Buisness Case AIT Waste Water Treatment System
AIT Waste Water Treatment Facility: Business Case
Document History Version
Description
Date
Author
Checked
Number
1
Original
23/01/13
TS, NMcH, LM, SP
i
TS
AIT Waste Water Treatment Facility: Business Case
Table of Contents Revision History .................................................................................................................................. i 1.0
The Strategic Context ............................................................................................................ 1
1.1 Strategic Environment........................................................................................................... 1 Organisational Overview ............................................................................................ 1 Business Need ............................................................................................................ 3 Drivers for Change ...................................................................................................... 3 Business Outcomes .................................................................................................... 3 1.2 Detailed Description of the Business Need ........................................................................... 4 Problem/Opportunity Statement ............................................................................... 4 Assumptions ............................................................................................................... 4 Constraints ................................................................................................................. 5 2.0
Analysis and Recommendation ............................................................................................. 5
2.1 Preliminary Options Analysis ................................................................................................ 5 Evaluation Criteria ...................................................................................................... 5 Possible locations ....................................................................................................... 6 System options ......................................................................................................... 12 Screening of Options ................................................................................................ 14 Rationale for Discounted and Viable Options .......................................................... 15 Preferred option estimated costing ......................................................................... 16 2.2 The Preferred Option .......................................................................................................... 18 Recommendation ..................................................................................................... 18 Deciding Factors ....................................................................................................... 18 Sponsor Acceptance ......................................................................................................................... 19
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AIT Waste Water Treatment Facility: Business Case
List of Figures Figure 1.1 - Institute executive management organisation chart ..................................................................... 2 Figure 2.1- Possible locations 1 to 3 .................................................................................................................. 7 Figure 2.2 – Location no. 1 ................................................................................................................................ 9 Figure 2.3- Location no. 2 ................................................................................................................................ 10 Figure 2.4 – Location no. 3 .............................................................................................................................. 12
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AIT Waste Water Treatment Facility: Business Case
List of Tables Table 2.1 - Screening criteria for location options ............................................................................................. 6 Table 2.2 - Screening criteria for system options............................................................................................... 6
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AIT Waste Water Treatment Facility: Business Case
1.0
The Strategic Context
1.1 Strategic Environment Organisational Overview Athlone Institute of Technology’s mission is “to contribute to the technological, scientific, commercial, economic, industrial, social, and cultural development of the state, with particular reference to the midland region, through the provision of a balanced education to the highest international standard founded in accessibility, mobility, collaborative links, and research excellence”. The main campus is situated off the Dublin Road approximately 1.5 miles from the town centre. The institute has developed rapidly since its foundation, and to facilitate this growth the original building has been extended on several occasions within its 42-acre landscaped campus. The main campus building currently houses the Schools of Business, Humanities and Science; the Library; the Information Technology Centre; the main student canteen facilities and the institute’s administration offices. The award-winning Engineering Building and Informatics Building and the Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure building and Student Services Complex is also part of the main campus. The institute also has a building on Northgate Street in the town centre which has been refurbished to cater for the institute’s design programmes. The Institute’s new East Campus is the location of the Nursing and Health Science building, the Midlands Innovation and Research Centre, the Engineering Trades Department as well as additional research space. The John Count McCormack Centre on the main campus is a multipurpose building used as a sports complex, a venue for student social events, and for large gatherings of the student body such as examinations, fresher’s week exhibitions, registration and graduation. ‘Scribes’ the Student bar and Social Centre, and the institute’s state-of-the-art fitness suite are also housed in this building. Field sports are well catered for with a new eight-lane Olympics-standard athletics track and full size FIFA football, hurling, soccer and rugby are played on the traditional grasssurface pitches. Recently a new international indoor sports arena opened on the campus which houses a host of sports activities. The institute currently offers an extensive range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes to over 6,000 students, which has been a factor in attracting many industries to the town and the region. It is an important contributor to the local economy and to the shaping of Athlone's future. 1
AIT Waste Water Treatment Facility: Business Case
Senior management team A non-statutory executive management committee is in place within the institute to assist the President in fulfilling his role. A breakdown of the management team is shown in figure 1.1. Their principal functions include:
Ensure the smooth and efficient performance of the Institute in all of its operations.
Provide a forum for the explanation and analysis of educational issues.
Formulate educational plans and strategies for the Institute.
Ensure that the physical resources of the Institute are maintained and updated.
Allocate resources within the discretion of the Institute.
