Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, IRRIGATION AND WATER DEVELOPMENT

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NATIONAL WATER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

(AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT FUND SUPPORTED COMPONENT)

CONSULTANCY SERVICES FOR

ESTABLISHMENT OF WATER RESOURCES MONITORING SYSTEM

SITUATION AND NEEDS ASSESSMENT REPORT

Specifications for Priority Monitoring Equipment

Report No 05C/106334

November 2011

Leading. Vibrant. Global

Aurecon AMEI Ltd

Contact Person:

Mike Killick

Tel:+27 21 481 2461 Mobile: +27 83 393 1284

Email:

1 Century City Drive, Waterford Precinct, Century City,7441 I South Africa

P O Box 494, CAPE TOWN, 8000 I South Africa

Consultancy Services for the Establishment of Water Resources Monitoring Systems - Specifications for Priority Monitoring Equipment / 1

Contents

1.Introduction

2.Surface Water Monitoring Equipment

2.1Scope

2.2Digital camera

2.3Hand held GPS unit

2.4Flow meter for large and medium rivers

2.5Flow meter for small streams

2.6Laptop or Similar Equipment for use with Flow Meter Equipment

2.7Rubber Duck Boat and Trailer

2.8Data Collection Platform (DCP) for regular downloading of data on site

2.9DCP with Real-Time Ability – GSM Networks

2.10DCP with Real-Time Ability – EUMETSAT Ability

2.11Laptop or Similar Equipment for use with DCP Installations

2.12Enclosures

2.13Automatic Levelling Equipment

3.Groundwater Monitoring Equipment

3.1Scope

3.2Recommended Priority for Equipment

3.3Recommended Computer Specifications

4.Water Quality Services Priority Equipment Needs

4.1Introduction

4.2Field equipment specifications

4.3Laboratory analysis

4.4Consumables

4.5Other

4.6Potential Suppliers

4.7Cost estimate

4.8Concluding remarks

5.Management Information System (MIS) Priority Equipment Needs

5.1Introduction

5.2Computer Hardware

5.3Software, configuration and training

REPORT CONTROL SHEET

CLIENT: Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development

CLIENT REPRESENTATIVE: Mr Champiti

PROJECT NUMBER: 106334

REPORT TITLE: Specifications for Priority Monitoring Equipment

AUTHOR(S): Aurecon AMEI Ltd (Mr W Enright, Mr M Killick, MrNRossouw, Dr V Jonker), KLM Consulting Services (DrKMorton, Mr. Kudakwashe Moyo), and Beuster Clarke & Associates (Mr H Beuster)

REPORT STATUS: Version 01

AURECON REPORT NUMBER:05C/106334

DATE: 28 November 2011

Mr Willie Enright

Project LeaderSIGNATURE

Approved by:

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Mr M Killick Pr Eng

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

Consultancy Services for the Establishment of Water Resources Monitoring Systems - Specifications for Priority Monitoring Equipment / 1

Equipment specification

1.Introduction

The study for the Establishment of Water Resources Monitoring System for Malawi identified substantial equipment needs to ensure the accurate and reliable acquisition of data on surface water flows, groundwater characteristics and water quality parameters. The Report on the Present Situation and Needs Assessment (Aurecon, Report No 03/106334, June 2011) gives a comprehensive assessment of the current state of the monitoring system and practices in the water resources department of the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development. An overview of the needs assessment was given with proposals to improve the situation. A special separate report was produced as Annexure 5 to the above report titled “Recommendation of Equipment Needs”(Aurecon, Report No 03/106334, Annexure 5, July 2011).

Workshops were held with the respective divisions to finalise priorities of needs including processes and equipment. These proposed priorities and costing of the equipment have been investigated and detailed in the Equipment Needs report.

On request to assist the Ministry, this supplementary report has been compiled with specifications of some of the equipment to enable the Ministry with the procurement of the priority equipment as required. It is important that some of this equipment must be acquired. This however should be seen as complementary to the operational needs and capacity building required to ensure effective monitoring of the water resources in Malawi. The purpose of this follow-up document is to provide a "short list" of requirements for urgent procurement. It must be emphasised that all of the requirements listed in Annexure 5: Monitoring Equipment quantification and estimated cost still hold, and that provision must still be made to acquire and install these as soon as is possible.

