Agenda of Nelson Regional Sewerage Business Unit

Minutes of a meeting of the Nelson Regional Sewerage Business Unit

Held in the Ruma Mārama, Level 2A, Civic House, 110 Trafalgar Street, Nelson

On Friday 11 December 2015, commencing at 1.00pm

Present: Councillors M Higgins (Chairperson) and B Dowler (Tasman District Council), and Mr D Shaw (Nelson City Council representative)

In Attendance: P Wilson (Industry Customers’ Representative), Nelson Regional Sewerage Business Unit Manager (R Kirby), Senior Asset Engineer – Solid Waste (J Thiart), Management Accountant (A Bishop), and Administration Adviser (S McLean)

Apologies: Councillor R Copeland (Nelson City Council) and M Hippolite (Iwi Representative)

Apologies

Resolved NRSBU/2015/012

THAT apologies be received and accepted from Councillor R Copeland and Mr M Hippolite.

Dowler/Shaw Carried

1. Confirmation of Order of Business

There was no change to the order of business

2. Interests

There were no updates to the Interests Register, and no interests with items on the agenda were declared.

3. Confirmation of Minutes

3.1 18 September 2015

Document number M1481, agenda pages 5 - 8 refer.

Resolved NRSBU/2015/013

THAT the minutes of the meeting of the Nelson Regional Sewerage Business Unit, held on 18 September 2015, be confirmed as a true and correct record.

Shaw/Dowler Carried

4. General Manager's Report

Document number R5189, agenda pages 9 - 35 refer.

Nelson Regional Sewerage Business Unit Manager, Richard Kirby, presented the report.

4.1 Bokashi Logic Proposal

There was discussion on the proposal from Bokashi Logic and the method proposed. It was highlighted that if this option was investigated then other potential providers would need to be investigated as well.

Senior Asset Engineer – Solid Waste, Johan Thiart, provided an update on the Bokashi Logic proposal, advising there was potential for an additional trial on a limited scale. He advised further information on this could be presented to the next Board meeting.

During discussion, concerns were raised about a full scale trial. It was pointed out the bacteria mix in a healthy pond should be stable once it was properly established, and would not require further feed stock. There was concern about the potential risk of bringing in a toxic substance to the ponds, so the source of the microorganisms would need to be carefully considered.

There was some support for further investigation on the matter and more detail on a small scale trial. It was agreed a workshop for officers would be held in the new year to fully discuss the proposal, potentially with a representative from Bokashi Logic available to take questions. It was suggested that Board members attend if they were interested, along with an MWH representative and someone in a peer review capacity.

During discussion it was noted that the NRSBU Business Plan 2016/17 included reference to new technology choices, and full analysis of these. It was further noted that the proposal could mean not having to desludge the ponds every 20 years, and also the postponement of upcoming desludging.

A further suggestion was made that a microbiologists view on the matter would be worth having.

Following discussion, it was agreed that the words ‘at this stage’ would be added to the end of the second clause of the officer recommendation.

4.2 Reticulated Wastewater

Mr Thiart advised that Nelson City Council was reviewing the possibility of reticulating treated wastewater from Bell Island to other users.

4.2 Business Plan 2016/17

It was noted that the date for the Business Plan Action item number 7 should show as Dec 2015. It was advised the review of contractor performance would be reported to the Board meeting in March 2016.

Mr Kirby advised that information on the improvement of power supply by Network Tasman would be presented to the Board meeting in March 2016. There was further discussion on this topic.

Mr Thiart advise the ATAD B-train was being prepared for new lining.

In response to a question, Mr Thiart said he would look into the proposed timeframe for the independent audit of the operation and maintenance manuals. He said he would look into the format and content of the Objectives and KPIs table in the Business Plan as there was currently a blank box.

Mr Kirby tabled amendments to the Business Plan tables on pages 8, 9, 18 and 19.

It was suggested that the table under section 8 of the Business Plan could be more clearly labelled as renewals, and the table under section 9 as upgrades.

4.3 Other Matters

Mr Kirby provided detail on an anonymous letter which had expressed health and safety concerns with Rabbit Island operations. He advised the concerns raised had been assessed and there were no issues to address.

