Waste Water Strategy.

STATES OF JERSEY

WASTE WATER STRATEGY

Lodged au Greffe on 27th March 2014 by the Council of Ministers

STATES GREFFE

2014   Price code: F  P.39

PROPOSITION

THE STATES are asked to decide whether they are of opinion

1. to approve –

1. the  adoption  of  the  principles  of  the  Water  Framework Directive 2000/60/EC as part of the Regulatory regime for St. Aubin's Bay;
2. the  construction  of  a  new  sewage  treatment  works  at Bellozanne to ensure the Island can conform to the standards required by the Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC for St. Aubin's Bay;

2. to request –

1. the  Minister  for  Planning  and  Environment  to take  the necessary  action  to adopt  the  principles  of  the  Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC as part of the Regulatory regime for St. Aubin's Bay;
2. the Minister for Treasury and Resources to bring forward for approval as required the necessary funding arrangements for the estimated £75 million needed for the construction of the new sewage treatment works in line with the proposals in the Jersey's Waste Water Strategy Section 11.3 (page 71) and the Budget Statement 2014 Section 12.6 (page 86):
3. the Minister for Transport and Technical Services, subject to the  approval  of  the  funding  arrangements,  to take  the necessary action for the procurement and construction of the new sewage treatment works;
4. the Minister for Transport and Technical Services to deliver the  20 year  sewerage  network  infrastructure  programme  in line  with  the  priorities  and  timings  in the  Jersey's  Waste Water Strategy Section 7 (page 47);
5. the Minister for Transport and Technical Services, following consultation, to develop a strategy for providing assistance for householders to connect to the Public foul sewer network.

COUNCIL OF MINISTERS

WASTE WATER STRATEGY SUMMARY REPORT

CONTENTS

Page 1  Executive Summary – Council of Ministers ...............................................  4 2  Introduction – Minister for Transport and Technical Services ...................  7 3  Water Framework Directive ........................................................................  8

Problems with compliance for existing plant ....................................  9 Proposal to adopt Waste Water Framework Directive Principles .....  11

4  Sewage Treatment Works (STW) ...............................................................  12

Need for replacement ........................................................................  14 Location of new works ......................................................................  14 Connected population ........................................................................  15 Treatment process..............................................................................  17

5  Sewerage Network ......................................................................................  18 6  Funding .......................................................................................................  21

Sewerage Network ............................................................................  21 Sewage Treatment Works .................................................................  21

7  Private Connections ....................................................................................  22

Funding ..............................................................................................  23 Crossing third-party land ...................................................................  23

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The key objectives of the Waste Water Strategy are –

• to ensure that the collection, treatment and disposal of waste water across the Island is in accordance with future needs;
• to ensure that the collection, treatment and disposal of waste water complies with legal obligations, States policies and European Directives;
• to  prevent  pollution  and  maintain  public  health  by  dealing  safely  and efficiently with waste water; and
• to allow the States of Jersey to plan essential investment while continuing to deliver the highest levels of customer service in a sustainable manner.

The Transport and Technical Services Department (TTS) is responsible for waste water management and has to comply with a number of legal obligations and States policies. In addition, there are a number of European Directives which are used by the Waste  Regulator  (the  Environmental  Protection  Section  of  the  Planning  and Environment Department) to monitor and regulate the treated effluent discharged from the Sewage Treatment Works (STW) at Bellozanne into St. Aubin's Bay.

The existing STW at Bellozanne has generally performed well over the years since its original commissioning in 1959. However, it is now struggling to meet the standards set by the Regulator, mainly due to a now inadequate and outdated design, poor performance of the main treatment technology installed and the variability of loading to the works, particularly under high/storm conditions.

These factors are leading to a significant number of operational issues for the plant and its operatives, significant revenue costs in operating and maintaining the plant, and a constant risk of a catastrophic failure of the plant. Prosecution of the Minister for Transport and Technical Services has already been under review by the Attorney General as a result of an ongoing consistent failure to meet current consent standards.

Following long-term investigations into the condition and capabilities of the STW and the monitoring and analysis of the waters in St. Aubin's Bay, TTS and the Regulator have  agreed  that  the  existing  works  will  never  be  able  to  achieve  the  required environmental standards for current and future demands until the works is replaced in its entirety.

The  Waste  Water  Strategy  therefore  focuses  on  the  provision  of  a  new  sewage treatment works for the Island, and associated other works, at an estimated cost of £75 million, based on a feasibility study prepared in 2013.

In specifying the required performance of the new plant, it is important to establish the waste water treatment standards that it must attain, and, following consultation with the Regulator, it is proposed that the principles of the EU Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC be adopted as part of the Regulatory regime for St. Aubin's Bay. The Directive sets the standards based on the state of the waters receiving the treated effluent – St. Aubin's Bay, rather than just concentrating on the effluent itself as is currently the case.

The Water Framework Directive is one of the latest Directives to be introduced for water quality management in European waters, and requires member states to carry out continual monitoring so that any deterioration in the quality of the waters can be investigated and addressed to ensure that water quality is maintained.

For the new sewage treatment works, this ongoing monitoring will dictate the level of treatment to be installed at Bellozanne, both now and in the future. Currently, water quality monitoring under the Water Framework Directive indicates that a new plant does  not  require  any  nutrient  removal  technology.  However,  if  this  changes  and monitoring in the future shows it is required, then this can be added on.

This  approach  will  limit  unnecessary  expenditure  at  this  time,  whilst  ensuring  a sustainable and fit-for-purpose long-term solution for waste water treatment in the Island.

The Minister for Treasury and Resources has had significant input into formulating a mechanism for providing the £75 million for the new plant. This mechanism consists of a combination of allocations from the Capital Programme, the annual Infrastructure budget, the Consolidated Fund and an infrastructure investment of the Currency Fund. The investment from the Currency Fund is to be repaid by TTS at a fair interest rate.

The Strategy also covers the sewerage network, the sewers and drains that collect and transport sewage to Bellozanne for treatment and surface water to sea – some of which dates back to the latter part of the 19th Century. These assets have deteriorated over time to the point where the ability to achieve continued compliance with regulation, policies and Directives is now at significant risk. This is compounded by a number of future challenges such as tightening environmental legislation, potential population changes and effects of climate change.

To  address  these  issues,  the  Waste  Water  Strategy  provides  a  prioritised  and sustainable  plan  for  improvement  works  over  the 20 year  period  of  the  Strategy, ensuring that the Department continues to deliver a level of service that is acceptable to the Island, both now and in the future.

The Strategy prioritises funding in the first half of the strategy period on rehabilitation of existing assets to repair leaks and structural issues, and a continuation of the surface water separation programme so that operational costs for the existing infrastructure are reduced and the assets are better placed to deal with the future challenges listed above.

In the second half of the strategy period, priority is given over to recommencing foul sewer extensions to some of those areas not connected. Currently, approximately 87% of the Island is connected to the Public sewer network, and the strategy proposes increasing  this  further  to  90%,  which  approximately  equates  to  an  additional 1,400 properties.

Capital investment of £135 million over the 20 year period of the Strategy is proposed, sourced from current Infrastructure Capital allocations on the basis that this funding will be maintained for the duration of the Strategy period, although it is acknowledged that actual funding may be less than this in order that funding priority can be given to the STW works.

TTS recognises, however, that there are some households in Jersey that face existing waste water disposal issues, which means that there is a potential need for them to connect to the public foul sewer network as soon as is practicable.

In response to this, the Council of Ministers is of the view that the States should find some mechanism to assist such private households if possible, and is proposing to task the Minister for Transport and Technical Services with developing a further strategy for providing such assistance.

