. .. . . m Athlone WWTP Upgrade-EIS - Existing WWTP 12.1 EXISTING TREATMENT PROCESS 12.1 .I Preliminary Treatment B Screening Incoming sewage enters the screening house through a rising main where it is discharged over a side weir to the screen face. The inlet works at the plant comprise of two screens which are rotating wedge wire drums 1.5m in diameter and 2.7m long. Each screen is capable of screening 300 litres of effluent per second with an aperture size of Imm. Solids a are separated at this point where they are discharged over the end of the screen to a screw conveyor. The solids are further dewatered before being transferred to a skip outside of the screening house. Effluent passes to an outlet channel below the screen. There are currently two screens in operation on a dutylstandby basis. Provision has been made in the existing ru se . design for the provision of a third screen. If the duty screen blinds the standby screen comes ot he into operation. In the event that the standby screen also blinds, the incoming effluent passes f c Fo op r i yr ns ig pe ht ct ow ion ne pu r r rp eq os ui es re o d nl fo y. ra ny directly to the aeration basin. The screens are periodically pressure washed both inside and out. The screens are contained within glass reinforced plastic covers in order to contain aerosol emissions. Biological Treatment 0 Co n se nt o 12.1.2 Secondary Treatment An activated sludge process provides biological treatment of the effluent. The stage comprises of two aeration basins each of plan dimensions 44.3 m by 19.5 m and a liquid depth of 4.6 m. Effluent enters the tanks from the screen house where it is mixed initially in an anoxic zone (deficient in oxygen). This promotes the growth of flocculent bacteria which provide for better settling sludge later in the process and also provide for partial denitirification of the effluent. The bacteria are maintained in suspension by a submersible D mixer. The anoxic zone and aerated section are separated by a baffle. Aeration is provided by means of fine bubble aeration. Air is supplied through two Rootes type blowers (one dutylone standby) each of capacity 3,650 m3/hour. This air is introduced to the tank via 1,840 no. 175 rnm diameter ceramic disc diffusers placed in a 900mm grid on the floor of each basin. The amount of air supplied to the effluent will vary depending on the dissolved MGEO129RP0004 35 FO1 EPA Export 26-07-2013:14:51:31 Athlone WWTP Upgrade-EIS - Existing W mm P oxygen content of the effluent. This is monitored by way of a probe in each tank which controls the blowers. Directly after introduction of leachate to the system the air blowers are turned up in order to introduce additional oxygen to the system to cope with the additional demand for oxygen. Settlement Settlement of sludge formed in the aeration tanks is provided for by two tanks of 27.6metres internal diameter and peripheral weirs (overflow rate of 6.2m3/m/hour). Each tank is fitted with rotating half bridge scrapers that rotate at 120mm/minute.These are designed to carry the settled sludge to a centrally located sludge hopper. Scum that forms on the top of the settlement tanks is skimmed off by a skimming device attached to the bridge and is discharged to the sludge return chamber. A sludge blanket monitor fitted in each tank activates a sludge wastage pump to pump excess sludge to the sludge holdinglthickening f c Fo op r i yr ns ig pe ht ct ow ion ne pu r r rp eq os ui es re o d nl fo y. ra ny ot he ru se . tank once a certain level of sludge is reached in the bottom of the tank. 12.1.3 Phosphorus Removal A facility to remove phosphorus from effluent is provided at the plant. Phosphorus is removed by simultaneous precipitation which is completed by the addition of ferric sulphate as the effluent enters the aeration tanks. The ferric sulphate is stored in two polypropylene lined nt o glass reinforced plastic tanks each of capacity 23m3 contained within a concrete bund. The Co n se ferric sulphate is injected into the effluent by way of dosing pumps. An automatic sampler is provided at the inlet works in order to monitor phosphorus loads entering the plant. 