8.1
Contaminated land refers to the land which has been polluted
by hazardous substances as a result of industrial operations carried out on the
site over a number of years. These
contaminants if present, may pose hazardous risks or cause adverse effects to
the land users and the nearby environment.
The implications of land contamination associated with the proposed
alignment of the West Island Line (WIL) and its designated works areas
(hereinafter called “Study Area”) (Figure
8.1 refers) have been assessed in accordance with the EIA Study Brief (No.
ESB-130/2005) in this Section.
8.2
”Guidance Note for
8.3
Further consideration of contamination issues is provided in
Section 3 (Potential Contaminated Land Issues) of Annex 19 “Guidelines for Assessment of Impact on Sites of Cultural
Heritage and Other Impacts” of the
Technical Memorandum on Environmental Impact Assessment Process (EIAO-TM).
8.4
In order to identify and evaluate the potential
contamination impacts associated with the Study Area, the following tasks have
been undertaken:
l
Desktop study to review the current and historical land
uses;
l
Acquisition of information related to potential land contamination
from Environmental Compliance Division of Environmental Protection Department
(EPD), Fire Services Department (FSD) and Lands Department (LD); and
l
Site reconnaissance to identify the existing land uses.
8.5
In addition, the following sources of information have been
collated and reviewed:
l
Aerial photographs from Lands Department along the WIL
alignment taken between 1945 and 2005;
l
Ground investigation (GI) reports from Civil Engineering and
Development Department (CEDD) Geotechnical Information Library;
l
l
Records and photographs from site visits.
8.6
The
8.7
Due to the extensive area covered by this Study, the nature
of materials in the sub-ground profile varies at different extent over the
region. A review of previous GI reports undertaken at or in the vicinity of the
Study Area was conducted to obtain information for the geological
conditions. Details of the reviewed GI
reports are listed as follows:
l
Route 7 – Sai Ying Pun to
Kennedy Town Land Based Site Investigation conducted by Bachy Soletanche Group
in 1992. (CEDD’s Geotechnical Information Unit Report No. 15959);
l
Proposed Open Space
Redevelopment at
l Site Investigation Report for 527 Queen’s Road West, Hong Kong conducted by Cheong Shun Construction & Engineering Co. in 1990. (CEDD’s Geotechnical Information Unit Report No. 16624);
l Report on Stability of Tunnels and Slopes at Sai Ying Pun School and Surrounding Area conducted by Government of Hong Kong Architectural Office in 1970. (CEDD’s Geotechnical Information Unit Report No. 39149);
l Proposed Commercial Building on I.L.6636 and R.P. of SS.3, S.C. of M.L. 71 at Nos. 6-8, Li Shing Street, Hong Kong conducted by Architactics in 1984. (CEDD’s Geotechnical Information Unit Report No. 11338);
l
Ground Investigation: Slope No. 11SW-A/CR253; C249; C259; C258;C283
l Boring Records No.27 Kennedy Town Praya, Hong Kong conducted by The Boring Engineering Ltd. in 1988. (CEDD’s Geotechnical Information Unit Report No. 16626);
l
Redevelopment of Sai Ying Pun Market
conducted by Geotechnics & Concrete Engineering (
l
Ground Investigation
Report –
New Elliot Salt Water Reservoirs
conducted by Vibro (H.K.) Limited in 1993;
l Report on Demolition and Decontamination Works at the Proposed Kennedy Town Comprehensive Development Area Site Stage 2 Site Investigation conducted by Vibro (HK) Limited in 2003. (CEDD’s Geotechnical Information Unit Report No. 39214);
l Report on Strategic Sewage Disposal Scheme Site investigation – Land Works conducted by Vibro (HK) Limited in 2003. (CEDD’s Geotechnical Information Unit Report No. 17479);
l Report on Site investigation – Upgraded Connaught road & Ancillary Roadworks conducted Bachy Soletanche Group in 1983. (CEDD’s Geotechnical Information Unit Report No. 6567);
l Report on Drainage Improvement in Northern Hong Kong Island, Sheung Wan Stormwater pumping Station conducted Bachy Soletanche Group in 2001. (CEDD’s Geotechnical Information Unit Report No. 6567); and
l Report on Redevelopment of Mount Davis Cottage Area and Kennedy Town Police married Quarter planning and Engineering Feasibility Study conducted Bachy Soletanche Group in 1997. (CEDD’s Geotechnical Information Unit Report No.28795).