The proper functioning of the assets that collect, treat and dispose of waste water in Jersey is essential for maintaining public health and a pristine natural environment. For a significant number of years, TTS has been maintaining, upgrading or replacing plant  and  equipment  in  a  prioritised  programme  as  budgets  would  allow,  giving overall priority to breakdowns and problems. This approach is not sustainable.

Approval of the approach proposed in this Report and Proposition will allow the States of Jersey to plan essential investment while continuing to deliver an acceptable level of customer service in a sustainable manner. It will also ensure that the management of liquid waste across the Island complies with legal obligations and States' policies, and is in accordance with the future needs of the Island and international best practice, including European Directives.

COUNCIL OF MINISTERS

2. INTRODUCTION

TTS  has  responsibility  for  the  operation  and  maintenance  of  the  liquid  waste infrastructure and non-infrastructure assets on the Island –

• 570 km of sewers and pumping mains;
• 2 sewage treatment plants; and
• 110 sewage pumping stations.

They are all of varying age and condition. Assets such as these that deteriorate over time need a systematic approach to the identification of their investment requirements for long-term sustainability.

TTS has been reviewing the Department's long-term objectives and priorities, with a view to developing a robust strategy for the collection, treatment and disposal of liquid waste that allows the States of Jersey to plan essential investment while continuing to deliver an acceptable level of customer service in a sustainable manner.

An Island-wide review of all liquid waste assets and processes has resulted in the development of the Waste Water Strategy for sustainable management of the assets for the next 20 years. This strategy will ensure that the management of liquid waste across the Island complies with legal obligations and States' policies, and is in accordance with the future needs of the Island and international best practice, including European Directives.

The Waste Water Strategy focusses on major challenges such as deteriorating assets, the impact of tightening environmental legislation, potential population changes and effects of climate change and the need for increased levels of investment to develop and maintain the assets. It also identifies process changes to enable the States to meet its  future  operating  constraints  covering  environmental,  capital  maintenance, population growth and levels of service issues along with operational budget.

Although TTS has been managing liquid waste over the years according to measures adopted over time, with major investment now required, it is appropriate that a more formal strategy has been developed to ensure that it continues to deliver a level of service that is acceptable to the Island, now and in the future.

MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT AND TECHNICAL SERVICES

3. WATER FRAMEWORK DIRECTIVE

The collection, treatment and disposal of waste water in Jersey is now governed or influenced by a number of key legislative and European best environmental practice' documents –

• Drainage (Jersey) Law 2005
• Water Pollution (Jersey) Law 2000
• Bathing Water Directive
• Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive
• Water Framework Directive.

The  Water  Pollution  (Jersey)  Law  2000,  administered  by  the  Environment Department,  means  that  the  Minister  for  Transport  and  Technical  Services  must discharge the functions of liquid waste management in a safe and efficient manner, that doesn't cause pollution and pose a threat to public health.

Whilst Jersey is not a member of the European Union, the States of Jersey has made a commitment in 2000 and beyond' and in the Environmental Charter of 1996' to ensure that standards are at least equivalent to those given in European Directives.

In this respect, there are a number of key Directives that are relevant.

1. Bathing Water Directive (BWD) Bathing Water Directive 76/160/EEC places limits on microbiological and physiochemical  parameters  in European  bathing  waters  with  a  view  to protecting  public  health  and  the  aquatic  environment.  A  new  Directive, 2006/7/EC is currently running alongside the Bathing Water Directive, but will  eventually  replace  the  Bathing  Water  Directive  in 2015.  Directive 2006/7/EC further tightens the limits on microbiological and physiochemical parameters.
2. Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (UWTD)The Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC sets standards on treated waste water prior toit being discharged to any receiving water, and is predominantly aimed at sewage treatment works. The limits set are based on the population served by the sewage treatment works being considered and the sensitivity of the receiving water to disruption by an excess of nutrients in the water.
3. Water Framework Directive (WFD)

The Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC1 is aimed at managing all water sources and bodies within the EU so that all inland and coastal waters achieve good' ecological and chemical status by 2015. The Directive's aim is to

1 The Water Framework Directive (Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of

the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy) is a European Union directive which commits European Union member states to achieve good qualitative and quantitative status of all water bodies (including marine waters up to one nautical mile from shore) by 2015. It is a framework in the sense that it prescribes steps to reach the common goal rather than adopting the more traditional limit value approach.

protect human health, water supply, natural eco-systems and biodiversity, and compliance with the Directive is based on the use of river basin management plans covering source through to coastal waters, and includes all ground- waters.

The disposal of treated liquid waste to the environment in Jersey is regulated by Environmental Protection, Department of the Environment (the Regulator). To help safeguard the  environment,  the  discharge  of treated  effluent  from  the  STW must adhere to the requirements of a discharge permit which is issued under the Water Pollution (Jersey) Law 2000.

The above legislation and European Directives set the standards for the future, and the new sewage treatment works will comply with these standards, but the provisions of the  Water  Framework  Directive  in  particular  will  dictate  the  level  of  treatment provided for at the new works. Currently, the provisions of the Water Framework Directive do not require enhanced treatment such as nutrient removal to be installed.

However, provision for such treatment will be incorporated into the new plant in the event that ongoing water quality monitoring under the Water Framework Directive dictates that this is ultimately necessary.

Compliance with the above legislation and Directives will ensure that Jersey is an attractive place to live, visit and invest in.

Problems with compliance for existing plant

The collection, treatment and disposal of liquid waste in Jersey is based on a sewerage network that transports virtually all collected flows back to Bellozanne for treatment and then disposes of the treated effluent into St. Aubin's Bay.

Unfortunately, many of the assets used in this process are at the end of their design lives, are no longer able to meet increasingly stringent standards or need attention to ensure continued satisfactory operation.

The BWD places limits on microbiological (bacterial) parameters in defined bathing waters, the UWWTD relates to protecting the environment from discharges via the sewage treatment works, and the WFD brings together a new integrated approach to monitoring  and  regulating  the  water  environment  that  includes  consideration  and protection of the wider environment; for example, bathing waters, Ramsar site, eco- systems such as sea grass beds, etc., in St. Aubin's Bay.

Amongst many other issues, the current STW is consistently failing to achieve its total nitrogen permit limit, and suffers from extensive biological foaming, a consequence of which is poor removal of suspended solids and lower bacteriological kill from the UV disinfection process.

In the late 1990s/early 2000s, the UWWTD was used to guide the requirement for a discharge permit on the then upgraded STW, as the Regulator recognised St. Aubin's Bay as being a semi-enclosed coastal bay with characteristics that have the potential for eutrophication if nutrient levels, particularly nitrogen, were elevated within the Bay. Eutrophication is a condition where elevated nutrients result in proliferation of certain algae and consequential de-oxygenation of the water to the extent that fish and other biota may no longer survive.

The Regulator has drawn on the precautionary principles set out in the UWWTD, which states that if a coastal water is regarded as sensitive', i.e. it has the potential for eutrophication, a strict limit for dissolved inorganic nitrogen is required. As a result, an annual average 10 mg/l nitrogen limit formed part of the discharge permit for the works.

At the time, the classification of St. Aubin's Bay as sensitive' under the UWWTD was  based  on  a  study  of  the  bay  carried  out  by  the  Centre  for  Research  into Environment and Health (CREH) in 1997.

The study noted that St. Aubin's Bay displayed some evidence of eutrophication in the near-shore area and potential for eutrophication in the Bay itself. The report also noted that  nutrient  removal  from  the  Bellozanne  STW  effluent  would  be  a  prudent precautionary step at that time.