The equipment needs are grouped according to the respective functions of Surface Water monitoring, Groundwater monitoring,Water Quality Services and the crosscutting Management Information System.It is important that equipment be installed and thoroughly tested during the guarantee period. Flow meters for example should be tested for accuracy of water level logging at both low and high flows during the dry season (June – October inclusive) as well as during the wet season (December – March inclusive).

It is strongly advised on request of the users in the Ministry that the supplier be based in SADC. Preference should be given to suppliers based in Malawi. The supplier must be available to carry out regular and routine servicing and recalibration of the equipment, where applicable, and shall stipulate how this will be undertaken.The suppliersmust state their address within SADC in the tender.

There are currently different projects with a need for monitoring equipment in Malawi. Good coordination between the projects and funders are essential. The SADC HYCOS project – in 14 member-states – including Malawi is involved in supplying the member-states with OTT loggers as they are the only regional supplier of which can operate on the EUMETSAT Satellite communication systems.

The project will also install ±8 DCP units in the next year. Furthermore should the SADC HYCOS Phase 3 start next year – the initial project motivation is to assist the member-state in

Equipping each member-state with an Acoustic Doppler flow-meter,
to assist in the calibration of these outstation, with the supplied flow-meters.
Re-commission Phase 1 DCP’s

This report must be read with the previous reports and especially Annexure 5 of the report titled “Recommendation of Equipment Needs” (Aurecon, Report No 03/106334, Annexure 5, July 2011). Specifications for some critical equipment are provided in more detail in this report.

Several pieces of equipment that is known or do not need detailed specifications are not included (Gauge plates, tapes and various tools). The acquisition of these basic needs is as important to procure for sustainable monitoring. Although extensive effort was made to obtain realistic quotes for equipment, costs indicated are only for budget purposes.

It is recommended that tenders for equipment must include a section on proven track record of the suppliers. A list of applications over the last 5 years within SADC to indicate the track record of the equipment, including details of the installations and performance should be submitted with the tender. The supplier can be requested to supply the contact details of three referees within SADC countries. These referees should include at least one referee from an organisation directly involved with water monitoring.

Several additional consultancy services will also be required to ensure the effective and efficient operation of the monitoring system. The following are of importance:

Coordination of installation of individual sets of equipment required for the automated flow recording and receiving of data in the system.
Professional Services of a Ground water consultant for siting, drilling and test pumping of new monitoring boreholes for the monitoring network.

2.Surface Water Monitoring Equipment

2.1Scope

This specification covers the required performance and functionality of water monitoring equipment that will be procured by the Malawi Government, including flow meters, flow gauging equipment and survey equipment. For quantities required and cost estimates reference must be made to the following previous reports by Aurecon on the same project:

Aurecon, June 2011. Consultancy services for Establishment of water resources monitoring system: Situation and needs assessment report Annexure 4: Priorities of equipment and services. Report No 03/106334

Aurecon, October 2011: Consultancy services for Establishment of water resources monitoring system: Capacity Building Framework. Report No 05B/106334

2.2Digital camera

2.2.1Equipment purpose

A simple but robust digital camera will be used to photograph flow gauging stations and record changes in their state through time.

2.2.2Requirements and performance

Zoom≥ 3 x

Resolution≥ 4 Mp

Memory card≥ 4 GB

Camera bodyRobust: splash and dust resistant

BatteriesStandard AAA or AA rechargeable batteries

Battery chargerTo be supplied

2.2.3Acceptance testing

Not applicable.

2.2.4Documentation and training

An operator’s manual shall be part of the delivery with instructions on operation and care of the product.

2.2.5Guarantees

The equipment shall be guaranteed by the supplier against defects for at least one year from date of delivery. The supplier shall state clearly in the tender document the guarantee period offered and conditions attached to it.

2.3Hand held GPS unit

2.3.1Equipment purpose

Hand held GPS units will be used to collect the coordinates of all flow gauging stations, potential future flow gauging station sites, bench marks and other useful information for the ministry.

