Following the release of Water Corporations latest capital works pipeline, Western Australia is entering a significant period of investment in water infrastructure.
Water Corporation has shared insights to support industry understanding of its capital works program, procurement approach and what contractors should understand when looking to participate in upcoming works.
For many civil contractors, subcontractors and service providers, this program represents both opportunity and the need for careful planning.
As projects scale, success will depend not only on operational capability, but also on having the right strategy, capacity and financial foundations in place to confidently pursue and deliver larger or more complex works.
About Water Corporation
Water Corporation is Western Australia’s principal supplier of water, wastewater and drainage services across the state.
With a large and geographically diverse base of services, projects and activities spanning metropolitan, regional and remote WA, the Corporation plays a critical role in maintaining essential infrastructure that supports the population, businesses, farms, sustainability, economic growth and water security.
Directly employing over 4,200 people across the state, they manage $48 billion (replacement value) of assets to support the delivery of water services across an expanse of 2.6 million square kilometres.
Capital Works Program & Strategic Drivers
Water Corporation’s capital works program continues to be driven by long-term asset renewal, network reliability, sustainability and environmental impacts, drawing on a wide range of local sector partners to support construction, maintenance, and operational activities.
At the centre of this is its broader strategic direction, including its vision on delivering “Our Water Future” — a long-term approach to securing sustainable water supply and infrastructure resilience across Western Australia.
The current capital works pipeline outlines a range of upcoming projects.
These include pipelines, pump stations, wastewater infrastructure and water source development. It provides contractors with visibility over:
- Scope of works
- Estimated project values
- Timing of delivery
- Key contact details
This level of transparency is designed to support industry planning and allow contractors to align capability, resourcing and financing requirements ahead of procurement.
The current capital works pipeline can be accessed here.
Pathways to Working with Water Corporation
Water Corporation has a suite of dedicated supplier resources for prospective suppliers and contractors, outlining:
- Current tenders
- Pre-qualification requirements
- Supplier onboarding processes
- Expectations for major capital works delivery
These resources provide a clear starting point for businesses looking to position themselves within the supply chain.
Further information
Procurement & What Makes a Strong Tender
From Water Corporation’s perspective, high-performing tenders are grounded in consistency, compliance and delivery certainty.
Key characteristics include:
- Alignment to scope: Delivering exactly to the defined scope of services and contract requirements
- Quality and reliability: Providing defect-free outcomes that are fit for purpose
- Regulatory compliance: Adhering to all relevant laws, standards and codes, including safety and public health obligations
- Program delivery: Meeting agreed timelines and milestone commitments
- Risk management: Demonstrating the ability to manage risks effectively and maintain performance under changing conditions
Sustainability & Long-Term Direction
Sustainability is embedded across Water Corporation’s capital works pipeline,
This is alongside the integration of ESG into strategic planning, coupled with transparent reporting and stakeholder engagement.
The organisation’s broader vision includes a commitment to:
“Making a positive impact on the environment, including accelerating progress to net zero emissions by 2035.”
This commitment flows through to both:
- Physical infrastructure (e.g. pump stations, pipelines, treatment facilities)
- Digital and operational systems (e.g. IT and asset management solutions)
With Water Corporation positioned as a leader in sustainable water management and a trusted partner in WA’s development, contractors should expect sustainability considerations, including environmental impact, efficiency and long-term resilience, to remain a core requirement across all project delivery.
Further detail is available in Water Corporation’s Annual Report 2025.
Positioning for Opportunity
For contractors seeking to build long-term relationships with Water Corporation, a proactive approach is essential.
Contractors should consider engaging through the Unsolicited Proposal guideline and building early connections with the Infrastructure Branch.
Water Corporation spokesperson
This pathway allows businesses to present innovative solutions, establish early engagement and build familiarity with Water Corporation’s requirements
Beyond this, successful participation ultimately comes down to:
- Understanding requirements early
- Aligning capability to upcoming works
- Demonstrating reliability, compliance and delivery strength
What This Means for Contractors
Periods of increased capital investment create both opportunity and pressure across the sector. As project pipelines expand, businesses may need to:
- Scale workforce and subcontractor networks
- Invest in plant and equipment
- Manage cash flow across longer delivery cycles
- Meet higher compliance and reporting expectations
In addition to operational readiness, having a clear business strategy and strong financial foundations will be increasingly important.
This includes understanding capacity to take on additional work, ensuring appropriate funding structures are in place, and being able to confidently support tender submissions with the required financial and commercial backing.
Looking Ahead
Water Corporation’s capital works program reflects a broader shift toward long-term infrastructure resilience and sustainability in Western Australia.
For industry participants, the opportunity is clear, but so is the need to be prepared.
Contractors who take the time to understand the pipeline, engage early and align their capabilities with evolving expectations will be best positioned to participate in this next phase of infrastructure delivery.
The information above is based on publicly available material and insights provided by Water Corporation at the time of writing.