There was a brief discussion on the state of roads at Bell Island. Mr Thiart advised the roads were in good condition and there was an annual $15,000 road maintenance budget.

Mr Thiart spoke further about sludge, biobags and an upcoming trial for desludging the ponds which would have minimal impact on the ATADs.

There was discussion on whether desludging the ponds was considered a capital upgrade. Management Accountant, Andrew Bishop, advised that the Tasman District Council accounting treatment for this was followed.

Resolved NRSBU/2015/014

THAT the report General Manager's Report (R5189) and its attachments Draft Business Plan 2016/17 (A1468715) and Status Report (A452094) be received;

AND THAT the Nelson Regional Sewerage Business Unit not implement the trial proposed by Bokashi Logic at this stage.

Shaw/Dowler Carried

Resolved NRSBU/2015/015

THAT the Nelson Regional Sewerage Business Unit Draft Business Plan 2016-17 be adopted as amended.

Shaw/Dowler Carried

Attachments

1 A1477188 - Correction to pages in NRSBU Business Plan 2016/17

5. NRSBU Review of Alternative Biosolids Disposal Options

Document number R5197, agenda pages 36 - 39 refer.

NRSBU General Manager, Richard Kirby, presented the report.

There was discussion on the possibility of an additional pond at Bell Island, funding for which could be included in the next Long Term Plan.

There was discussion on using ATADS or biobags for sludge and the potential for odour issues and Mr Thiart outlined the holding pond process followed by several other councils. He spoke about the possibility of methane gas being emitted from the ponds during this process.

There was the discussion about what would occur if biosolids spraying and Rabbit Island could not proceed. It was suggested that Rabbit Island changes would be incremental, so biosolids spraying was likely to continue into the foreseeable future.

There was discussion on cost effective ways to treat solids, and whether there were other ways to increase the capacity of the area at Rabbit Island, such as using different tree crops or increasing the spraying amount. Mr Thiart said SCION could advise the NRSBU on the ability of different tree crops to use the nutrient applied through biosolids spraying.

He pointed out that recreation and spraying of biosolids activities at Rabbit Island were not all mutually exclusive.

There followed a discussion regarding the Reserve Management Plan for Rabbit Island and the proposed consultation rounds.

The Board agreed that a submission should be made to the Rabbit Island Reserve Management Plan on behalf of the NRSBU. The Chairperson suggested consideration be given to including a proposal for biosolids spraying at Rough Island.

There was discussion on the concept of keeping the trees growing to 35 years to see if that would solve the problem of having softer logs.

Resolved NRSBU/2015/016

THAT the report NRSBU Review of Alternative Biosolids Disposal Options (R5197) and its attachment (A1468738) be received;

AND THAT the NRSBU note that the current biosolids disposal practice at Bell Island is the most cost effective option;

AND THAT the NRSBU General Manager make a submission on the consultation document on the Rabbit Island Management Plan.

Shaw/Dowler Carried

6. NRSBU Risk Profile - Impacts of Contributor Exit

Document number R5204, agenda pages 40 - 42 refer.

There was discussion on the impact of a contributor exiting the NRSBU scheme. It was noted there would be both risks and opportunities in this event.

It was pointed out that the Business Risk Schedule table on page 40 of the agenda was missing several words, and Mr Kirby read out the full wording from the Asset Management Plan.

Resolved NRSBU/2015/017

THAT the report NRSBU Risk Profile - Impacts of Contributor Exit (R5204) be received.

Higgins/Shaw Carried

7. NRSBU Bell Island Wastewater Treatment Plant; Review of Automated Process Control and Influent Load Monitoring

Document number R5208, agenda pages 43 - 46 refer.

Richard Kirby and Johan Thiart presented the report.

There was agreement that the purchase should proceed, although it was emphasised that significant training and understanding was required to make the most of the output data. It was also highlighted there may be ongoing cost in maintaining and calibrating the unit.

