The expansion of Shek Wu Hui Sewage
Treatment Works (SWHSTW) aims to increase the treatment capacity of the
existing SWHSTW to cope with the increasing wastewater flows and loads as a
result of the population growth in the catchment area of Fanling/Sheung Shui
and the committed extension of sewerage system to unsewered areas. It is considered as a project
constituting a material change to an exempted designated project under Schedule
2 of EIAO. Thus, the procedures under the EIAO have been followed and an
Environmental Monitoring and Audit (EM&A) Programme has to be carried
out. The present report documents the outcomes of the EM&A Works
undertaken between September and November 2007.
Breaches of
Action and Limit Levels
Noise
No
non-compliance of action/limit level was recorded at all monitoring stations
for noise during the reporting period.
1-hr TSP
No
non-compliance of action/limit level was recorded at all monitoring stations
for 1-hr TSP during the reporting period.
24-hr TSP
No
non-compliance of action/limit level was recorded at all monitoring stations
for 24-hr TSP during the reporting period.
Complaints
Log
During this
reporting period, no environmental complaint was received.
Notifications
of Any Summons and Successful Prosecutions
During the reporting period, no notification of summons or successful prosecution was recorded.
Reporting
Changes
There was no
reporting change during the reporting period.
Future Key
Issues
The construction activities for the coming
three months will include excavation
and backfilling, temporary work including installation of waling and struts,
driving and extraction of sheet piles, pile cap construction, sub-structure and
superstructure construction, pipe works, cable ducts installation, roofing and finishing work, Water
Tightness Test, installation of chequer plate and staircase, structural
steelwork with FRP covers and roadwork.
2.1
Basic Information
Shek Wu Hui Sewage Treatment Works (SWHSTW)
provides treatment to the wastewater generated from Fanling/Sheung Shui areas before
discharge it into Mai Po Inner Deep Bay Ramsar Site through River Indus and
Shenzhen River, thus helps protecting the water quality of River Indus,
Shenzhen River and Mai Po Inner Deep Bay Ramsar Site. The expansion of SWHSTW aims to expand the treatment capacity of
the existing SWHSTW to cope with the increasing wastewater flows and loads as a
result of the population growth in the catchment area of Fanling/Sheung Shui
and the committed extension of sewerage system to unsewered areas.
In accordance with Section 9(2)(g) of the Environmental Impact
Assessment Ordinance (EIAO), the SWHSTW is an exempted designated project as
the existing SWHSTW has been in operation before the EIAO came into effect on 1
April 1998. However, since the proposed works involve physical expansion and
alternation to the existing SWHSTW (hereafter called “the Project”) and may cause adverse
environmental impacts if mitigation measures are not in place, it shall be
considered as a project constituting a material change to an exempted
designated project under Schedule 2 of EIAO.
Hence the procedures under the
EIAO have been followed. A Project Profile (PP) for direct
application of the EP (Application No.DIR-121/2005) was approved by
Environmental Protection Department (EPD) in May 2005 and an environmental permit (EP-218/2005)
was obtained prior to the commencement of the expansion works.
Drainage Services Department (DSD) awarded the civil contract
of the expansion of SWHSTW to Maeda Corporation (Maeda) in September 2005. Maeda appointed Hyder Consulting Limited
(HCL) as the Contractor’s Environmental Team (ET) during
the construction period. CH2M HILL Hong
Kong Limited (formerly known as CH2M-IDC Hong Kong Limited) is the independent
environmental checker (IEC). The construction
contract commenced in September 2005 and the total construction period is
approximately 36 months. The notified commencement date of work to
the Director of EPD is 14 December 2005.
2.2
Management Structure and Project
Organisation
The
Engineer (DSD) is responsible for overseeing the construction works and
ensuring that they are undertaken by the Contractor (Maeda) in accordance with
the specification and contractual requirements. The Contractor shall report to the Engineer. The ET is employed by the Contractor and is
responsible for conducting the EM&A programme. The IEC shall advise the Engineer on the environmental issues
related to the Project.
