1.4 ENVIRONMENTAL PARAMETERS TO BE MONITORED

1. introduction

1.1 Purpose of the Manual

1.1.1.1 The purpose of this Environmental Monitoring and Audit (EM&A) Manual is to guide the set up of an EM&A programme to ensure compliance with the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Study recommendations, to ensure the effectiveness of the recommended mitigation measures and to identify any further need for additional mitigation measures or remedial actions. This Manual outlines the monitoring and audit programme for the construction and operation phases of the proposed project, namely “Upgrading of Pillar Point Sewage Treatment Works” (hereinafter referred to as “the Project”). It aims to provide systematic procedures for monitoring, auditing and minimising environmental impacts associated with construction works and operational activities.

1.1.1.2 Hong Kong environmental regulations and the Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines have served as environmental standards and guidelines in the preparation of this Manual. In addition, the EM&A Manual has been prepared in accordance with the requirements stipulated in Annex 21 of the Technical Memorandum on the EIA Process (EIAO-TM).

1.1.1.1 This Manual contains the following information:

§ responsibilities of the Contractor^{Note 1}, the Supervising Officer (SO)^{Note 2}, the Supervising Officer’s Representative (SOR)^Note
2, Environmental Team (ET)^{Note 3}, the Independent Environmental Checker (IEC) and Drainage Services Department (DSD)^{Note 4} with respect to the environmental monitoring and audit requirements during the course of the Project.

§ project organisation for the Project

§ the basis for, and description of the broad approach underlying the EM&A programme

§ requirements with respect to the construction programme schedule and the necessary environmental monitoring and audit programme to track the varying environmental impact

§ details of the methodologies to be adopted, including all field, laboratories and analytical procedures, and details on quality assurance and quality control programme (e.g. calibration of monitoring equipment)

§ definition of Action and Limit levels

§ establishment of Event and Action plans

§ procedures for environmental complaints handling

§ requirements for reviewing pollution sources and working procedures required in the event of non-compliance with the environmental criteria and complaints

§ requirements for presentation of environmental monitoring and audit data and appropriate reporting procedures

§ requirements for review of EIA predictions and the effectiveness of the mitigation measures / environmental management systems and the EM&A programme

1.1.1.2 For the purpose of this manual, the ET leader, who shall be responsible for and in charge of the ET, shall refer to the person delegated the role of executing the EM&A requirements.

Note 1: The PPSTW Upgrading Works will be procured using a design-build-operation (DBO) contract form. Under such type of contract, the Contractor is required to design, build and operate the PPSTW. As such, the Contractor will be the constructor in the construction stage and will be the PPSTW operator in the operation stage.

Note 2: The PPSTW Upgrading Works will be procured using a design-build-operation (DBO) contract form. Under such type of contract, the contract administration and site supervision works are to be undertaken by the Supervising Officer (SO) and the Supervising Officer’s Representative (SOR), which are equivalent to the roles of the Engineer and the Engineer’s Representative respectively in traditional form of construction contracts.

Note 3: The Environmental Team, i.e. the Team Leader and his supporting staff, will be employed by the Contractor.

Note 4: The Employer of the contract will be the Government of HKSAR and DSD will be act on behalf of the Employer.

1.2 Project Description

Project Background

1.2.1.1 The existing Pillar Point Sewage Treatment Works (PPSTW) is a preliminary treatment works of 5.79 m³/s capacity. The operation of the existing PPSTW is to remove screenings followed by grit removal prior to discharging its effluent into the sea via twin submarine outfalls. Under the Review of the Tuen Mun and Tsing Yi Sewerage Master Plan (RTMTYSMP) commissioned in February 1999, the existing Pillar Point STW was recommended to be upgraded from preliminary treatment to chemical treatment with disinfection. The aim of the recommended upgrading works is to improve the effluent quality, and to meet the demand of future population and pollutant loads at ultimate development scenario.