Figure 1.1 - Institute executive management organisation chart
The Human Resources Department is concerned with all aspects of the management and development of Human Resources within Athlone Institute of Technology. The workforce consists of approximately 340 academic staff; 240 full-time and in excess of 100 part-time lecturing staff (during the academic year), in excess of 150 support staff (comprising building services, clerical/admin, library and technician staff) and five Senior Management staff.
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AIT Waste Water Treatment Facility: Business Case
Business Need Athlone Institute of Technology currently utilises the municipal sewage systems provided within Athlone at a significant annual cost to the institute. The installation of an onsite treatment system with a capacity to treat influent from the campuses’ engineering building, which represents approximately 400 persons currently and with an expected increase to 500 persons in three to five years, will act to significantly reduce discharge to the municipal sewer. This will act in favour of both the A.I.T and Westmeath Co. Co. by reducing the loading placed on the existing treatment works. Drivers for Change
Economics: with ever increasing rates for the discharge of waste to the municipal treatment system the onsite treatment of waste water in becoming a significantly more economic option.
Environment: the Athlone town sewerage system has long been identified as inadequate and a significant source of pollution of the river Shannon and the Athlone Canal. The reduction in discharge to the sewer system by the installation of a treatment system at AIT would act to reduce the probability of pollution from the current system.
Society: AIT as the single largest waste water contributor to the town sewer system has a duty to minimise their discharge of waste water. By reducing the discharge from the institute there are significant potential benefits for both the institute and the community as a whole.
Demographics: as part of the development plan for the institute for the period 2009-2013 there was a planned increase in student numbers to 7700 outlined. This ever increasing population will inevitably increase the waste water discharge from the institute.
Westmeath Co. Co. have requested that AIT install a WWTP on the campus in order to reduce the loading placed on the municipal sewage system. Business Outcomes
As a result of the implementation of onsite treatment for a proportion of the waste water produced it is envisaged that there will be a significant reduction in effluent discharge from the institute to the municipal sewer system. Thus as a result there will be a reduction in the annual cost incurred for the discharge of waste water.
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AIT Waste Water Treatment Facility: Business Case
As a result of the investment in the onsite treatment of waste water it is planned to increase the environmental sustainability of the institute. This will be achieved by the production of high grade effluent from the proposed treatment system and by reducing the contribution of the institute to the existing treatment system which has significant adverse effects on the environment.
1.2 Detailed Description of the Business Need Problem/Opportunity Statement Currently AIT discharges its waste water to the municipal waste water treatment system at a significant annual cost to the institute. It is proposed to construct an onsite treatment system to treat waste from the campuses’ engineering building, which will represent approximately 400 persons currently and with an expected increase to 500 persons in three to five years. This will act to significantly reduce the annual discharge to the municipal sewer. This will see benefits for AIT in the form of reduced charges for the discharge of waste water and for Westmeath Co. Co. by reducing the loading from the institute to the existing municipal treatment system. Assumptions For the purpose of the preparation of this document a number of assumptions were made in order to adequately identify the key requirements. The formation of assumptions was kept as realistic and accurate as possible in order to uphold the integrity of this document.
Assumption 1: It is assumed that the proposed works will withstand scrutiny, and be deemed acceptable by Westmeath Co. Co.. This assumption is in relation to a numerous areas including planning, discharge licence etc. Assumption 2: For each option considered it is assumed no restriction in regards to access, excavations etc. will be enforced. Assumption 3: Values for wastewater loading rates from commercial premises given in the EPA guide, treatment systems for small communities, business, leisure centres and hotels are assumed to be accurate for this project. Assumption 4: Options considered are assumed not to be affective by existing services e.g. ESB cables, water, waste water etc.. Assumption 5: The project has full backing and support for AIT board of directors. 4
AIT Waste Water Treatment Facility: Business Case
Constraints There are numerous constraints which have been identified in relation to the planned development, they are: Available space: as a result of the highly developed nature of the campus at AIT there are a limited number of locations which are suitable for the placement of waste water treatment facility. Similarly there is limited space within the campus for the location of site offices, storage areas etc. during construction. Current use: due to the nature of AIT as a third level institute it is inevitable that there will be conflict between construction activities and the operation of the institute during the academic year. As a result it may be more practical to complete construction during holiday periods. Funding: as AIT is a partially government funded institute, funding for the proposed project will need to be sought from the department of education, or similar bodies. Due to the current economic situation funding may be a particular issue. Discharge licence: as the effluent from the proposed treatment system will be discharged to the existing Athlone waste water sewer it will be necessary for discharge license/amendment to the existing license to be obtained.
