Optimization of Water Usage at Construction Camps: A Detailed Case Study Entailing Data from Multiple Bechtel Mining and Metals Projects across the Globe

The successful execution of Bechtel's mega projects across the globe is dependent on the workforce deployed to project sites, most of which are reliant on temporary camps to accommodate remote living requirements. Our Mining & Metals Projects across the globe are executed in remote arid and semi-arid countries; providing even basic water supplies imposes additional challenges. Water conservation opportunities were pursued using a Six Sigma initiative launched in 2010. This investigation identified that water consumption practices in camps were not fully understood, and no consistent standards were being employed, contributing to errors in sizing water supply systems in camps. This paper details the water conservation evaluation alternatives and cost-benefit analysis based on current and predicted water usage for M&M Projects. Optimization of water consumption through institutionalizing more prescriptive standards for camp design and defining water conservation requirements have resulted in a new standard specification. Based on our projected mining project workload across the globe, it is estimated that for the period 2012 - 2015, a potential 5.1 M m3 water savings resulting in $10.2 M USD could be realized due to these revised standards.