Decision

The Sewage Treatment Works at Burnthouse Road, Turves (2Nr), and Church Lane, Newton (1Nr) comprise of Klargester Rotating Biological Contractor (RBC) treatment plants that have been in service for more than 30 years. 

Notwithstanding their age, the treatment plans remain in generally satisfactory operational condition.

However, the glass reinforced plastic (GRP) end covers have deteriorated significantly as a result of prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation, weathering, and the cumulative effects of routine operational and maintenance activities over their service life.

Consequently, the six end covers serving the three treatment units have become extensively cracked and are now considered beyond economical repair.

Their replacement is therefore necessary to maintain the integrity, safety, and continued operation of the assets. 

Decision:

Kevin Gove, Principal Engineer recommends that approval be granted for the replacement of six Rotating Biological Contractor and end-unit covers for Burnthouse Road, Turves and Church Lane, Newton.

Reasons for the decision

The installation of new covers will provide a safe and reliable operational solution with an expected service life of 10 to 15 years, until such time as the treatment plants are likely to be replaced in their entirety.

Kingspan acquired the Klargester business in the late 1990s and retain ownership of the original moulds used to manufacture the covers.

The moulds required to manufacture these specialist GRP covers remain the intellectual property of Kingspan. Consequently, Kingspan is the only supplier capable of producing covers that are compatible with the existing RBC units.

No alternative manufacturers can provide equivalent products without access to these proprietary moulds.

For this reason, a single-source procurement approach has been approved – see exemption form. 

Alternative options considered

There are no viable alternative options available. 

The condition of the covers are beyond economical repair and even if remedial works were undertaken, there remains a significant risk of failure within the next few years. 

Leaving the covers in service will make their operation increasingly difficult due to the fragile nature of the existing GRP structure.