Resolved NRSBU/2015/018

THAT the report NRSBU Bell Island Wastewater Treatment Plant; Review of Automated Process Control and Influent Load Monitoring (R5208) be received;

AND THAT an S::can unit be procured from DCM Process Control and installed at a cost not exceeding $95,000.

Dowler/Shaw Carried

8. Audited Financial Statements

Document number R5237, agenda pages 47 - 65 refer.

Management Accountant, Andrew Bishop, tabled and presented the financial statements.

Resolved NRSBU/2015/019

THAT the Nelson Regional Sewerage Business Unit Financial Report (A1432009) be received.

Higgins/Dowler Carried

Attachments

1 A1432009 - NRSBU Financial Report to 31Oct2015

There being no further business the meeting ended at 3.02pm.

Confirmed as a correct record of proceedings:

Chairperson Date

Nelson Regional Sewerage Business Unit

11 March 2016

REPORT R5546

General Manager's Report

1. Purpose of Report

1.1 To report on progress with the NRSBU operational activities over the last few months and outlining what is proposed over the next few months.

2. Recommendation

THAT the report General Manager's Report (R5546) and its attachments (A1508800, A452094 and A1432009) be received.

3. Wastewater Specialist

3.1 The NRSBU contractor, Nelmac, received notification requesting approval to change its wastewater specialist. The approved specialist up until then was Rainer Hoffman (MWH).

3.2 The credentials of the new wastewater specialist were reviewed by the Engineer to the Contract. The General Manager of the NRSBU was advised and responded confirming that there were no issues with the proposed appointment.

3.3 Consequently the new wastewater specialist proposal was approved and it is Kirsten Norquay (MWH). Kirsten Norquay will continue to work under remote direction from Rainer Hoffman who has been seconded to work in England for the next couple of years.

3.4 Kirsten Norquay is an experienced process engineer who has been working in a supportive role with Rainer Hoffman on this contract for the past three years, so is fully aware of the operational aspects of the treatment plant.

4. Operational Aspects

Accidental Discharge Consent Application

4.1 The application was lodged on 29 February 2016.

Submission to Moturoa/Rabbit Island Reserve Management Plan Review

4.2 A submission has been prepared and forwarded to the Tasman District Council on behalf of the NRSBU. The submission essentially requests that in undertaking its review could the Tasman District Council please consider the importance of retaining the option of spraying biosolids on Rabbit Island as undertaken currently. A copy of the submission is attached to this report.

Bokashi Logic Workshop – Tuesday 23 February 2016

4.3 This was held at the Chamber of Commerce Boardroom with 5 NRSBU Joint Committee members, General Manager and Senior Asset Engineer present, as well as representatives from Nelson City Council, Tasman District Council, Nelmac, MWH, Microbiologist, Bokashi Logic and EMNZ.

4.4 Microbiologist (Gemma Allen) is engaged by Nelmac under its contract with the NRSBU to monitor the microbiological aspects of the facultative and maturation ponds. Gemma Allen has been analysing the ponds for nearly 2 years now and provided an overview of the pond microbiology.

4.5 The wastewater specialist (Kirsten Norquay, MWH) provided an overview of the pond sludge management. The results of the sludge survey completed in November 2015 indicate that the trigger level set out in the pond management plan has been reached for facultative pond F2. The other two ponds are below the trigger level, but all three ponds will need to be considered for de-sludging within the next three to four years.

4.6 The owner of EMNZ (Mike Daly) then provided an overview of the use and manufacture of EM (effective micro-organisms) Technology in New Zealand. The product EMNZ produces is primarily used in New Zealand to deal with odour and restoring septic ponds. It is also used to reduce sludge volumes. It appears from the presentation that the use of EM in wastewater treatment plants as a normal ongoing operation is not very common in New Zealand.

4.7 The part owner and manager of Bokashi Logic (Michel D’Hondt) then spoke to the Bokashi Logic proposal to reduce sludge in the facultative ponds at Bell Island.

4.8 A round table conversation followed during which the merits of implementing the Bokashi Logic proposal were considered. Given the balance in maintaining pond efficiency, it was generally agreed that there was little justification in dedicating one of the facultative ponds to a trial with Bokashi Logic. There may be a case to consider sludge treatment but that would need further assessment.