2.0
Analysis and Recommendation
2.1 Preliminary Options Analysis Evaluation Criteria Possible options in relation to both location and system will be evaluated on the basis of a number of criterions. Possible locations within the campus in which the treatment system could be constructed are evaluated on the basis of the criteria given in table 2.1 below, while screening criteria for possible system options are given in table 2.2.
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AIT Waste Water Treatment Facility: Business Case
Table 2.1 - Screening criteria for location options
Screening Criteria
Description
Access
Accessibility to the location for both short term construction needs and long term maintenance
Distance from
Meets the required minimum distances from boundaries and
boundaries and
structures required by relevant regulations
structures Available space
Evaluation of the land area available for the placement of the system and buffer zone surrounding the system
Routing
Provides an economical route for the disposal of effluent
Potential impact
Is there potential for immediate or future impact as a result of the use of this location
Potential affordability
Meets the sourcing policy of the organisation and likely availability of funding. Table 2.2 - Screening criteria for system options
Screening Criteria
Description
Strategic fit and business Meets
agreed-upon
investment
objectives,
desired
business
needs
outcomes, related business needs, and service requirements.
Potential achievability
Is likely to be delivered in view of the organisation’s ability to assimilate, adapt, and respond to the required level of change. Matches the level of available skills that are required for successful delivery.
Potential affordability
Meets the sourcing policy of the organisation and likely availability of funding.
Possible locations The system size and location depends on the population equivalent (p.e.). The EPA Act, 1992 (Urban Waste Water Treatment Regulations, 1994) define one p.e. as 60 grams of BOD 5 per day 6
AIT Waste Water Treatment Facility: Business Case
calculated on the basis of the maximum average weekly load entering the treatment system during the year. A BOD5 value per person per day of 30 grams can be obtained from table 3 Page 8 from the EPA manual, which is applicable to the engineering building at AIT. The occupancy of this building currently is 400 persons, with an envisaged increase of 100 persons in a 3 to five year period. Utilising these figures the maximum effective system demand is calculated as 250 p.e.. Buffer zones are required around wastewater treatment systems in order to avoid odours and noise nuisance. The EPA manual Table 4 recommends minimum distances from treatment systems for developments. A minimum distance of 50 m is required as the system is greater than 161 p.e.; also 30 m of the specified distance is required to be in the possession of the operator, i.e. AIT. Three sites were short listed as shown in Figure 2.1 marked in red, location 1 to the south, location 2 to the north east and location 3 to the northwest, of the Engineering building. The blue circle on the east-side of the same figure shows where the connection point is located for the municipal sewer.
Figure 2.1- Possible locations 1 to 3
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AIT Waste Water Treatment Facility: Business Case
2.1.2.1 Location 1 Access Location 1 is provided with several potential access routes making it relatively easily accessable. There would be minimum disruption during the construction stage as the area is of limited use by the institute. Access to the constructed plant would have restrictions and cause negligible disruption to the operation of the institute due to the characteristics of the location. Distance from boundaries and structures This location is in excess of 50 metres from the Engineering block and other developments as per Table 4 from the EPA Manual on Waste Water Treatment criteria. It is also in excess of 50 m inside the boundary line of AIT. Available space There is adequate space to accommodate a treatment plant in this area; with available space of approximately 400m². Routing This location is situated on the south west of the AIT campus. The most probable route for the sewer system from this location would be along the main roadway through the campus, adjacent to the sports centre and playing pitches to the eastern entrance. Potential impact Impact would be minimal on students and staff as this area is not used by the college as shown in Figure 2.2. Construction work would be kept to a minimum by having access to and from the site by entrance B. Odours and smells would have minimum effect on people due to the distance from existing development. There would be certain disruption as the discharge pipe from the waste water treatment plant must be joined to the town sewer connection at entrance A, Figure 2.1. This would involve a trench being excavated for the pipe, this work could be performed during the holiday period of the institute, which would minimise disruption to all college users.
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AIT Waste Water Treatment Facility: Business Case
Figure 2.2 – Location no. 1
Potential affordability This is a potentially cost effective option due to its relative location from the existing town sewer. Also less overall pipe and length of trench required. The site is above the water table hence no additional costs with pumping the site during construction. This distance would be the shortest of the three options considered.
2.1.2.2 Location 2 Access Access for location 2 is quite restricted, and is most probable to be across a football field as shown in Figure 2.3. This would be an inconvenience for construction of the sewerage works. Distance from boundaries and structures This location is in excess of 50m from the Engineering building and other developments as per Table 4 from the EPA Manual on Waste Water Treatment criteria. It is 27m inside the boundary line of the AIT, which does not meet the 30m required.
