Appendix M - Complaint Log

 

Log Ref.

Location

Received Date

Details of Complaint

Investigation/Mitigation Action

Status

30825-1

Fish Pond No. 9

25 Aug 03

EPD received a complaint about the malodour emitted from dead fishes at ponds due to the Project on 23rd August 2003. EPD subsequently referred the complaint to the ET Leader of the Project on 25th August 2003.

The complaint was concerning malodour emitted from fish ponds next to Hung Mo Kiu on 23rd August 2003.

 

 

The ET contacted the complaint on 25th August 2003 and was told that the malodour was emitted from dead fishes in the ponds. The complaint said that the condition was alleviated as the said fish ponds were refilled with water on that day.

Information about the complaint was sent to the Contractor on 25th August 2003. The Contractor was requested to confirm the exact pond location with the complainant and propose mitigation measures for same case in the future.

The Contractor confirmed that the malodour was generated from pond No. 9 which is close to the Kam Tin River. The fish pond was refilled with water on 25th August 2003 and the condition was alleviated. The Contractor had made telephone conversation with the complaint and reported that the complainant was satisfied with the improved pond condition.

The ET had carried out a site investigation on 26th August 2003 and observed that the said fish pond was filled up with water and no malodour was emitted.

Closed

40112_16

Kong Tau Tsuen

12 Jan 04

16 Jan 04

EPD Ref.: EP3/N06/TW/1118-04

On 3rd, 5th, 10th and 15th January 2004, the EPD received a total of four environmental complaints about the dust nuisance produced from the site of the Project at Kong Tau Tsuen. The EPD referred the complaints to the IEC on 10th and 16th January 2004 and the IEC forwarded the complaints to the ET on 12th and 16th January 2004 respectively.

The investigation report was submitted to EPD on 27th January 2004.

According to IEC’s weekly site audit and ET’s monthly site audit in the concerned periods, no air quality violation was observed.

Kong Tau Tsuen itself is a designated dust monitoring station. Regular dust monitoring were conducted on 3rd, 5th, 6th, 9th, 12th, 13th, 15th and 16th January 2004. Although 1-hr TSP Action Level exceedances were recorded on 5th and 6th January 2004, the exceedances were due to poor ambient air quality but not the Project.

The 1-hr TSP Limit Level exceedance on 9th January 2004 was due to the operation of excavators and dump trucks. However, mitigation measures by (1) Increasing the frequency of watering of the concerned road; and (2) Washing the access road at the end of each day, were taken place and no further exceedance was recorded.

Closed

40113

Tai Shu Ha Road West

13 Jan 04

On 13th January 2004, the EPD received an environmental complaint about the exhaust gas emission from dump trucks parked in the Project at Tai Shu Ha Road West. The EPD referred the complaint to IEC and the IEC forwarded the complaint to the ET on the same day.

The investigation report was submitted to EPD on 30th January 2004.

For the 1-hr TSP monitoring on 13th January 2004, no Action/Limit Level exceedance was recorded in all designated monitoring stations of the Project.

According to IEC’s weekly site audit and ET’s monthly site audit in the concerned periods, no air quality violation was observed.

According to Contractor’s investigation and ET’s monthly site audit, Tai Shu Ha Road West itself is a dual lane road with double white line as the separator. No parking area is spaced at the construction site of the Project and in both sides of the road. Therefore, parking of dump trucks is impossible at Tai Shu Ha Road West.

There is also no evidence showing that the parked dump truck as complained was from the Project “Widening of Yuen Long Highway” or the captioned Project.

The exhaust gas emission might due to road traffic at Tai Sha Ha Road West other than parked dump trucks.

Closed

40116

Nam Sang Wai Road

16 Jan 04

EPD Ref.: EP3/N06/TW/771-04

On 12th January 2004, the EPD received an environmental complaint about the dust nuisance and deposit of soil from the Project at Nam Sang Wai Road. The EPD referred the complaint to IEC on 16th January 2004 and the IEC forwarded the complaint to the ET on the same day.

The investigation report was submitted to EPD on 30th January 2004.

For the 1-hr TSP monitoring on 12th January 2004, no Action/Limit Level exceedance was recorded at the monitoring station in Nam Sang Wai.

According to IEC’s weekly site audit and ET’s monthly site audit in the concerned periods, no air quality violation was observed.

Although lack of wheel washing facilities and dust emission were observed by EPD on 19th January 2004, the Contractor has provided temporary concrete paving and additional wheel washing facilities as the mitigation measures. The effectiveness of these mitigation measures have been confirmed as no Action/Limit Level exceedance records at ET’s designated dust monitoring on 19th, 20th, 21st and 26th January 2004.