12.114 Sludge Treatment Sludge collected at the base of the settlement tanks is sent to a picket fence thickener situated adjacent to the settlement tanks. The thickener increases the dry solids content of the sludge from 1% to 3%. The thickened sludge is then pumped to two sludge belt presses, housed in the sludge dewatering house. The belt presses produce a sludge cake of 18% dry solids. Storage for the dewatered sludge is provided in a high level steel silo. The 40m3 silo is designed to provide storage for approximately five days sludge production. The silo allows for direct discharge to a skip for removal off site. The sludge is further treated off site by way of lime stabilisation before it is disposed of to landfill. MGE0129RP0004 36 FO1 EPA Export 26-07-2013:14:51:31 mm Athlone WWTP Upgrade-EIS - Existing WWTP 12.1.5 Discharge A composite sampler is provided at the flow measurement flume which is located at the head of the outfall pipe. The final effluent from the treatment plant is conveyed from the treatment works to the River Shannon through a 750mm diameter concrete pipe which is 630m long. The final section of the discharge pipe extends 30metres into the River and consists of a 750mm diameter Class PN6 HDPE pipe. Daily flows recorded between 2004 and 2007 show that final effluent flows for the treatment plant are in the region of 75 I/s. - Co ns en to f c Fo op r i yr ns ig pe ht ct ow ion ne pu r r rp eq os ui es re o d nl fo y. ra ny ot he ru se . Images 12-1 12-6 show the processes at the existing WWTP. Image 12-1 MGEOl29RP0004 Screen Hoiise 37 FO 1 EPA Export 26-07-2013:14:51:31 Rm Athlone WWTP Upgrade-EIS - Existing WWTP Aeration Basin Image 12-3 Settlement Tank Co n se nt o f c Fo op r i yr ns ig pe ht ct ow ion ne pu r r rp eq os ui es re o d nl fo y. ra ny ot he ru se . Image 12-2 MGE0129RP0004 38 FO1 EPA Export 26-07-2013:14:51:31 ./. .. ... . .. ,... . 1 .. . ... _.. ,-. .. - .. ,._ . . . Athlone WWTP Upgrade-EIS - Existing W - . m! P Ferric Sulphate Storage Tanks image 12-5 Sludge Picket Fence Thickener se nt o f c Fo op r i yr ns ig pe ht ct ow ion ne pu r r rp eq os ui es re o d nl fo y. ra ny ot he ru se . Image 12-4 Co n w . . . .. , MGE0129RP0004 39 FOI EPA Export 26-07-2013:14:51:31 rn Image 12-6 Sludge Silo f c Fo op r i yr ns ig pe ht ct ow ion ne pu r r rp eq os ui es re o d nl fo y. ra ny ot he ru se . Athlone WWTP Upgrade-EIS - Existing WWTP se nt o 12.2 OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE Co n The WVVTP is currently operated by a caretaker employed by Westmeath County Council. A visual inspection of the WVVTP is carried out by the caretaker on a daily basis to ensure there are no problems. In addition, Area Engineers visit the site sporadically to visually inspect the process and to receive updates from the caretaker. Water required for operation of the existing WWTP is taken from a combination of the public watermains and a borehole on site. The borehole is situated at the north of the site to the side of the access road. A control building on site houses an office, laboratory, switch room, store, sanitary facilities and the process control system. The control system for which there is a mosaic mimic panel located in the cofitrd house is a SCADA (Supervisory and Control Data Acquisition) system. A computer monitoring system monitors various control and process parameters on a constant basis at the plant and at Golden Island Pumping Station. These parameters include the dissolved oxygen levels, effluent flows and levels, sludge production, pump operations and chemical and energy consumption patterns for the treatment plant. MGE0129RP0004 40 FO1 EPA Export 26-07-2013:14:51:31 1 rn Athlone WWTP Upgrade-EIS - Existing WWTP 12.3 TRAFFIC Typical traffic movements currently entering and exiting the existing WWTP include tankers delivering leachate from Ballydonagh Landfill Facility (an average of 2 leachate deliveries per day, four days a week), transport of dewatered sludge from the treatment plant (typically seven HGVs enter and exit the site to collect and remove dewatered sludge per day), employee traffic and site visitors. All traffic exiting the treatment plant turns