7.2. Construction Stage

Thu, 09/20/2012 - 10:14 -- klm-admin

7.2.1. Months 7 - 11

  • The key to keep costs low during construction is to make the construction period as short as possible. This means planning steps in advance including contracts, labor and materials.
  • The construction manager needs to be on the site when construction is proceeding.
  • The project director visits the site each day during the construction period.
  • The wastewater recycling consultant needs to be available for periodic consultation, as do agronomist and aquaculture expert.
  • Construction and operations overlap in the final 60 days.
Check the construction checklist daily.

Construction steps and sequence include:

Day 1 - 30

  • Begin log book. This includes a record of work done on site each day, decisions taken on site, and weather conditions. The log is maintained by the operator/trainee under the project director.
  • Move detailed working drawings onto site.
  • Security on site at night.
  • Electrify the site.
  • Fresh water line on site.
  • Fence and storage shed materials delivered to site.
  • Construct equipment/security shed & running water source.
  • Construct fence around site.
  • Construct drainage channel around site if necessary and if not already done during the survey aspect of planning.
  • Move top soil to save for garden if this was not already done during the survey aspect of planning.
  • Avoid extra disruption of soil around pond and biogas digester locations. Existing compacted soil forms a good water barrier. Destruction of this barrier requires additional compacting later.
  • Stake the area for excavation and structures.
  • Check staking with project director, contractor.

Day 31 - 90

  • Move heavy machinery on site if required.
  • Excavation of ponds in the sequence listed in the Construction section of this website.
  • Check and stake levels after each excavation.
  • Photographic documentation of finished pond excavation.
  • Deliver materials to site for gates, office, accommodation, storage shed, biodigester, animal sheds, water lines.
  • Construct structures simultaneously with ponds.
  • Construction inspection after excavation complete.
  • Change construction drawings as required.
  • Check soil composition as excavation proceeds.
  • Photographic documentation daily of new construction.
  • Construct water barriers on pond walls & floors if necessary.
  • Construct pond gates.
  • Construct canals between ponds.
  • Spread topsoil on garden area.
  • Install irrigation system in garden.
  • Finalize operator contract with municipality.
  • Operator moves on site.
  • Start operations log book.

Day 91 - 150

  • Bring tree seedlings on site and plant - this is a key procedure to do as soon as possible, as trees require 1-3 years to begin producing.
  • Establish operating financial routine per the Operation Section of this website.
  • Deliver operating equipment to site per Operations equipment list.
  • Interim construction inspection before filling ponds.
  • Check operating section of this guide for sequence to use before filling ponds with wastewater.
  • Check ponds, canals, flow areas for blockage, garbage.
  • Report to community association, municipality.
  • Fill ponds with wastewater & observe filling process carefully.
  • Amend working construction drawings to show changes during construction.
  • Interim wildlife inspection.
  • Preliminary pathogen, nutrient tests in ponds, inlet, outlet before adding fish, macrophytes.
  • Obtain macrophytes from a local river, lake or facility as identified in planning stage.
  • Macrophytes in ponds.
  • Check fish ponds for unwanted species.
  • Check oxygen levels in fish ponds.
  • Obtain fish from local fish farm, weigh & inspect.
  • Put fish in ponds after proper acclimatizing.
  • Garden soil preparation.
  • Plant garden, dykes.
  • Construction defect inspection & list
  • Report to municipality, community association.

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