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AIT Waste Water Treatment Facility: Business Case
Available space There is sufficient space to locate the treatment system to the north of football pitch behind the goal post. Routing The most likely route for the sewer would be to follow the northern boundary of the institute and subsequently the eastern boundary. This route has the potential to have a significant impact on several sports facilities in the vicinity.
Figure 2.3- Location no. 2
Potential impact Odours and smells could be a concern for people in the vicinity of the sewerage treatment plant when using the pitch if there is a westerly to a northerly breeze. The activities on the pitch would be affected for a time when the construction of the plant itself is taking place, also the link pipe to the town sewer connection would have to be placed. Potential affordability There would be additional costs associated with a longer route for the link pipe across the football pitch compared to option one.
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AIT Waste Water Treatment Facility: Business Case
2.1.2.3 Location 3 Access Access for location 3 would be difficult because of the embankment at the location. The embankment would need to be excavated down to the level required for the sewerage treatment works and the existing retaining wall would have to be extended. Access for routine maintenance would potentially be affected by vehicles parked in the area. Distance from boundaries and structures This location is 50 metres from the Engineering building and other developments as per Table 4 from the EPA Manual on Waste Water Treatment criteria. It is also in excess of 30 metres inside the boundary line of AIT. Available space Significant amount of excavation is required to bring the level of the embankment down to create the required area. Potential impact Odours and smells could be a concern for people in the vicinity of the sewerage treatment plant or in the Engineering building when there is a westerly breeze. A trench would have to be constructed across the car park and out to entrance A, Figure 2.1, to accommodate the laying of the discharge pipe. This would impact students and staff form having full access to the car park and estate roads. Potential affordability The extra costs associated with excavating a trench across the car park, levelling the embankment to the existing ground level and extending the existing retaining wall would add extra costs to the contract.
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AIT Waste Water Treatment Facility: Business Case
Figure 2.4 – Location no. 3
2.1.2.4 Preferred option From the evidence presented above location number 1 was determined to be the preferred option. This was predominately due to the availability of open space and its relative location within the campus. System options 2.1.3.1 List the Possible Options Four options were considered:
Tricking Filter System
Rotating Biological Contactor (RBC)
Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR)
Septic Tank
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AIT Waste Water Treatment Facility: Business Case
2.1.3.2 Describing the Option Option No. and Name
Option 1- Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR)
Category of choices
Treatment system type
Description
An SBR operates in a combined mode, with both the aeration and sludge settlement occurring in the same tank. It is designed with the ability to treat a wide range of influent volume. To operate the SBR, a control range is a simplified method such as a float and timer based system
Option No. and Name
Option 2- Trickling Filter System
Category of choices
Treatment system type
Description
This system operates off contact beds, where settled sewage is spread by a rotary distributor over circular beds which contain a filter media. The trickling filter system also has a second phase filtering system, which is made up from clarified effluent from the intermediate and secondary clarifier’s.
Option No. and Name
Option 3- Rotating Biological Contactor (RBC)
Category of choices
Treatment system type
Description
An RBC unit consists of a series of closely packed disks on a horizontal shaft. The shaft is positioned inside the tank, which is operated either mechanically or by air bubbles from an aeration unit.
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AIT Waste Water Treatment Facility: Business Case
Option No. and Name
Option 4- Septic Tank
Category of choices
Treatment system type
Description
A septic tank generally consists of a tank (or sometimes more than one tank) of between 4000 and 7500 litres in size connected to an inlet wastewater pipe at one end and a septic drain field at the other. The design of the tank usually incorporates two chambers which are separated by means of a dividing wall that has openings located about midway between the floor and roof of the tank.
Screening of Options Option 1 –
Option 2 –
Option 3 –
Sequencing
Trickling system
Rotating
Batch Reactor
Option 4 – Septic Tank
Biological Contactor(RBC)
Screening
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Viable
Discounted
Viable
Discounted
criterion: strategic fit and business needs Screening criterion: Potential achievability Screening criterion: Potential Affordability Summary
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AIT Waste Water Treatment Facility: Business Case
Rationale for Discounted and Viable Options Discounted Options Option 2 – Trickling system The reasons for disregarding this option:
Potential for vector and odour problems
Relatively high probability of clogging
Generates sludge that must be treated and disposed of
Additional treatment may be needed for the effluent to meet strict discharge standards
High maintenance costs of rotary distributor centre mechanisms.