However, the survey was only carried out over one extended summer period (that excluded a November–January winter period). It is now accepted that these surveys need to be carried out over several years to provide a more robust understanding, especially when used as the basis for expenditure decisions.

More recent studies carried out by Cascade Consulting on behalf of the Transport and Technical Services and Environment Departments looked at all data between 2009 and 2013, and updated data sets for the winter period, and has found that whilst there was some elevation of nitrogen levels within St. Aubin's Bay, conditions were such that they are not likely to lead to eutrophication.

Cascade also identified that supply of nitrogen in the bay is from a number of sources, with the wider marine influence being a significant contribution, as well as smaller inputs from seasonally fluctuating STW and land-based sources.

More specifically, the studies have indicated that, on an annual average basis, the STW currently contributes approximately 6.4% of nutrients to the nutrient levels in St. Aubin's  Bay,  with  approximately  92.1%  originating  from  the  wider  tidal environment. Current understanding would also suggest that St. Aubin's Bay is not eutrophic, or sensitive' as prescribed under the Directive, and, as such, the indication at this time is that the current data and understanding does not support or justify the significant expenditure required for a nutrient removal plant in the new STW.

In  line  with  the  WFD  approach,  levels  of  nutrients  within  St. Aubin's  Bay  will  continue to be monitored to ensure that the  ecology of the bay remains protected. The  understanding  of  the  need  for  nutrient  control  may  change  as  this  data  becomes  available. This forms part of the proposed  phased  approach  to  construction  outlined  later in this section and limits unnecessary  expenditure at this time,  whilst ensuring a  sustainable  and  fit-for-purpose  long-term  solution.

Proposal to adopt Waste Water Framework Directive principles

Following on from this new research, the strategy is proposing that a discharge permit for the new STW is now also guided by the provisions and best practices set out in the WFD.

This  far-reaching  Directive  requires  a  fundamental  shift  in  regulation  towards considering the wider environment and all sources of pollution when measuring the quality of the receiving waters (St. Aubin's Bay) and setting a standard based on that quality.

The  WFD  measures  both  chemical  and  ecological  standards  of  a  water  body  to allocate  an  overall  water  quality  standard,  and  the  Environment  Department  has recently embarked on a process to integrate WFD approaches into water regulation across Jersey, including a move towards integrated water management. A consultation of St. Aubin's Bay users was undertaken in September 2013 to define the Vision and Objectives for St. Aubin's Bay as part of this process.

Preliminary evidence from the first year of WFD monitoring suggests that the interim status  of  St. Aubin's  Bay  should  be  classified  as  Good'  chemical  status  and Moderate' ecological status, with the bay currently moderately impacted by nutrient enrichment. As the STW only contributes to a minority of the nutrients in the Bay, and the vast majority is the result of tidal flows into the Bay over which Jersey has no control,  the  Strategy  is  proposing  a  precautionary  and  evidence-based'  staged approach to effluent quality discharges from the new STW.

The current water quality and ecological monitoring programme in St. Aubin's Bay will be continued by the Environment Department and TTS over the coming years and linked to a parallel adaptive management strategy for the new STW, which will trigger a staged response to construction from TTS depending on the evolving evidence.

Put simply, a new STW plant is proposed which initially will not include specific nutrient removal technology, as current evidence does not suggest that this is required, but which will incorporate provision for such treatment, should future evidence dictate that  it  be  needed  in  the  future.  This  need  will  be  dictated  by  any  measured deterioration  in  the  WFD  status  of  the  Bay  which  can  be  linked  directly  and significantly to the STW operation.

This phased construction response has been agreed with the Environment Department.

The proposal for the new STW to fully treat all incoming flows without spilling partially-treated flows to the UV plant, as far as is practicable, will however result in a significantly improved bacteriological kill rate as a result of better UV disinfection, and will also result in a significant reduction in the volume of suspended solids carried over in the final effluent.

In  parallel,  the  Environment  Department  will  develop  the  integrated  water management  plan  for  Jersey,  as  defined  by  the  WFD,  which  will  consider  the management of broader diffuse nutrient contributions from land-based sources to the Bay (including suitable control measures). This work is also ongoing as part of the Environment Department's Diffuse Pollution Project.

In this way, the strategy will ensure that the STW proposal supports the water quality Vision and Objectives for St. Aubin's Bay' consultation and adopts European good environmental practice in water management for St. Aubin's Bay that will contribute directly to –

1. compliance with the requirements of the EU BWD;
2. compliance with appropriate elements of the EU UWWTD; and
3. compliance with the EU WFD.

4. SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS (STW)

The STW was originally constructed in the late 1950s for a population of 57,000. In the intervening years it has been continually improved and upgraded to take account of –

• the significant increases in population:
• changes in volume of incoming flow;
• increased environmental standards; and
• more modern process technology. including the installation of an ultraviolet tertiary treatment process in the early 1990s and a new, enhanced activated sludge process in the late 1990s – the first large-scale plant of its kind in Europe.

Whilst the plant has generally performed well over the years, it is now struggling to meet its discharge consents, mainly due to a now inadequate and outdated design, poor performance of the main treatment technology installed, and the variability of loading to the works, particularly under high/storm conditions.

These factors are leading to a significant number of operational issues. These can be summarised as follows –

• The design is outdated and does not meet current standards.
• The activated sludge plant (ASP) is undersized for the population it now serves.
• Hydraulic  distribution  to  the  final tanks is  poor, leading  to  uneven  flow- splitting and overloading of some tanks.
• The STW is failing to meet its total nitrogen discharge limit.
• In trying to meet the required nitrogen consent limit, large amounts of oxygen have  to  be  produced,  leading  to  significant  energy  costs  (large  carbon footprint).

• The  2006  Revision  to  the  European  Union  Bathing  Water  Framework Directive has tightened bacteriological standards, and requires compliance by the end of the 2015 bathing season. Bellozanne STW requires improvement to the effluent solids quality and content to meet these standards.
• Due to the poor performance of the main treatment process installed, the ASP has problems with 'sewage foam', which contributes to effluent compliance issues due to solids carry-over in the effluent. The plant is not operating efficiently, because other parts of the treatment process have to be restricted to deal with the foaming problems.
• The foam formed in the ASP also has a knock-on effect of causing foam in the digesters, which needs to be carefully managed to prevent damage to the mixing compressors.

In addition to the above, a survey of the plant in 2008 determined that the condition of the physical assets at Bellozanne varies greatly. Whilst the civil structures were in generally  reasonable  condition  but  require  ongoing  capital  maintenance, approximately  42%  of  the  mechanical  and  electrical  items  were  in  very  poor condition.

Whilst  some  of  these  assets  are  currently  being  replaced  as  a  result  of  the  new centralised sludge treatment facility currently under construction at Bellozanne, many of  the  other  assets  have  deteriorated  further,  particularly  in  the  activated  sludge process.

In terms of effluent compliance, of particular concern is the fact that the existing plant discharges partially treated sewage, missing out on the secondary treatment process, on a regular basis. This is usually during storm conditions, which generate high flows to the works which are in excess of the full treatment capacity. As a result, discharge of partially treated sewage to the Bay also leads to a risk that public health will be adversely impacted. In 2010, this bypass procedure operated in storm conditions for periods totalling 130 days.

Finally, significant efforts have been made to try and reduce odours produced by the plant. This  includes covering  preliminary  treatment  processes  where  possible  and installing  odour-control  units  on  some  processes.  However,  complaints  regarding odour are regularly received from adjacent neighbours, and certain climatic conditions can result in odours permeating down the valley to the south of the plant.

