points is required to advance to price evaluation.