Costing tool for Septic tank design and estimate
Cost is a critical factor in infrastructure projects, directly influencing funding and investment decisions. In civil engineering, cost estimation primarily involves material and labor expenses, offering an approximation of the total investment required. Project planning cannot proceed effectively without accurate cost estimates. Cost estimates are typically carried out by an engineer or professional estimator and this process can take weeks to months, depending on the complexity of the project. Therefore, there is a significant need for a tool that reduces estimation time and enables professionals to estimate construction costs more efficiently, enhancing budgeting during the planning phase. The tool’s value would be further enhanced if it were user-friendly enough for non-technical or non-expert users.
The Costing Tool for Septic Tank Design and Estimation is an Excel-based tool designed to simplify the septic tank sizing and cost estimation process. The tool calculates the required size of a septic tank based on the number of users and the geographical region. It also provides structural options, allowing users to select from stone, brick, or concrete construction materials. Based on the chosen size and structure, the tool generates a Bill of Quantities (BoQ), estimating both material and labor quantities. Additionally, a rate analysis sheet has been included in the tool where users can input their own material and labor rates, enabling the tool to estimate the overall cost of the septic tank.
This tool also allows users to customize the septic tank dimensions, brick size, and even the type of soling based on site conditions and specific client requirements. It is particularly valuable for understanding the cost of a septic tank design according to the number of users and the type of structure selected.
The tool consists of six sheets:
1. Cover Page & Instructions: Provides an overview of the tool and step-by-step instructions for its use.
2. Input Sheet: Users enter necessary details such as the number of users, structure type, soling type, and brick size. This sheet also allows for the customization of septic tank dimensions based on side conditions or specific requirements.
3. BoQ Sheet: Displays the detailed quantity estimate, generated based on the user’s inputs.
4. MLQ Sheet: Provides a breakdown of materials and labor quantities, offering clarity on the resources needed for septic tank construction. This sheet is especially helpful for non-technical users to understand the materials and costs involved in the project.
5. Drawing: Includes drawings of the septic tank, featuring a plan view as well as longitudinal and transverse sections. However, the drawing is not to scale, it provides a conceptual representation.
6. RA Sheet: Users enter the costs for materials and labor in this sheet, facilitating rate analysis and allowing for cost estimation based on user-specified rates.
The primary target audience for this tool includes both technical and non-technical professionals, such as planners, managers, engineers, property owners, investors, and consultants. However, it is particularly beneficial for planners, decision-makers, and investors. While the tool provides detailed quantity estimates, it is primarily intended for planning purposes and should not be used as the sole reference for final project implementation. It is expected that this tool will assist in forming a clear idea of the investment required for implementing septic tank, making it useful even for non-technical users who may be involved in the decision-making process.
Rain Water Harvesting
Water is our most precious natural resource and something that most of us take for granted. We are now increasingly becoming aware of the importance of water to our survival and its limited supply, especially in dry season.
The harvesting of rainwater simply involves the collection of water from surfaces on which rain falls, and subsequently storing this water for later use. Normally water is collected from the roofs of buildings and stored in rainwater tanks. The water collected can be considered to be precious.
The collection of rainwater from the roofs of buildings can easily take place. All that is necessary to capture this water is to direct the flow of rainwater from roof gutters to a rainwater storage tank. By doing this, water can be and used for various purposes. It is possible to replace all or at least a substantial portion of your collected fresh water requirements by the capture and storage of rainwater from your roof. Being largely self sufficient in water supply is possible for a vast majority of households and buildings.
ECOSAN
Waste management is one of the major challenges for developing countries like Nepal, where the waste generated is haphazardly dumped, is causing pollution to both surface and ground water sources. Consumption of contaminated water can cause various water borne diseases such as diarrhea, dysentery, typhoid, etc. The cases of water borne diseases are increasing, resulting in deaths of many children less than 5 years of age. Nonetheless, different technologies such as drainage systems, water treatment systems, sanitary landfill has been developed in various phases of time addressing these environmental and human health issues. But implementation of these technologies developed in the western countries demand huge investment and highly skilled man power mostly unavailable to developing countries. Therefore, 3 R Principal (Reduce, Recycle and Reuse) on waste management has been the most effective tool, providing ample opportunities to re-use of the waste as resources. Similar to woes of water resources, Nepals’ agriculture sector is also in grim situation. The excessive and continuous use of the chemical fertilizers for the higher production is not only deteriorating the soil fertility but also posing harm to human health. Instead, the use of natural fertilizers could best serve the need for sustainable farming and improve human health. In this context the concept of ‘Ecological Sanitation (EcoSan)’ has emerged as a solution to tackle both of these problems.
Wastewater Treatment
DEWATS
Decentralized Wastewater Treatment System (DEWATS) can be described as a low maintenance treatment system, treating small volumes of wastewater for reuse or discharge within National Standards. DEWATS generally treats domestic wastewater originating from individual or groups of dwellings, businesses or institutions that are located in close proximity to each other and the DEWATS site. Unlike conventional wastewater treatment plants, DEWATS promotes technologies that use natural processes and are simples in operation and maintenance. In DEWATS, natural treatment processes are achieved through methods that make use of physical principles combined with biological activities of microorganisms. Bacteria colonies in the treatment devices are generated from microbial populations that occur naturally in the wastewater.
Drinking Water Treatment
SODIS (Solar Water Disinfection)
SODIS (Solar Water Disinfection) is a simple water treatment method relying on solar electromagnetic radiation and temperature to inactive pathogens. SODIS capitalizes on the UV-A radiation of the solar electromagnetic spectrum to a germicidal effect. Additionally, infrared radiation raises the water temperature which has a pasteurization effect. Research has shown that SODIS is more efficient in water containing high levels of oxygen. In order to achieve maximum saturation of the water with oxygen, the bottles are filled up to three quarters and shaken for about 20 seconds before they are filled completely to the brim.
Although water supply coverage has increased remarkably in Nepal, not much attention has been given to improve the water quality. Recurring outbreaks of water borne diseases and high numbers of patients being admitted to hospitals with water borne disease ailments indicates a need to public health status via improving water quality. Additionally, the low income community are more vulnerable to such diseases and the subsequent economic repercussions. Considering the above mentioned factoids, it is essential to promote simple, low cost and effective water treatment options.
