Asset Management Plan for Sewerage Infrastructure
Table of Contents

1. Introduction and Overview

Introduction - BRC's Asset Management Plans are based on the minimum requirements for Asset Management Plans in Queensland as detailed in the Asset Management Advancement Program.

1.1 Scope

The following infrastructure classes and sub-classes are covered by this plan:

1.2 Asset Hierarchies

1.2.1 Sewer Hierarcy

Sewer Hierarchy - The Water & Wastewater Department has adopted the following sewer hierarchy.

This differs somewhat from the WSAA code, which breaks up sewers into the following categories:

Sewers that the WSAA code would describe as "Branch Sewers" or "Main Sewers" are classified at "Reticulation Sewers".

1.2.2 Sewerage Pump Station Hierarchy

Sewerage Pump Station Hierarchy - BRC has no hierarchy for Sewerage Pump Stations - all SPS's are treated similarly.

1.3 Quantitative Data

1.3.1 Wastewater Infrastructure Summary

1.4 Links to Other Documents

Sewerage Related Documents - The following documents have been referred to in developing the Asset Management Plan for Sewerage Infrastructure.

General Documents

NOTE: The BRC Asset Management Policy is a Draft version and will be set up to be adopted by Management /Council and incorporated into the LTAMP

Sewerage Specific Documents

  • None

1.5 Legislative and Regulatory Requirements

Legislative and Regulatory Requirements - The principal relevant statutes regulating the asset management practices of Councils are:

The Department of Infrastructure and Planning requirements for asset management plans include:

  • description of the maintenance program
  • timing of program
  • maintenance expense per asset class and sub-class

2. Service Levels

2.1 Strategic/Community Service Levels

Strategic Community Service Levels for Sewerage

Service Level Performance Measure
All sewerage infrastructure and all activities associated with management, maintenance and operation of the network comply with all relevant Acts and Regulations. Full compliance with relevant Acts & Regulations
To provide and maintain all sewerage infrastructure in a safe condition. Incident reports trending in right direction
To provide a service that reflects the priorities of its users User input to regular customer satisfaction surveys aligns with Council priorities.

2.2 Technical/Maintenance Service Levels

The values below are for discussion purposes only, and are yet to be confirmed.

2.2.1 Active Assets

Maintenance Service Levels for Sewerage Active Assets

Problem Intervention Level Remedy/Treatment Response Time
Collapsed Bearing Upon evidence of noise or vibration Replace bearing Dependent on operational criticality, within 2 weeks
Pump Mechanical Seal Failure When fluid escapes from seal Full Pump Refurbishment Dependent on operational criticality, between 1 day & 4 weeks
Sewer Pump Wear Ring Failure On 30% reduction in flow or repeat choking Replace wear rings Dependent on operational criticality, between 1 day & 2 weeks
Sewer Pump Housing Erosion Wall thickness is 50% of original Powdered metal rebuild Dependent on operational criticality, between 1 day & 2 weeks
Pump Gross Failure Vibration/Reduction in Flow Pump Refurbishment or Replacement Dependent on operational criticality, within 2 weeks
Bore Pump Failure Upon evidence of noise or vibration,loss of flow Pump Refurbishment or Replacement Dependent on operational criticality, between 2 weeks & 8 weeks
Gearbox failure Upon evidence of noise or vibration Refurbishment or Replacement Dependent on operational criticality, between 1 day & 4 weeks
Electric Motor Burn out Overload tripping or burning smell Rewind or replacement Dependent on operational criticality, between 1 day & 4 weeks

2.2.2 Buried Sewer Assets

Maintenance Service Levels for Buried Sewer Assets

Problem Intervention Level Remedy/Treatment Response Time
Blockage N/A Blockage clearance 6 hours
Burst Pressure Main Noticeable flow repair break 4 hours

3. Future Demand

3.1 Future requirements associated with corporate plans or operational plans

Future Requirements -No future requirements associated with the corporate plan or the operational plan have been identified.

3.2 Known or possible areas for expansion

Expansion - There are several factors that may affect the demand for and on Council assets.