4.9 It is intended that the NRSBU take no further action at this time as there is insufficient evidence around the efficacy of the Bokashi Logic proposal. If this was to be re-considered, Bokashi Logic would need to submit a substantiated proposal that will prove to the NRSBU that it is not only cost-effective but will enhance the environmental outcomes sought by the NRSBU at the treatment plant and with its discharge.

Contract 3458 – Nelmac; Operation and Maintenance

4.10 The reticulation and treatment operations have continued as normal over the last few months.

4.11 The diversion of load away from the aeration basin has resulted in a decrease in run hours of aerators of between 50 and 70% daily over the last two months.

4.12 The B-train ATAD was brought back on line following completion of the lining of the tanks in February and work on C-train has commenced. C-train is expected to be back on line before the end of March 2016.

4.13 It is expected that once all three ATAD trains are back on line that volatile solids reduction will improve further and result in a reduction in biosolids production.

Contract 3619 – Biosolids Operation

4.14 The monthly average volume biosolids sprayed is tracking the budgeted amount.

4.15 The volume of biosolids sprayed during January was nearly half of what was sprayed during the same period the previous year.

4.16 The volume of biosolids will continue at this level for the next month, but is expected to increase following the relining of C-train as it is anticipated that load will be directed away from the ponds in preparation for the winter months when the ponds have less capacity to treat load.

Sludge survey November 2015

4.17 Sludge surveys in 2012, 2014 and 2015 have demonstrated that sludge levels in all three facultative ponds have increased to such an extent that sludge removal will be required in all three ponds within the next three to four years.

4.18 The following trigger levels are recommended in different sources.

4.19 The average load recorded during the months of September, October and November shows that the quality of effluent discharged from Bell Island has decreased significantly since the previous upgrade completed in 2010.

4.20 The ponds continue to treat loads effectively with no adverse issues other than an increase in CBOD since 2010. This increase in CBOD shows that the treatment capacity of the ponds is decreasing.

4.21 MWH completed a review of the sludge in the ponds during 2014 and recommended that a trial be conducted to determine whether the sludge treatment processes at Bell Island (ATAD’s) has adequate capacity to also deal with sludge dredged from the facultative ponds over time.

4.22 This trial was delayed until the sludge treatment facility was restored to 100% capacity. This should be in late March 2016 when C-train is commissioned following completion of the lining of all the ATAD tanks.

4.23 Other sludge control methods are also being investigated at the moment. Conclusions are that sludge removal is the most economical method.

4.24 Further work is currently underway to determine the most appropriate way to remove and dispose of the sludge from the ponds. The following options are being considered:

· Gradual desludging over time with sludge treatment integrated into current sludge treatment processes;

· Decanting the effluent from the pond and remove sludge by mechanical means, similar to what was done during the last desludging in 1993 to 1995. This involved controlled land disposal at Bell Island.

· In-situ solar drying and removal of sludge by mechanical means.

· Dredging and dewatering using geo textile bags.

· Wind generated aeration and diffusion upgrade of the ponds to improve wastewater treatment and sludge management.

4.25 Once the assessment of options is completed and estimated, the preferred option will be matched with the budget allocations to determine how best to progress. This will be the subject of a future report to the NRSBU Joint Committee.

5. Key Performance Indicators

5.1 The outcomes of key performance indicators for the 3 months to 31 January 2016.

6. Compliance Outcomes

6.1 The compliance outcomes for the 12 months to 31 January 2016 are outlined in the following table:

i)	Resource Consent Compliance (rolling 12 month record)
	Ø Discharge to Estuary Permit			Not achieved. One discharge of raw sewage occurred at Saxton pump station during this period resulting from a level control failure.
	Ø Discharge to Air Permit			100% Compliance
	Ø Biosolids Disposal			100% Compliance
	Ø Discharge treated waste water to land			100% Compliance
ii)	Odour Notifications
	Ø Past three months	Nil.
	Ø Last 12 months	Nil.
iii)	Overflows
	Ø Past three months		Nil
	Ø Last 12 months		One.
iv)	Speed of response for maintenance works
	In past three months: Ø Nine. Ø One call out was for a power cut experienced at Bell Island. Ø Five call outs were SCADA related issues. Ø Two call outs resulted from electrical faults (trip) on the power supplies to the wash-water pump station and the Milliscreen. Ø One call out was associated with a malfunction at the air-valve at the Saxton Road pump station.
	Ø Response within 30 minutes. Achieved.

