1.1.1.1 The purpose of this Environmental Monitoring and Audit (EM&A) Manual is to guide the setup of an EM&A programme to ensure compliance with the recommendations in the "EIA Study for the Upgrading and Expansion of San Wai STW and the Expansion of Ha Tsuen PS", to assess the effectiveness of the recommended mitigation measures and to identify any further need for additional mitigation measures or remedial action. This Manual outlines the monitoring and audit programme to be undertaken for the construction and operation of the Project. It aims to provide systematic procedures for monitoring, auditing and minimising of the environmental impacts associated with the construction and operation works.
1.1.1.2 Hong Kong environmental regulations for air quality, water quality, noise, and waste; the Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines (HKPSG); and recommendations in the EIA report have served as environmental standards and guidelines in the preparation of this Manual.
1.1.1.3 This Manual contains the following:
a. duties of the Environmental Team (ET) with respect to the
environmental monitoring and audit requirements during construction;
b. information on project organisation and programming of construction and
operational activities for the project;
c. requirements with respect to the construction and operation schedule and the
necessary environmental monitoring and audit programme to track the varying
environmental impact;
d. definition of Action and Limit levels;
e. establishment of event and action plans;
f. requirements of reviewing pollution sources and working procedures required
in the event of non-compliance of the environmental criteria; and
g. requirements of presentation of environmental monitoring and audit data and
appropriate reporting procedures.
1.1.1.4 For the purpose of this Manual, the "Engineer" should refer to the Engineer as defined in the Contract and the Engineer's Representative (ER), in cases where the Engineer's powers have been delegated to the ER, in accordance with the Contract. The ET leader, who should be responsible for and in charge of the ET, should refer to the person delegated the role of executing the environmental monitoring and audit requirements.
1.2 Description of the Project
1.2.1.1 The Yuen Long and Kam Tin Sewerage Master Plan (YLKTSMP) was completed in early 1992. Subsequently, the Review of Yuen Long and Kam Tin Sewerage and Sewage Treatment Requirements (YLKTSMP Review) completed in early 1999 indicated that the original YLKTSMP needed to be revised to cater for the redistribution and increase of the future population in accordance with the latest Territorial Development Strategy Review (TDSR). The YLKTSMP Review recommended the Yuen Long and Kam Tin Sewerage and Sewage Disposal (YLKTSSD) scheme (Stage 1 and Stage 2) and the expansion and upgrading of the sewage treatment facilities at San Wai Sewage Treatment Works (STW) from preliminary treatment to chemically enhanced primary treatment (CEPT) with disinfection for the attainment of water quality objectives (WQO) on the aquatic environment in North West New Territories (NWNT).
1.2.1.2 Figure 1.1 shows the key elements recommended in the YLKTSMP Review and Figure 1.2 shows the locations of the existing NWNT effluent tunnel and Urmston Road outfall.
1.2.1.3 The YLKTSSD Stage 1 is to extend the existing sewerage network to the Au Tau and the Kam Tin / Shek Kong areas for the collection and conveyance of sewage generated therefrom. The current schedule for YLKTSSD Stage 1 is to commence the construction in 2003 for commissioning in 2006. The key items of YLKTSSD Stage 1 include:
Ø A trunk sewerage system consisting of gravity sewers,
ancillary pumping stations and rising mains from Kam Tin to the existing Yuen
Long STW, fed by branches from the Kam Tin, Pat Heung and Shek Kong areas;
Ø A sewage pumping station in the Sha Po Tsuen area and rising mains / sewers
leading to the above trunk sewerage system;
Ø Sewers in the Au Tau area; and
Ø An additional rising main from the existing Ha Tsuen pumping station to the
existing San Wai STW.
1.2.1.4 The YLKTSSD Stage 2 aims at phased implementation of sewerage extension in the NWNT to cope with the existing and planned developments. The current schedule for YLKTSSD Stage 2 is to commence the construction in 2005 for commissioning in 2007. The key items of YLKTSSD Stage 2 include:
Ø A pumping system for conveying treated effluent from Yuen
Long STW to San Wai STW;
Ø A trunk sewerage system consisting of gravity sewers, rising mains and
pumping stations for San Tin areas, for conveying the sewage to the Yuen Long
STW via another downstream trunk sewerage system;
Ø A trunk sewerage system consisting of gravity sewers, rising mains and
pumping stations for conveying sewage generated from Lau Fau Shan areas, to San
Wai STW; and
Ø A trunk sewerage system consisting of gravity sewers, rising mains and
pumping stations for Yuen Long South areas for collection and conveyance of
sewage generated from the areas to San Wai STW via another trunk sewerage system
and the existing Ha Tsuen Pumping Station; and
Ø A trunk sewerage system consisting of gravity sewers and a pumping station in
Pat Heung, for conveying the sewage to the planned Stage 1 trunk sewerage at the
downstream.
