KBR Inc. has won a four-year contract from South Australian Water Corp. (SA Water) to support the utility's capital delivery program, one of the South Australian Government's most significant infrastructure programs. The Houston, Texas-based engineering firm secured the role through a competitive tender.
The agreement covers a period in which SA Water plans approximately A$3.3 billion of water infrastructure projects over four years, described as the utility's largest-ever investment phase. KBR's appointment builds on a 15-year partnership with SA Water and extends the relationship through 2030.
Delivery scope across South Australia
Under the contract, KBR will support delivery of critical water and wastewater infrastructure for SA Water's 1.8 million customers across the state. The program includes:
- Dam upgrades and water tank refurbishments
- Bulk water transfer infrastructure
- Water main replacements
- Sewer network upgrades
- Water and wastewater treatment plant upgrades
KBR's involvement with the utility has historically spanned design, delivery and project management of water infrastructure, and the new term continues that model of support to the capital program.
Margaret Riley, KBR's director of water, said the appointment reinforced the company's position as a trusted partner in the water sector. She attributed the selection to the team's experience, technical capability and emphasis on safety, innovation and service excellence, built over 15 years of design, delivery and project management work on some of SA Water's most critical water infrastructure, and said the company looked forward to working closely with the utility.
Recent project record
Over the past year, the capital delivery team has managed more than 2,000 individual projects. That portfolio included 69 kilometers of new water mains, a major upgrade of the 132-kilometer Tailem Bend to Keith pipeline, and a desalination plant serving the outback town of Marree.
Programs ahead
Major programs KBR expects to support over the next four years include South Australia's Housing Roadmap, which involves expanding water and wastewater networks to serve an estimated 50,000 new homes across the state. The work also covers infrastructure delivery such as upgrades to the Morgan to Whyalla pipeline, South Australia's longest water pipeline at 358 kilometers.
The figures describe planned program investment and past project volume rather than completed outcomes; the value of the KBR contract itself was not stated in the announcement.