7. Review of Action Plan Implementation –
2014 Asset Management Plan and 2015/16 Business Plan

The following table indicates the draft time lines for the individual action items:

IP	Business Plan Action	Target Date	Completion Date	Comments
1	Review manuals annually.	March 2016		Documents were reviewed by Asset Engineer in liaison with contract supervisor. With the change in wastewater specialist it was decided that it will be appropriate for the new wastewater specialist to lead the annual review for the Nelmac team under direction of the previous wastewater specialist. Work to be carried out during March 2016.
2	Consolidate all natural disaster information and review 3 yearly.	March 2016		Work will be carried out during March 2016.
3	Internal benchmarking carried out annually.	June 2016
4	Review risk of contributors leaving NRSBU.	June 2016
5	Review capacity of treatment components.	June 2016
6	Programme for pipe inspections.	June 2016
7	Annual review of contractor performance.	Dec 2016
8	Screen upgrade.	June 2016
9	Review secondary sludge separation.	Dec 2016
10	Construction second sludge storage tank.	June 2016
11	Develop sludge removal programme.	June 2016
12	Review effluent discharge management.	Mar 2016	January 2016	Procedures reviewed to ensure that discharge pump is operable. Nelmac instructed to programme one pump discharge per month and report volume of pump down during the discharge in the monthly report.
13	Renewal of effluent discharge permit	Dec 2018
AP	AMP Action	Target Date	Completion Date	Comments
1	Annual customer survey.	Mar 2016		Survey will be carried out at the end of March.
2	Business Continuity Plan review.	Jun 2016
3	Consider benefits of succession planning and how it might be implemented with be considered once governance issues (TDC and NCC) have been resolved.	Jun 2016
4	Review of security required at all facilities.	Mar 2016		Review will form part of six monthly Health and Safety Audit to be carried out during March.
5	Monitor sludge levels in ponds and ascertain long term removal and disposal requirements.	Mar 2016	24 Feb 2006	Assessment of options currently being undertaken.
6	Improve reporting requirements for asset condition, performance and maintenance from maintenance contractor.	Mar 2016		Work programmed for this month.
7	Implementation of internal bench marking (using historical data) of NRSBU network, pump stations, treatment and disposal facilities.	June 2016
8	Develop Demand Management Policy.	June 2016

8. Health and Safety

8.1 There have been 4 Health and Safety inductions and 154 visitors to the Bell Island site over the past three months.

8.2 Three Health and Safety incidents were reported by the contractor during the three month period. All events were investigated, recorded and actioned in accordance with the Nelson City Council health and safety requirements.

· A plastic fish bin used by a contractor to stand on collapsed. A fixed step was installed following the event.

· There was gas build up inside an air-valve chamber which was caused by a portable generator used to power a submersible pump to drain the valve chamber. The operator was alerted to the issue when the gas monitor was activated. Following the event the contractor procured an inverter that is powered by the vehicle battery to replace the need to use the generator for this type of activity.

· A large flight pump tipped over when the pump was placed on the work surface outside the pump sump. A supporting frame was manufactured and will be used in future to prevent a similar event.

8.3 Two further incidents were reported involving contractors damaging equipment whilst backing vehicles.

9. Financial

9.1 Power usage at the treatment plant is tracking well under budget. It is expected that this will continue through to April 2016. This is contingent on pond condition remaining in a good state as well as other wastewater process units.

9.2 Expenditure is generally tracking under budget. (Financial report for January 2016 attached)

Richard Kirby

Consulting Engineer

Attachments

Attachment 1: A1508800 - Submission Moturoa/Rabbit Island RMP Review

Attachment 2: A452094 - Status Report

Attachment 3: A1432009 - Financial report January 2016