1.2.1.2 The RTMTYSMP recommended the viability of the upgrading works to the PPSTW, which comprised the following:

Ÿ expanding the treatment capacity of the existing PPSTW to cope with the increased peak wet weather sewage flow under the ultimate development scenario to cater for the increase in population arising from the planned development in Tuen Mun area;

Ÿ upgrading the sewage treatment level of the existing PPSTW to incorporate chemical treatment with disinfection at minimum removal rates of 70%, 55% and 99.9% for suspended solids (SS), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and E. coli respectively;

Ÿ upgrading existing septic waste reception facilities at PPSTW; and

Ÿ providing and upgrading ancillary facilities including the administration building, workshop, laboratory, odour control facilities, sludge handling and dewatering facilities, access roads and minor landscaping works within the STW for the operation and maintenance of the upgraded STW.

1.2.1.3 The construction of the upgrading works and the operation and maintenance of the upgraded PPSTW will be implemented under a design-build-operate (DBO) contract arrangement and a preliminary design taking into account all the Project requirements is carried out.

Project Location

1.2.1.4 The Pillar Point Sewage Treatment Works (PPSTW) is located at north of the Tuen Mun River Trade Terminal bounded by Lung Mun Road at the north. The location of the Project is shown in Figure 1.1. Figure 1.2 shows the layout of the existing PPSTW. The open area adjacent to the existing PPSTW has been designated for the future upgrading of the treatment works.

Project Description

1.2.1.5 The technical review and evaluation of different treatment processes conducted for the Project recommended the following processes and these recommendations were adopted for development of the preliminary design:

Ÿ Chemically Enhanced Treatment Process (CEPT)

Ÿ Disinfection by UV irradiation

1.2.1.6 A preliminary layout plan for the upgraded PPSTW with the recommended treatment processes is shown in Figure 1.3. The EIA Study based on the preliminary design is to provide information on the nature and extent of environmental impacts arising from the construction and operation of the Project and related activities that take place concurrently.

1.2.1.7 The following projected design flows and loads based on the ultimate development scenario are recommended for the PPSTW upgrade:

· ADWF = 230,000 m³/day

· PWWF = 525,000 m³/day (6.08 m³/s)

· Average Influent Loads:

- TSS = 270 mg/l

- BOD = 280 mg/l

- COD = 940 mg/l

- TKN = 47 mg/l

- NH₃-N = 22 mg/l

- E. coli = 3 x 10⁷ no/100 ml

1.2.1.8 The recommended effluent standards are summarized in Table 1.1 below.

Table 1.1 Recommended Effluent Standards for Upgraded PPSTW

Parameters	Concentrations	Remarks	Concentrations	Remarks	Sampling Method	Sampling Frequency
TSS	80 mg/L	average	120 mg/L	95%ile	24-hour Composite	2 times a week
BOD₅	120 mg/L	average	180 mg/L	95%ile	24-hour Composite	2 times a week
E.coli	20,000 counts/100ml	geometric mean	300,000 counts/100ml	95%ile	Grab Sample	3 times a week

Remarks:

(a) The recommended sampling method and sampling frequency will be incorporated into the discharged license to be issued by EPD.

1.3 Project Programme

1.3.1.1 It is intended to implement the upgrading works of the PPSTW and to thereafter operate and maintain the whole of the STW under DBO contract arrangement. The DBO contract are currently scheduled to commence in April 2009 for completion of the construction in May 2012. The major construction activities for the Project would comprise site formation, excavation and backfilling, erection of formwork and reinforcement, concreting, fabrication of steelwork, and testing and commissioning.

1.4 Environmental Parameters to be Monitored

1.4.1.1 With reference to the recommendations made in the EIA Study, the environmental parameters to be monitored in construction and operation phases are presented as follows. The details of the proposed monitoring programme are presented in subsequent sections of this EM&A Manual.