Geological Setting
KET Section
8.8
The main rock type along the KET Section mainly comprises
undivided coarse ash crystal turf of Tai Mo Shan Formation which is under the
group of sedimentary and volcanic rocks.
Marine sand of Hang Hau Formation is found at the works area of the
UNI Section
8.9
Along the alignment from
SYP Section
8.10
From
Hydrogeology
8.11
According to the general topography of the Study Area and
the groundwater levels recorded in some of the reviewed GI reports, the general
groundwater pattern likely flows from south to north i.e. from the Pok Fu Lam
Country Park towards the
8.12
For the Magazine Site in particular, the general groundwater
pattern likely flowing from northeast to southwest was reported in the previous
GI reports. The elevation of groundwater level varies from around +48mPD near Chee Sing Kok Social Centre to +10mPD near the coast.
8.13
Landuse information of the Study Area was obtained by
reviewing relevant historical aerial photographs, as listed in Table 8.1.
Table 8.1 Reviewed
Historical Aerial Photographs
Year |
Ref. No |
Height (ft) |
|
1945 |
4029 |
-- |
|
1949 |
6130 |
-- |
|
1949 |
6027 |
8600 |
|
1972 |
1824 |
2500 |
|
1976 |
15091 |
1400 |
|
1980 |
32036 |
5500 |
|
1981 |
37118 |
4000 |
|
1985 |
A00408 |
2000 |
|
1986 |
A04062 |
2000 |
|
1991 |
A27667 |
4000 |
|
1995 |
A42039 |
7000 |
|
1996 |
CN14060 |
4000 |
|
1996 |
CN15688 |
5000 |
|
1999 |
CN25698 |
8000 |
|
2000 |
CN27423 |
4000 |
|
2005 |
CW63580 |
8000 |
Source: Survey and
Mapping Office, Lands Department
8.14
In KET Section, the historical
aerial photographs in Appendix 8.1
showed that Kennedy Town Abattoir already existed in 1972 and the Kennedy Town
Wholesale Market was also found next to the Kennedy Town Abattoir around that
year. In 1990s, the wholesale market was demolished and the site was
transformed to open space/public car park. In 1999, part of the car park was
modified as sitting out area adjacent to
8.15
In UNI Section, aerial
photographs in Appendix 8.1 showed
that the main campus buildings of
8.16
In SYP Section, major land use pattern in this area over the
last 5 decades has been mainly used for residential/commercial purposes. The urban
redevelopment carried out in 1980s and 1990s have transformed the street
markets and old terraced houses to new apartment blocks.
8.17
Several phases of reclamation
over the waterfront area along the whole WIL alignment are noted. In KET
Section, the reclamation for Kennedy Town Abattoir Pier was carried out before
1970s and reclaimed land on this area was further extended from early 1970s to
mid-1970s. The land from Kennedy Town Praya to Western District Public Cargo
Handling Area was formed in 1990s. In 1980s, the existing land for western
wholesale food market all along to the Sheung Wan Bus
Terminus facing
8.18
Specific information, including (1) records of registered
chemical waste producers (CWP), (2) current and past registration of dangerous
goods (DG) records and (3) historical records of chemical or dangerous goods
spillage/leakage, have been requested from the FSD and the Regional Office
(South) of EPD.
8.19
According to FSD and EPD, a number of land uses in vicinity
of the Study Area have been registered for storage of DG or CWP and the details
are incorporated into Tables 8.2 to 8.4. No incident of spillage or leakage of dangerous goods
was recorded in the ground floor level within the Study Area.
8.20
An inquiry letter was also sent to Lands Department to
acquire information about the current and past land uses within the Study Area.
Lands Department replied that there was no available information concerning land
uses within the Study Area.
