SA Water serves more than 1.8 million people across South Australia, with a $14 billion infrastructure portfolio encompassing assets such as water treatment facilities, desalination plants, and reservoirs. The organisation engaged MBM to lead the development of a facilities management (FM) strategy for its non-network portfolio, alongside the end-to-end procurement of services.

Led by Director Ujwal Lakra and Associate Scott Denison, starting in 2023, MBM’s Advisory team conducted a thorough review of existing asset and facilities management service delivery. This included an assessment of maintenance responsibilities across the non-network portfolio, resourcing and contract structures, information management systems, and the proposed contracting approach, to inform a refreshed FM strategy and operating model.

SA Water’s non-network portfolio spans a diverse range of sites, including its main Adelaide CBD building, field service depots, reservoir depots, and workshops forming part of a broader estate of more than 1,500 sites operated across South Australia. MBM delivered a full procurement process for Integrated Facilities Management Services across these non-network sites.

The scope of MBM’s services covered the preparation of an integrated facilities management scope of services, the commercial model and payment structure, and a performance management and contract governance framework. The team also provided transaction support throughout the procurement, including an Expression of Interest and Request for Tender process.

Reflecting on the engagement, Director Ujwal Lakra said:

“As one of South Australia’s critical public service providers, the MBM team understood the importance of SA Water’s strong asset management to ensure minimal outages, the best use of public funds, and of course, to protect people and the environment. Grounded in extensive experience across critical utilities, the team supported a proactive, structured approach to facilities management, strengthening service delivery consistency and long-term asset planning.”

MBM’s engagement across SA Water’s statewide assets concluded in October 2025, with improvements being embedded as part of the delivery of the new FM strategy and operating model.