9.
environmental monitoring & audit
9.1
Introduction
9.1.1.1
This
section further elaborates the recommended environmental monitoring and audit
(EM&A) requirements for the construction and operation phases of the
Project, based on the assessment findings of the various environmental
issues. The objectives of carrying out
EM&A for the Project include the following:
§
Provide a database against which any short or
long term environmental impacts of the Project can be determined.
§
Provide an early indication should any of the
environmental control measures or practices fail to achieve the acceptable
standards.
§
Monitor the performance of the Project and the
effectiveness of mitigation measures.
§
Verify the environmental impacts predicted in
the EIA Study.
§
Determine project compliance with regulatory
requirements, standards and government policies.
§
Take remedial action if unexpected problems or
unacceptable impacts arise.
§
Provide data to enable an environmental audit.
§
Provide real-time reporting of monitoring data
through a dedicated internet website.
9.1.1.2
Details
of the specific requirements are presented in a stand-alone EM&A Manual.
9.2
Air Quality Impact
9.2.1.1
Potential
dust impacts would be generated from site clearance, excavation, materials
handling and wind erosion. The
construction works are controlled by the Air Pollution Control (Construction
Dust) Regulation, and mitigation measures such as watering are required under
the regulation to limit dust emission.
Dust monitoring requirements have been recommended in the EM&A
Manual to ensure that the mitigation measures are properly implemented and are
effective.
9.2.1.2
The
predicted air quality during the upgraded PPSTW operation at the ASRs would
comply with the odour criteria with the implementation of proposed odour
mitigation measures. It is recommended
that odour patrol should be carried out during the operation phase to ensure
that the proposed odour control measures would be effectively implemented. Details of the monitoring programme are
presented in the EM&A Manual.
9.3
Water Quality Impact
9.3.1.1
Marine water quality monitoring
is recommended
during and after any temporary discharge of untreated effluent from PPSTW. A six-month baseline monitoring programme
covering both dry and wet seasons is proposed at a frequency of once per month
to establish the baseline water quality conditions at selected monitoring
points during normal operation of the Project.
In case of emergency discharge, daily marine water monitoring should be
conducted throughout the whole discharge period until the normal water quality resumes
after the normal plant operation is restored.
Monitoring of effluent quality is also recommended for operational stage
and under the perspective of the WPCO.
9.3.1.2
A Post-Project Monitoring (PPM)
programme will be implemented to confirm the water quality predictions made in
the EIA report. The PPM programme will
be developed under separate consultancy study.
A general outline of the PPM requirements is given in the standalone
EM&A Manual. The extent of PPM
programme will be subject to the prevailing environmental conditions at the
time before commissioning of the Project.
Details of the monitoring programme are given in the EM&A Manual.
9.4
Waste Management
Implications
9.4.1.1
Waste
management will be the contractor’s responsibility to ensure that all wastes produced
during the construction of the Project are handled, stored and disposed of in
accordance with the recommended good waste management practices and EPD’s
regulations and requirements. The mitigation measures recommended in Section 7
should form the basis of the site Waste Management Plan to be developed by the
Contractor at the construction stage.
9.4.1.2
It is recommended that the
waste arisings generated during the construction activities should be audited
periodically to determine if wastes are being managed in accordance with
approved procedures and the site Waste Management Plan. The audits should look
at all aspects of waste management including waste generation, storage, transport and disposal. In addition, the
routine site inspections should check the implementation of the recommended
good site practices and other waste management mitigation measures.
9.5
Landscape
and Visual Impact
Construction
Phase
9.5.1.1
A
baseline review should be undertaken upon award of the construction contract,
prior to commencement of the construction works. The purpose of the review is:
§
to check the status of the landscape resources
within and adjacent to the works site;
§
to determine whether or not any change has
occurred to the status of the landscape resources since the EIA study; and
§
to determine and to recommend amendments to the
design of the landscape and visual mitigation measures due to the above
changes, if any.
9.5.1.2
The landscape and visual
mitigation measures as described in Table 8.6 and Table 8.7 of the EIA Report
should be reviewed and duly incorporated in the detailed design, so as to
ensure that the adverse landscape and visual impacts will be of insubstantial
significance. The design, implementation and maintenance of
mitigation measures should be checked monthly. A Registered Landscape Architect with
construction site experience should be responsible for supervising the
landscape works during the Construction Phase and the Establishment Period.
Operation
Phase
9.5.1.3
All landscape and visual
mitigation measures are recommended carry out monthly monitoring during the
first year of establishment period.