1.2.1.5 This project is to expand the sewage facilities at San Wai STW and Ha Tsuen Pumping Station to cater for the projected increase of population in NWNT and other planned developments in Yuen Long and Kam Tin areas and potential developments for Hung Shui Kiu whereas Hung Shui Kiu New Development Area (HSKNDA) is a proposed scheme, and upgrade the sewage treatment facilities at San Wai STW from preliminary treatment to CEPT with disinfection for the attainment of WQO on the aquatic environment in NWNT.
1.2.1.6 Figure 1.3 shows the locations of the key items of this project. The current schedule for these key items is to commence the construction in mid 2004 for commissioning in late 2007.
1.2.1.7 The upgrading and expansion of San Wai STW includes the following key items of works:
Ø Expand the preliminary treatment works at San Wai STW from
164,000 m3/d to 246,000 m3/d;
Ø Upgrade the preliminary treatment level at San Wai STW to CEPT;
Ø Add centralised disinfection at San Wai STW for the effluent after CEPT from
San Wai STW and effluent after secondary treatment from Yuen Long STW;
Ø Construct and operate an emergency bypass culvert, from San Wai STW to nearby
drainage channel, in order to provide an alternative discharge route for San Wai
STW in an emergency event when the NWNT effluent tunnel is out of operation; and
Ø Rearrange the existing preliminary treatment facilities of San Wai STW to
conform to the upgraded treatment works layout.
1.2.1.8 The layout plan of the existing and the upgraded and expanded San Wai STW are shown in Figure 1.4.
1.2.1.9 The expansion of Ha Tsuen Pumping Station involves mainly expanding pumping capacity from 164,000 m3/d to 246,000 m3/d. The layout plan of the existing and the expanded Ha Tsuen Pumping Station are shown in Figure 1.5.
1.3 Environment Monitoring and Audit Requirements
1.3.1.1 The construction and operational phases impacts of the project are assessed and presented in the EIA Report. The EIA Report also specified the recommended environmental mitigation measures to minimise the potential adverse environmental impacts identified. An implementation schedule of the recommended environmental mitigation measures is prepared as part of the EIA Study and is contained in Appendix A of this Manual.
1.3.1.2 In order to ensure that the mitigation measures recommended in EIA Report are implemented fully and resulted in the expected effectiveness, this Manual defines the scope of EM&A requirements for the construction and operation of the San Wai STW and Ha Tsuen PS in order to achieve satisfactory environmental performance. The EM&A requirements are prepared in accordance with the requirements stipulated in Annex 21 of the TM on EIA Process.
1.4.1.1 The project organisation and lines of communication with respect to environmental protection works are shown in Figure 1.6. The roles and responsibilities of the various parties involved are described in following sections.
Environmental Team (ET)
1.4.1.2 The ET leader and the ET should not be in any way an associated body of the Contractor. The ET should be led and managed by the ET leader. The ET leader should have relevant education, training, knowledge, experience and professional qualifications subject to approval of the Engineer's Representative and the Director of Environmental Protection (DEP).
1.4.1.3 Suitably qualified staff should be included in the ET, and resources for the implementation of the EM&A programme should be allocated in time under the Contract, to enable fulfilment of the project's EM&A requirements as specified in the EM&A Manual during construction and operation.
1.4.1.4 The ET leader and the ET are employed to conduct the EM&A programme and ensure the Contractor's compliance with the project's environmental performance requirements during construction and operation. The duties are:
a. sampling, analysis and statistical evaluation of monitoring
parameters with reference to the EIA report recommendations and requirements;
b. environmental site surveillance;
c. audit of compliance with environmental protection, and pollution prevention
and control regulations;
d. monitor the implementation of environmental mitigation measures;
e. monitor compliance with the environmental protection clauses/specifications
in the Contract;
f. review construction and operation programme and comment as necessary;
g. review construction and operation methodology and comment as necessary;
h. complaint investigation, evaluation and identification of corrective
measures;
i. liaison with Independent Environmental Checker (IEC) on all environmental
performance matters, and timely submission of all relevant EM&A proforma for
the approval by IEC;
j. advice to the Contractor on environment improvement, awareness, enhancement
matters, etc., on site and
k. timely submission of the EM&A report to the project proponent and the
DEP.
