Vulnerability of wastewater treatment plants and wastewater pumping stations to earthquakes

Abstract

Earthquakes are the most common natural hazard in New Zealand which can affect lifelines in populated areas. This research takes into account earthquake effects on treatment plants and pumping stations in wastewater systems as a lifeline. Wastewater treatment plants in four earthquake prone areas in New Zealand were selected for the purpose of assessing their vulnerabilities to earthquakes. Results showed that simple upgraded wastewater treatment plants are the most vulnerable type of wastewater treatment plants in New Zealand. Earthquake vulnerability of 45 wastewater pumping stations in 3 earthquake prone cities in New Zealand was also assessed. The assessment proved that non‐structural components are among the most vulnerable parts in wastewater pumping stations. Since structural vulnerability of some wastewater pumping stations is notable, it requires a need for an immediate rehabilitation plan. Santruka Naujojoje Zelandijoje žemes drebejimai yra labiausiai tiketina stichine nelaime, apgyvendintose teritorijose galinti paveikti gyvybiškai svarbius tinklus. Šiame tyrime nagrinejamas žemes drebejimu poveikis nuoteku tinkluose veikiančioms valymo ir pumpavimo stotims, kurios yra gyvybiškai svarbios. Siekiant ivertinti, kaip žemes drebejimai gali pažeisti nuoteku valymo stotis, buvo pasirinktos valymo stotys iš keturiu seismiškai aktyviu Naujosios Zelandijos zonu. Rezultatai parode, kad Naujojoje Zelandijoje labiausiai pažeidžiamos paprastos atnaujintos nuoteku valymo stotys. Ivertintas ir trijuose seismiškai aktyviuose Naujosios Zelandijos miestuose esančiu 45 nuoteku pumpavimo stočiu pažeidžiamumas per žemes drebejimus. Ivertinus nustatyta, kad nuoteku pumpavimo stotyse labiausiai pažeidžiami yra nestruktūriniai elementai. Kadangi kai kuriose nuoteku pumpavimo stotyse struktūru pažeidžiamumas yra didelis, reikia nedelsiant sudaryti rekonstrukcijos plana. First Published Online: 10 Feb 2011

Keywords

• Earthquakes
• Vulnerability
• Wastewater treatment plant
• Wastewater pumping station