2.3.2Requirements and performance

OperationTouch screen with easy to use menu system

Operation languageEnglish

Accuracy≤ 4 m when all satellites in view at sufficient strength

GPS bodyWater proof and robust for field use

BatteriesStandard rechargeable AAA, AA or D size batteries

Battery chargerTo be supplied

Carry case for protection1 No.

2.3.3Acceptance testing

Not applicable.

2.3.4Documentation and training

An operator’s manual shall be part of the delivery. Included in the manual shall be instructions on operation and care of the product.

2.3.5Guarantees

2.4Flow meter for large and medium rivers

2.4.1Equipment purpose

Flow meters are required for gauging the flows at all the flow monitoring stations in Malawi. These include large rivers such as the Shire River and medium rivers, all of which are frequently subject to very high sediment loads in the rainy season.

2.4.2Requirements and performance

Flow meter operating principleAcoustic Doppler type

Depth range for profiling – minimum≤ 0.3 m

Depth range for profiling - maximum≥ 25 m

Velocity range for profiling≥ 6 m/s

Accuracy≤ 0.5 % of measured velocity ± 0.01 m/s

Number of cells≥ 100 cells

Depth measurement range - minimum≤ 0.3 m

Depth measurement range - maximum≥ 25 m

Depth measurement accuracy≤ 1 %

Depth measurement resolution≤ 0.005 m

Computations and resultsInternal and instantly available

Internal compass heading accuracy≤ ± 2°

Internal compass pitch/roll≤ ± 1°

Depth rating≥ 40 m

Operating temperature≤ - 5°C to ≥ 45°C

Storage temperature≤ - 10°C to ≥ 70°C

BatteriesRechargeable, ≥ 4 hours of continuous operation

Telemetry to laptop – range≥ 200 m

GPS for rivers with high sediment loadsIntegrated GPS system with flow meter to allow for gauging of rivers with very high sediment loads

GPS accuracy≤ 0.05 m

Bottom tracking abilityYes – for quick gauging of rivers with low sediment transport in the dry season

Gauging on narrow riversAbility to attach to purpose built boat for GPS that can be dragged across the river

Gauging on wide riversAbility to be attached to a boat, such as a rubber duck

TaglineNo tagline shall be necessary for gauging of rivers, the flow meter shall be able to operate without the need for a tagline to be setup on any river

Operation languageEnglish

The equipment offered by the supplier shall include all necessary sundry items required for a successful installation, including:

custom-built boat for small rivers,
pulley or other appropriate system for dragging the flow meter across smaller rivers,
charger to recharge batteries,
GPS system, and
mounting system for attaching to a rubber duck on large rivers.

The offer shall exclude the following as these are specified separately either elsewhere in this document or will be procured separately:

Rubber duck and trailer

Safety equipment for the staff

Laptop

2.4.3Acceptance testing

Upon first operation in conjunction with supplier. Tests for accuracy of flow metering at both low and high flows shall be undertaken during two site visits, one in the dry season (June – October inclusive) and one during the wet season (December – March inclusive).

2.4.4Documentation and training

An operator’s manual shall be part of the delivery. Included in the manual shall be instructions on operation and care of the product. The supplier shall train staff in the operation and use of the flow meter in medium and large rivers using both bottom tracking and GPS tracking functions, and using the custom built flow meter boat for smaller rivers and rubber duck for large rivers.One training session shall be provided, for the flow gauging team, with a refresher course six months later.

2.4.5Guarantees

2.5Flow meter for small streams

2.5.1Equipment purpose

Flow meters are required for gauging the flows at all the flow monitoring stations in Malawi. These include small streams which are frequently subject to very high sediment loads in the rainy season.

2.5.2Requirements and performance

Wading rodMetric, top-setting wading rod, ≥ 1.5 m long

Minimum depth of operation≤ 3 cm

Velocity range≤ 0.005 m/s to ≥ 4 m/s

Velocity resolution≤ 0.01 m/s

Power supplyCommonly available AAA, AA or D size batteries

Battery life≥ 10 hours continuous operation

Operating temperatures- 5° to 50° C

Storage temperatures-10° to 50°C

Calibration requirementNone – should be able to recalibrate automatically

Logger/readout displayWaterproof

Operation languageEnglish

The equipment offered by the supplier shall include all necessary sundry items required for a successful installation, including:

Top setting wading rod

Carry case for both wading rod and flow meter.