8.21
Most of the construction works, mainly tunnelling, would be
carried out underground. Apart from the tunnelling work, there are over 20
proposed ‘Works Areas’, some of which may involve surface excavation works.
Details of the activities proposed at each Works Area can be referred to
Section 2. Land contamination may be
of concern at those locations assigned for ‘Works Area with Surface
Excavation’. The locations are shown in
Figures 8.2 to 8.5.
8.22
Site visits were conducted in March 2006 and December 2007
to ascertain the existing land uses and identify any potential contamination
sites along the proposed WIL alignment and the relevant works areas.
KET Section
Alignment
and Associated Subways/Entrances
8.23
Not much development was
identified along this Section except some residential buildings observed from
the west-end of the alignment (along underground overrun tunnel) to the
proposed KET Station. For the areas at or close to the KET Station, the development
is more compact with mixture of land uses, i.e. combination of residential and
commercial uses. Other minor land uses including institutions, industries and
recreational areas were also identified under this KET Section.
8.24
Several industrial buildings
adjacent to the alignment were identified, including Kwong Ga Factory Building
& Yiu Ga Factory Building at
8.25
Several car repairing workshops
located at the ground floor of residential buildings were observed during the
site inspection. These are the industries which have been identified as having
potential for causing land contamination. Details and brief evaluation on
necessity of site investigation at the potential contaminated areas within the
KET Section are given in Table 8.2.
Works Areas
8.26
Five works areas with surface
excavation, namely MA, A, B, C and D, were identified within the KET section. Works Area MA was an undeveloped site with
approximate area of
8.27
As discussed in Section
2.87-2.98, the KET Abattoir Site at Works Area
B would have no potential contamination
concern.
8.28
Works
Area C (~
UNI Section
Alignment
and Associated Subways/Entrances
8.29
Residential and institutional buildings are the major land
uses along this UNI Section. The academic buildings of the
Works Areas
8.30
A total of nine works areas (namely E, F, G, H, I, J, J1, J2
& J3) were identified within the UNI Section.
8.31
Works Area E located on the waterfront is the Public Cargo
Working Area (PCWA) with an approximate area of 7,452m2. This site
is being used for material storages e.g. oil drum/bamboo and bulk cargo handling
by using mobile cranes as observed during the site inspection. Land
contamination is suspected with details given in Table 8.3.
8.32
Works Area F proposed for future contractor’s site
facilities only involves a small land area (~1,081m2) at the public road
outside Western District PCWA. Works Area G (8,850m2) is a car park
as well as a site office of Highways Department with excavation works proposed
under this Study. No sign of contamination was identified at these two works
areas.
8.33
Works Areas H, I and J are all roadside amenity/gardens with
approximate areas 350m2, 4,015m2 and 1,360m2
respectively. Footways, slopes and public facilities were found at Works Areas
J1 (~808m2), J2 (~1,025m2) and J3 (~791m2).
All these works areas (H, I, J and J1-3) with excavation works proposed under
this Study were identified without contaminative activities being carried out.
SYP Section
Alignment
and Associated Subways/Entrances
8.34
Residential/Commercial buildings are the majority land uses
over the SYP Section. There are quite a number of small car repairing/serving
workshops identified at the ground floor of the buildings. Details
of the potential contaminated workshops within the SYP Section are given in Table 8.4.
Works Areas
8.35
Eleven Works Areas (namely K, L, L1, M, M1, M2, M3, N1,
O1-3) are identified at the SYP Section.
Most of these sites are currently used for recreational purposes.
Surrounding these works areas are mostly for residential or
Government/Institutions and Community (G/IC) uses.
8.36
Works Area K (~488m2) is a vacant site and Works
Area L (~590m2) is a playground.
There would be no surface excavation works proposed at these two areas
in this Study.
8.37
Works Areas L1 (~900m2) and N1 (~2,879m2)
are children’s playgrounds at
8.38
Works Areas O1 (~
8.39
Based on the findings from the desktop studies and site
inspection, potential land contamination areas are identified and discussed in Tables 8.2 to 8.4 with their locations
shown in Figures 8.2 to 8.4.
