Discussion on Papers 1–3

MR M.G. HEALEY, Department of the Environment

With reference to Paper 1, I turn to a topic studied by the Steering Group on Instrumentation Control, but one which does not figure in Mr Rouse's Paper, although he referred to it in his introduction.

In paragraph 56 of the Steering Group report there is a recommendation that fMore appropriate methods of tendering for ICA projects should be pursued and developed.' This recommendation was based on the consideration that the traditional tendering process in the Water Industry has placed an emphasis on the lowest price quoted against a very detailed specification. This, says the Steering Group, is inappropriate, especially in the case of ICA where the initial purchase price of equipment can be secondary to the longer term cost of ownership.