3.2.1 New Subdivisions

New Subdivisions - Council is gifted infrastructure on a regular basis, with a significant number of new subdivisions coming off maintenance each year.

3.2.2 Population Growth

Population Growth - According to the OESR Queensland Regional Database & Google Public Data Explorer Bundaberg Regional Council's estimated population has increased from 78,943 in 2001 to 95,132 in 2009.

Year Population % Increase
2001 78,943 -
2002 80,369 1.81%
2003 81,579 1.51%
2004 83,238 2.03%
2005 85,522 2.74%
2006 87,898 2.78%
2007 90,302 2.73%
2008 92,651 2.60%
2009 95,132 3.00%

3.2.3 Changes in Land Use

Changes in Land Use - Bundaberg Regional Council has yet to finalise a consolidated Planning Scheme for the amalgamated Council. If any changes in land use affecting future demand are included in the new scheme they will be identified here.

3.2.4 Changes to Government Policy & Regulations

Government Policy & Regulations - No changes to government policy or regulations have been identified in this plan.

3.3 Asset classes and potential acquisition dates

New Asset Classes - It is not anticipated that any new asset classes will be acquired within the time frame of this plan.

3.4 Cost estimates

Cost Estimates -The costs of changes in the future demand on the assets covered by this plan have yet to be calculated.

3.5 Impact of future demand on service levels, asset lifecycle and financial considerations

Impact of Future Demand - The impact of future demand on service levels, asset lifecycle and financial considerations has yet to be ascertained.

3.6 Technological Change Forecast

Technological Change Forecast - The past few centuries have seen enormous technological advances, and in computing, nanotechnology & biological science the current rate of advancement is exponential. (e.g. Moore's Law.) If this trend continues the impact on Local Government is potentially enormous, and obsolescence could become the main factor in determining the useful lives of many asset classes.

There are a number of key areas in which this rapid technological advancement could affect the way assets are constructed and maintained.

3.6.1 Energy

Energy - The availability or lack of availability of relatively cheap energy will have a huge impact on the cost of and need for infrastructure assets into the future.

Oil reserves are a finite resource, and transport systems will almost certainly become more and more dependent on synthetic fuels, bio-fuels and/or electrical power in the medium to long term.

If the cost of transport increases the cost of constructing infrastructure assets is likely to increase commensurately.

On the other hand, there are a couple of possible reasons that energy might actually become cheaper in the medium term which would drive construction costs down.

The amount of solar power being generated is increasing exponentially, and there are number of reasons to suspect the efficiency of solar power generation will improve markedly in the short to medium term.

Commercial fusion power is not expected to be available until at least 2040, but its impact if and when it does become a reality could be enormous, given that there is enough heavy hydrogen in the oceans to satisfy mankind's energy needs for millions of years.

3.6.2 New Materials & Construction Techniques

New Materials & Construction Techniques - It is possible that Automated Construction Techniques like D-Shape & Contour Crafting will have a significant impact on the construction of civil assets in the not-to-distant future. Given the long lives of some civil assets it is feasible that by the time they are due to be replaced automated construction techniques will enable them to be replaced for considerably less than their current replacement cost.

High tech materials like carbon nanotubes could result in decreased construction costs.

3.6.3 Increased Collaboration & Knowledge Sharing

Collaboration & Knowledge Sharing - Increased collaboration & knowledge sharing via the internet has the potential to reduce overhead costs significantly by reducing the amount of duplication of effort between Councils.

3.6.4 Artificial Intelligence & Expert Systems

Artificial Intelligence & Expert Systems - Some observers believe that human level general artificial intelligence could be a reality as soon as 2030.

4. Lifecycle Management and Financial Considerations

4.1 Useful Life

Sewerage Asset Useful Lives - The useful life of most assets covered by this plan will depend on a range of environmental factors. The estimated useful lives given below which have been extracted from the Assetic Asset Management System are best guess averages.