The
key personnel contact names and telephone number are summarised in Table
2-1. The project organisation is shown
in Appendix 1.
|
Party
|
Position
|
Name
|
Telephone number
|
|
Project Proponent - DSD
|
Project Manager
|
Raymond Lee
|
2594 7457
|
|
Engineer’s Representative
|
Tim Tsoi
|
2594 7460
|
|
Contractor - Maeda
|
Site Agent
|
George Cheung
|
9268 1918
|
|
ET - Hyder
|
ET Leader
|
Alexi Bhanja
|
2911 2916
|
|
IEC – CH2M HILL
|
IEC
|
Y.T. Tang (designated)
|
3105 8686
|
Table 2-1 Key Personnel Contact Names and Telephone Number for the
Project
2.3
Construction
Programme
Construction
programme of the Project is attached in Appendix 2.
2.4
Works
Undertaken during the Reporting Quarter
Works
undertaken during the reporting period included:
§
Excavation
and backfilling;
§
Driving
and extraction of sheet piles;
§
Water
Tightness Test;
§
Substructure
and superstructure construction;
§
Pipe
laying;
§
Installation
of chequer plates and false ceiling; and
§
Finishing
work.
2.5
Status of Environmental
Permit/ Licence
The status of the Environmental
Permit/Licence for the Project is shown below.
|
Permit/Licence
|
Application Date
|
Date of issue
|
Ref. No.
|
Valid Until
|
|
Environmental Permit
|
21 May 2005
|
16 June 2005
|
EP-218/2005
|
End of Project
|
|
Notification was made to
EPD pursuant to Section 3(1) of the Air Pollution Control (Construction Dust)
Regulation (Form NA was submitted)
|
22 Sep 2005
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
End of Project
|
|
Registration as a chemical waste
producer
|
26 Sep 2005
|
4 Nov 2005
|
WPN: 5213-624-M2446-06
|
End of Project
|
|
Effluent
Discharge Licence
|
11
Nov 2005
|
20
Dec 2005
|
Licence
No.: W5/1I287/1
|
19
Dec 2010
|
|
Application
for Exemption Account for Disposal of Construction Waste
|
12
Dec 2005
|
Approved
by EPD on 31 Dec 2005
|
Application
No.: RN/00134
|
25
Sep 2008
|
|
Construction
Noise Permit
|
10
May 2007
|
23
May 2007
|
GW-RN0224-07
|
30
Nov 2007
|
Table 2-2 Status of Permit/Licence for the
Project
3.1
Project and
Work Area, Environmental Sensitive Receivers and
Monitoring Locations
The
site is located at the existing Shek Wu Hui Sewage Treatment Plant, next to
Chuk Wan Street. It has been subdivided into different Works
Areas/Portions as illustrated in Appendix 3. Project
area, environmental sensitive receivers and monitoring locations are shown in
Appendix 4.
4
Brief Summary
of EM&A Requirements
4.1
Monitoring
Parameters
4.1.1
Air Quality
During
the construction phase impact monitoring, 1-hour and 24-hour Total Suspended
Particulates (TSP) levels should be measured at the selected air
monitoring locations in accordance with the EM&A Manual. These two parameters are aimed to indicate the impacts of
construction dust on air quality.
4.1.2
Noise
The
construction noise level should be measured in terms of the
A-weighted equivalent continuous sound pressure level (Leq) for 30
minutes. Leq(30 min) is used as the monitoring parameter for the
period between 0700 and 1900 hours on normal weekdays. For all other time periods, three
consecutive Leq(5min) are employed for comparison with the Noise
Control Ordinance (NCO) criteria.
Other noise parameters such as L10 and L90
should
also be
obtained for reference.