right onto the local Carrick OBrien road travelling towards Athlone Town. Typical traffic volumes recorded on the 31" July 2008 and 1'' August 2008 are detailed as follows: 3IStJuIy2008: 0 2 no. tankers delivering leachate to the treatment plant (4 vehicle movements), 0 7 no. HGV's collecting dewatered sludge for removal from the treatment plant he Other: Two site vans, three site visitors and four contractor vehicles. f c Fo op r i yr ns ig pe ht ct ow ion ne pu r r rp eq os ui es re o d nl fo y. ra ny ot 0 ru se . (14 vehicle movements), and 1' August 2008: 0 2 no. H G V s collecting dewatered sludge for removal from the treatment plant (4 vehicle movements), and one site visit. nt o Other: Two site vans, two equipment maintenance staff, two contractor vehicles, and se 0 Co n P 12.4 SECURITY, HEALTH AND SAFETY A security fence surrounds the WVVTP and the entrance gate is locked outside of working hours. Visitors to the WWTP must sign a visitors book and must be accompanied by the caretaker of the plant. Safety provisions at the treatment plant include hand and safety railings, warning signs for deep water, lifebuoys and a fire and gas detection system. 12.5 GOLDEN ISLAND PUMPING STATION Golden Island Pumping Station is situated north west of the existing WWTP. The pumping station houses two variable speed pumps with each pump designed to delivy flows in the range of 150 to 220 litres per second on a dutylstandby basis. Provision has been made in the existing design for the provision of a third pump. A composite sampler has also been MGEOl29RP0004 41 FO1 EPA Export 26-07-2013:14:51:31 mm Athlone WWTP Upgrade-EIS - Existing WWTP installed at the pumping station. The pumping station is connected to the inlet works of the WWTP via a 600 mm HDPE rising main. The existing overflow from the pumping station is at Burgess Park. This surface water overflow currently operates at least six times per year, conveying overflow to the River Shannon. 12.6 PERFORMANCE OF THE EXISTING WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT Effluent Treatment Monitoring records obtained from Westmeath County Council from January 2004 to April 2008 were analysed in order to evaluate the performance of the existing WVVTP. The records include monitoring of the effluent at the inlet and outlet works, at the aeration basins and upstream and downstream of the discharge point. These monitoring results are se . presented in full in Appendix C. ot he ru The average treated effluent concentration levels for various parameters, based on these f c Fo op r i yr ns ig pe ht ct ow ion ne pu r r rp eq os ui es re o d nl fo y. ra ny monitoring results are shown in Table 12-3. Co n se nt o Table 12-3 Treated Effluent Concentrations and Standards 2004-2008 11.5 10.7 12 10.2 13 25 Suspended Solids 7.7 10 10.7 13 6 35 Total Phosphorus 1.2 1.07 0.82 1.99 NR 2 Total Nitrogen 16.7 16.1 14 14.3 16** 15 BOD * Up to April 2008 **Based on a Single Sample Result ***Source: Westmeath County Council Monitoring ,Results, January 2004-April 2008 NR- No Records These results demonstrate that the effluent quality is meeting the requirements of the Urban Wastewater Treatment Regulations, 2001 for BOD, Suspended Solids and Total Phosphorus. The average level of Total Nitrogen for 2005 and 2006 also meets the requirements of the Regulations. In 2004 an average Totarnitrogen concentration of 16.7 mg/l was recorded. This is above the standard of 15 mg/l. The level recorded in 2008 EPA Export 26-07-2013:14:51:31 Athlone WWTP Upgrade-EIS- Existing WWTP represented one single sample and so this level cannot be assumed to be representative of 9. U'; an average level of Total Nitrogen.' ' ' I': P Surface Water Quality w The water quality of the River Shannon upstream and downstream of the treatment plant 813 Suspended Solids and Orthophosphate. While sampling occurs on average once every two 1 . ; ( 1 " L,i* discharge point is monitored by Westmeath County Council through sampling of BOD, COD, months, levels recorded for these parameters are sporadic. The results for 2007 at these sampling points indicate that the sampling point upstream of the discharge point has good water