Contractor
1.4.1.5 The term "Contractors" should be taken to
mean all construction contractors, operators and sub-contractors, working on
site at any one time. Besides reporting to the Engineer, the Contractors should:
a. work within the scope of the relevant contract and other tender conditions;
b. participate in the site inspections undertaken by the ET, as required, and
undertake any correction actions instructed by the Engineer;
c. provide information/advice to the ET regarding works activities which may
contribute, or be continuing to the generation of adverse environmental
conditions;
d. implement measures to reduce impact whenever Action and Limit Levels are
exceeded; and
e. take responsibility and strictly adhere to the guidelines of the EM&A
programme and complementary protocols developed by their project staff.
Engineer or Engineer's Representative
1.4.1.6 The term Engineer, or Engineer's Representative (ER), refers to the organisation responsible for overseeing the construction works or operation of the San Wai STW and Ha Tsuen PS and 'monitoring' the works undertaken by the various Contractors, and for ensuring that they are undertaken by the Contractors in accordance with the specification and contractual requirements. The ER should:
a. Monitor the Contractors' compliance with contract
specifications, including the implementation and operation of environmental
mitigation measures and ensure their effectiveness, and other aspects of the EM&A
programme;
b. Comply with the agreed Event and Action Plan in the event of any exceedance;
c. Provide assistance to the ET as necessary in the implementation of the
environmental monitoring and auditing programme; and
d. Instruct the Contractors to follow the agreed protocols or those in the
Contract Specifications in the event of exceedances or complaints.
Independent Environmental Checker (IEC)
1.4.1.7 The IEC can serve as an individual independent of the Contractors to audit the overall EM&A program and report to the ER and DSD directly.
1.4.1.8 The IEC should advise the ER on environmental issues related to the project. The role of the IEC should be independent from the management of construction and operation activities, but he/she should be empowered to audit the environmental performance of construction and operation.
1.4.1.9 The IEC should be employed prior to commencement of construction of San Wai STW and Ha Tsuen PS. The IEC should have at least 7 years experience in EM&A or environmental management. The appointment of the IEC is subject to the approval of the ER.
1.4.1.10 The IEC should audit the overall EM&A programme including the implementation of all environmental mitigation measures, submissions relating to EM&A, and any other submission required under the this Manual.
1.4.1.11 In addition, the IEC should be responsible for verifying the environmental acceptability of permanent and temporary works, and relevant design plans.
1.4.1.12 The IEC should arrange and conduct monthly general site inspections of San Wai STW and Ha Tsuen PS during the construction period.
1.4.1.13 The IEC should ensure the impact monitoring is conducted according to the prescribed schedule at the correct locations.
1.4.1.14 The IEC should report the findings of the site inspections and other environmental performance reviews to DSD and EPD.
1.4.1.15 Appropriate resources should also be allocated under the Contractor and the ER to fulfil their duties specified in this Manual.
1.4.1.16 The main duty of the IEC is to carry out environmental audit of the construction and operation of the San Wai STW and Ha Tsuen PS; this should include, inter alia, the followings:
a. review and audit in an independent, objective and
professional manner in all aspects of the EM&A programme;
b. validate and confirm the accuracy of monitoring results, monitoring
equipment, monitoring locations, monitoring procedures and locations of
sensitive receivers;
c. carry out random sample check and audit on monitoring data and sampling
procedures, etc;
d. conduct random site inspection;
e. audit the EIA/Environmental Assessment recommendations and requirement
against the status of implementation of environmental protection measures on
site;
f. review the effectiveness of environmental mitigation measures and project
environmental performance;
g. on a need basis, verify and certify the environmental acceptability of the
permit holder's construction methodology (both temporary and permanent works),
relevant design plans and submissions under the environmental permit. Where
necessary, the IEC shall seek the least impact alternative in consultation with
Environmental Team (ET) leader and the permit holder;
h. verify the investigation results of complaint cases and the effectiveness of
corrective measures;
i. verify EM&A report that has been certified by the ET leader;
j. feedback audit results to ET/Permit Holder according to Event/Action Plan in
the EM&A manual.
1.5.1.1 The proposed schedule for the key project items is to commence the construction in mid 2004 and the proposed schedule for commissioning of San Wai STW and Ha Tsuen PS will be in late 2007.
1.5.1.2 The ET leader should make reference to the actual works progress and programme during the construction stage to schedule the EM&A works, and the Contractor should provide the respective information to the ET leader for formulating the EM&A schedule.