Closed

40205

Kong Tau Tsuen

5 Feb 04

EPD Ref.: EP3/N06/TW/2050-04

On 4th February 2004, the EPD received an environmental complaint about the noise uisance produced from the Project near Kong Tau Tsuen and Sheung Yau Tin Tsuen. The EPD referred the complaint to the IEC on 4th February 2004 and the IEC forwarded the complaint to the ET on 5th February 2004.

The complaint was about the noise nuisance produced from loading/unloading activities by the lorries at the construction site. The complainant indicated that such noise problem had happened between 4:00am to 6:00am in the period of 20th January 2004 to 3rd February 2004.

The investigation report was submitted to EPD on 13th February 2004.

According to the information provided by the Contractor, there was no construction activity on the site in the duration as mentioned by the complainant. Instead, all of the construction activities were limited in the period of 7:00am to 7:00pm in each working day. Furthermore, the site was closed during Chinese New Year Holidays from 22nd to 25th January 2004. Since there was no construction activity on the site within the period as mentioned by the complainant, the ET and the Contractor has considered the allegation from the complainant was not due to the Project and the complaint was invalid.

Closed

40206

Castle Peak Road

6 Feb 04

EPD Ref.: EP3/N06/TW/2034-04

On 4th February 2004, the EPD received an environmental complaint about the muddy effluent produced from the Project near Au Tau at Castle Peak Road. The EPD referred the complaint to the IEC on 5th February 2004 and the IEC forwarded the complaint to the ET on 6th February 2004.

The investigation report was submitted to EPD on 17th February 2004.

According to the information provided by the Contractor, the construction site of “Pok Oi Hospital Extension” is located adjacent to the captioned project. There is no clear indication of the muddy effluent discharge from which construction site.

Since there was no clear evidence indicating that the muddy effluent was came from the Project, the ET and the Contractor has concluded that the effluent might not be due to the Project. In order to prevent the discharge of muddy effluent to public roads, the Contractor has employed a full-time labour to clean the site exit at Castle Peak Road during working hours. A close monitoring on the cleanliness is also provided by the Contractor.

Closed

40216

Yau Tin West Road

16 Feb 04

EPD Ref.: EP3/N06/TW/2622-04

On 13th February 2004, the EPD received an environmental complaint about the soil deposited with muddy water and dust nuisance from the Project at Yau Tin West Road. The EPD referred the complaint to the IEC on 16th February 2004 and the IEC forwarded the complaint to the ET on the same day.

The investigation report was submitted to EPD on 1st March 2004.

According to the site investigation by IEC and ET on 20th February 2004, no environmental deficiency was observed at Yau Tin West Road. The Contractor has revised the routing of haul road and provided a wheel washing facility at Yau Tin West Road in order to improve the situation. Based on the information provided by Mr. Li of EPD on 26th February 2004 at 4:05pm, the complainant has confirmed that the situation has been improved and the Contractor has washed the road regularly.

Closed

40309

Sheung Yau Tin Tsuen

9 Mar 04

EPD Ref.: EP3/N06/TW/4574-04

On 8th March 2004, the EPD received an environmental complaint about the dust nuisance due to the operation of dump trucks at Sheung Yau Tin Tsuen. The EPD referred the complaint to the IEC on 9th March 2004 and the IEC forwarded the complaint to the ET Leader on the same day for investigation.

The investigation report was submitted to EPD on 17th March 2004.

The Contractor has agreed with the complainant, Mr. Lam, and the following mitigation measures are applied:-

·            Routing of dump trucks is separated from the village access in order to minimize the dust nuisance to villagers;

·            Frequency of water spraying at both haul road and village access is increased;

·            Labours are employed to clear the muddy water; and

·            Wheel washing facilities are provided at the site entrance.

Closed

40316

Kong Tau Tsuen

16 Mar 04

EPD Ref.: EP3/N06/TW/5044-04

On 15th March 2004, the EPD received an environmental complaint about the dust nuisance at Kong Tau Tsuen produced from the construction site of the Project.  The EPD referred the complaints to the IEC on 16th March 2004 and the IEC forwarded the complaints to the ET Leader of the Project on the same day for investigation.

The investigation report was submitted to EPD on 25th March 2004.

Based on the information provided by the Contractor, the frequency of water spraying was increased in early morning times.

According to ET’s site inspection, no violation of air quality was observed at Kong Tau Tsuen.

No dust exceedance was recorded during regular monitoring.

The ET concluded that the dust nuisance was rectified and no further action is required.

Closed

40326_29

Tai Tong Road

26 Mar 04

29 Mar 04

EPD Ref.: EP3/N06/TW/6015-04; and EP3/N06/TW/6076-04

On 25th and 26th March 2004, the EPD received two environmental complaints about the dust nuisance due to insufficient wheel-washing at Tai Tong Road.  The EPD referred the complaints to the IEC on 26th and 27th March 2004 respectively and the IEC forwarded the complaints to the ET Leader of the Project on 26th and 29th March 2004 for investigation.