Asset Sub-classpixel.png Useful Life Average RUL
Air Release Pipe 80 years 79.7 years
Civil Structure 80 years ?? years
Electrical 30 years ?? years
Gravity Main PVC 80 years 47.7 years
Gravity Main AC 80 years 36.1 years
Gravity Main VC 65 years 34.0 years
Gravity Main DICL 80 years 68.4 years
Gravity Main RC 80 years 42.7 years
Maintenance Hole 80 years 62.9 years
Mechanical 40 years 20.8 years
Overflow Pipe 80 years ?? years
Pipework & Valves 50 years 23.5 years
Pressure Main 65-80 years 66.6 years
Pump Well 80 years 33.8 years
Scour Pipe 80 years 79.7 years
Telemetry 20 years 17.0 years
Vacuum Main 80 years 78.7 years

4.2 Valuation

4.2.1 Sewerage System Valuation

The Sewerage Valuation figures below were extracted from the June 2010 Financial Reconciliation Report.

Asset Sub-classpixel.png Replacement Cost Written Down Replacement Cost Annual Depreciation
Sewer Maintenance Holes $26,552,711.13 $19,844,026.57 $6,708,684.56
Sewer Pipes $133,995,697.71 $76,961,183.94 $57,034,513.77
Sewerage Treatment & Pumping $94,343,373.09 $84,216,488.25 $10,126,884.84
Total $254,891,781.93 $181,021,698.76 $73,870,083.17

4.2.2 Unit Rates

Sewerage Treatment & Pumping Unit Rates - Sewerage treatment & pumping assets were revalued as at 1 July 2009, using the following component unit rates.

Component Type Small (100mm pipework) Medium (200mm pipework) Large (250mm+ pipework) Notes
up to 6kW 6 kW to 22 kW greater than 22 kW
1.8mm well 3.6mm well Large well
Flowmeter $4,500 $6,000 $10,000
Motor Starter $2,000 $7,000 $13,000
Switchboard (Includes mains ) $22,000 $27,000 $40,000
Sump Pump N/A N/A $1,500
Submersible Pump (Stool, Chain, Guide Rail) $7,000 $1,5000 $45,000 There are typically 2 submersible pumps at a station.
Ventilation System N/A N/A $5,000
Pump Well Structure (Includes design) $120,000 $180,000 $250,000
Flowmeter Pit $6,000 $7,000 $9,000
SCADA RTU Installation $8,000 $8,000 $8,000
Pipework & Valves $3,000 $9,000 $15,000 per pump

The Sewer Maintenance Hole Unit Rates below are still being developed with a view to using to revalue assets in 2011.