4.2
Action and
Limit Levels
4.2.1
Air Quality
The
baseline monitoring results documented in the Baseline Monitoring Report for
the Project (our report ref.: EA01284R0012) form the basis for derivation of
the Action and Limit Levels for air quality impact monitoring. Appendix 5 shows the derived Action and
Limit Levels for the Project. If the
air quality criteria are exceeded due to the Project, the Event/Action Plan
summarised in Table 4-3 should be triggered immediately.
4.2.2
Noise
The
Action and Limit Levels for construction noise are defined in Appendix 5. If valid non-compliance of the criteria
occurs, actions in accordance with the Event and Action Plan in Table 4-4
should be implemented. If construction
works are undertaken during the restricted hours, a construction noise permit
under NCO shall be obtained by the Contractor.
4.3
Event and
Action Plans
The Event and Action Plans for air quality and noise
monitoring are shown in Tables 4-3 and 4-4, respectively.
EVENT
|
ACTION
|
|
ET
|
IEC
|
ER
|
CONTRACTOR
|
|
ACTION LEVEL
|
|
Exceedance for
one sample
|
·
Identify source, investigate the causes of exceedance and propose
remedial measures;
·
Inform IEC and ER;
·
Repeat measurement to confirm finding.
|
·
Check monitoring data submitted by ET;
·
Check Contractor’s working method.
|
·
Notify Contractor.
|
·
Rectify any unacceptable practice;
·
Amend working methods if appropriate.
|
|
Exceedance for
two or more consecutive samples
|
·
Identify source, investigate the cause of exceedance and propose remedial
measures;
·
Inform IEC and ER;
·
Advise ER on the effectiveness of the proposed remedial measures;
·
Repeat measurements to confirm findings;
·
Increase monitoring frequency to daily;
·
Discuss with IEC and Contractor on remedial actions required;
·
If exceedance continues, arrange meeting with IEC and ER;
·
If exceedance stops, cease additional monitoring.
|
·
Check monitoring data submitted by ET;
·
Check Contractor’s working method;
·
Discuss with ET and Contractor on possible remedial measures;
·
Advise the ET on the effectiveness of the proposed remedial measures;
·
Supervise Implementation of remedial measures.
|
·
Confirm receipt of notification of exceedance in writing;
·
Notify Contractor;
·
Ensure remedial measures properly implemented.
|
·
Submit proposals for remedial to ER within 3 working days of
notification;
·
Implement the agreed proposals;
·
Amend proposal if appropriate.
|
|
LIMIT LEVEL
|
|
Exceedance for
one sample
|
·
Identify source, investigate the causes of exceedance and propose
remedial measures;
·
Inform IEC, ER, Contractor and EPD;
·
Repeat measurement to confirm finding;
·
Increase monitoring frequency to daily;
·
Assess effectiveness of Contractor’s remedial actions and keep IEC,
EPD and ER informed of the results.
·
If exceedance stops, cease additional monitoring.
|
·
Check monitoring data submitted by ET;
·
Check Contractor’s working method;
·
Discuss with ET and Contractor on possible remedial measures;
·
Advise ER on the effectiveness of the proposed remedial measures;
·
Supervise implementation of remedial measures.
|
·
Confirm receipt of notification of exceedance in writing;
·
Notify Contractor;
·
Ensure remedial measures properly implemented.
|
·
Take immediate action to avoid further exceedance;
·
Submit proposals for remedial actions to IEC within 3 working days of
notification;
·
Implement the agreed proposals;
·
Amend proposal if appropriate.
|
|
Exceedance for
two or more consecutive samples
|
·
Notify IEC, ER, Contractor and EPD;
·
Identify source, investigate the cause of exceedance and propose remedial
measures;
·
Repeat measurement to confirm findings;
·
Increase monitoring frequency to daily;
·
Carry out analysis of Contractor’s working procedures to determine
possible mitigation to be implemented;
·
Arrange meeting with IEC and ER to discuss the remedial actions to be
taken;
·
Assess effectiveness of Contractor’s remedial actions and keep IEC,
EPD and ER informed of the results;
·
If exceedance stops, cease additional monitoring.
