Project ”HEPIC”Heureka professional, innovative, competitive

This project is financed by the European Union

Trade for measuring research works of water supply and sewage system HEUREKA

Project HEPIC - Heureka professional, innovative, competitive

20/6/2013 -20/12/2013

Programme IPA IIIC 2007-2009

Reference of the Call for Proposals: EUROPEAID/132357/M/ACT/HR

Title of the Call for Proposals: Support for Increasing the Competitiveness of Croatian SMEs

Contract no. IPA/2007/HR/16IPO/001-040444

Osijek, 26/7/2013 Stjepan Stojanović

Title of the action:HEPIC- Heureka professional, innovative, competitive

Location(s) of the action: - specify country(ies), region(s) that will benefit from the action

Croatia, Osijek-Baranja County, City of Osijek

Total duration of the action (months): 6 monthsTotal eligible cost of the project 58.889,11 EURValue of grant awarded 50.055,74 EURPercentage of co-financing 85%Objectives of the action Overall objective(s): Increasing the competitiveness of the trade for measuring research works in

Osijek-Baranja County and beyond by investing in new technologies

Specific objective (s): 1) Improving business performance of Heureka trade

2) Promoting green economy and environmental standards in accordance with international and national standards

Target group(s) Staff of the trade, the City of Osijek, Osijek-Baranja CountyFinal beneficiaries The city of Osijek, Osijek-Baranja County, Croatia, population and business subjectsEstimated results Buying a camera for loss and failure testing, as well as video surveillance of the drainage system,

deep wells and pipelines, water savings (3% of the quantity of water at the City of Osijek), defining the location of underground installations, measuring the loss of systems under pressure, flow measurement, locating leaks in pipes under pressure, video surveillance of the drain system, deep wells and pipelines throughout the county (35 municipalities, 7 towns with a total of 264 settlements), the City of Osijek and its surroundings

Main activities 1) Investing in fixed assets for production-related analysis, testing and automation

2) Upgrading the quality of services by purchasing and installing the equipment for analysis and testing

3) Technical testing and analysis

RELEVANCE OF THE ACTION The importance of the HEPIC project is affirmed by the fact that it is compliant with the priority issues and objectives of the call, such as investing in new technologies in accordance with environmental standards, and increasing the competitiveness of small and medium enterprises, which is also the general objective of the project.

This general objective will be achieved by investing in material assets for the production of related analysis, testing and automation, i.e. upgrading the quality of services by purchasing and installing the equipment for analysis and testing.

This way the trade will be improved, its competitiveness increased, and the use of new technologies for technical testing and analysis will make it more innovative. It is assumed that the trade will be prevalent in the market where this deficient (in Croatia) activity of the trade is very much needed.

Furthermore, the objectives and specific aims are satisfied, such as improving business efficiency and promoting green economy and environmental standards in accordance with other international standards.

Promoting green economy and environmental standards refers primarily to protection and preservation of drinking water and reduction of wastewater pollution, as well as avoiding unnecessary digging of the soil (if it is possible) with the aim of finding fault, which requires high remediation costs and damages the environment. All of the activities that are currently engaged in the trade, and will be engaged during and after the project implementation, improve technological standards through productive investments in technologies and methods, and improve business performance because this is a profession of great importance for the Croatian economy and the market requirements, although it is still insufficiently present.

In developed countries of the world and the countries of the European Union great attention is paid to reducing the loss of water supply systems, where water is used as a technology, and not for drinking.

To maintain and conserve as much technological water, water savings are regulated by laws and the reduction of loss by sophisticated equipment to a maximum of 11% of the affected water from underground or on the water intake of a different type.

In comparison, a city in Germany of the same size as the City of Osijek has four vehicles with equipment designed to reduce losses. Furthermore, the Heureka trade is an acceptable applicant according to all criteria of the Call for proposals (registered in accordance with the reported activities and operates in Croatia, able to show profit after taxation in the fiscal year prior to the submission date of proposals, able to demonstrate solvency and settle all taxes and contributions).

Although the Heureka trade worked with some partners during the previous projects on the national level, in this project there is no call for partners and the trade acts independently.

The importance of the HEPIC project is affirmed by the fact that it is compliant with the priority issues and objectives of the call, such as investing in new technologies in accordance with environmental standards, and increasing the competitiveness of small and medium enterprises, which is also the general objective of the project.

This general objective will be achieved by investing in material assets for the production of related analysis, testing and automation, i.e. upgrading the quality of services by purchasing and installing the equipment for analysis and testing.

This way the trade will be improved, its competitiveness increased, and the use of new technologies for technical testing and analysis will make it more innovative. It is assumed that the trade will be prevalent in the market where this deficient (in Croatia) activity of the trade is very much needed.