quality, with the average orthophosphate level recorded for both 2006 and 2007 at 0.03 mg/l P, average COD levels in the region of 30 mg/l, ammonium level of ~0.3 mg/l NH3- N and suspended solids of 5 mgA se . Results from the sampling point downstream of the discharge point indicate good water he ru quality with average orthophosphate levels of 0.02 mg/l P recorded for 2006 and 2007, f c Fo op r i yr ns ig pe ht ct ow ion ne pu r r rp eq os ui es re o d nl fo y. ra ny ot average COD levels 18 to 26 mg/l, ammonium 0.19 to 0.22 mg/l NH3 -N, and suspended solids of 10.6mg/l to 12.4 mg/l. Design Criteria The design capacity of 30,000 P.E. has not been exceeded at the existing WWTP with upper Co n se nt o capacity levels in the region of 28,000 P.E. recorded at the plant in 2007 (see Table 12-4). Table 12-4 Effluent Loading to the Existing Treatment Plant in 2006-2007 November06 I 86 I 986 December 06 I I1216 174 January 07 1 Nodata n/a No data nla U April07 I47 May 07 51 MGEOl29RP0004 I 1 I n/a Unknown 1,396 23,262 1,666 1,670 27,827 1,217 1,218 ~ I62 1 I Unknown No values recorded March07 I n/a 1,427 1 43 1,428 / 1 I 20,301 23,799 FOI EPA Export 26-07-2013:14:51:31 mm Athlone WWTP Upgrade-EIS- Existing WWTP June 07 July 07 1,667 1,669 1,186 1,189 September 07 1,116 1,118 October 07 1,157 1,158 August 07 76 1 I 27,813 19,814 I 18,627 1 19,295 General Oper itions A site visit took place on the 1' August 2008 and the following operational issues were noted: 0 Due to a combination of high levels of grease and solvents in the incoming effluent smearing and furring of pumps can cause mechanical failure. When this occurs overflows can discharge to the River Shannon. ru se . This smearing and furring also results in screen failure and material spills out into the f c Fo op r i yr ns ig pe ht ct ow ion ne pu r r rp eq os ui es re o d nl fo y. ra ny ot he drainage area of the WVVTP. This material is required to be swept up on a regular basis by treatment plant employees. 0 Abstraction of water at an on-site borehole is required to supplement the existing water supply from the mains. This water source is high in iron and sulphide content and is leading to increased odour emissions and general corrosion of equipment in the WWTP. nt o Preparations were being made to replace the aeration diffusers and maintenance was se 0 Co n to be carried out on Settlement Tank 2. In dry weather flows, the plant capacity allows equipment to be taken off-line for maintenance and repairs. Conclusions The WVVTP is currently operating within its design capacity of 30,000 P.E.and within the requirements of the Urban Wastewater Treatment Regulations (SI 254, 2001) with the exception of Total Nitrogen which appears to be slightly elevated above the required 15mg/l limit in 2004 and 2005 as set out in the Urban Wastewater Treatment Regulations 2001. There are some operational issues identified at the existing WWTP which include mechanical failure of pumps due to high levels of grease and solvents in the incoming effluent and problems associated with using water from an on-site borehole which has high levels of iron and sulphides. The water quality of the River Shannw upstream and downstream of the WWTP discharge point generally indicates good water quality. MGE0129RP0004 44 FO1 EPA Export 26-07-2013:14:51:31 IP 13 mm Athlone WWTP Upgrade-EIS- Existing WWTP The pumping station at Golden Island has an existing capacity of 150 to 220 I/s.The existing overflow from the pumping statiqn is located at Burgess Park. It was identified in 2008 in the , i -#! times a year and is as a result not performing to the required standards. Co n se nt o f c Fo op r i yr ns ig pe ht ct ow ion ne pu r r rp eq os ui es re o d nl fo y. ra ny ot he ru se . U I” application for a discharge licence to the EPA that this overflow is operating greater than six U w MGEOl29RP0004 45 FO 1 I EPA Export 26-07-2013:14:51:31 se Co n f c Fo op r i yr ns ig pe ht ct ow ion ne pu r r rp eq os ui es re o d nl fo y. ra ny nt o se . ru he ot P P m a 1 p EPA Export 26-07-2013:14:51:31 . .. . .. - mm Athlone WWTP Upgrade-EIS - Proposed Upgrade 13 PROPOSED UPGRADE The upgrade of Athlone WWrP