As with the sewerage network, additional loading on the plant, as a result of possible future population growth and increases in flows as a result of climate change, can only exacerbate the treatment, capacity and operational issues outlined above, irrespective of the condition of the assets at Bellozanne. In addition, the introduction of more stringent quality standards, such as those in the Bathing Water Directive and the Water Framework Directive, will impact on the ability of the existing plant to successfully meet consent standards and provide protection to the receiving waters in St. Aubin's Bay.

Any strategy moving forward therefore has to make allowance for these factors to ensure that any resolution of the issues is robust and flexible.

Need for replacement

In determining a 20 year waste water strategy for the Island, addressing the problems at the Bellozanne sewage treatment works has proved the most problematic issue to resolve.

Clearly, any additional loading as a result of an increase in the Island's population or potential increased flows from any climate changes, will only result in a deterioration of the present situation.

The problems that are being experienced mean that Do Nothing' is certainly not an option that can be considered.

Consideration  was  given  to  carrying  out  major  maintenance  and  upgrades  to  the existing  plant,  but  these  works  would  have  incurred  a  cost  of  approximately £48 million and even then, many of the issues with the plant would only have been resolved in the short to medium term. Perhaps most importantly, any future tightening of standards, such as ammonia treatment or nitrogen removal, would mean that the plant would immediately fail its consent, with the only solution being the construction of a new plant as currently proposed. Therefore, there is a risk that after a few years, much of the £48 million expenditure would be abortive and further funding would be required to construct a new works.

In 2012, following ongoing discussions between TTS officers and officers from the Environment Department over a number of years, the conclusion was reached that the existing Bellozanne STW will never be able to achieve the required environmental standards for the current and future demands until the works is replaced in its entirety. As a result, the Waste Water Strategy has moved forward on the basis of the provision of a new sewage treatment works for the Island.

With this premise agreed with Environment, there were a number of important factors to consider as the strategy developed –

• Location of new works
• Connected Population
• Treatment Process.

Irrespective of the above factors, the strategy proposes that any new works will still utilise  UV  disinfection  as  a  tertiary  treatment,  will  provide  odour  control  to  the treatment units that generate significant odour, such as inlet works and sludge tanks, and will ensure that as far as is practicable, storm overflows that bypass the secondary treatment process will be eliminated.

Location of new works

In  April  2010,  a  report  was  prepared  by  the  TTS's  consultant  Grontmij,  STW Configuration and Locations Options Report' that examined and scored the potential locations  for  a  new  sewage  treatment  works.  These  included  Bellozanne  and La Collette, as well as considering the provision of major satellite' plants on the south-east and south-west coasts, so that not all flows had to be returned to either of these 2 locations.

In summary, virtually all the other alternatives to Bellozanne and La Collette were too costly,  not  only  in  constructing  a  new  plant  or  plants,  but  also  in  revising  the configuration of the sewerage network to connect to any new location.

These 2 highest scoring options were taken forward for more detailed analysis, these analyses being based on, amongst other factors, capital expenditure, environmental impact,  carbon  footprint  and  energy  usage.  As  a  result  of  this  process,  it  was concluded that Bellozanne was the preferred location for any new plant. This was subsequently confirmed by more recent analysis last year.

The proposed location of the new STW is in the eastern' valley at Bellozanne, where the Household Recycling Centre (HRC) and Clinical Waste Incinerator (CWI) are currently operating, at a Capital cost of £75 million. A potential layout for the new plant has been developed which would allow for the phased implementation of the replacement works as, clearly, the existing works has to remain in operation whilst the new works are constructed.

Given the improved quality of effluent from the proposed new plant, particularly bacterial quality, it is not proposed to extend the outfall further down the beach.

The CWI, which is currently located in the middle of the proposed site, is due for replacement in 2016, and a project is underway to relocate this facility inside the new EfW plant at La Collette. Although funding of £7 million for this project was initially the subject of a separate capital bid, this sum has now been incorporated into the £75 million overall capital cost for the STW scheme.

Similarly, the HRC is also to be relocated to La Collette, to the south of the Green Waste Composting site. Much of the funding for this relocation is available from a separate capital allocation. However, a £1 million allowance from the STW Vote has been included to contribute towards the relocation.

Connected population

Critical to the design of any new STW is the biological loading that will be placed on the plant when it comes into operation. The biological loading is a function of the population connected to the sewerage network, as well as any trade effluent sources, although  trade  effluent  discharges  in  the  Island  are  now  minimal  and,  therefore, biological loading considerations in the strategy are predominantly population based.

If the plant is too small for the loading, as has now become the case with the existing Bellozanne plant, then the treatment process will not be able to treat incoming flows and loads to the required standard. Similar problems will exist if the plant is sized too large, although to address this, part of the treatment process can be taken off-line' to accommodate lower loadings and, therefore, oversizing is not as problematical as undersizing.

Therefore, whilst population must be considered in the design to provide the basis of treatment capacity, the design must be flexible enough throughout its life to be able to accommodate any significant changes in flows and loading; this includes any increases or decreases in biological loading as a result of population changes, as well as any significant  changes  in  flows  received  as  a  result  of  climate  change  or  ongoing programmes of surface water separation.

As the strategy has been developing over a number of years, various documents and policies relating to population and development projections in the Island have been produced by a number of States departments. As a result, the design population' for the plant has been regularly reviewed to take account of new information, as and when it has been produced.

Currently, the States of Jersey is drafting a comprehensive document Preparing For Our  Future:  A  Strategic  Planning  Framework  For  Our  Sustainable  Future'.  This document is likely to set out more long-term policies for control of net migration. In the meantime continuation of the net migration figure of +150 heads of household per annum (+325 people) is proposed in the Interim Population Policy 2014 – 2015 Report of January 2014 until this strategic document is introduced.

Moving forward, as detailed design develops, updates and variations in population prediction scenarios and possible population policy changes will be taken account of as they become available. However, it is envisaged that detailed design of the plant will ensure that there is an allowance for further population growth of up to 20%, should these scenarios arise, and potential redundancy should these increases not materialise, which will mean that some new structures will initially be oversized, but not to an extent that under-loading causes performance issues.

Treatment process

Whilst a revised discharge consent for treated effluent from the new STW will need to be agreed with the Environment Department, it is essential that any process installed at Bellozanne is –

• Flexible, in terms of adapting to potential increases or decreases in population or potential future changes to consent standards;
• Sustainable, not only in terms of power usage, carbon footprint, etc., but also in terms of its effect on the wider environment;
• Proven, in that the success of the process technology in achieving the required level of treatment is well known, widely used and understood; and
• Affordable, not only in terms of capital cost, but also in terms of operating costs.

In  order  to  assess the  suitability  for  Bellozanne  of  the  various  sewage  treatment technologies available, a report was completed in May 2012 by Process Consultants Enpure,  entitled  Bellozanne  STW  Best  Available  Technology  Report',  which considered and recommended the most appropriate technology for the treatment of the Island's waste water. This included examining the advantages and disadvantages of a number of processes in relation to Bellozanne.

The report concluded that a conventional activated sludge process (ASP) was the most appropriate technology to install with the level of treatment required dependent on the assimilative  capacity  of  the  receiving  waters.  The  ASP  is  the  most  widely-used secondary treatment process and can be designed to treat any of the consent standards currently being discussed, although the layout and control systems will differ. It is therefore ideally suited to the Island's current requirements and meets the criteria listed above.

As current evidence suggest that St. Aubin's Bay does not appear to be sensitive', the strategy  proposes  the  installation  of  a  conventional  activated  sludge  plant  with carbonaceous removal but, as outlined in the feasibility report, with provision made in the new STW design for adequate capacity and expansion capability on the site, should an enhanced treatment standard be required in the future.