Maintenance Hole - Asset Sub Type Depth Range (m) Sewer Pipe Size (mm) Typical Unit Rate
Sewer Gravity Control Maintenance Hole 0.0 - 1.5 $5,129.00
Sewer Gravity Control Maintenance Hole 1.5 - 3.0 $6,773.00
Sewer Gravity Control Maintenance Hole 3.0 - 4.5 $7,718.00
Sewer Gravity Emergency Relief Chamber 0.0 - 1.5 $5,129.00
Sewer Gravity Lamphole 0.0 - 1.5 $2,293.00
Sewer Gravity Maintenance Hole 0.0 - 1.5 $5,129.00
Sewer Gravity Maintenance Hole 1.5 - 3.0 $6,773.00
Sewer Gravity Maintenance Hole 3.0 - 4.5 $7,718.00
Sewer Gravity Maintenance Hole Unconnected 0.0 - 1.5 $5,129.00
Sewer Gravity Maintenance Hole Unconnected 1.5 - 3.0 $6,773.00
Sewer Gravity Maintenance Hole Unconnected 3.0 - 4.5 $7,718.00
Sewer Gravity Maintenance Shaft 0.0 - 1.5 $3,192.00
Sewer Gravity Maintenance Shaft 1.5 - 3.0 $3,695.00
Sewer Gravity Maintenance Shaft 3.0 - 4.5 $4,184.00
Sewer Gravity Terminal Maintenance Hole 0.0 - 1.5 $5,129.00
Sewer Gravity Terminal Maintenance Hole 1.5 - 3.0 $6,773.00
Sewer Gravity Terminal Maintenance Hole 3.0 - 4.5 $7,718.00
Sewer Gravity Terminal Maintenance Shaft 0.0 - 1.5 $2,898.00
Sewer Pressure Air Release Valve Chamber 0.0 - 1.5 $5,129.00
Sewer Pressure Air Release Valve Chamber (Non Trafficable) 0.0 - 1.5 $2,842.00
Sewer Discharge Maintenance Hole 0.0 - 1.5 100 $7,028.00
Sewer Discharge Maintenance Hole 0.0 - 1.5 150 $7,325.00
Sewer Discharge Maintenance Hole 0.0 - 1.5 200 $7,656.00
Sewer Discharge Maintenance Hole 0.0 - 1.5 300 $8,929.00
Sewer Discharge Maintenance Hole 1.5 - 3.0 100 $8,463.00
Sewer Discharge Maintenance Hole 1.5 - 3.0 150 $8,760.00
Sewer Discharge Maintenance Hole 1.5 - 3.0 200 $9,091.00
Sewer Discharge Maintenance Hole 1.5 - 3.0 300 $10,364.00
Sewer Pressure Isolating Valve Chamber 0.0 - 1.5 $5,129.00
Sewer Pressure Isolating Valve Chamber (Non Trafficable) 0.0 - 1.5 $2,842.00
Sewer Pressure Scour Valve Chamber 0.0 - 1.5 $5,129.00
Sewer Pressure Scour Valve Chamber 1.5 - 3.0 $6,773.00
Sewer Pressure Scour Valve Chamber 3.0 - 4.5 $7,718.00
Sewer Vacuum Control Solenoid Valve Chamber 0.0 - 1.5 $2,842.00
Sewer Vacuum Interface Chamber 0.0 - 1.5 $5,129.00
Sewer Vacuum Interface Chamber 1.5 - 3.0 $6,773.00

4.3 Maintenance

Sewerage Maintenance - Maintenance on most active sewerage assets is currently scheduled using Council's in-house developed AMMS System.

4.3.1 Maintenance Activities

Sewerage Maintenance Activities - Council performs a number of maintenance activities in relation to assets covered by this plan, including:

4.3.1.1 Active Assets Programmed Maintenance

4.3.1.2 Active Assets Reactive Maintenance Activities

4.3.1.3 Sewer Pipes & Pits Programmed Maintenance

4.3.1.4 Sewer Pipes & Pits Reactive Maintenance

4.3.1.5 Operational Activities

Sewerage Operational Activities

4.3.2 Maintenance Practices

Sewerage Maintenance Practices - Maintenance activities on BRC Water and Wastewater assets are managed by both the Trade Services Section and the Water & Wastewater Reticulation Maintenance Section.
Trade Services provide electrical, mechanical & painting activities for the treatment and pumping assets. The reticulation maintenance section provide for the maintenance requirements of the water and wastewater networks, namely buried pipes, pits and valves.

4.3.2.1 Reactive Maintenance

Sewerage Reactive Maintenance - Reactive maintenance stems from failures to infrastructure. These failures occur at random intervals and cause uneven demands on council's resources as well as unplanned interruptions to the service. Effective Preventative programs reduce the amount of these reactive events and council is striving to introduce preventative programs in the water and wastewater reticulation areas.

4.3.2.1.1 Trade Services

Trade Services Sewerage Maintenance -

  • Reactive Maintenance originates with Treatment Plant operators and pump attendants reporting failures and impending failures to the Trade Services Administration support team.
  • The admin officer enters the Work Request into the WHIP work management software system categorising the task as either a mechanical (Fitters) or electrical (Electricians) job.
  • Leading Hands from each section check the tasks online first up of a morning and at regular intervals during the day and evaluate the jobs scope and urgency. Jobs are allocated to a work crew in the system. If job is urgent the crew is contacted by phone or radio and the details of the job passed on. If the job is not urgent the printed work tickets are handed out at morning tea, lunch or the start of the next day to the relevant crews. The WHIP is used to create the header on the work ticket with the body of the work ticket form being a standard format to capture the details of the work performed as well as the name plate details for updating the AMMS register. A risk assessment form is also printed on the reverse of the work ticket for use by the tradesman prior to commencement of work.
  • The work is undertaken and recorded for recording history against the asset
  • The work sheet is returned and scrutinised by the relevant leading hand for completeness before being sent to the Supervisor.
  • Supervisor checks the need to record and makes a decision if work ticket proceeds to data entry
  • Data entry into AMMS and filing of paperwork into archives.

