COCEF/BECC

Wastewater Treatment Plant and Agricultural Reuse

Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico

STEP II FORMAT

Date: 09/28/1995

 

PDF Format

 

Project Name Wastewater Treatment Plant and Agricultural Reuse

Location of project site Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico

Type of Project:

a) Water supply

  

b) Wastewater treatment

x

c) Solid waste management

  

d) Other related projects

  

 

FUNDAMENTAL CRITERIA

COMPLIES

DISCUSSION

General Project Description

Border Region. The project must be located within 100 Km (62 miles) of the U.S/Mexican border or has been found by the BECC, in concurrence with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Mexican Secretaria de Desarrollo Social, to remedy a transboundary environmental or health issue.

Yes.

Project site is located in the city of Ensenada, within 100 km of the United States border

Project work tasks. Project work tasks and budget estimates by task must be reasonable, in order to complete project as planned by the Applicant

Yes.

The project work tasks and budget estimates are reasonable.

2. Environmental And Human Health

Enhancement Environment and Human Health. All projects must address a critical human health and/or environmental need.

Yes

Project implementation will eliminate treated wastewater discharge into Ensenada Bay. This current discharge has produced high levels of pollution in the bay, affecting recreational and fishing activities and the health of the city's residents. By having an adequately operating treatment plant , environmental quality will improve, resulting in improved health for the city's residents

 

Environmental Protection. Projects should achieve a high level of environmental protection for the affected area that results in a benefit to the environment or human health. Projects with negative impacts must provide actions to mitigate the impacts.

Conditioned.

The treatment plant's site location is in the south side of Ensenada, in an unpopulated area where an industrial zone will be located. This industrial zone may result in the location of industries that can take advantage of water reuse ties.

Compliance with Applicable Environmental Regulations. All projects certified by the BECC must demonstrate compliance with all applicable local, regional state, and federal environmental regulations before project operations begin. The BECC may condition its certification upon the Applicant's ability to comply with applicable environmental regulations

Yes.

The environmental assessment study is underway and will be finished in the month of September. The design has been presented to the Comision Nacional del Agua (federal regulating agency). The proposed project complies with the standards that the CNA has established in their permit as specific discharge conditions; they are: biochemical oxygen demand/total suspended solids - 30/30 milligrams per liter.

Environmental Assessment. Every Applicant must submit an environmental assessment before the project may be considered for certification. On a case by-case basis, the BECC may certify a project before the assessment is "final"' according to applicable domestic environmental laws. In such instances, the BECC may condition the certification upon successful completion of the assessment

Yes.

Given the explanation in the above criteria, certification will be conditioned on the submittal of the environmental assessment and corresponding authorization, in addition to modifications that may be required for mitigation measures that the corresponding authorities may impose.

Conformance with Applicable local and Regional Plans. All projects must address applicable local and regional plans as well as land use and zoning regulations.

 

 

 

Yes.

The project conforms with applicable municipal and state development plans, as well as land use and zoning regulations.

Conformance with Applicable International Agreements. Projects must comply with applicable international agreements

Yes.

There are no known conflicts with applicable international agreements

3. Technical Feasibility

Appropriate Technology. BECC will only certify projects which use appropriate technology and which are designed to be constructed, operated, and maintained in a cost-effective manner to achieve the project's purpose

Yes

Proposed technology consists of dual treatment with primary sedimentation, including filters, aereated lagoons, chlorination and sludge digestion. The technology is conventional and proven. Operation and maintenance are within normal parameters and the project will comply with specific discharge requirements. The sludge will be used as compost in the agriculture zone that will opened for irrigation.

 

4. Economic And Financial Feasibility

Debt Coverage. Project revenues must be sufficient to cover debt amount and operation and maintenance costs with an appropriate safety margin.

Yes.

The project presented adequate fixed and variable cost, as well as financing, estimates. Based on projections submitted, the treatment plant satisfactorily covers the debt service, as well as operation costs. Financing, which will be obtained in dollars and at a preferential rate, will provide the project with a good base for its financial analysis.

5. Social Issues

Compliance with Applicable Cultural Resources Regulations. All projects certified by the BECC must comply with all appropriate cultural resource (i.e. historical, archeological and ethnic) regulations.

Yes

The Instituto Nacional de Antropologia e Histona (INAH) does not have specific requirements in this area.

 

6. Community Participation

Comprehensive CommunityParticipation Plan. Applicants must submit and implement a BECC-approved Community Participation Plan that will consist of meeting with local organizations conducting at least one publicly advertised public meeting, and may utilize a local steering committee.

Yes.

The applicant through the Municipal Planning Committee (COPLADEM)created a citizens informational and project promotion committee. On September 20 a public meeting was held to inform and evaluate with all represented sectors as well as with the Mayor Elect Transition Team This committee has already held three meetings. Likewise, a Social Communication Program was developed to establish a press campaign and carry out a final opinion poll.

Public Acceptance. The Comprehensive Community Participation Plan report submitted to the BECC following implementation shall indicate the degree of public acceptance of the project

Yes.

The opinion poll showed general acceptance of the project

7. Operation And Maintenance

Operation and Maintenance Program. Project documents must include an operation and maintenance program, including an effective program for emergency planning, an occupational health and safety plan, training plan for operation and maintenance personnel, and where applicable, a pollution prevention plan, facility closure plan, and post-closure plan.

Conditioned.

The treatment plant's operation and maintenance program is currently being developed and will be submitted to BECC for consideration in September.

 

 

 

 

8. Sustainable Development

Principles. Projects must adhere to the principles of sustainable development set forth above.

Yes

The project adheres to the three principles established in the BECC criteria.

Institutional and Human Capacity Building. Projects must demonstrate and strengthen the ability of the community for long-term support and maintenance, including measures to build human and institutional capacities.

 

Yes.

The community participation program has obtained the sought often awareness and participation in the long term effects of the project Likewise, in a study currently being contracted out by BECC, actions and strategies that CESPE should undertake will be determined, resulting in institutional updating and , capacity building.