It should be noted, however, that as a discharge consent gets more stringent, the size and cost of the sewage treatment process increases in capital cost and usually in operating cost as well.

It is therefore important to recognise at this stage that, should there be a deterioration in  the  water  quality  of  the  Bay  as  determined  by  ongoing  monitoring  by  the Environment Department, and evidence demonstrates that this deterioration is as a result of the effluent from the new, carbonaceous removal STW, then the provisions made in this project for future capacity and expansion capability will need to be implemented.

This is likely to be a 2 stage process, with the initial improvement being additional capacity to remove ammonia at an approximate 2012 cost of £16.4 million, followed by, if ultimately necessary, additional capacity to remove nitrogen at an approximate 2012 cost of £14.3 million.

5. SEWERAGE NETWORK

As stated previously, some of the sewerage network dates back to the 19th Century and has been extended and added to ever since, to the point where the total length of sewers on the Island is now approximately 507km. This is a mix of foul sewers, combined sewers (which carry both foul and rainwater), and dedicated surface water sewers. Currently, approximately 87% of the Island's population are connected to the public foul sewer network, with the remainder on private drainage systems such as septic tanks and soakaways and tight tanks.

There are also 110 sewage pumping stations and their associated pumping mains on the Island, which are essential for collecting and transporting liquid waste back to Bellozanne.

The current system works very well during dry weather, but comes under increasing pressure during wet weather. This is not only as a result of an increasing amount of hard-standing areas being connected to the combined system as urban areas have increased over the years, particularly in St. Helier , but also as a result of ageing and degrading infrastructure, which is allowing groundwater and seawater to infiltrate into the foul and combined system through damaged and broken pipes, particularly when groundwater levels are elevated. There are also issues with rainwater connections made to foul sewers which generate flows that these sewers and pumping stations were never designed to cater for, all of which increases the risk of flooding and pollution occurring.

In order to relieve pressure on the sewerage network during periods of high flows and to  prevent  flooding,  Combined  Sewer  Overflows  (CSOs)  have  been  constructed, mostly in St. Helier , which allow flows that exceed the capacity of the combined sewers  to  spill  excess  flows  to  adjacent  surface  water  systems.  This  does  mean however, that when these spills occur, contaminated wastewater is being discharged to receiving waters, predominantly St. Aubin's Bay. Clearly, the more surface water there is on the foul and combined network, the higher the risk of more frequent spills of contaminated wastewater occurring.

The construction of the 25,000m3 Cavern complex in the mid-1990s has significantly reduced the volume and occurrences of spills to sea from the main CSO in St. Helier at the Weighbridge. In addition, the construction of the new CSO facility at Ann Court, and its connection to the Cavern, will provide significant additional flood protection to properties in the West Centre area. However, spills from the other CSOs in St. Helier will continue unless efforts are made to reduce the volumes of  groundwater and rainwater entering the foul and combined systems. The risk of flooding and pollution from the main foul network outside of St. Helier will also remain unless ingress of groundwater and rainwater is reduced.

With regard to structural integrity of the sewerage network, comprehensive CCTV surveys of the network have been carried out, which to date have captured information on approximately 200km of pipework. The condition of the sewers has been surveyed and classified from Grade 1 up to Grade 5, with Grade 1 sewers being in the best condition  and  Grade 5  being  the  worst.  Sewers  classified  as  Grade 5  require immediate capital maintenance to restore structural and service integrity, and those classified as Grade 4 require preventative capital maintenance to restore structural and service integrity.

Sewer Condition Breakdown

Based on the 200km surveyed to date, approximately 15% of sewers are classed as Grade 4 or 5. This equates to approximately 30km. If the remainder of the unsurveyed network is in a similar condition, approximately 76km of sewers could potentially be categorised as Grade 4 or 5. Not only do sewers in this condition have the potential to allow infiltration of groundwater, with its associated problems as described above, but they also pose a risk of structural failure.

Grade 4 and 5 sewers have been the main focus of efforts in recent years in trying to prevent failure of infrastructure. These efforts have not always been successful or in time, as the collapse of the trunk sewer at Green Island over the Christmas period of 2012 demonstrated.

In addition to the gravity sewer network, there are also issues with some of the 64km of rising (pumped) mains. These are the pressure pipes through which the pumping stations pump their flow uphill and back into the gravity network.

During the 1970s and 80s, significant lengths of rising main were laid using uPVC pipework. A particular Class of this pipe, Class B, has subsequently been found to be susceptible to bursting after a number of years in use, and there have been several rising main failures on the Island over the years.

There has been an ongoing programme of works to replace these mains with more robust  pipework,  but  it  is  estimated  that  there  are  still  7.5km  of  Class B  uPVC pipework in use which is posing a risk of a pollution incident occurring, as well as other lengths of non-Class B rising main that are nearing the end of their design lives that will also require replacing.

As stated previously, there are 110 sewage pumping stations (SPS) in the sewerage network. These vary in pumping capacity from 1 litre/second (l/s) up to 1,100 l/s and most have additional storage capacity which can be utilised in the event of a failure at the station, which allows staff to respond to the problem before a pollution incident occurs.

However, as with the foul and combined sewers, much of this storage is used up during  heavy  rainfall  events,  when  groundwater  and  surface  water  connections significantly increase the flow to the stations, overloading the pumping capability of the pumps.

A survey of the condition of the pumping stations has been undertaken which has assessed all civil, mechanical and electrical components. As with the sewers, the stations have been graded 1 to 5, with those graded at 4 and 5 in need of urgent capital investment.

34% of the stations, i.e. 37 stations, have been graded at 4 or 5, with a further 36% graded at 3. This means that only 30% have been classified as in good condition. Given that mechanical and electrical equipment is usually considered to have a life of 15 years, many of the issues include old and worn pumps and corroding electrical panels.

Whilst the civil structures generally have a much longer life, anything up to 60 years, some stations are suffering from the effects of hydrogen sulphide gas attack, which is generated when sewage is stored for long periods. Generation of this gas also results in odours, which is an issue at some stations.

There are 2 future challenges that could impact on the sewerage network. One is possible population growth, resulting in more development and hence loading on sewers and pumping stations. The other is the effects of climate change.

It is unclear at present what the extent of both these factors will be with respect to Jersey, and so some assumptions have had to be made in the strategy. However, given the current issues with the sewerage network, the implications of a rise in population and potential effects of climate change cannot be ignored in any future strategy to deal with liquid waste.

Ultimately,  removing  unnecessary  groundwater  and  rainwater  from  the  foul  and combined sewer networks will free up capacity in the pipes and pumping stations, so as  to  better  enable  the  network  to  cater  for  additional  flows  generated  by  new developments and any population increases, as well as additional flows generated by climate change.

6. FUNDING Sewerage Network

The 20 year strategy for prioritisation and investment in the Island's sewerage network has been based on front loading' investment in rehabilitation and maintenance of the existing infrastructure, and back loading' investment in new property connections and extension of the foul sewer network.

At current rates, proposed investment over the 20 year period totalled approximately £135 million, with this sum spread evenly over the period. This equates to an annual sum for drainage infrastructure of approximately £6.75 million.

Whilst this figure is far in excess of what TTS has actually been receiving in the years up to 2011, annual Capital allocations in the Long-term Capital Plan for the Highways, Coastal Defences and Drainage Infrastructure Vote going forward have been proposed at a level of approximately £11 – 12 million. As part of the planned spend of these monies, it had been anticipated that the annual Drainage Infrastructure allocation from this sum over the coming years would be of the order of £5.5 – £6.0 million. Whilst this total allocation over the 20 year period of approximately £115 million was less than proposed in the strategy, this had been accepted as sufficient to move forward with proposals and prioritisations as set out in the strategy.