will be awarded in one contract DBO contract for the Upgrading and Expansion of Existing Wastewater Treatment Works Stage 1 (60,000PE) and Golden Island Pumping Station and Stormwater Storage. It is proposed to upgrade the WWTP from its existing design capacity of 30,000 PE to 60,000PE. It is also proposed to install additional pumping capacity at the Golden Island Pumping Station and construct a stormwater storage tank adjacent to the pumping station. Additional sludge treatment facilities will be required in order to process the proposed increased sludge arisings. The existing rising main running from the Golden Island Pumping Station to the inlet works and the discharge pipe that conveys treated effluent from the WWTP to the River Shannon ru se . are adequate for the proposed upgrade and will be retained. Proposed upgrading is required f c Fo op r i yr ns ig pe ht ct ow ion ne pu r r rp eq os ui es re o d nl fo y. ra ny ot he to cater for the continued growth in population in Athlone Town and its environs. The upgrading of the existing WWTP will be procured by means of a Design Build Operate 63 (DBO) contract. A s a result it is not possible to predict the exact design or layout of the proposed upgraded works. Based on the Preliminary Athlone Main Drainage Review Study (2004), the proposed upgrade will result in a doubling of the capacity of the WVVTP and will se nt o involve duplication of existing structures. The additional structures will be located in that part Co n of the site which is currently undeveloped. The proposed upgrade will be constructed within the confines of the current site boundary. E The stormwater storage tank at Golden Island will be constructed on lands owned by Athlone Town Council. 13.1 DESIGN RATIONALE OF THE PROPOSED UPGRADE WORKS The upgrade of the existing WWTP will be designed to achieve the effluent standards required under relevant legislation, that reflect the quality objectives of the receiving waters (River Shannon) and consider the projected hydraulic and BOD loading on the WWTP. These are presented in Tables 13-1 and 13-2. B MGE0129RP0004 46 FO1 EPA Export 26-07-2013:14:51:31 Em Athlone WWTP Upgrade-ElS -Proposed Upgrade Table 13-1 Proposed Design Standards I-~ Biological Oxygen Demand Suspended Solids 35 mgll Chemical Oxygen Demand 125 mgll Total Nitrogen 15 mgll I Total Phosphorus I I 2mg~ ru se . Table 13-2 Projected Hydraulic and BOD Loading for Athlone Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade t o 60,000 PE 0.097 m3/sec to f c Fo op r i yr ns ig pe ht ct ow ion ne pu r r rp eq os ui es re o d nl fo y. ra ny ot he Design Dry Weather Flow (DWF) 25,200m3 /day Design Hydraulic Load for Full Treatment (3DWF) ~~ 3,600kglday Design BOD Load 60,000 PE Design Population Equivalent ns en The projected hydraulic and BOD loading is based on the combination of the existing municipal, commercial/industriaI, institutional and leachate load to the WWTP and the Co 1 I 25 mgll estimated increase in this load. The Design BOD loading is based on 60g/h/d and the Dry Weather Flow (DWF) is based on 140l/h/day. The WWTP will be designed to treat a peak flow of 3 DWF. Flows greater than 3 DWF will be stored in a stormwater storage tank proposed to be located close to the Golden Island Pumping Station. Appropriate process technology to achieve the final effluent standard as set out in Table 131 will be used. At this stage it can be assumed that expansion of the existing biological treatment (activated sludge system) and chemical removal of phosphorus will be required and will involve duplication of existing process units. / MGEOI 29RP0004 47 FO 1 EPA Export 26-07-2013:14:51:31 I? mm Athlone WWTP Upgrade-EIS- Proposed Upgrade The proposed final effluent design standards will be met through a combination of two approaches, namely (i) upgrading the existing facilities and (ii) construction of additional elements. The proposed upgrade will include the following:,,. *, <“; F ,s”J%b*, 0 Upgrade the existing screening plant, inlet works and screening building, 0 Replace or build an additional sludge thickening and dewatering facility, 0 Build an additional sludge storage silo (or replace