The investigation report was submitted to EPD on 31st March 2004

Based on the information provided the Contractor, concreting works were carried out on that period. Some vehicles leaving the site may cause dust nuisance during a short period of time. A full-time labour has been employed for wheel washing works at the site exit and a water truck would be used to clean the road surface if necessary.

The Contractor has implemented mitigation measures and no dust nuisance was observed in the ET’s latest site investigation.

Closed

40507

Chuk San Tsuen

7 May 04

EPD Ref.: EP3/N06/TW/6649-04

On 2 April 2004, the EPD received one environmental complaint about the wastewater discharged near Chuck San Tsuen.  The EPD referred the complaint to the IEC on 6th April 2004 and the IEC forwarded the complaint to the ET Leader of the Project on the same day for investigation. (Remarks: Due to a failure of fax delivery, the ET received the details of the captioned complaint on the monthly progress meeting at 7 May 2004.)

The investigation report was submitted to EPD on 12 May 2004.

Based on the information provided by the Contractor, the situation was due to a heavy rainstorm on the complaint date. A large volume of surface runoff flowed from upstream of the construction site, passing through an unpaved area and discharge to Chuk San Tsuen. The situation was rectified on the next day.

The Contractor has already provided all possible treatment facilities in order to prevent muddy water discharge. The captioned complaint is concluded as an exceptional incidence due to heavy rainstorm.

Closed

40615

Yeung Uk Tsuen

15 Jun 04

EPD Ref.: EP3/N06/TW/11909-04

On 15 June 2004, the EPD received one environmental complaint about the dust nuisance near Yeung Uk Tsuen.  The EPD referred the complaint to the IEC and the IEC forwarded the complaints to the ET Leader of the Project on the same day for investigation.

The investigation report was submitted to EPD on 24 June 2004.

The Contractor noted that the complaint was about the dust nuisance at a lotus pond near CH22+00(L). The pond owner concerned about disturbance to his lotus due to the backfilling activities.

The Contractor has implemented mitigation measures and no dust nuisance was observed in the ET’s latest site investigation.

Closed

40707

Tai Shu Ha West Road

7 Jul 04

EPD Ref.: EP3/N06/TW/13356-04

On 6 July 2004, the EPD received one environmental complaint about the muddy water from the construction site at Tai Shu Ha Road West.  The EPD referred the complaint to the IEC on 7 July 2004 and the IEC forwarded the complaints to the ET Leader of the Project on the same day for investigation.

The investigation report was submitted to EPD on 12 July 2004.

According to further discussion with the complainant, he concerned about the muddy water caused by dump trucks came from an access ramp during rainy days. Wetted mud was attached in the wheels of the dump truck and then deposited on the pedestrian road.

However, the access ramp and dump truck as mentioned by the complainant is belonging the Project of “Widening of Yuen Long Highway” but not the captioned project. Nevertheless, the Contractor will wash the road every time after rainstorm. Watering will be provided during sunny days in order to prevent dust nuisance.

Closed

40817

Kiu Hing Road

17 Aug 04

EPD Ref.: EP3/N06/RN/15829-04

On 9 August 2004, the EPD received one environmental complaint about the dust nuisance from the construction site of the Project near Kung Um Road.  The EPD referred the complaint to the IEC and the IEC forwarded the complaints to the ET Leader of the Project on 17 August 2004 for investigation.

The investigation report was submitted on 26 August 2004.

Having further discussion between ET and EPD, it is confirmed that the concerned area in the captioned complaint is Kiu Hing Road other than Kung Um Road.

According to ET’s investigation, the dump trucks and vehicles causing dust nuisance as mentioned by the complainant were unidentified.

During the site audits conducted by ET and IEC, no vehicle leaving the site was observed at Kiu Hing Road and site clearing and road washing was conducted by the Contractor of the captioned project only.

It is believed that the Contractor has provided wheel washing and road washing. However, particular incidents might happen due to violation by sub-contractors of the captioned project and other adjoining construction projects.

Closed

40830

Kung Um Road Nullah

30 Aug 04

EPD Ref.: EP3/N06/RN/15829-04

On 26 August 2004, the EPD received one environmental complaint about the muddy water found discharging into the nullah, which was suspected to be from the construction site of the Project  near Kung Um Road.  The EPD referred the complaint to IEC and the IEC forwarded the complaints to the ET Leader of the Project on 30 August 2004 for investigation.

The investigation report was submitted on 2 September 2004.

There are four construction sites locating near the nullah. This is no evident showing the muddy water as complained (i.e. on 9 and 10 August 2004) was due to which construction site.