However, the proposed funding method for the new STW entails allocating £4 million per annum from the Infrastructure Vote from 2014, 2016 and 2017 to the STW Vote to contribute towards the replacement of this vital asset. This will clearly have some impact on the strategy proposals for the sewerage network over these particular years, and it will reduce the overall strategy allocation to approximately £103 million. Some rehabilitation and upgrade works will therefore be delayed, but it is recognised that securing funding for a replacement STW as soon as possible is essential if the risk of a catastrophic failure of the existing works is to be removed.

This Report and Proposition is therefore based on the sewerage network strategy moving forward in accordance with the Infrastructure funding limits proposed, and acceptance of the fact that there will be some initial delay in the implementation of some of the proposed works.

Sewage Treatment Works

The estimated cost of the provision of a new STW at Bellozanne has been estimated at £75 million. This sum includes funding for the construction of a new Clinical Waste Incinerator in the Energy from Waste building at La Collette, and for a £1 million allocation  to  the  relocation  of  the  Household  Recycling  Centre  (HRC)  from Bellozanne to La Collette.

The  Treasury  and  Resources  Department's  proposed  funding  mechanism  for  the allocation of these monies was identified in the Budget debate in early December 2013 and is as follows –

• Fund partly from the TTS existing annual capital budget for Infrastructure – £12 million.
• Fund partly from the main Capital programme – £31 million.
• Fund partly from the Consolidated Fund – £3 million.
• Fund partly from an infrastructure investment of the Currency Fund (2015 and 2016) at a fair interest rate – £29 million.

However, it is accepted that approval of the proposed funding mechanism in this Report and Proposition will only be in principle', as full approval for the actual funding can only be obtained following the States' Budget debate in early autumn 2014, although it should be noted that £10.1 million has already been allocated to this project in the 2014 Capital Programme (£6 million for the CWI relocation, £1 million contribution for the HRC relocation and £3.1 million for STW preliminary works).

The allocation of £4 million from the Infrastructure Vote in each of the years 2014, 2016 and 2017, will mean that there will be some initial delay in the rehabilitation of sewerage infrastructure, but this has to be weighed against the critical need to replace the STW at Bellozanne.

Repayment  by  TTS  of  the  principal  sum  and  interest  from  the  Currency  Fund investment will ultimately be at a rate of £1.7 million per annum on completion of the project, monies which will be generated predominantly by savings in operational costs of the new STW plant as a result of more efficient processes and from other efficiency improvements within the Department.

Of significant note is the fact that, under this proposal, no additional charges in the form of a Liquid Waste tax is currently envisaged to fund these works. However, it should be noted that these savings will be challenging for the Department in the face of requests to make further revenue savings as part of any future States initiatives that may be introduced.

7. PRIVATE CONNECTIONS

Approximately 87% of Island properties are already connected to the public foul sewer network, and the Waste Water Strategy proposes connecting a further 3% of properties  during  the  20 year  strategy  period.  This  approximately  equates  to  an additional 1,400 properties –

However, delaying of the recommencement of the foul sewer extension programme until the second half of the 20 year strategy, could cause potential issues for some householders  who  wish  to  connect  to  the  public  foul  sewer  network  as  soon  as possible.

Therefore, part of the Proposition tasks the Minister for Transport and Technical Services with developing a further strategy for providing assistance for householders to connect to the public foul sewer network.

As new property development is subject to existing Planning rules, it is envisaged that any strategy to provide assistance will be targeted at existing properties that wish to connect due to existing waste water disposal issues, and not used to facilitate any form of development.

These householders face 2 main issues in trying to connect their properties using their own means –

• funding; and
• crossing third-party land.

Funding

Clearly, funding a foul sewer connection to a property is not a cheap exercise. Most properties that wish to connect are some distance from the nearest public sewers and, therefore, the cost to connect could be of the order of tens of thousands of pounds, particularly if the route entails laying pipework in a Public or Parish road with the consequential road reinstatement costs that this incurs.

In many cases, households that wish to connect are in rural areas, and therefore a shorter and cheaper route may be available that crosses agricultural fields or other privately-owned land.

Crossing third-party land

Whilst many households may have the funding to effect a sewer connection to the Public network, attempts to do so are often frustrated by owners of land through which any connection must be laid. Permission to lay pipes through third-party land must be obtained from the landowner concerned and, whilst this may be forthcoming, in many instances permission is granted on the proviso that a sum of money is paid to the landowner for the right to cross his land. Whilst some landowners request reasonable sums for the right' for their land to be crossed, many do not and, in effect, hold householders to ransom' to the point where the cost of connecting is no longer viable or affordable and, therefore, a connection cannot be effected.

Clearly, the matter of assisting householders if the connection issue is a question of funding only, and third-party land is not a problem, can be addressed by some form of grant mechanism, although an element of means-testing may be required to ensure that what are likely to be limited funds can be directed where they are most needed. It is

understood that mechanisms for this already exist within other States departments and, therefore, implementing such a grant system may be straightforward.

The question of crossing third-party land could potentially be more problematical in that the only powers that are available to allow sewers to be laid in private land are those  available  to  the  Minister  for  Transport  and  Technical  Services  under  the Drainage (Jersey) Law 2005.

Therefore, there will need to be a recognition that any strategy that is developed to assist private households to connect will almost certainly entail implementing the provisions of the Drainage (Jersey) Law 2005, although it should be remembered that the purpose of this strategy will be to assist householders with difficulties and not to aid development.

Transport and Technical Services Department JERSEY'S WASTE WATER STRATEGY

Document Status:  Version 10

  Name  Signature  Date Prepared By:  Johnathan Burns  29-07-13

JERSEY'S WASTE WATER STRATEGY

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION ................................................. 1

1. The States Context: Jersey's Waste – Jersey's Responsibility ................ 2
   2. Development of the Strategy......................................... 3

2. A STRATEGY THAT SUPPORTS THE STATES LEGISLATION,

POLICY AND COMMITMENTS ......................................................................... 5

1. Legislation ........................................................................................................ 5
2. States Policy ..................................................................................................... 5

1. The Strategic Plan 2009-2014 .......................................................................... 5
2. Island Plan 2011 ............................................................................................... 6
3. Strategic Plan 2012 .......................................................................................... 9
4. Department of the Environment for Jersey (the DPP – Diffuse Pollution Project) ............................................................................................................. 9

3. States Commitment .......................................................................................... 9

1. Bathing Waters Directive (76/160/EEC) .......................................................... 10
2. Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC, and subsequent amendments) .................................................................................................. 10

3. EU Shellfish Directive (2006/113/EEC) ........................................................... 11
4. EU Freshwater Fish Directive (2006/44/EC) ................................................... 11
5. Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC)....................................................... 11
6. The OSPAR Convention ................................................................................. 11
7. EU Directive on the Use of Sewage Sludge in Agriculture 1986 (86/278/EEC and subsequent amendments) .................................................. 12

8. UK Sludge (Use in Agriculture) Regulations 1989 and UK DEFRA Code of Practice for Agriculture Use of Sewage Sludge 1996 ...................................... 12

9. UK ADAS Sludge Matrix 2001 ........................................................................ 12
10. The Basel Convention..................................................................................... 13
11. EU Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive (2001/42/EC) ................... 13
    12. Future Environmental Legislation .................................................................... 13