4.3.2.2 Preventative Maintenance

Sewerage Preventative Maintenance -

  • Preventative Maintenance is managed in the AMMS software. Inspection programs have been created to allow assets to have an inspection or other preventative maintenance activities set up against them and scheduled.
  • The scheduled activity reports are printed each week and handed to the relevant action officer.
  • The action officer carries out the required inspection or preventative maintenance and records a condition of the asset on completion of his task.
  • Sheets are returned to the relevant leading hand for identifying further works required or budget items. Further works are created in the WHIP software for assigning to a work crew.
  • Sheets are sent to the Trade Services Administration for data entry into AMMS. During this process and budget items highlighted by the Leading Hands are noted on a budget request list to assist with the preparation of the next budget.
  • Sheets are archived following data entry.

4.3.3 Maintenance Expenditure

Sewerage Maintenance Expenditure - a break up of maintenance expenditure on sewerager infrastructure in the 2009-2010 financial is detailed in the table below. The information has been extracted from BARS via a Financial Performance Summary Report.

Work Order Expenditure
Avoca Sewerage Treatment Plant Maintenance Expenses $2,428
Bargara Sewerage Treatment Plant Maintenance Expenses $99,784
Childers Sewerage Treatment Plant Maintenance Expenses $46,596
Coral Cove Sewerage Treatment Plant Maintenance Expenses $52,289
East Sewerage Treatment Plant Maintenance Expenses $147,954
Gin Gin Sewerage Treatment Plant Maintenance Expenses $3,853
Millbank Sewerage Treatment Plant Maintenance Expenses $94,056
Monduran Sewerage Treatment Plant Maintenance Expenses $188
North Sewerage Treatment Plant Maintenance Expenses $13,310
Sewerage Pump Station Bundaberg Maintenance Expenses $409,135
Bundaberg Sewerage Reticulation Maintenance Expenses $609,307
Thabeban Sewerage Treatment Plant Maintenance Expenses $27,762
Woodgate Sewerage Treatment Plant Maintenance Expenses $47,036
Sewerage Pump Station Childers Maintenance Expenses $41,968
Sewerage Pump Station Woodgate Maintenance Expenses $51,085
Childers Sewerage Reticulation Maintenance Expenses $23,359
Woodgate Sewerage Reticulation Maintenance Expenses $61,592
Sewerage Reticulation Repairs & Maintenance Bargara/Coral Cove $147,329
Sewerage Reticulation Repairs & Maintenance Gin Gin/Monduran $78,930
Sewerage Pump Station Repairs & Maintenance Bargara/Coral Cove $243,300
Sewerage Pump Station Repairs & Maintenance Gin Gin/Monduran $11,557
TOTAL $2,212,818

4.4 Asset Renewal & Replacement

Sewerage Renewal & Replacement - Council's Renewal/Replacement Plan is based the estimated RULs of individual assets in Council's Asset Register.

4.4.1 Renewal Expenditure

Sewerage Renewal Expenditure -

Projected Renewal Expenditure
Year Electrical Mechanical Pipework Pumpwells Sewers Telemetry Total
2012/2013 $111,300 $32,150 $143,450
2013/2014 $36,675 $78,758 $23,415 $166,740 $305,588
2014/2015 $72,460 $277,508 $91,665 $94,500 $12,432 $548,565
2015/2016 $205,275 $90,300 $13,662 $309,236
2016/2017 $71,688 $68,250 $10,084 $150,021
2017/2018 $141,007 $283,338 $14,366 $438,710
2018/2019 $431,415 $222,176 $409,395 $9,342 $1,072,329
2019/2020 $596,681 $195,994 $70,560 $14,122 $877,357
2020/2021 $240,917 $918,066 $45,465 $262,710 $10,452 $1,477,609
2021/2022 $525,145 $476,258 $10,3110 $13,628 $1,118,141
2022/2023 $893,422 $569,326 $247,485 $11,773 $231,000 $1,953,006
2023/2024 $138,895 $759,066 $46,351 $944,313
2024/2025 $537,917 $913,614 $1,451,532
2025/2026 $780,431 $256,410 $1,036,841