Description of the Action

• 0. Project Management Activities

Project management is an essential part of any project that tracks and monitors the implementation of the project, project activities, use of resources the use of which leads to certain outcomes, and delivers the same results and manages risks if needed. Project management of the HEPIC project includes a project manager who is also the director of the HEUREKA trade. The project manager will systematically monitor, analyse and use relevant information about the progress of the project. The project manager is responsible for making decisions for the duration of the HEPIC project, as well as the management of the project team. An important part of his work is constant communication with all interested parties.

The project manager is also responsible for a wide range of project activities, such as the organization of the Opening Ceremony of the project, the Final Conference, submitting the necessary reports on the implementation of the project, the organization of all promotional activities, meaning regular publishing of the project details on the official business webpage, and general business logistics. Also, if necessary, the project coordinator will assist the project manager. In conducting the HEPIC project, the HEUREKA craft has no partner or associate partner, because the craft is unique in this area and no one carries out the same or similar activities, although HEREKA is always ready for cooperation and networking.

The following are the main activities of the project by which the given goals and results of the project are achieved, but it is important to accentuate that the following actions are logical, derived from each other, and if there would be lack of maintenance of one of the activities, the next two could not arise and survive either two.

• 1. Investment in Fixed Assets for Production-related Analyses, Testing and Automation

Investment in fixed assets for production-related analyses, testing and automation is the main and the most challenging part of the HEPIC project, it involves issuing calls for proposals, in order to find the most effective and most economical offer related to purchase of one (1) lateral camera for testing losses and failures, and video monitoring of the drainage systems (so-called CCTV inspection), deep wells and pipelines, water savings (3% of the quantity of water held by the City of Osijek), defining the position of underground installations, measuring losses of the systems under pressure, flow measurement, determination of leaks in pipes under pressure, video monitoring of the drain system, deep wells and pipelines in the whole County (35 municipalities, 7 towns with a total of 264 villages), the City of Osijek and its surroundings.

Furthermore, in order to achieve the purpose of the camera it is necessary to obtain the pneumatic plugs (so-called balloons) that are required with it and without which the camera performance is not possible. As many balloons as needed to operate such a camera will be purchased (5). The procurement and delivery of equipment can last from 30 to a maximum of 90 days.

This activity enables the achievement of the expected results of the HEPIC project defined in the Concept Note, through which the general and specific objectives of the project are also fulfilled, because it primarily promotes green economy and environmental standards in accordance with international and national standards; business efficiency of the HEUREKA trade s also improved, and all this increases the competitiveness of trade for measuring research papers in the Osijek-Baranja County and beyond by investing in new technologies, which is the main goal that the project intends to achieve. TV inspection of pipelines as a technology for determining the internal conditions of pipes has been used in the U.S. and Western Europe for more than 30 years. Initially, the cameras for the TV inspection of sewage systems were of relatively simple construction, in black and white, without any options, but in parallel with the advancing technology in all other sectors the technology for the TV camera inspection also advances.

Today's equipment for TV inspection of pipelines is very sophisticated with a large number of options, starting with a lens that can rotate in all directions, and thus capture every detail of the pipeline, up to laser distance determination between the edges of two adjacent tubes, or measurement of inclination (slope) in tube while shooting.

Nowadays, the inspection is used as the basis for the preparation of planning renovation and maintenance of water mains and sewers. Another essential task of the TV sewer inspection is to determine the zero condition of the tubes, or the quality of the works prior to handover of the building. In many cases, testing sewer pipes to water-tightness does not at the same time guarantee the pipeline free-flow for several reasons. It is possible that the pipes are embedded to the extent that the pipeline is not free-flowing. After the workers leave the site, large quantities of building materials and/or timber, tools, protective equipment (helmets, gloves) remain that often end up in the sewage pipes.

Such a pipeline is probably going to pass the test to water-tightness, but when put into normal function, a problem comes up very quickly. TV inspection before the commissioning easily detects such problems and they can be easily, inexpensively and promptly rectified. TV inspection of pipelines in multiannual function is used to determine the overall condition in order approach rationally to a possibly required remediation.

If there is no need for remediation, it is possible to determine the critical points which require increased pipeline maintenance. Therefore, in order to, in the real sense of the word, get a picture of the condition of the pipes, we need to test the water-tightness and carry out the TV inspection of sewers using cameras. This method has been accepted worldwide, and the HEUREKA trade believes that the experts in Croatia will also recognize the benefits of this kind of work.

• 2. Upgrading the Quality of Services through the Purchase and Installation of Equipment for Analysis and Testing

This activity is a logical continuation of the previous one, because by purchasing of the before listed so-called lateral camera for CCTV inspection and 5 pneumatic plugs (balloons), the service quality the trade that is growing stronger is upgraded, and it is to be assumed that it will be more competitive and more marketable.