The construction site of the captioned project is located at Kung Um Road but not Kiu Hing Road. On 11 August 2004, ET has conducted a site audit and a source of muddy water was found at Kung Um Road only, which was not due to the captioned project.

Closed

41213

Village Entrance of Kong Tau San Tsuen

13 December 04

EPD Ref.: EP3/N06/RN/25885-04

On 13 December 2004, the EPD received one environmental complaint about road obstruction during the operation water browser near the village entrance of Kong Tau San Tsuen. The EPD referred the complaint to IEC and the IEC forwarded the complaints to the ET Leader of the Project on 15 December 2004 for investigation.

The investigation report was submitted on 20 December 2004.

According to the Contractor, water browser was spraying water on the road section between subway and the village entrance of Kong Tau San Tsuen in order to suppress the dusty materials on ground to further prevent the fugitive dust emission from ground. During the operation of water browser, water was injected from truck to the road surface preventing and obstructing pedestrians/ villagers accessing to the village entrance directly.

The environmental complaint is not supported based on the available information from the EPO, the RSS and the Contractor. However, it is recommended that the Contractor should take special cares and attention to the passers-by in particular pedestrians/ villagers during the operation of water browser. The scale and coverage of spraying should be limited to allow sufficient access for the pedestrians and villagers whenever possible.

Closed

41229

Site Area Adjacent to Pok Oi Hospital

29 December 04

DSD ref.: DP/8/7070CD/DC0206/5

 

DSD received a public complaint on 29 December 2004 about the discharge of wheel washing water from construction site near Pok Oi Hospital to the pedestrian access road adjacent to Pok Oi Hospital. DSD subsequently referred the complaint to the IEC of the Project on 31 December 2004 and the IEC forwarded the complaint to the ET Leader of the Project on 20 January 2005 for investigation.

The investigation report was submitted on 3 February 2005.

The Contractor has taken action to control and ensure all the vehicles leaving the site have undergone the wheel washing process within the wheel washing facility immediately. The problem has been rectified immediately by the Contractor who has also informed the complainant afterwards.

The Contractor was reminded to confirm all the construction water including wheel washing water within site boundary and provide sufficient and adequate treatment before discharge.

The Contractor should strictly control all the vehicles leaving the site to complete the wheel washing process within the wheel washing facility in order to prevent the water flowing onto the footway.

Sufficient environmental training should also be provided to all vehicle drivers and worker who is responsible for wheel washing.

All relevant parties including RE, IEC and ET should monitor such item closely

Closed

50205

The existing channel connecting to box culvert BC11

5 February 2005

DSD’s Ref.: DP/8/7070CD/DC0206/88

On 5 February 2005, the DSD received an environmental complaint regarding the sediment deposited at the existing channel connecting to box culvert BC11. The DSD referred the complaint to the IEC on 7 February 2005 and the IEC forwarded the complaint to the ET Leader of the Project on 8 February 2005 for investigation.

The investigation report was submitted on 16 February 2005.

According to the Contractor, construction works for box culvert BC11 which will connect to the existing live channel has been conducted. In order to avoid the pollution of the water in such channel due to the Project during construction, a sandbag bund, a pump and a plastic conduit were provided to divert the water which beyond the site boundary to Access Ramp AR7. This is an acceptable mitigation measure to prevent the pollution of local water in channel.

The sandbag bund along the site boundary was provided to serve as a sump pit to collect the water in the channel. A layer of foam was formed on the surface layer of the accumulated water. Such layer of foam was formed due to the poor quality of water in live channel. It was also believed that such foam was wrongly considered as the sediment (as stated in the complaint) in the water.

However, the Contractor was reminded to clean and remove such layer of foam frequently to maintain a good house keeping on site. The Contractor should also spray the anti-mosquito repellent on the accumulated water if necessary.

Closed

51229

Ha Yau Tin Tsuen

23 December 2005

On 21 December 2005, the EPD received one environmental complaint regarding the construction dust at Ha Yau Tin Tsuen. The EPD referred the complaint to the IEC on 21 December 2005 and the IEC forwarded the complaint to the ET Leader of the Project on the same day for investigation.

The investigation report was submitted on 4 January 2006.

(Remarks: Due to the failure of email systems, the ET Leader received the notice of complaint on 23 December 2005.)

It is believed that the dust complaint was due to wind erosion by strong wind and low relative humidity. Although minor construction works were taken place near the complaint area, such activities are unexpected to be a main dust source. Furthermore, the Contractor has already provided measures on the complaint area and no major dust problem was identified during the site audit on 23 December 2005.

It is recommended the Contractor should take special precaution on all haul roads, stockpiles and dry surfaces during dry weather especially when strong wind exists.

Closed