Panama Canal, Running Low on Water, Seeks Bids to Build $2B Supply Program

[Judi Lynn]

Water levels of the Panama Canal, seen here in 2016, have fallen, affecting operation, with a new water supply program announced.. PHOTO: Scott Blair for ENR

September 10, 2020
Mary B. Powers

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) is seeking bids from contractors for an estimated $2 billion of water-supply infrastructure projects to help solve low water levels attirbuted to climate change that are affecting operations despite conservation measures and new fees. The program is intended to meet the canal’s water needs and local drinking water supply requirements for 50 years.

In a request for qualifications issued Sept. 7, the authority said the contractor will be responsible for program concept, design and construction, which will include identifying sites where component projects, will be built, and for all investigations, surveys and studies necessary, including hydrological, climatic and environmental conditions.

A short list will be developed from companies submitting responses to the RFQ that will be allowed to submit proposals. RFQ’s are due Nov. 12. Details of project finance, and whether private funding sources will be involved, have not been confirmed.

The project must be built to United Nations Sustainable Development goals. The new water management system also must include water treatment plants for Panama City. “Historically low levels of water in recent years only exacerbated the need to adopt a comprehensive plan,” Ricaurte Vasquez, the canal’s administrator, said in releasing the RFQ.

More:
https://www.enr.com/articles/50026-panama-canal-running-low-on-water-seeks-bids-to-build-2b-supply-program