Saving Money using a Single Source of Responsibility Membrane Replacement with Life Cycle Analysis – City of Melbourne Case Study

The evaluation and lessons learned during the membrane replacement process are applicable to other utilities looking at membrane replacement and how to consider upgrades of their existing RO systems with a focus on reducing life cycle costs. This paper will summarize the results of the initial facility evaluation and the membrane replacement bid results, while describing in detail the procurement approach that ended up saving the City more than 100 thousand dollars in capital cost and more than 250 thousand dollars in life cycle cost. This paper will also review the membrane installation challenges and the solutions that made the project a success.