Table 8.2
Site ID |
Potential Contaminative
Use/Activity |
Site Descriptions |
Potential Contamination Impacts
to the Proposed Project Areas |
Need for Site Investigation (SI) |
1 |
|
The swimming pool complex (i.e. Works Area D) is proposed to be
demolished in order to provide space for future KET Station and public
transport interchange. As observed from the site, there was an approved aboveground storage
tank for Category.3 dangerous goods (hydrochloric acid) on the ground floor
of the swimming pool facing |
No spillage or leakage was recorded by the site personnel/FSD/EPD. The
tank is above ground and possibility of any hidden leakage is very low. The storage room was kept in good condition and no sign of
contamination was observed. Potential contamination impact to the project
area is not likely. |
No |
2 |
Express Auto Care |
The workshop (~ |
Both workshops have good housekeeping. No apparent stain was observed
on the intact concrete ground surface. No spillage or leakage was recorded by
the site personnel/FSD/EPD at these sites. Both sites would not encroach upon the proposed tunnel alignment or
any works area. Potential impact in relation to land contamination on the project area
would not be expected. |
No |
3 |
United Motor Service Limited |
The workshop (~ Only low concentration detergents were used for car washing and the
wastewater generated during the washing process would have been collected in
the drainage channels around the car washing area and directed to public
sewer. |
||
4 |
|
This site contained three major areas, including Kennedy Town
Abattoir, Kennedy Town Incineration Plant and a public car park. |
As
discussed in Section 2.87-2.98, the KET Abattoir
Site at Works Area B would
have no potential contamination concern. |
No |
5 |
New Wold First Bus Depot |
This site located adjacent to the Works Area B – Kennedy Town Abattoir
Site has been used for bus maintenance and refueling. As observed, an
aboveground diesel tank (~45,500L) registered with FSD was located near the
entrance of the Kennedy Town Incinerator Plant. Oil stain was found on the
concrete paved ground under two dispensers. This site has been registered with EPD as a chemical waste producer.
During the site inspection, 3 drums of waste oil with drip trays underneath
were placed inside a registered chemical waste storage area. 5 drums of
lubricating oil (each with 208L) were also observed near the aboveground
diesel tank without containment or drip trays. |
This site is potentially contaminated with reference to the approved
EIA Report – Demolition of Buildings
and Structures in the proposed No direct contamination impact to this Project since the Bus Depot is
not located within the Study Area. |
No |
Table 8.3
Site ID |
Potential Contaminative
Use/Activity |
Site Descriptions |
Potential Contamination Impacts to
the Proposed Project Areas |
Need for Site Investigation (SI) |
6 |
Western District Public Cargo
Working Area |
This site is approximately 7,452m2 in area and managed by
the Marine Department. During the site visit, it was observed that a large quantity
of drums labeled with corn oil/ peanut oil/ groundnut oil without secondary
containment or drip trays were stored on site. Minor stains are observed at
the storage area. Mobile cranes were found on site for goods handling. |
This Site (Works Area E) is proposed to be a barging point for
transporting out spoil only. No surface excavation or construction would be
undertaken at this site. Potential impact in respect of land contamination
would not be anticipated. |
No |
7 |
Refuelling Area for Vessels |
This site has been used for vessel refueling. Heavy oil stain was
observed on the concrete ground surface.
|
This Site does not fall into the WIL Study Area but it is located
adjacent to the Works Area E – Western District Public Cargo Working Area. Significant land contamination
concern to this project is not anticipated because no surface excavation
works would be undertaken at the adjacent Works Area E. |
No |
Table 8.4
Site ID |
Potential Contaminative
Use/Activity |
Site Descriptions |
Potential Contamination Impacts
to the Proposed Project Areas |
Need for Site Investigation (SI) |
|
|
|
|
|
8 |
Victory Motor Services Centre |
The
site is a motor vehicles repairing workshop with site area approximately 60m2.