Construction Phase

l Air quality (dust) impact monitoring

Operation Phase

l Air quality (odour) impact monitoring

l Water quality impact monitoring (for emergency discharge)

1.5 Project Organisation

1.5.1.1 The roles and responsibilities of the various parties involved in the construction phase and operation phase EM&A process and the implementation of the EM&A programme are outlined below. The proposed project organisation and lines of communication during construction and operation phases with respect to environmental protection works are shown in Figures 1.4 & 1.5, respectively.

Construction Phase

Supervising Officer (SO) and Supervising Officer’s Representative (SOR)

1.5.1.2 The term Supervising Officer (SO) and Supervising Officer’s Representative (SOR) refers to the organisation responsible for overseeing the construction works of the Project undertaken by the Contractor, and for ensuring that they are undertaken by the Contractor in accordance with the specification and contractual requirements. The SO and SOR should:

· Monitor the Contractor’s compliance with contract specifications, including the implementation and operation of the environmental mitigation measures and ensure their effectiveness, and other aspects of the EM&A programme

· Monitor the compliance of the Contractor, the ET and the IEC and ensure that the requirements in the Environmental Permit (EP) and EM&A Manual are fully complied with

· Provide assistance to the ET as necessary in the implementation of the EM&A programme

· Participate in joint site inspection undertaken by the ET and the IEC

· Comply with the agreed Event / Action Plan in the event of any exceedance

· Adhere to the procedures for carrying out complaint investigation

The Contractor

1.5.1.3 The term “Contractor” should be taken to mean all construction contractors and sub-contractors, working on site at any one time. Besides reporting to the SOR, the Contractor should:

· Work within the scope of the relevant contract and other tender conditions

· Provide assistance to the ET in carrying out monitoring

· Participate in the site inspections undertaken by the ET as required, and undertake any corrective actions

· Provide information / advice to the ET regarding works activities which may contribute, or be continuing to the generation of adverse environmental conditions

· Submit proposals on mitigation measures in case of exceedances of Action and Limit levels in accordance with the Event / Action Plans

· Implement measures to reduce impact where Action and Limit levels are exceeded

· Adhere to the procedures for carrying out complaint investigation

Independent Environmental Checker (IEC)

1.5.1.4 The Independent Environmental Checker (IEC) should not be in any way an associated body of the Contractor for the Project. The IEC should:

· Advise the SOR on environmental issues related to the Project, independent from the management of construction works, but empowered to audit the environmental performance of construction

· Provide proactive advice to the SOR and the Employer of the Project on environmental matters.

· Review and audit all aspects of the EM&A programme, including the implementation of environmental mitigation measures, submission relating to the EP and EM&A, and any other submission required under the EP and EM&A Manual

· Review and verify the monitoring data and all submissions relating to or under the EP and EM&A Manual submitted by the ET, including but not limited to the EM&A reports

· Monitor the implementation of the EM&A programme and the overall level of environmental performance being achieved

· Arrange and conduct regular, at least monthly site inspections of the works during construction phase, and ad hoc inspections if significant environmental problems are identified

· Comply with the agreed Event / Action Plan in the event of any exceedance

· Check and ensure the procedures for carrying out complaint investigation being followed and check the effectiveness of corrective measures

· Feedback audit results to ET by signing off relevant EM&A proforma

· Ensure the impact monitoring is conducted at the correct locations at the frequency identified in the EM&A Manual

· Check that the mitigation measures are effectively implemented

· Report the works conducted, the findings, recommendation and improvement of the site inspections, the findings, recommendation, and improvement after reviewing the ET’s and the Contractor’s works, and any advices to the SOR and the Employer of the Project on a monthly basis

Environmental Team (ET)

1.5.1.5 The ET shall be employed by the Contractor, and shall also be responsible to conduct the EM&A programme. The ET should be managed by the ET Leader. The ET Leader shall be a person who has at least 10 years’ experience in EM&A and have relevant professional qualifications. 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 of the Project. The ET shall report to the IEC and the SOR and the duties shall include:

· Monitor and audit various environmental parameters as required in this EM&A Manual

· Analyse the environmental monitoring and audit data and review the success of EM&A programme to cost-effectively confirm the adequacy of mitigation measures implemented and the validity of the EIA predictions and to identify any adverse environmental impacts arising

· Carry out regular site inspection to investigate and audit the Contractor’s site practice, equipment and work methodologies with respect to pollution control and environmental mitigation, and effect proactive action to pre-empt problems

· Monitor compliance with conditions in the EP, environmental protection, pollution prevention and control regulations and contract specifications

· Audit environmental monitoring data and site environmental conditions

· Report on the environmental monitoring and audit results to EPD, DSD, the SOR, the IEC and Contractor or their delegated representative

· Recommend suitable mitigation measures to the Contractor in the case of exceedance of Action and Limit levels in accordance with the Event and Action Plans

· Liaise with the IEC on all environmental performance matters and timely submit all relevant EM&A proforma for approval by the IEC

· Advise the Contractor on environmental improvement, awareness, enhancement matters, etc., on site

· Adhere to the procedures for carrying out complaint investigation

· Timely submit the EM&A Reports to the EPD, DSD, SOR and IEC.

1.5.1.6 Sufficient and suitably qualified professional and technical staff should be employed to ensure full compliance with their duties and responsibilities, as required under the EM&A programme during the construction phase of the Project.

Operation Phase

1.5.1.7 Under the DBO contract, the Contractor will be responsible for the operation of the upgraded PPSTW. The Contractor will ensure the conditions of the Environmental Permit during its operation. The Environmental Team employed by the Contractor should carry out the monitoring works during the EM&A programme period for the odour and water quality monitoring as required in this EM&A Manual. During the EM&A programme period, the IEC is required to undertake his duties and responsibility as stated in Section 1.5.1.4.

1.5.1.8 The Environmental Team shall be managed by the Environmental Team Leader to analyze the monitoring results. The Environmental Team Leader shall be a person who has at least 10 years’ experience in EM&A and have relevant professional qualifications. Suitably qualified staff should be included in the Environmental Team, and resources for the implementation of the monitoring programme should be allocated in time under the Contract, to enable fulfillment of the Project’s monitoring requirements as specified in the EM&A Manual during operation of the Project. The Environmental Team should:

· Monitor various environmental parameters as required in this EM&A Manual

· Report on the environmental monitoring results to the Contractor, the SOR, the IEC and DSD

· Analyze monitoring results collected from the monitoring works

· Prepare Water Quality Monitoring Report to provide the water quality impact evaluation results to the Contractor, the SOR, the IEC and DSD

· Prepare Odour Monitoring Report to provide the odour impact evaluation results to the Contractor, the SOR, the IEC and DSD

· Recommend suitable actions to the Contractor, the IEC and the SOR in case of exceedance of any assessment criteria for water quality and odour.

1.5.1.9 During the EM&A programme period in the operation phase, the SO and SOR will be responsible for monitoring the compliance of the Contractor, the Environmental Team and the IEC and ensuring the effectiveness of the environmental mitigation measures implemented by the Contractor. The IEC should monitor the EM&A programme and review and verify the monitoring data and all submissions relating to or under the EP and EM&A Manual submitted by the Environmental Team.

1.6 Structure of the Report

1.6.1.1 Following this introductory section, the structure of the EM&A Manual is set out below:

· Section 2 details the requirements for impact monitoring for dust during the construction phase and for odour during the operation phase.

· Section 3 details the requirements for baseline and impact monitoring for water quality during the operation phase.

· Section 4 details the audit requirements with regard to waste management issues during the construction phase.

· Section 5 details the requirements with regard to landscape and visual issues.

· Section 6 describes the scope of environmental auditing and the complaints handling procedure.

· Section 7 details the EM&A reporting requirements.