The offer shall exclude the following as these are specified separately either elsewhere in this document or will be procured separately:

Safety equipment for the staff

2.5.3Acceptance testing

Upon first operation in conjunction with supplier. Tests for accuracy of flow metering shall be undertaken during a site visit in the dry season (June – October inclusive).

2.5.4Documentation and training

An operator’s manual shall be part of the delivery. Included in the manual shall be instructions on operation and care of the product. The supplier shall train staff in the use of the flow meter in small rivers.One training session shall be provided, for the flow gauging team, with a refresher course six months later.

2.5.5Guarantees

2.6Laptop or Similar Equipment for use with Flow Meter Equipment

2.6.1Equipment purpose

Laptops or other electronic equipment such as palmtops will be used in conjunction with the flow meter equipment to record measurements done by the flow meter equipment and to give instant results for use by the Ministry staff.

2.6.2Requirements and performance

Laptops,palmtops or similar equipment shall be of a rugged design, able to withstand being driven in vehicles on rough roads while still conforming to the required guarantee period.Preference will be given to equipment with evidence provided by the supplier that it can withstand the harsh field conditions of Malawi, namely rough roads, high temperatures, dust and rain. Equipment that is simple to operate and requires a low level of computer literacy will also be given preference.

Equipment supplied shall have a battery life of at least 8 hours between charges.

Equipment supplied shall have Bluetooth capability for communication with the flow meter.

Equipment supplied shall include all necessary software required to undertake tasks required of the equipment, including download of data, and setting up the loggers.

Software operation shall be in English.

Typical specification:

Processor Intel® Core™Duo ULV SU9600 (1.6GHz, 800 MHz FSB, 3 MB L2 Cache)

Genuine Windows 7 Professional 32-bit Operating System

Displays 12.1”WXGA DLV outdoor-readable with capacitive multi-touch (1280 x 800)

Memory Dual Channel DDR3 1066MHz (1 GB down + 1 slot)

Up to 5 GB DDR3 1066 MHz

128 GB Solid State Drive

Standard sealed keyboard or Backlit Rubber Sealed keyboard

Capacitive Multi-Touch Screen with dual-touch input and digitizer pen

10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet network interface adaptor

Wireless LAN: (Varies by country)

Bluetooth:

Power

6-cell 42W/Hr Li-Ion Primary Battery

Optional vehicle docking systems

Chassisthat can stand up to drops, spills, vibration and temperature extremes.

Estimated Cost: MWK 700 000 (Panasonic Toughbook or Dell Latitude E6420 XFR Fully Rugged Laptop equivalent)

2.6.3Acceptance testing

Will be undertaken when acceptance testing is done with the flow meters.

2.6.4Documentation and training

An operator’s manual shall be part of the delivery. Included in the manual shall be instructions on operation and care of the product.

The supplier shall train staff in the full use of the equipment.

The supplier shall train staff in the use of the laptop in conjunction with the flow meter in small, medium and large rivers.

The training sessions shall include an introduction to the operation of the equipment and a field visit to demonstrate its use including theuse of the installed flow meter software.

2.6.5Guarantees

The equipment shall be guaranteed by the supplier against defects for at least one year from date of delivery. This shall include cognisance of the fact that the equipment will be used in the harsh environmental conditions of Malawi, including extremes in heat, dust, rough roads and the potential for getting wet in rain.

The supplier shall state clearly in the tender document the guarantee period offered and conditions attached to it.

2.7Rubber Duck Boat and Trailer

2.7.1Equipment purpose

A rubber duck boat will be required to enable gauging of wide rivers and rivers that are dangerous to enter because of hippo and crocodiles. A trailer will be required for transporting the rubber duck to sites.

2.7.2Requirements and performance

The rubber duck shall be able to seat safely 3 people.

The rubber duck shall have a motor capable of propelling the boat forward at velocities in excess of 10 m/s (40 km/h).