Reply Celar Water Letter Comprehensive

Membrane Modules in the MBR tank were physically investigated; damaged fibers and improper seating over the cassette cabin were found. Please refer to figures 1 to 4 and 7.

Open cleaning has been carried out, details enclosed in Annexure -1. All membranes reinstalled correctly as per the procedure. Issues of less flow, fouling, and corrective actions detailed in Annexure -2. Proposed a 50% module replacement, supported by Annexure -3.

Upon inspection, we found the membrane modules excessively dirty, with large debris such as plastic bags present. This condition suggests a lack of maintenance, especially since no cleaning appears to have been done during Celar Water's last major maintenance period in August. The presence of such debris indicates that the preliminary screening processes were non-functional, allowing materials to reach and damage the membrane stage. Despite these challenges, we believe with proper maintenance, these membranes can remain operational for another 1 to 2 years. We are currently awaiting evidence from OWATCO's initial inspection to ascertain the exact timing of the damage.

GRP Lining inside MBR tank is damaged, and the tank is corroded. Please refer to figures 5 and 6.

No damage was noticed during our maintenance period. Regular maintenance is required.

We have requested OWATCO to supply documentation that could clarify the timeline of the GRP lining damage. It is imperative to ascertain whether the damage occurred prior to their inspection activities or as a result of them. This evidence will be pivotal in determining the responsible party for the damage and in substantiating any claims against Celar Water

Biofouling is noticed in the system.

System operation is biologically based; hence, claims of biological fouling do not make sense. The reason for membrane blockage explained in our letter submitted as per Annexure -2.

After a meticulous review of the maintenance reports provided by Celar Water, there was no record of biofouling management. The presence of biofouling in the system points to a lack of essential maintenance procedures during their period of management, which has now necessitated immediate attention and intervention by our team to ensure the continued operational health of the STP.

The screen is not properly fixed. The guide rail of Pump No 02 was found damaged and not in position. There were no safety precautions for standing over the Lifting Station due to corrosion. Pump No: 01 was found working, but with concerns for continuity due to rusted guide rails. The SS manual coarse screen and inflow pipeline were found to be improperly installed and damaged. Pump No 02 needs replacement as it is not in working condition.

Screen design and fixing were completed by an earlier contractor and approved by the consultant. All lift station pumps were handed over in working order; future maintenance is the new O&M contractor's responsibility. A new 55 manual screen was supplied and installed free of charge for tanker water, operational only during the shutdown period. All pumps were in working condition.

Both pumps at the lifting station were operational initially under OWATCO's management, although one was dislodged from its proper position and showed signs of rust and damage to the guide rails and chain. This degradation points to a lack of maintenance prior to OWATCO's tenure and necessitates comprehensive servicing to restore full functionality.

Claim for OMR 12,000 for replacement due to alleged damages.

Denied the claim; all were in working condition at handover, thus the claim is not acceptable.

We have replaced several pipes and carried out enhancement works on some equipment to address the operational deficiencies and malfunctions we discovered upon reviewing the maintenance records from the period of Celar Water's management. Critical instruments were found to be out of calibration, an OCU unit was non-operational due to blockages, and two auto samplers were not functional. Additionally, we had to manage blockages in the GRP pipeline. These actions were essential due to the apparent lapse in maintenance and operational oversight from Celar Water. We will maintain detailed records of all corrective measures for any potential claims."

Claim for OMR 9,000 for a new SCADA software license and programming, alleging the provided license was expired and not genuine.

Denied the claim; a genuine SCADA license was handed over with the documents at handover. Any missing or expired license post-handover is not our issue.

The SCADA system functioned without issue until approximately one and a half months post-handover, when a system trip revealed the SCADA license had expired. We are in the process of verifying the license terms with the provider and have reached out to the original system manufacturer in Dubai for clarification and to confirm the possibility of a lifetime license purchase. We expect to provide a definitive update on this matter next week.

Claim for OMR 5,000 (AED 50,000) for diffuser replacement, asserting the cost claimed by Celar was inflated and unjustified; actual cost is AED 76 each.

Denied the claim; replacement of the diffuser is a regular part of operation, and the inflated cost claim is rejected.

A significant number of diffusers were found to be defective; however, OWATCO has taken action to address these issues. It appears that these and other STP assets had not been serviced properly prior to their intervention, indicating a broader neglect of maintenance responsibilities.

Claim for OMR 1,500 for servicing of RAS and WAS pumps due to alleged damage and rust.

Denied the claim; all pumps and systems were operational at handover, and any damage may be due to operational errors. Hence, the servicing claim is rejected.

Of the three RAS/WAS pumps within our STP, one remains fully operational, another operates with limitations, and the third was non-functional. The latter two have been sent for rewinding and servicing to ensure their reliability and performance.

Similar to Claim 8, another claim for OMR 1,500 for servicing of RAS and WAS pumps.

Clarified that all spare parts were supplied per contract and utilized during operation. Due to O&M payment issues, additional spares cannot be supplied, and such claims are rejected when unpaid.

Of the three RAS/WAS pumps within our STP, one remains fully operational, another operates with limitations, and the third was non-functional. The latter two have been sent for rewinding and servicing to ensure their reliability and performance.

Claim for OMR 100,000 for the replacement of damaged membranes.

Offered a maximum contribution of 50% for the replacement of damaged membranes, citing operational factors beyond control, detailed in Annexures 2 and 3.

As previously stated, the condition of the membrane modules necessitates a comprehensive review and potential replacement strategy to ensure the STP's continued operational efficiency and compliance with environmental standards.