3. INTERNATIONAL BEST PRACTICE .............................................................. 15

1. Sewerage Catchment ..................................................................................... 15
2. Treatment ....................................................................................................... 17

3.2.1  Conventional Treatment .................................................................................. 17

3. Water Resources and Wastewater Recycling ................................................. 18
4. Community Awareness ................................................................................... 19
   5. International Perspective - The Approach of Other Islands ............................. 20

1. States of Guernsey ......................................................................................... 20

2. Isle of Man ...................................................................................................... 20
3. Isle of Wight .................................................................................................... 20

6. Summary ........................................................................................................ 21

4. EXISTING SEWERAGE CATCHMENT REVIEW ............................................ 23

4.1  Sewer Catchment ........................................................................................... 23

1. Sewerage Network ......................................................................................... 23
2. Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs) ............................................................... 26
3. The Cavern ..................................................................................................... 28
4. Surface Water System .................................................................................... 28
5. Pumping Stations............................................................................................ 29
6. Rising Mains ................................................................................................... 31

5  EXISTING WASTE WATER TREATMENT & DISPOSAL

REVIEW .......................................................................................................... 33

1. Waste Water Treatment Facilities in Jersey .................................................... 33

1. History ............................................................................................................ 33
2. Treatment and Disposal at Bellozanne STW ................................................... 34
3. Condition of the Assets at Bellozanne STW .................................................... 35
4. Operational Issues at Bellozanne STW ........................................................... 35
5. Bellozanne STW Sludge Handling & Treatment Facilities ............................... 36

2. Bonne Nuit STW ............................................................................................. 37

5.2.1  Operational Issues at Bonne Nuit STW ........................................................... 37

3. Septic Tanks and Tight Tanks......................................................................... 38
4. Licensing of Discharges .................................................................................. 38
5. Other Issues ................................................................................................... 38

6  POPULATION PROJECTIONS ....................................................................... 41

1. Overview of Approach..................................................................................... 41
2. Current Population .......................................................................................... 41
3. Projected Resident Population ........................................................................ 42
4. Projected Population including Visitors ........................................................... 42
5. Population Connected to Bellozanne STW ..................................................... 43
6. Review of 2012 Jersey Population Projections................................................ 44

1. Updated Scenarios (September 2012) ............................................................ 44
2. Additional Scenarios (January and June 2013) ............................................... 44

7  IDENTIFYING SEWERAGE NETWORK OPTIONS 2013 - 2035 .................... 47

1. Introduction ..................................................................................................... 47
2. Maintenance and Investment of the Waste Water System .............................. 47

1. Sewerage Network Capital Maintenance and Investment ............................... 47
2. Pumping Stations Capital Maintenance and Investment ................................. 47
3. Combined Sewer Overflows Capital Maintenance and Investment ................. 48
4. Climate Change Investment ............................................................................ 48

3. Upgrading the Waste Water Catchment System ............................................. 48

1. Sewer Network Upgrades ............................................................................... 48
2. Pumping Station Upgrades ............................................................................. 50
3. Combined Sewer Overflows Upgrades ........................................................... 50
   4. Summary of Sewer Network Capital Expenditure............................................ 50

8  IDENTIFYING WASTE WATER TREATMENT OPTIONS 2013 -

2035 ................................................................................................................ 53

1. Introduction ..................................................................................................... 53
2. Levels of Investment ....................................................................................... 53
3. Sewage Treatment Works Options ................................................................. 54

1. Process Options ............................................................................................. 54
2. Potential Locations for new Sewage Treatment Works ................................... 55
3. Disposal Options............................................................................................. 55
   4. Evaluating the Options .................................................................................... 56

1. Basis of the Phase 1 Environmental Impact Review ....................................... 57
2. Basis of the Phase 2 Environmental Impact Review ....................................... 57
3. Basis of themore detailed financial modelling ................................................ 58

5. Summary of Net Present Cost Evaluation ....................................................... 58
6. Conclusions .................................................................................................... 58

9  PREFERRED TREATMENT SOLUTION ........................................................ 61

1. Introduction ..................................................................................................... 61
2. Proposed Site Layout...................................................................................... 61
3. Programme for the Replacement of Bellozanne STW ..................................... 62
4. Sludge Treatment and Disposal ......................................................................64
5. Effluent Outfall ................................................................................................ 64
6. Discharge Consent Compliance Works ........................................................... 65

10  STRATEGY REVIEW – THE WAY FORWARD .............................................. 67

1. Asset Management ......................................................................................... 67
2. Operational Aspects ....................................................................................... 68
3. Procurement Strategy ..................................................................................... 68
4. Future Efficiencies .......................................................................................... 69
5. Business Processes........................................................................................ 69
6. Performance Assessment ............................................................................... 70

11  FUNDING AND DELIVERY OF THE STRATEGY ........................................... 71

1. Potential Funding Sources .............................................................................. 71
2. Funding the Sewer Network Upgrade ............................................................. 71
3. Funding the Replacement of Bellozanne STW ................................................ 71
4. Scope of Programme Delivery ........................................................................72
5. Delivery Mechanisms ...................................................................................... 72

12  RECOMMENDATIONS ................................................................................... 73

1. Waste Water Collection .................................................................................. 73
2. Waste Water Treatment .................................................................................. 74
3. Effluent & Biosolids Disposal .......................................................................... 75
4. The Future ...................................................................................................... 75

APPENDIX A – LIST OF SUPPLEMENTARY REPORTS ............................................ 77

1. Introduction

Jersey's Waste Water Strategy (WWS) describes, at a high level and in broad terms, the vision for ensuring that the collection, treatment and disposal of waste water across Jersey is in accordance with the future needs of the Island, whilst complying with legal obligations and States policies, up to and including 2035. The strategy for waste water was first drafted in 2009 and was known as the Liquid Waste Strategy at that time. Since then Transport and Technical Services (TTS) have undertaken a number of studies in order to develop the strategy. As the studies have been completed the strategy has been revised in line with the findings and this document represents the culmination of some four years work.

An effective, adequately-funded waste water service is required to help to maintain and improve public health, and preserve the environment of Jersey as a place to live, visit and invest in. This presents a number of challenges as restricted investment in the past means that existing assets are not adequate to address current and potential future customer expectations and regulatory requirements. Substantial investment is now required to implement a waste water service adequate for the demands of the 21st century. Development of the strategy for waste water has been progressed to identify a practical vision for the service improvements needed over the next 20 years and beyond.

This strategy will enable the Minister for Transport and Technical Services to fulfil his obligation to Islanders to prevent pollution and maintain public health by dealing safely and efficiently with waste water and allow the States of Jersey to plan essential investment while continuing to deliver the highest levels of customer service in a sustainable manner.

The strategy focuses on major challenges such as the effects of climate change, the impact of environmental legislation and the need for increased levels of investment to develop and maintain the assets. It also identifies business process changes to enable the States to meet its future operating constraints covering environmental, capital maintenance, population growth and operational budget.

In summary the Strategy includes:

• A review of current and future international environmental legislation, regulation and best practice that governs the strategy;

• Levels of service that TTS commits to deliver to the Island's population;

• The current status and issues with the sewerage system;

• The current status and issues with the waste water treatment system;

• The current status and issues with the waste water disposal system;

• Projected demand forecasts on the waste water system;

• The assessment of options for future sewage treatment; and

• A commitment to carry out further studies and also to adopt best practice asset management to ensure optimum delivery of services.

The Strategy is supported by, amongst others, the Bellozanne Sewage Treatment Works Feasibility Report (March 2013), Jersey Drainage Area Plan Needs Report (July 2012), Best Available Technology Report (May 2012), Bellozanne STW Operation Strategy (May 2011), STW Configuration and Locations Options Report (April 2010), Treatment Process Review (Sept 2009) and Bellozanne STW Master Plan (July 2009) discussion paper.

