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1. INTRODUCTION
The “Technical and Economic Assessment of Environmental Mitigation Measures for Selected Sources of Pollution Dnieper River Basin” was prepared by UNIDO’s Dnieper River Basin Project Team comprising International Experts of SNC-Lavalin Engineers & Constructors (SLE&C) and National Experts from each riparian nation (Belarus, Russia and Ukraine). Four facilities which are significant sources of pollution in the basin were selected for this assessment. They represented both municipal (wastewater treatment plants) and industrial sectors (petroleum refinery and an aluminium smelter).
The work reported herein relies on the findings of the previous project, known as Identification and Analysis of Sources of Pollution (Hot Spots) in the Dnieper River Basin Strategic Action Plan (SAP), which had the following sequential objectives
- providing a methodology for the identification and prioritization of the most significant sources of pollution based on their impacts and characteristics;
- identifying mitigations measures for a short list of the most significant sources of pollution (approximately 20 Hot Spots);
- preparing an economic and technical assessment report on the mitigation measures;
- summarizing the project in National and Regional Action Plans.
The original project relied on information provided by government agencies and their related institutes. National Experts were selected from these organizations to implement the methodology developed based on information they had available. Based on the impacts identified from regulatory records, mitigation measures are intended to be proposed under the original project.
The work described herein is based on the findings of this project, but takes the evaluation further, by focussing on a more narrow scope (four facilities) with a greater level of detail. The information used in the assessment came from the original sources but also from the subject enterprises themselves, including information gathered during the site reconnaissance phase of the program. Based on the information obtained at the enterprises under assessment, the mitigation measures originally reported in the National Pollution Reports were re-evaluated and updated accordingly. The updated mitigation measures were subject to a preliminary technical and economic assessment.
1.1. Project Objective
The objective of the technical and economic assessment (commonly referred to as the second phase of the UNIDO project for Identification and Analysis of Sources of Pollution (Hot Spot) was to conduct detailed evaluations of the mitigation measures a selected number of Hot Spots. These evaluations will comprise technical and preliminary economic assessments and will focus on four facilities, two in Ukraine and one each in Russia and Belarus.
To anchor our approach in undertaking these technical and economic assessments, the following project objectives will be observed:
- Reduce pollution in the Dnieper river (and the Black Sea basin);
- Reduce wastage of water through demand-side management program;
- Reduce energy use and operating costs;
- Improve the quality and reliability of water and waste-water services;
- Identification of economically-efficient pollution control technologies;
- Enhance Operations (Industries or Vodokanal) financial and operational performance;
- Identification of innovative partnership opportunities to achieve reduction and control objectives.
1.2. Scope o Work
The scope of work is largely defined by the title of the project. The Project Team, comprising International and National Experts who participated in Phase 1 of the UNIDO Project, examined four facilities selected by the National Committee of each riparian nation. The focus of the work at each facility was the assessment of the mitigation measures planned for implementation (pending funding and other variables). The assessment would comprise a technical evaluation and an economic evaluation. The assessment was made in the context of the facility as a whole, thus information respecting the general condition from the perspective of environmental condition, health and safety liabilities, financial situation, economic viability and others. Four enterprises were subject to assessment which comprised an initial information session followed by a site inspection including interviews with site technical, managerial and financial personnel.
Despite the general nature of the information gathered, the focus of the assessment was proposed mitigation measures identified by site operators. The level of detail of information respecting the mitigation measures varied from detailed to conceptual depending upon the priority of the project for the respective facilities.
1.3. Methodology
In order to meet the project objectives, the following project components were undertaken:
1.3.1. Initiation Phase
The four sites subject to the assessment were to be selected from amongst the facilities which rated as the highest priorities as sources of pollution from the first phase of UNIDO’s projects in the Dnieper River Basin. Thus, the information collected from the original project respecting the top 20 sites was examined. A background document search and review of information related to similar treatment facilities (wastewater treatment plants - “Vodokanals”; and industrial enterprises) was conducted.
Preparation of questionnaires for the candidate sites to obtain overall information regarding the facility such as site plans (general overview), a listing of processes, buildings, storage vessels as well as general production values (raw material and product quantification).
1.3.2. Preliminary Meeting with Hot Spot Representatives
In order to introduce the representatives of the facilities that were the highest priority sources of pollution identified in the Phase 1 project to the subsequent phase and describe the benefits of participation to them, a preliminary meeting was held at Yalta in October, 2002 (designated “Mission 1”). Discussions with facility personnel were undertaken with respect to the assessment process, data needs and the goals of subsequent work to obtain funding for implementation of mitigation measure. Facility personnel described their facilities as well as potential mitigation measures that could require funding. During the meeting, an brief audit questionnaire was distributed.
1.3.3. Selection of Sites for Audit
The selection of the four facilities to be assessed was made by the National Committees after consultation with UNIDO, the National Experts, the SLE&C Assessment Team and primary local stakeholders. The selection was to be based on the following criteria:
- Environmental impacts on local, national and transboundary waters.
- Scoring in prioritization exercise.
- Possibility of successful implementation of measures and investment possibilities.
- Cooperation of Candidate Enterprise (based on response to Questionnaire).
It deemed desirable to have a representative selection of facilities that would reflect the Hot Spots throughout the basin.
1.3.4. Preparation of Audits and Assessment Protocols
The information required for background information could be broken down into the following six elements:
1. Pollution Characteristics: Examine raw materials, processes and products to identify potential contaminants to air, water and land. Review results of laboratory analysis of samples of wastewater effluents, solid waste, ambient air or air emissions (i.e. from stack testing). If data is not available, compare to similar process in the same industry.
2. Operational Efficiency: This element will be assessed by examining such data as age of technology; comparison with state-of-the-art technologies; efficiency of use of raw materials; energy consumption; water consumption; proportion of wastes produced (solid, wastewater and air emissions); down-time (planned and unplanned); and staff utilization.
3. Occupational Health & Safety Requirements: The requirements for and the impact of the mitigation measure on occupational health and safety will be assessed. 4. Impact Assessments: Any reports or work identifying or characterizing the impact of the facility on human health (workers and the surrounding community) and on the environment (nearby and long range impacts) will be reviewed and summarized. If such materials are not available for review, we will examine the potential for such impacts. Contributions to global issues such as greenhouse gas emissions and the release of ozone-depleting substances will also be assessed.
5. Economic benefits: Economic impact of environmental damages will be assessed.
6. Improvement Program: Any process changes, new equipment or controls the facility proposes will be assessed. The auditors will propose and cost their own mitigation measures, and develop a final range of cost estimates for total project costs.
1.3.5. Mission 2 – Site Audits of Four Facilities
Mission 2 was the primary information gathering part of the work. It commenced with an initiation meeting with UNIDO and UNDP representatives and the National Experts in Kiev. This meeting was to finalize the approach, discuss the site visits and plan the balance of the work. Upon arrival at the sites, the Project Assessment Team comprising three international expert (Project Coordinator, Pollution Control Expert and Economist) and two National Experts from the respective countries where the facility was located (Pollution Control Expert and Economist) met with key facility personnel and local regulators.
The site reconnaissance usually comprised an opening meeting with all participants, followed by a general facility tour. After this was complete, the team split up with pollution control experts meeting with their counterparts and economists meeting with theirs. At the end of the reconnaissance there was often a closing meeting with all in attendance.
