LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN THE TRAINING PROGRAMME ON SITE

Transcription

1 LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN THE TRAINING PROGRAMME ON SITE SUITABILITY ASSESSMENT BILLY MOORE BILLY MOORE CONSULTING (BMC) 2 THE ELMS, JOHN S HILL, WATERFORD, IRELAND MOBILE@ BILLYMOOREENGINEER@GMAIL.COM

2 OUTLINE OF PRESENTATION Background to the Development of the Training Programme Developments in the Training Programme More Recent Developments Current Situation

3 INTRODUCTION & BACKGROUND

4 INTRODUCTION & BACKGROUND Training Programme on Site Suitability Assessment (SSA) commissioned by FAS in 1996; Initial Training Programme developed by Donal Daly (Head of GW Section in GSI and Billy Moore (South Tipp. County Council); Pilot Programme delivered to about 25 participants in Co. Meath in 1997 Pilot Programme based on SR6:1991

5 INTRODUCTION & BACKGROUND (2) Training Programme and competency assessment scheme certified by FETAC Significant increase in demand for the Training Programme during the boom years to 2008 At one stage - more than 400 applications for participation on the Training Programme Participants selected to ensure mix of private sector (i.e. Assessors) and public sector (e.g. Local Authority, An Bord Pleanala) and a good spatial distribution across the 26 counties Participants with experience in SSAs given preference

6 INTRODUCTION & BACKGROUND (3) Competency Assessment o Examination: Multiple-Choice-Questions MCQs (70% pass rate); + o Interview based on 2 Site Characterisations completed High pass rate on MCQ test Relatively high rate of referral of candidates following interview

7 DEVELOPMENTS IN THE SSA TRAINING PROGRAMME

8 DEVELOPMENTS IN TRAINING PROGRAMME Modifications to TP to take account of EPA Manual 2000 o Subsoil classification to BS 5930: 1999 Further modifications to take account of EPA Code of Practice 2009 o Desk Study: o Visual assessment; o Trial hole and subsoils classification

9 Trial Hole Description

10 DEVELOPMENTS IN TRAINING PROGRAMME Modifications to TP to take account of EPA Manual 2000 o Subsoil classification to BS 5930: 1999 Further modifications to take account of EPA Code of Practice 2009 o Desk Study: o Visual assessment; o Trial hole and subsoils classification o Percolation Tests

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12 PERCOLATION TEST X mm 250mm Invert Level of Pipes Y mm Horizon of Interest

13 The key issue is the relationship between the layers in the Trial Hole and the depth at which the Percolation Test ( T -Test) is carried out!

14 DEVELOPMENTS IN TRAINING PROGRAMME Modifications to TP to take account of EPA Manual 2000 o Subsoil classification to BS 5930: 1999 Further modifications to take account of EPA Code of Practice 2009 o Desk Study: o Visual assessment; o Trial hole and subsoils classification o Percolation Tests o Conclusions & Recommendations: Site suitable for all categories of DWWTS; Site suitable for Secondary Treatment System; or Site unsuitable for DWWTS Source (or Hazard) Pathway Target (SPR) Model

15 Source or

16 MORE RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

17 MORE RECENT DEVELOPMENTS Training Programmes now organised by Local Authority Services National Training Group (LASNTG) About 2 Programmes per year for ~ 25 persons per Programme Duration of TP Reduced from 8 Days to 6 Days More focus on Training Outcomes (TOs) and Competency Assessment now linked directly to TOs Increasing emphasis on design solution Competency Assessment o Practical Tests (e.g. subsoil classification including thread tests, ribbons, dilatency tests, etc.) o Examination: Short Questions (2-hour test, 25 questions), + o Site Characterisation

18 DESIGN SOLUTION - PROBLEMS Design of infiltration area not linked to subsoil layer/percolation test results Poor design o Pipe runs shown perpendicular to site slopes o Infiltration area not sized correctly

19 DESIGN SOLUTION - PROBLEMS Design of infiltration area not linked to subsoil layer/percolation test results Poor design o Pipe runs shown perpendicular to site slopes o Infiltration area not sized correctly o Other..

20 DESIGN SOLUTION - PROBLEMS Design of infiltration area not linked to subsoil layer/percolation test results Poor design o Pipe runs perpendicular to site slopes o Infiltration area not sized correctly Lack of proper plans means that there is little chance that the system, as envisaged by the Assessor, will be properly installed CONCLUSION : - Design solution needs to be properly described - Plan + Section, drawn to scale

21 DESIGN SOLUTION ISSUES (1) Design Population (P.E.) Issue o Minimum house size is 2 bedrooms which equates to a design capacity of of 4 person equivalent (4 P.E.); and o For each additional bedroom an additional 1 P.E. to be added Capacity of DWWTP: o Nominal Capacity (i.e. The maximum P.E. the plant is suitable for) should be defined by the hydraulic load as declared on the certificate divided by 150 litres and not by using the 60g BOD per person criteria). Certification of System: o Prefabricated Septic Tanks EN Part 1 o Packaged DWWT Systems EN Part 3 Listed on PIA GmbH Website

22 OTHER DEVELOPMENTS Successful legal challenge to Panels of Competent Persons o Some Planning Authorities maintain a List of Site Assessors (FETAC Certified; PI Cover; and Signed-up to Code of Professional Conduct) o Applicants for PP may have SSA carried out by persons not included in the List but they are advised that: It is in their best interests to satisfy themselves that the person is appropriately qualified and insured More recent legal challenge to Local Authorities carrying out SSAs EPA research on low permeability sites o Willow systems; Low pressure pipe (LPP) systems; and Drip feed systems o EPA will incorporate research findings in an Addendum to the CoP

23 FINAL COMMENTS (1) SSA Training Programme in place for 18 years SSA TP now based on EPA Code of Practice 2009 For a DWWTS the following three questions must be addressed: 1. Will the wastewater get away? Hydraulic Issue 2. Will the wastewater be sufficiently treated before it reaches a receptor? Attenuation Issue 3. Will the separation distances be complied with? Separation Distance Issue NIP Training Programme in place since 2013

24 FINAL COMMENTS (2) CURRENT STATUS Training Programme (TP) in place Site Suitability Assessment Installation of DWWTS No Training Programme in place NIP TP in place Inspection & Maintenance Certification of Installation Training Programme piloted by FAS in 2011

25 THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION! Billy Moore (087)