Furthermore, business efficiency is also promoted, because the craft will, throughout the shorter amount of time (because the work of employees is facilitated and accelerated) and with fewer resources, get to more thorough and more credible results, without the extra digging of soil, which is, besides being physically demanding, nature and environment damaging and also lasts longer, thus making the trade more expensive. Currently the HEREKA trade is using equipment that is not adequate or sufficient for further work because, like everything else, the technology progresses and develops day by day.

• 3. Technical Testing and Analysis

During the project implementation, the employees of the HEUREKA trade will certainly use new equipment to carry out at least one technical testing and analysis of a specific area from which the current situation and problems that are to be solved will be visible, related to the sewage system.

Collected TV inspection data can be useful for the companies involved in the rehabilitation of pipelines. These are typically data on the pipe walls, condition of joints, drops in the gravity pipelines, branch locations, obstructions in the pipe, ingrown tree roots, etc. Data collected in such a way make it possible to perform a partial repair, or only at a critical site, which can save the owner of such a pipeline large amounts of money.

• 4. Expansion and PR Activities

4.1. Info Day and Promotional Workshop on the Occasion of the Project Opening Ceremony

The HEUREKA trade believes that it is important at the outset of the project, under the Info Day and Promotional Workshop and on the occasion of the project Opening Ceremony, to present the functioning of the trade until now, and then the HEPIC project itself, project activities, target groups covered by the project, as well as the end-users, expected results, etc.

The impact of the project on the overall situation in the region will also be presented. All of this will be prepared in the premises of the HEUREKA trade, as a Power Point presentation that will be posted on the official website of the trade. This ceremony will be held primarily for employees of the trade, and all friends and partners of the HEUREKA trade (minimum of 7 people).

4.2. PR Materials Design and Print

The HEUREKA craft wants use the resources intended for the project HEPIC PR materials rationally, taking into account its employees for whom the project is primarily intended, and who are working in different weather conditions, thus protecting them from the cold, dirt and possible injury, so as to buy two (2) coveralls for each trade worker (5 workers) in which they would work throughout the entire year, and one jacket per worker for the cooler period.

Each piece of the working suit would have a logo of the trade and necessary information about the project, which would represent an effective promotional material. The project coordinator is in charge of proper implementation of these activities the project coordinator.

4.3. Advertising on Project Activities

As a part of promotional activities of the HEPIC project, on the website of the HEUREKA trade will regularly (at least once every two months) follow the news related to the implementation of the project and activities implemented within the same.

The goal of this activity is to inform the participant, as well as other stakeholders, about the project and publish activities within other promotional activities such as the Information Day, the Final Conference, etc.

4.4. Final Conference

Towards the end of the project, in the premises of the trade a Final Conference is to be held, that will, just like the Info Day and a Promotional Workshop on the occasion of the Opening Ceremony of the project, be designed for the trade workers, business partners and friends (at least 7), at which the results achieved by the project and the ideas for possible further projects of the HEUREKA trade will be presented.

It will be emphasized that the trade will continue to try to listen to the needs of society and try to solve their problems in the future.

Action plan

Year 1  Semester 1 Semester 2  Activity 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Implementing body

0. Project Management Activities                         HEUREKA

1. Investment in Fixed Assets for Production-related Analyses, Testing and Automation

                        HEUREKA

2. Upgrading the Quality of Services through the Purchase and Installation of Equipment for Analysis and Testing

                        HEUREKA

3. Technical Testing and Analysis                         HEUREKA

4. Expansion and PR Activities                         HEUREKA

4.1. Info Day and Promotional Workshop on the Occasion of the Project Opening Ceremony

                        HEUREKA

4.2. PR Materials Design and Print                         HEUREKA

4.3. Advertising on Project Activities                         HEUREKA

4.4. Final Conference                         HEUREKA

Sustainability of the actionIn accordance with the strategic guidelines for the development of the green economy, "Croatia Green Development", as the most important Croatian goal, defines the protection of water and water-dependent ecosystems and the sustainable use of resources. In the upcoming period it is necessary to complete the investments and meet the targets, such as building public sewerage systems and equipment for waste water treatment, construction of public water supply systems and water conditioning, flood control and irrigation.

Planning water-management activities should be based on sustainable and, where possible, multi-purpose water use with high-performance technology that will ensure the stability of natural ecosystems. Predictable investments in the public water supply and public sanitation are around 4.5 billion euros by year 2023.

This data indicates the viability of the HEPIC project, more accurate and further activity conduction and technological analysis even after the HEPIC project, over the next 10 years.