Option 4 - Septic Tank The reasons for disregarding this option:
Wouldn’t be capable of taking the volume of waste water from the property in question
The only possible location available is not of adequate size to accommodate a septic tank and the percolation area
Routes from trees in the vicinity of the area may clog the system
Excessive chemicals can decrease the effectiveness of septic tank system
Viable Options Option 1 – Sequencing Batch Reactor The reasons for choosing this option:
Operating flexibility and control
Potential cost savings by eliminating clarifiers and other equipment
Equalisation, primary clarification, biological treatment, and secondary clarification can be achieved in a single reactor vessel
Minimal footprint
Option 3 – Rotating Biological Contactor (RBC) The reasons for choosing this option:
Low cost of operation 15
AIT Waste Water Treatment Facility: Business Case
Doesn’t require high power to operate, the system can be energy efficient
The operators required do not need expensive training or qualifications to monitor the system
Preferred option estimated costing Option 1 Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR) Costs Operation
Maintenance
Sludge Removal
NCF €
2013
5715
750
500
6965
2014
5715
750
500
6965 0.9709 6762.319
2015
5715
750
500
6965 0.9426 6565.209
2016
5715
750
500
6965 0.9151 6373.672
2017
5715
750
500
6965 0.8885 6188.403
2018
5715
750
500
6965 0.8626 6008.009
2019
5715
750
500
6965 0.8375 5833.188
2020
5715
750
500
6965 0.8131 5663.242
2021
5715
750
500
6965 0.7894 5498.171
2022
5715
750
500
6965 0.7664 5337.976
2023
5715
750
500
6965 0.7441 5182.657
2024
5715
750
500
6965 0.7224 5031.516
2025
5715
750
500
6965 0.7014 4885.251
2026
5715
750
500
6965
2027
5715
750
500
6965 0.6611 4604.562
2028
5715
750
500
6965 0.6419 4470.834
2029
5715
750
500
6965 0.6232 4340.588
2030
5715
750
500
6965
2031
5715
750
500
6965 0.5874 4091.241
2032
5715
750
500
6965 0.5703
2033
5715
750
DF 3% 1
PV € 6965
0.681 4743.165
0.605 4213.825 3972.14
500 6965 0.5537 3856.521 Total Present Value 110587.5 Less: Initial Cost 200000 Net Present Value € -89412.5
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AIT Waste Water Treatment Facility: Business Case
Option 2 Rotating Biological Contactor (RBC) Costs
NCF €
DF 3%
500
16750
1
1000
500
16750 0.9709 16262.58
15250
1000
500
16750 0.9426 15788.55
2016
15250
1000
500
16750 0.9151 15327.93
2017
15250
1000
500
16750 0.8885 14882.38
2018
15250
1000
500
16750 0.8626 14448.55
2019
15250
1000
500
16750 0.8375 14028.13
2020
15250
1000
500
16750 0.8131 13619.43
2021
15250
1000
500
16750 0.7894 13222.45
2022
15250
1000
500
16750 0.7664
2023
15250
1000
500
16750 0.7441 12463.68
2024
15250
1000
500
16750 0.7224
2025
15250
1000
500
16750 0.7014 11748.45
2026
15250
1000
500
16750
2027
15250
1000
500
16750 0.6611 11073.43
2028
15250
1000
500
16750 0.6419 10751.83
2029
15250
1000
500
16750 0.6232
2030
15250
1000
500
16750
2031
15250
1000
500
16750 0.5874
2032
15250
1000
500
16750 0.5703 9552.525
2033
15250
1000
Operation
Maintenance
Sludge Removal
2013
15250
1000
2014
15250
2015
PV € 16750
12837.2 12100.2
0.681 11406.75
10438.6
0.605 10133.75 9838.95
500 16750 0.5537 9274.475 Total Present Value 265949.8 Less: Initial Cost 250000 Net Present Value € 15949.8
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AIT Waste Water Treatment Facility: Business Case
2.2 The Preferred Option Recommendation The preferred option chosen for the Waste Water Treatment Plant to be constructed on the Athlone Institute of Technology on the premises is the Sequence Batch Reactor (SBR). Deciding Factors The deciding factors which lead the SBR system to be chosen as the preferred option were;
The potential cost savings due to the elimination of clarifiers and other equipment.
The SBR also has a minimal footprint, with both the aeration and sludge settlement occurring in the same tank, meaning it operates in a combined mode.
It is designed with the ability to treat a wide range of influent volume.
Over the 20 year period it would cost €110,587 to fully run, maintain and remove sludge from the system. Which is the most economic option considered.
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AIT Waste Water Treatment Facility: Business Case
Sponsor Acceptance
Approved by the Project Sponsor:
____________________________________________
Project Sponsor: AIT
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Date: _____________________