18-Env-A6 Solid Waste Engineering and Management · December 2016
Nivaar worked solution (AI-drafted; not reviewed by a licensed engineer)
Reference texts: Tchobanoglous, Theisen & Vigil, Integrated Solid Waste Management: Engineering Principles and Management Issues; Vesilind, Worrell & Reinhart, Solid Waste Engineering; Davis & Cornwell, Introduction to Environmental Engineering (6th ed.); Freeze & Cherry, Groundwater; CCME, Guidance Document on Landfill Gas Management; Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999.
Question text not reproduced: the examination questions are © Engineers and Geoscientists BC. Open the official past paper (linked at the top of this page) to read the question, then follow the worked solution below.
A defensible feasibility-report index groups the assignment into background, technical, siting, economic, and implementation sections, reflecting the actual decision the town must make within its 3-year capacity horizon:
1. Introduction and Background
1.1 Purpose and scope of the study
1.2 Current waste management system and remaining landfill capacity (3-year horizon)
1.3 Regulatory and policy context (provincial diversion targets, CEPA/CCME guidance)
2. Waste Stream Characterization
2.1 Current generation rate and composition (compostable organic fraction, per Question 2/4 methodology)
2.2 Projected feedstock volume available for composting
2.3 Seasonal variability in organics generation
3. Technology and Process Options
3.1 Comparison of composting technologies (windrow, aerated static pile, in-vessel)
3.2 Process design parameters (C:N ratio, moisture, aeration, retention time — per Question 18)
3.3 Facility sizing to match the town's feedstock volume and diversion goal
4. Siting Analysis
4.1 Candidate site screening criteria (buffer distance, access, drainage, zoning)
4.2 Odour and traffic impact assessment
4.3 Public consultation and community acceptance (per Question 12 methodology)
5. Environmental and Regulatory Considerations
5.1 Permitting requirements
5.2 Stormwater/leachate management at the composting site
5.3 Finished-compost quality standard compliance
6. Economic Analysis
6.1 Capital cost estimate
6.2 Operating and maintenance cost estimate
6.3 Revenue/avoided-cost analysis (extended landfill life value, compost sales, avoided tipping fees)
6.4 Comparison against the do-nothing (continue landfilling) and alternative-diversion baselines
7. Implementation Plan and Schedule
7.1 Phasing and timeline, benchmarked against the 3-year remaining-capacity deadline
7.2 Collection-program changes required (source-separated organics stream)
7.3 Risk assessment and contingency planning
8. Conclusions and Recommendations — a clear go/no-go recommendation on composting, referenced back to the 3-year capacity deadline stated in the brief.