4.4.2 Renewal Programs

Sewerage Renewal Programs - More work needs to be done matching the figures in the SAMP to specific projects before the Sewerage Renewal Expenditure table can be populated. A number of first cut renewal programs are under development, but you must be logged on to BRC Intranet to view them.

Sewerage

4.5 Asset Creation & Acquisition

New Sewerage Works - The table below details projected new and upgrade capital expenditure on assets covered by this plan over a ten year period.

Projected Roads New and Upgrade Capital Expenditure
Year Expenditure
2011-2012 $30,235,000
2012-2013 $34,235,000
2013-2014 $27,009,000
2014-2015 $17,655,000
2015-2016 $12,914,000
2016-2017 $5,884,000
2017-2018 $17,237,000
2018-2019 $16,010,000
2019-2020 $7,355,000

4.6 Asset Disposals

Disposal of Sewerage Assets - It is possible that one or more wastewater treatment plants will be made redundant over the period covered by this plan, but no firm decision has been made at this point in time. Plants that are being considered for closure include:

4.7 Risk Management

Risk Management - Council recognises 4 levels of risk, low, medium, high and extreme. These risk associated with a given hazard is calculated in accordance with Council's Risk Management Policy using the following risk matrix.

Risk-Matrix.png

All identified risks are recorded in Council's Risk Management System. The system contains a hazard register and a rectification action plan.

Council typically adopts one or more of the following risk handling options when risks are identified.

  • accepting risk;
  • reducing likelihood of event;
  • reducing the consequences of event;
  • transferring the risk;
  • sharing the risk;

Risks

Hosting the plan online and backing it up locally should ensure that the plan content is safe even in the case of a server failure.
Internet outages can restrict access to the live version of the plan from time to time, but the data itself should be very safe.
Backups of the plan are made regularly and stored in the directory: S:\Support Services\Assets\Asset Management Plans.

5. Asset Management Practices

5.1 Data

Sewerage Data is currently sourced from and stored in a number of different locations & databases including;

The Water & Wastewater Section would like to set up a data repository to collate data from the above sources to simplify the process of generating reports.

5.1.1 GIS

GIS Sewerage Data - The GIS contains a graphical representation of the location of sewerage assets belonging to a number of sewerage asset classes, including;

  • Sewers
  • Manholes

5.1.2 SCADA

SCADA Sewerage Data - The SCADA system collects telemetry data such as;

  • Pump well levels and flow rates at most sewerage pump stations.
  • Sewage dissolved oxygen content at various locations within the network.

5.1.3 Operations / WHIP

Operations Sewerage Data - The Water & Wastewater Operations & Maintenance Section collects &/or collates data about a number of measures into a spreadsheet.

The information collected varies slightly from treatment plants to treatment plant, but the variables below are collected at one or more plants.

  • BOD
  • SS (?)
  • Total N (?)
  • Total P (?)
  • pH
  • Dissolved Oxygen
  • Faecal Coliforms
  • Turbidity
  • Free Chlorine Residual
  • Conductivity

The number of blockages resulting from tree root intrusion and all causes are recorded on a monthly basis.
Blockages are categorised as follows:

  • Sanitary Drain Blockages
  • Point of Connection Blockages
  • Combine Line Blockages
  • Mainline and Access Chamber Blockages

Other variables that are recorded or should be recorded are:

  • No of Sewerage Overflows
  • Number of Odour Complaints
  • % of services restored within 3 hours
  • % of queries/complaints responded to within 3 hours

WHIP Sewerage Data - The following sewerage data is captured in WHIP;

