Design, Build and Operate

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 The primary external objective of the NFGWS is to pro-actively address the issue of non-compliance with the required water quality standard by encouraging groups to introduce effective treatment systems for their schemes.


Design Build Operate (DBO) is the required method of procurement towards the construction, installation and maintenance of water treatment plants and has been adopted by the Federation, the Department of the Environment & Local Government (DoELG) and the National Rural Water Monitoring Committee as the optimum means of implementing the capital works programme that is urgently needed. Besides offering value for money, DBO contracts incorporate an ongoing performance management agreement, offering long-term protection for group schemes. For further information, see the Guidance Document for the Procurement of Small Water Services Schemes.

Performance Management System

 The Performance Management System (PMS) has been developed to assist group water scheme committees and managers in fulfilling their role as ‘employer’ in managing the performance of Private Sector Providers (PSPs) in DBO and Operation & Maintenance (O&M) contracts. Compliance with the PMS is specifically required for all group scheme water treatment contracts procured by way of DBO and O&M contracts [see Circular L17/02].

According to Department regulations, it will be a condition of all such contracts that the Private Sector Provider will comply with the requirements of the PMS. It is intended that the PMS will assist the group water sector in adopting a consistent approach to the performance management of all group water scheme treatment facilities.

The group water scheme PMS was formally launched at the National Conference organised by the National Federation of Group Water Schemes on September 18th 2002.

Bundling of GWS for a single DBO contract

 ‘Bundling’ is the grouping together of a number of Group Water Schemes to procure treatment plants by way of a single DBO contract. This allows for a more competitive and cost effective procurement process and cheaper operational costs to the participating Group Water Schemes.

The ‘bundling’ option emerged following a fact-finding visit to Brittany in December 1999. A national pilot ‘bundling’ scheme was subsequently established in County Monaghan, including seven group water schemes and three small public schemes. The schemes involved included Truagh GWS, Tydavnet GWS, Drumgole GWS, Stranooden GWS, Smithborough PWS, Churchill-Oram GWS, Doohamlet GWS, Farmoyle-Baraghy GWS, Iniskeen PWS and Newbliss PWS.

The ‘bundling’of suitable schemes to avail of a single contract is now accepted by the National Rural Water Monitoring Committee, the DoELG and the Federation as the best way forward in terms of achieving economies of scale and also fast-tracking treatment facilities on the maximum number of schemes in the shortest possible timeframe.

County Councils have been advised by the Department to ensure that bundled DBO projects are given priority consideration when allocating and approving funding for schemes.

For answers to questions about DBO and ‘bundling’,  click here