Financing of public water supply and public sanitation construction will be provided from the state budget, Croatian Waters revenue and other national sources of financing, pre-admission through program documents (ISPA, IPA) and EU structural instruments and other international funding (EIB, EBRD, World Bank , etc.). Potential Croatian producer requires, especially in the beginning, special incentives, and so does the HEUREKA trade.According to information from 12 July 2012, 158 agreements on financing the construction of water supply and drainage with wastewater treatment have been signed. Seventy five contracts in the sector of water supply are worth 192.765 million kunas, and 83 contracts in the sector sewage 200.170 million kunas. Financing contracts will enable the continuation and increase in economic activity of the construction sector, enhance the security of water supply, reduce losses in the water supply network and reduce the effects of prolonged drought and safe water supply, especially in tourist areas, with the completion of the construction of four new and reconstruction of an existing wastewater treatment plant, and also the construction of more than 100 km of collectors, which would carry out the expectation of additional joining around 30 000 people to the public sewage system. All of the above requires CCTV inspection camera and the balloons that the HEUREKA trade (the only one in the region of Slavonia and Baranja) will use to record and test water-tightness.

For comparison, Water Management Strategy states the levels of population connection to the water utility systems in other European countries as follows:

• public water supply: Austria 86%, 87% Czech Republic, Slovakia 83%, Slovenia 85%, Hungary 92%, Romania 63%,• public drainage: Austria 87%, Czech Republic 75%, Slovakia 55%, Slovenia 53%, Hungary 51%, Romania 48%• wastewater treatment plants: Austria 87%, Czech Republic 70%, Slovakia 50%, Slovenia 30%, Hungary 30%, Romania 27%.

The above listed data indicate the need for significant investment in the development of water supply municipal system in Croatia in order to gradually achieve the European requirements of the population connected to public water and sewer system. Particularly unfavourable condition of municipal infrastructure construction is in smaller settlements, up to 10,000 inhabitants (with more than 50% of the population), in which the public sewerage systems are generally not constructed. Such a condition will have a growing impact on the need to implement measures to protect drinking water, either by introducing an appropriate regime of areas in the zones of sanitary protection and/or application of technologically and economically demanding water treatment processes.

Economical and rational use of water is one of the basic principles of water management. Irrational use of water is the result of very high losses and undervalued (low) price, unpaid and illegal connection to the network. Assessment of existing conditions shows that the average loss of water in the public water supply network is very high and is estimated at around 40%. These losses are the result of obsolescence and lack of maintenance of the public water supply. The losses can be avoided by using adequate long-term equipment used by HEUREKA.

The HEPIC project will influence all the unfavourable statistics with its activities, which will, evidently, also be implemented after the official end of the project. This will improve the results in this complex area indicated by the earlier cited strategies, directives, laws, etc. Already, the HEUREKA trade business throughput the last three years shows a continuous, progressive growth (linear trend) of recording and testing sewer system. By the menas of CCTV inspection in year 2010 the HEUREKA trade had recorded 18.068,28 meters of sewage system, in 2011 it had recorded 16.062,89 meters, and in 2012 the figure reached an amount of 42.075,11 meters of sewer system. It is assumed that in the coming years, this figure will grow even more.

Furthermore, here are the results for balloon water-tightness testing during the last three years of trade business: in 2010 a total of 871,88 meters was examined, in 2011 396,98 meters, and the 2012 4670, 78 meters of sewer system. A visibly increased workload points to the legitimate need for new equipment, but also to the financial stability of the trade that will enable the same activities, only with a better quality in the future.

The financial sustainability of the project: The HEUREKA trade is financially stable, which can be proved by its current business, which is free of debt, etc. All future activities, as before, will be financed out of the HEUREKA trade’s their own income, but possibly also from EU structural instruments that have been announced, and other national and international financial sources such as EIB, EBRD, World Bank, etc., because really it is a project that certainly represents a common good. Institutional sustainability: This project definitely strengthens the HEUREKA trade, as well as the trade’s human resources.

Political sustainability: Since willingness and readiness of local and regional governments to accept the main tasks of the project is essential for its political sustainability, the project manager will seek to work closely with them. It is believed that, to them, the implementation of the HEPIC project is of particular interest, because those are the activities that will be imposed to the political authorities in the upcoming period.

This is indicated by documents, laws, strategies, directives, etc. that were previously mentioned in the description of the project. We believe that the experience of the craft and their studies will help local and regional government to use this experience in their future strategies, guidelines, laws, etc.

Environmental sustainability: In short, environment protection is the very basis of this project. To avoid repetition, everything previously mentioned proves the same. Purchasing CCTV cameras for inspection and balloons for testing water-tightness prevents unnecessary soil digging and reduces the losses and uncontrollable leakage of water into the underground (the shortage of water is increasing, and it is becoming more valuable), which threaten the man and his environment.

This publication has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of HEUREKA trade for measuring

research works of water supply and sewage system and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union.

Name: Stjepan StojanovićPhone: +385 31 300 636Fax: +385 31 300 745E-mail: heurekaosijek@gmail.co

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