|
·
Discuss amongst ER, ET, and Contractor on the potential remedial
actions;
·
Review Contractor’s remedial actions whenever necessary to assure
their effectiveness and advise ER accordingly;
·
Supervise the implementation of remedial measures.
|
·
Confirm receipt of notification of exceedance in writing;
·
Notify Contractor;
·
In consultation with the IEC, agree with the Contractor on the
remedial measures to be implemented;
·
Ensure remedial measures properly implemented;
·
If exceedance continues, consider what portion of the work is responsible
and instruct the Contractor to stop that portion of work until the exceedance
is abated.
|
·
Take immediate action to avoid further exceedance;
·
Submit proposals for remedial actions to IEC within 3 working days of
notification;
·
Implement the agreed proposals;
·
Resubmit proposals if problem still not under control;
·
Stop the relevant portion of works as determined by ER until the
exceedance is abated.
|
Table
4-3 Event/
Action Plan for Air Quality Monitoring
EVENT
|
Action
|
|
ET
|
IEC
|
ER
|
CONTRACTOR
|
|
Action Level
|
·
Notify IEC and ER;
·
Carry out investigation;
·
Report the results of investigation to the
IEC, ER and Contractors;
·
Discuss with the Contractor and formulate
remedial measures;
·
Increase monitoring requrency to check
mitigation effectiveness.
|
·
Review the analysed results submitted by the
ET;
·
Review the proposed remedial measures by the
Contractor and advise the ER accordingly;
·
Supervise the implementation of remedial
measure.
|
·
Confirm receipt of notification of failure in
writing;
·
Notify Contractor;
·
Require Contractor to propose remedial
measures for the analysed noise problem;
·
Ensure remedial measures are properly implemented.
|
·
Submit noise mitigation proposal to IEC;
·
Implement noise mitigation proposals.
|
|
Limit Level
|
·
Identify source;
·
Inform IEC, ER, EPD and Contractor;
·
Repeat measurements to confirm findings;
·
Increase monitoring frequency to check mitigation
effectiveness;
·
Carry out analysis of Contractor’s working
procedures to determine possible mitigation to be implemented;
·
Inform IEC, ER and EPD the causes and actions
taken for the exceedances;
·
Assess effectiveness of Contractor’s remedial
actions and keep IEC, EPD and ER informed of the results;
·
If exceedance stops, cease additional
monitoring.
|
·
Discuss amongst ER, ET, and Contractor on the
potential remedial actions;
·
Review Contractors remedial actions whenever
necessary to assure their effectiveness and advise the ER accordingly;
·
Supervise the implementation of remedial
measures.
|
·
Confirm receipt of notification of failure in
writing;
·
Notify Contractor;
·
Require Contractor to propose remedial
measures for the analysed noise problem;
·
Ensure remedial measures properly
implemented;
·
If exceedance continues, consider what
portion of the work is responsible and instruct the Contractor to stop that
portion of work until the exceedance is abated.
|
·
Take immediate action to avoid further
exceedance;
·
Submit proposals for remedial actions to IEC
within 3 working days of notification;
·
Implement the agreed proposals;
·
Resubmit proposals if problem still not under
control;
·
Stop the relevant portion of works as
determined by th ER until the exceedance is abated.
|
Table
4-4 Event/
Action Plan for Noise Monitoring
4.4
Environmental
Mitigation Measures and Requirements
The
recommended measures for mitigating air quality, water quality, noise, waste and
all other possible environmental impacts due to the construction works have
been stated clearly in the EM&A Manual.
The details of the measures implemented by the Contractor are shown in
Appendix 6.
5
Implementation
Status of Environmental Protection and Pollution Control/ Mitigation Measures
The
status of the mitigation measures implemented by the Contractor is listed in
Appendix 6.
