Cleaner Technology Projects in Denmark 1997
Environmental Management of Sewer Renovation in Herning
Miljørigtig projektering af kloakfornyelse i Herning
Arbejdsrapport nr. 21, 1997, Miljøstyrelsen
In the years to come large amounts of money will be invested in renovation and sewer renewal with a view to improve the environmental state of the ground water. The purpose of this project is to help assuring that the sewer renewal will be completed with concern for the environment, and that the choice of materials, systems, disposal etc. are made on the basis of an overall technical-, economical- and environmental assessment.
The present work report forms part of a succession of work reports under phase 2 of the frame project Environmental Management in Project Design.
The aim of the project is to promote the application of cleaner technologies in building- and construction projects through a development of standard methods for environmental management in project design.
Testing of practical use of the methods established in a guide to "Environmental Management in Project Design" (Håndbog i Miljørigtig Projektering) and participation in further development of these methods has been the main aims of the partial project. The partial project was implemented in connection with a sewer renovation project.
Elucidation of different sewer renovation methods and on the basis of selection of materials and systems regarding an actual location in Herning Municipality has formed a secondary aim of the project.
The methodology of Environmental Management in Project Design is based on an overall assessment of environmental-, health- and resource impacts and environmental effects during the plant’s life span from recovery of raw materials to final disposal. The environmental aspect involves parameters such as functioning, aesthetics, quality, technology, and economy.
The project embraces two levels: A general level covering sewer renovation in general, and a rather specific level relating to the location in question.
On the basis of surveys, an environmental programme and an environmental plan for sewer renovation as part of the environmental measures in Herning Municipality have been established. Further, a general environmental policy and general environmental objectives for sewer renovation have been determined in close co-operation with Herning Municipality. Based on this Herning Municipality has identified a number of co-ordinate environmental impacts, which are considered principal:
 | Energy consumption and work environment in connection with production of goods |
| Consumption of raw material resources |
| Energy consumption in connection with the construction phase |
| Work environment and inconvenience to the citizens in connection which the construction phase |
| Re-use of materials in connection with the construction phase |
| Sewage load on receiving waters |
Life span and disposability / re-use of sewage pipes form a constituent part of the priorities.
The project has been finalised in proper interaction between client and consultant, according to which the environmental policy and ends for sewer renovation established by Herning Municipality has formed the basis of the consultant’s contributions to environmental management in project design. The project has been instrumental in Herning Municipality’s incorporation of environmental management in project design into the municipal action plan on sewer renovation.
Likewise, the drawing up of environmental requirements has been accomplished in co-operation with Herning Municipality and the local section of the Danish Contractors’ Association. The tender documents lay down the actual requirements to the contractor’s environmental management procedures and documentation hereof, the environmental requirements in connection with the work performance as well as the delivery quality. Incorporation of environmental requirements in the tender documents will form part of a current development implying presumably progressive environmental requirements.
Experience gained from the project shows the necessity of availability of sufficient environmental data with regards to materials and methods:
Spreading of environmental management in project design demands simple, intelligible, and operational methods. Eventually, it must be stressed that assistance from environmental experts bearing on each individual project is highly important.
Author/ institution
Nellemann, Nielsen & Rauschenberger A/S, Herning Kommune
This report is subsidised by the National Council for Recycling and Cleaner Technology
ISSN no. 0908-9195
ISBN no. 87-7810-768-7