Waste Water key facts: Population  

• Resident population in the 2011 Census was 97,857

• Resident population connected to the sewerage system (87%) 85,136 Approx.

• Resident population served by private STW, septic tanks or tight tanks 12,721 Approx.

Assets

• Main Sewage Treatment Works at Bellozanne  

• Local package treatment plant at Bonne Nuit

• Number of foul pumping stations 110

• Numb er of tidal surface water/storm pumping stations 6

• Total l ength of foul sewers 297 km

• Total l ength of combined sewers 23 km

• Total l ength of surface water sewers 187 km

• Total l ength of rising (pumped) mains is 64 km

• 25,000m3 storage tank (The Cavern) within St. Helier

1.1.  The States Context: Jersey's Waste – Jersey's Responsibility

An effective waste water system is critical to the health of the Islanders and the economic viability and environmental sustainability of the Island.

Jersey is responsible for dealing with its own waste water. However, options are more limited than those of a larger country, and are governed by:

• What is reliable?

• What is affordable and realistic?

• What is available in the Island of Jersey?

• What is environmental best practice?

There are some critical factors to recognise when considering the challenges ahead:

• The potential health and environmental impacts of waste water collection, treatment and disposal are extremely important considerations in upgrades or selecting new facilities;

• Jersey has limited land and workforce resources which imposes some limitations on potential waste water treatment options;

• Reliability of disposal is important, as breakdown or capacity overload could result in unacceptable and potentially hazardous overflows of waste water; and

• The existing Sewage Treatment Works (STW) at Bellozanne which treats the majority of the Island's waste water is at the end of its original design life and now requires replacement despite ongoing capital maintenance. Due to design capacity limitations the STW is struggling to meet its discharge consent, which has a total nitrogen limit of 10mg/l when the population is greater than 100,000 or 15mg/l when the population is less than 100,000. The discharge consent

emulates the European Union's Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive for sensitive waters with regard to total nitrogen. However there is a question over whether the bay is deemed sensitive under the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive. Studies of St Aubin's Bay are currently ongoing to determine the water body status under the Water Framework Directive. Looking more closely at the Bay as a receptor will determine the required sewage treatment standards.

There is increasing pressure on the Island's resources and it is therefore imperative that the States of Jersey address the crucial issues in a cohesive manner to facilitate an environmentally sustainable future as the Island grows and develops.

1.2  Development of the Strategy

This document is intended to outline the current status of the Waste Water Strategy and the way forward in developing Jersey's waste water service.

The strategy has been developed in line with the principles of reduce, manage and invest as presented in the Island Plan.

TTS, in conjunction with Grontmij, have been developing the strategy over the last four years. Grontmij is one of Europe's leading water consultants, specialising in the provision of consultancy services for the planning, management and delivery of water capital programmes.

To ensure the Waste Water Strategy is integrated with the future direction of States policies, consultation has been undertaken with the following States departments:

• Environmental Protection;

• Environmental Policy;

• Development Control;

• Building Control;

• Planning and Environment;

• Policy and Projects;

• Health Protection Services; and

• Community Health.

Since the WWS was first drafted in 2009, TTS has been developing the proposals to set priorities and appropriate budgets associated with the replacement of Bellozanne STW. In addition, the recent network model completed as part of the Jersey Drainage Area Plan Needs Report (July 2012) outlines the current issues associated with the sewerage network. The sewerage network model is currently available to assess the effects on the sewerage infrastructure of proposed future development in the Island and to identify the benefits of proposed future sewer upgrade schemes in order to address the current issues. The intention would be to develop these proposals to set priorities and appropriate budgets to ensure that the maximum benefit is gained from any expenditure with a view to improving the level of cost certainty.

2. A Strategy that Supports the States Legislation, Policy and Commitments

1. Legislation

Like any States Department, it is a fundamental requirement that the activities of TTS comply with all relevant legislation. TTS are required to comply with the Discharge Permit issued by the States Department of Environment for final effluent from Bellozanne STW entering St Aubin's Bay.

As well as the general Health and Safety requirements there are, in the field of waste water, the following key statutory requirements:

Water Pollution (Jersey) Law 2000 and subsequent revisions:

• Ensure activities do not cause pollution.

• Establish and issue discharge permits and ensure that no condition of a discharge permit is contravened.

Drainage (Jersey) Law 2005 and subsequent revisions:

• Establish and issue Trade Effluent Consents to foul sewer.

• Provide, maintain, improve and extend a system of public sewerage facilities so that Jersey is and continues to be effectively drained.

• Provide for the emptying of public sewers and deal with the contents by sewage disposal works or other means.

The effluent discharge from Bellozanne STW is regulated by the Water Pollution (Jersey) Law, 2000.

Planned legislation includes a possible new housing standard - Health and Safety (Dwellings) (Jersey) Law – which will strengthen groundwater protection measures to ensure safe drinking water. This is likely to lead to pressure for expansion of the sewerage network to reduce potential pollution risks from privately owned wastewater treatment plants and septic tanks. The Water Resources (Jersey) Law 2007 introduced legislation to protect the quantity and quality of inland water resources, and this may have the same effect, although it does not strictly refer to pollution risks.

In addition to the above legislation, Jersey's Public Health Service is normally informed of odour complaints (in accordance with the Statutory Nuisances (Jersey) Law 1999) and there has been a number of complaints received regarding the First Tower pumping station and Bellozanne STW.

2. States Policy

Although Jersey has particular constraints that limit the options for waste water management, the States has made strong commitments to dealing with waste water in the most environmentally sensitive manner. These commitments are defined in the following documents.

1. The Strategic Plan 2009-2014

The Strategic Plan 2009 – 2014 sets the overall direction for the Island. In terms of waste water, the relevant priorities in the Strategic Plan 2009 – 2014 (listed numerically) are numbers 10 and 13:

10  "Maintain and develop the Island's infrastructure". In particular:

• Ensure that infrastructure is fit for purpose, well maintained and sustainable for future generations

• Ensure that waste disposal systems meet international standards to protect our health and environment.

To achieve this, the States of Jersey will:

• Develop funding mechanisms to address the backlog of deferred maintenance of sewers (and other infrastructure)

• Develop investment/divestment plans to ensure the States property and infrastructure is properly maintained

• Investigate alternative ways to fund and deliver key infrastructure services, such as disposing of liquid and inert waste

• Invest in an improved solid and liquid waste infrastructure

• Review the economic, environmental and social benefits from States- owned utilities

13  "Protect and enhance our natural and built environment". In particular:

• Continue to protect the marine environment and coastal areas

• Implement a range of measures to reduce pollution and to increase the environmental protection regime operating in the Island

• Ensure environmental quality compliance with international standards

In addition, the need to maintain sewerage infrastructure and develop the WWS is identified separately as one of five key areas for developing long term resource initiatives.

2. Island Plan 2011

The Island Plan 2011 provides a framework of policies and proposals to guide land use planning decisions up to 2021. The Plan defines the development needs and policies for the Island, whilst promoting sustainability. The adoption and application of these principles and policies will provide a much more sound and sustainable basis for investment in the Island's infrastructure. In terms of waste water, the relevant policies in the Island Plan are listed below. Included among the key areas for focus over the lifetime of the plan is a major project for maintaining the Island's sewerage infrastructure for the treatment and disposal of the Island's waste water.

Key policies relating to waste water in the Island Plan 2011 are:

Policy NR 1 – Protection of Water Resources