6.1
Graphical Plots of Monitoring Parameters
Graphical plots of the monitoring results are summarized in Appendix 7.
6.2
Factors
Which Might Affect the Monitoring Results
Dust from other sources such as roads with the movement of heavy vehicles
in the vicinity of the monitoring stations would affect the air quality
monitoring results.
7
Non-compliance, Complaints, Notifications of
Summons and Successful Prosecutions
7.1
Non-compliance of Action and Limit Levels
No
non-compliance of Action or Limit Level was recorded for air quality and noise
monitoring.
7.2
Complaints
Received
In
case of an environmental complaint received, all related parties should follow
the complaints response procedures specified in the EM&A Manual.
During
this reporting quarter, no environmental complaint was received. Cumulative number of environmental complaint
is shown in Appendix 8.
7.3
Notifications
of Summons and Successful Prosecutions
No notification of summons or
successful prosecution was recorded during the
reporting period. The cumulative
number of notifications of
summons and successful prosecutions are shown in Appendix 8.
7.4
Review of the
Reasons and Implications of Non-compliance, Complaints, Summons and
Prosecutions
7.4.1
Non-compliance
of Acton/Limit Level
No non-compliance was recorded during the reporting
period.
7.4.2
Complaints, Summons and Prosecutions
No complaints, summons and prosecutions were recorded during the reporting period.
7.5
Site Inspections
Weekly
site inspections have been carried out during the
reporting period. The findings
of the site inspections and appropriate mitigation measures were recorded in the
site inspection checklists. The
observations raised during the site inspections, corresponding recommendations
and rectification status are summarised in Table 7-5.
Inspection Date
|
Deficiencies
|
Recommendation
|
Status
|
Note / Reminder
|
|
5 September 2007
|
No
environmental deficiency was observed.
|
N.A.
|
N.A.
|
1.
The Contractor was
reminded to remove standing water accumulated on the drip tray near the site
office.
|
|
12 September 2007
|
No
environmental deficiency was observed.
|
N.A.
|
N.A.
|
1.
The Contractor was
reminded to replace the broken sandbags around the wastewater discharge point
to prevent surface runoff from direct flowing into manholes.
2.
The Contractor was
reminded to dispose of general refuse and C&D waste regularly.
|
|
19 September 2007
|
No
environmental deficiency was observed.
|
N.A.
|
N.A.
|
1.
The Contractor was
reminded to divert groundwater and surface runoff to silt removal facilities
prior to discharge and maintain sedimentation tank in good operating
condition.
2.
The Contractor was
reminded to replace broken sandbags that cover manholes.
|
|
25 September 2007
|
No
environmental deficiency was observed.
|
N.A.
|
N.A.
|
1.
The Contractor was
reminded to remove standing water around the sedimentation tank after rain
and also inspect and maintain the silt removal facilities on a regular basis.
2.
The Contractor was
reminded to provide drip trays to oil containers.
|
|
4 October 2007
|
1.
Silty water
discharge from sedimentation tank was observed.
|
1. The Contractor was reminded to clean the
sedimentation tank regularly and maintain the WetSep in good operation
condition.
|
1.
No silty water was
discharged as observed on 10 October 2007.
|
1. The
Contractor was reminded to remove oily water inside drip tray regularly and
treat it as chemical waste.
2.
The Contractor was
reminded to remove standing water regularly.
|
|
10 October 2007
|
No
environmental deficiency was observed.
|
N.A.
|
N.A.
|
1.
The Contractor was
reminded to remove standing water regularly.
2.
The Contractor was
reminded to provide water spray to dry haul road and open stockpiles.
3.
The Contractor was
reminded to wash the wheels of vehicles before the vehicles leave the site.
4.
The Contractor was
reminded to keep the wastewater discharge area free from silt and sand and
remove surface runoff around the sedimentation tank.
|
|
17 October 2007
|
No
environmental deficiency was observed.
|
N.A.
|
N.A.
|
1.