the existing one to double the capacity), 0 Build two new aeration basins, 0 Build two new settlement tanks, 0 Relocation of the existing outlet and sampling facility, and 0 Miscellaneous Works: to include alteration and upgrade of associated pipe works, he ru se . chambers and building alterations. f c Fo op r i yr ns ig pe ht ct ow ion ne pu r r rp eq os ui es re o d nl fo y. ra ny ot The indicative layout and views of the proposed upgrade to the WVVTP are shown in Figure 13.1 and Figure 13.2. The location of the proposed Stormwater Storage Tank at Golden Island is shown in Figure 1.2. nt o 13.2 CONSTRUCTION STAGE se The following construction works will be required: Co n ! I Upgrade of the existing control house (to accommodate extended control panel), Upgrade of the existing screen house (possible addition of one more screen), Construction of 2 no. aeration basins (of similar specification to existing basins), Construction of 2 no. settlement tanks (of similar specification to existing settlement tanks), 0 Upgrade of the ferric sulphate holding tanks and associated bunding (to cater for increased effluent volumes), 0 Replacement or building an additional sludge thickening and dewatering facility, 0 Construction of sludge silo (of similar specification to existing silo or replacement with a silo with double the capacity), Relocation of the existing outlet works and sampling facility, P Addition of a pump at the Golden Island Pumping Station, and Construction of a stormwater storage tank at Golden Island. MGE0129RP0004 48 FO 1 EPA Export 26-07-2013:14:51:31 mm Athlone WWTP Upgrade-EIS - Proposed Upgrade The impact of the construction stage of the proposed development is directly related to the construction programme for the overall project, which includes programming of specific elements of the project, method of construction adopted, daily timing in undertaking specific activities and duration of construction activities. Although the construction period duration will be approximately 2 years, individual structures will be upgraded or duplicated over shorter periods. It is envisaged that there will be some flexibility in the methods of construction to be used, subject at all times to compliance with the provisions of this EIS, and related statutory approvals. Specifics of the construction stage will relate directly to the contractor(s) proposals as set out in the DBO contract. The contractors employed will be obliged to implement best practice in order to minimise possible environmental impacts. This will be fulfilled through the Best Available Techniques (BAT) approach and its implementation is ru se . further discussed for both the construction and operational stages in Section 13.4. ot he The following section outlines the sequence of construction to be employed and details f c Fo op r i yr ns ig pe ht ct ow ion ne pu r r rp eq os ui es re o d nl fo y. ra ny various aspects of this stage that could have potential to impact on the environment. 13.2.1 Sequence of Construction Phases nt o Construction of the proposed upgrade will follow this sequence: Co n se Stage 1: Site preparation and pre-construction activities, Stage 2: Installation of temporary works and sewers, Stage 3: Construction of piled substructures, Stage 4: Construction of structures and superstructures, and installation of plant, Stage 5: Implementation of landscaping plan and completion of drainage/ services where necessary, and Stage 6: Commissioning of the upgraded WWTP. 13.2.2 Site Preparation and Pre- Construction Activities A site compound will be created on lands set aside for the upgrading works and will not encroach on the existing footprint of the WWTP. It will include a site office, canteen and sanitary facilities for employees working on site. A secure site boundary will be maintained around the construction areas &here possible, for safety purposes and in order that the existing WVVTP can continue to operate with minimal disturbance. The contractor will be required to maintain site security to restrict unauthorised entry. MGEO 129RPW04 49 FO1 EPA Export 26-07-2013:14:51:31
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