  • Date and Time of complaint
  • Job Start / Finish Time
  • Complaint Type
  • Location by Address
  • Odour yes / no
  • Overflow yes / no
  • Metres Upstream / Downstream to Blockage
  • No. of overflows per blockage event
  • Sewer Main Asset ID
  • Sewer Maintenance Hole (SMH) Asset ID
  • SMH Condition
  • SMH Depth
  • SMH Structure Type
  • SMH Lid Size and Type
  • Was POC raised to surface
  • Does POC need Repair
  • Blockage / Choke caused by
  • Blockage / Choke was in
    • Customer Sanitary Drain
    • Property Connection Sewer
      • POC
      • Outside Boundary
      • Combine Line
  • Pressure Main Breaks

5.1.4 Authority

Authority Sewerage Data - The cost of Council sewerage works is in captured in Authority.

5.1.5 Assetic

Assetic Sewerage Data - The myData module in Assetic contains information on the value, physical properties & condition of sewerage assets.

The information is stored in a number of separate tables.

Table Name Asset Category
SewerManholes Sewer Distribution Manholes
Sewerage Sewer Distribution Pipes
EquipmentSewerage Sewer Treatment & Pumping

5.1.6 AMMS

AMMS Sewerage Data - The AMMS contains data on the maintenance history of sewerage assets. Sewer Pipes and Sewer Maintenance Holes are not in AMMS.

5.1.7 LIMS

LIMS Sewerage Data - LIMS is a Laboratory Information System developed by LTech Australia.

BRC uses LIMS to record the results of all tests carried out at the Central Laboratory. In the future it may also be used to record the results of a number of additional tests outsourced to other agencies.

Sewage from locations through out the region (including those listed below) is tested.

  • Bundaberg East
  • Bundaberg North
  • Millbank
  • Thabeban
  • Childers
  • Woodgate
  • Gin Gin
  • Bargara
  • Coral Cove.

Sewage samples are tested for parameters according to each treatment plants release limits which are outlined in relevant ERAs (Environmental Relevant Activity).
Generally final effluent samples are analysed for

  • Faecal coliforms
  • pH
  • conductivity
  • total nitrogen
  • total phosphorus
  • Biological Oxygen Demand
  • suspended solids
  • dissolved oxygen & ammonia.

Sewage samples are outsourced every 6 months to test for:

  • methylene blue active substances
  • ammonia
  • phenolic compounds
  • total arsenic
  • total cadmium
  • total chromium
  • hexavalent chromium
  • total copper
  • total lead
  • total mercury
  • total nickel
  • total zinc
  • total organophosphate pesticides.

Biosolids (the dried waste from the sewerage treatment plants) is tested for % total solids and Faecal coliforms.

Septage (waste from septic tanks etc which is collected by licensed carriers & disposed of at our sewerage treatment plants) is also analysed every 6 months.

LIMS has only been in use since early 2010. Prior to this the results of tests were recorded in Excel spreadsheets. The Excel Spreadsheets are still in use, but will be gradually phased out as we progress with LIMS.

5.2 Asset Management Systems

Asset Management Systems - Bundaberg Regional Council uses a the following software systems & databases to manage various asset management related tasks.

Software System Interaction Diagram
Software-System-Map4.png

5.3 Reporting

The Water & Wastewater Section is subject to a number of Wastewater Reporting Requirements, including;

5.3.1 National Performance Reports

Water Authorities are required to produce National Performance Reports on an annual basis. A list of questions can be found here.

5.3.2 Swim Reporting

Swim Reporting is conducted on an annual basis. Data is uploaded directly to the SWIM website.