The Contractor was
reminded to wash the wheels of vehicles before the vehicles leave the site.
2.
The Contractor was reminded to increase
water spraying frequency to dry haul road.
3.
The Contractor was
reminded to collect unused water host around the wastewater treatment area.
|
|
25 October 2007
|
No
environmental deficiency was observed.
|
N.A.
|
N.A.
|
1.
The Contractor was
reminded to drain away any pond water accumulated inside the excavation
trench.
2.
The Contractor was
reminded to provide water spraying to dry stockpiles.
3.
The Contractor was
reminded to remove broken sandbags and any debris around manholes and cover
manholes to prevent debris directly flowing into manholes.
|
|
31 October 2007
|
No
environmental deficiency was observed.
|
N.A.
|
N.A.
|
1.The Contractor was reminded to clean vehicle wheels properly before
vehicles leave the site.
2.The Contractor was reminded to cover manholes properly and remove any
debris around manholes.
|
|
7 November 2007
|
1.
Mud trails
deposited on the public road around site exit was observed.
|
1.The
Contractor was reminded to remove the mud trails and wash the vehicle wheels
properly before vehicles leave the site.
|
1.
Mud trail
deposited on pubic road around the site exit had been cleared as observed on
14 November 2007.
|
N.A.
|
|
14 November 2007
|
1.
Dust generated by
vehicles movement was observed.
|
1.The Contractor was reminded to provide water spraying to dry haul road
regularly.
|
1.
Water spraying to
haul road was observed on 21 November 2007.
|
1.
The Contractor was
reminded to clean the WetSep regularly.
2.
The Contractor was
reminded to remove water ponds inside the site.
|
|
21 November 2007
|
No
environmental deficiency was observed.
|
N.A.
|
N.A.
|
1.
The Contractor was
reminded to wash the mud trail around the site entrance properly.
2. The Contractor was reminded to label the chemicals and provide
drip trays to chemicals on site.
3.
The Contractor was
reminded to provide water spraying to dry open stockpiles regularly.
|
|
28 November 2007
|
No
environmental deficiency was observed.
|
N.A.
|
N.A.
|
1.
The CNP will be
expired on 30 November 2007. The
Contractor was reminded to renew the CNP in the next month.
|
Table 7-5 Summaries of Site Inspections and Recommendations
EPD
inspections were undertaken on 26 October and 13 November 2007 in the
reporting period. During the site inspection in October 2007, general site
inspection was undertaken. No adverse comment was given. During the site inspection in November 2007,
EPD reminded the Contractor to enhance dust suppression measure during windy
season and ensure wastewater discharge through wastewater treatment facilities.
8
Waste
Management Status
According to the information provided by the
Contractor, Table 8-5 shows waste materials were generated during the reporting
period.
|
Type of Waste
|
September 07
|
October 07
|
November 07
|
|
Inert C&D material
(m3)
|
1326.45
|
1405.28
|
1099.16
|
|
General Refuse (m3)
|
58.5
|
84.5
|
143
|
|
Chemical waste (L)
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
Table 8-6 The
Quantity of Waste Generation
Inert
C&D materials were disposed of at Tuen Mun Area 38 Public Fill. General refuse was collected and disposed of
at NENT Landfill. No chemical waste was
produced during the reporting period.
Trip ticket system was implemented and disposal records were in order on
site. The Waste Management Plan was
followed.
9
Comments, Recommendations
and Conclusions
EM&A
works have been undertaken between September and November 2007 for the
Project based on the requirements set in the EM&A Manual.
All
monitoring equipments have been calibrated and all monitoring protocols have
been carried out properly according to the EM&A Manual.
No
valid exceedance of Action/Limit Level on air quality and noise was recorded
during the reporting period.
No
compliant, notification of summons or successful prosecution was recorded
during the reporting period.
The overall
EM&A programme is considered efficient during the reporting period and no
material and technical changes are considered necessary.