Information uploaded to SWIM, and relating to Sewerage includes;

  1. Total volume sewage collected (ML/year)
  2. Average volume sewage collected per property (kL/sewer connection/year)
  3. Recycled water (percent of effluent recycled)
  4. Properties served per km of sewer main (No. Connections/km)
  5. Number of sewer main breaks and chokes per 100 km
  6. Property connection sewer main breaks and chokes (per 100km of sewer main)
  7. Sewage inflow and infiltration (peak day flow / average day flow) (Ratio)
  8. Sewage overflow to customer property (number per 1000 connections) (No./1000 Connections)
  9. Sewage overflows reported to the environmental regulator (per 100 km of main)
  10. Total number sewage overflows (per 100km sewer main)
  11. Percent of sewage treated to a tertiary level
  12. % of samples tested which comply with the relevant licence standard for BOD
  13. % of samples tested which comply with the relevant licence standard for Suspended Solids
  14. % of samples tested which comply with the relevant licence standard for Nitrogen
  15. % of samples tested which comply with the relevant licence standard for Phosphorus
  16. Sewerage service complaints (per 1000 properties)
  17. Average Response/reaction time for sewerage incidents (mins)
  18. Average sewerage interruption (minutes)
  19. Average number working days for work to commence on installations or connections
  20. Billing and account complaints - water and sewerage (No./1000 connections/year)
  21. Total water and Sewerage service complaints (No./1000 connections/year)
  22. Percent of biosolids reused
  23. greenhouse gas emissions (net tonnes CO2-equivalents) - Sewage (per 1000 properties)
  24. Revenue per property for sewerage services ($/property)
  25. Operating cost - sewerage ($/property)
  26. Annual bill based on 200kL/a - sewerage ($)

5.3.3 OWSR Reporting

OWSR Reporting is reporting carried out for the Office of the Water Supply Regulator.

5.3.4 Operational Reporting

Water & Wastewater Operational Reporting - Operational reporting is reporting carried out by Water & Wastewater Section for internal BRC purposes.

5.4 Standards & Guidelines

Standards & Guidelines - BRC has referred to a wide range of standards and guidelines in developing its asset management practices, including those listed below;

6. Improvement and Monitoring

6.1 Known data quality issues

-

6.2 Data quality issue mitigation

Sewerage Data Improvement Plan - It is planned to progressively improve the quality of sewerage data by publishing as much existing data about sewerage infrastructure both here and on the internal BRC Wiki, and encouraging the readers and users of the AMP/wiki to advise the Assets Section of any errors or inconsistencies.

6.3 Estimate of Reliability

Estimate of Reliability - The majority of the figures used in BRC's Asset Management Plans are generated from Council's Assetic Asset Management System. The Assetic database was compiled from numerous databases and spreadsheets used by the former Councils of Bundaberg, Burnett, Isis & Kolan. The quality of the data available varied from Council to Council and asset class to asset class, and in some cases has been further degraded as a result of the aggregation process.

Council is in the early stages of developing and implementing long term management systems and as such expects the Long Term Asset Management Plan, incorporating this Asset Management Plan and associated expenditure programs, to change significantly over the next five years as these systems mature and better information becomes available.

It should be noted that Council has made significant advances in the reliability of the base data (quantity, location, condition and value) since amalgamation.

6.4 Water & Wastewater Improvement Suggestions

Water & Wastewater Improvement Opportunities - Below are is a list of suggested improvements to this plan and to the management of water & wastewater infrastructure in general.

The Water & Wastewater Section has indicated that the following asset management related tasks/functions are important priorities for them & the organisation.

  1. The automatic generation of asset renewal programs from asset condition information.
  2. The ability to accurately determine the current number of sewerage connections.
  3. The acquisition of typical photos of manholes & manhole construction.
  4. The inclusion of all water & wastewater asset components in the AMMS system.
  5. The provision of a job request system.
  6. The development of an asset condition assessment program for water and wastewater assets.
  7. The provision of performance based maintenance scheduling.
  8. The creation of an asset location handbook.
  9. The creation of master drawings for all water & wastewater facilities & assets.
  10. The Inclusion of jump ups in the asset management system.
  11. The development of a manual for Council's Work Handling System (WHIP)
  12. Standard Drawings and Design and Construction specifications
  13. MyData table for all equipmemt to cater for water valves and hydrants

The Governance Department has indicated that the following asset management related tasks/functions are important priorities for them & the organisation.

  1. WHIP Phase Out.

7. References

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