According to EPD’s record, it has been registered as a chemical waste
producer for generation of lubricating oil. The site was generally found tidy
during the site visit and no
apparent oil stain was observed from the concrete paved ground. |
The workshop is neither upon at any works area nor on the proposed
alignment. It is located about 45m horizontally away from the nearest point of the
proposed WIL tunnel or 20m from the surface excavation area at The site has no chemical/fuel spillage recorded. No apparent stain was
observed inside the workshop. Possibility of
contaminant migration, if any, through the concrete slab to the soil
underneath and then to the Study Area is considered unlikely. |
No |
9 |
Zhung Wang Motor Co. |
The workshop with approximate area of 60 m2 is used for
private vehicles maintenance. Small amount
of lubricating oil and engine oil would be used for day to day operation. The vehicle repairing area was found with
apparent oil stain on the ground surface which is paved with concrete. |
The proposed SYP Station is approximately 50 m underneath the ground
surface. No surface excavation would be carried out close to this workshop. Although the workshop is close to the proposed tunnel alignment,
possibility of contaminant migrated down to 50m to the proposed station
elevation would be very unlikely in view of the fact that this site has no
underground facilities, intact concrete surface is present and only small
amount of oil would be used. Potential contamination impact to the proposed tunnel level is not
suspected. |
No |
10 |
Tune Works Motors Co. |
This site with an area of ~ |
No sign of contamination is suspected at this site. |
No |
11 |
Lytte Motors Company |
This
workshop with an area of ~ 60m2 is used for repairing of motor vehicles. The workshop is close to the
proposed subway extending to the
entrance C. This site
has been registered with EPD as a chemical waste producer. The major waste
produced is spent lubricating oil. Good housekeeping is maintained at this
site and no apparent stain was observed from the concrete paved ground at the
time of site visit. |
No sign of contamination is suspected at this site. |
No |
12 |
Otto Motor Service |
The workshop (~ 60m2) is used for motor services. According
to EPD’s record, it has been registered as a chemical waste producer for lubricating
oil. Minor oil stain was observed on concrete paved ground at discrete areas
during the site visit. Since only small amount of lubricating oil/solvents would be used at
this site, no large-scale spillage incident was recorded from EPD/FSD. No underground
facilities are present at this location. The
workshop is close to the proposed subway
extending to the entrance C(~70m below ground), possibility of contaminant
migration down to the subway elevation level is not expected taking into
account the type of trade, quantity of chemicals used and daily site
activities. |
Potential contamination impact
to the proposed subway level is thus not suspected. |
No |
13 |
Super Lion Enterprises Limited |
A storage room labeled with “Category 4 Dangerous Goods” was observed
on the ground floor of the Queen’s Terrace building. According to FSD’s
record, the site stores 1,000L of Sodium Hypochlorite Solution (Category 4 DG
in drums) and 1,000L of Sodium Hydroxide Solution (Category 3. DG in drums).
Date of first issue for both DG is on 10 April 2003. |
The DG storage for both solutions at the site is ~3 years. No spillage
or leakage was recorded by EPD/FSD. As the chemicals are stored in drums (above
ground), hidden leakage would not be expected. The storage area is about 40m horizontally away from the tunnel
alignment. The proposed underground tunnel is about 15-20m below ground at
that section. Significant land contamination impact imposed on the tunneling area is
not anticipated. |
No |
8.40
As
illustrated above, most of the identified potential contaminative land uses within
or in vicinity of the proposed Study Area are vehicle services and maintenance
workshops (such as Site ID 2, 3, 8-12). Significant land contamination caused
by the workshops would not be likely taking in account the appearance of
current site condition, scale of the business of the workshops and the proposed
tunnel depth underground.
8.41
Significant
land contamination impacts from Site ID 1, 5, 6 and 7 are also unlikely because
(1) good condition/maintenance was kept in Site ID 1, (2) no direct contamination
was found at Site ID 5 where the site was found not to be located within the
Study area and (3) no surface excavation or construction would be undertaken at
Sites ID 6 and 7.
8.42
The land
contamination aspects for Site ID 4 (i.e. the Kennedy Town Abattoir Site) had
been adequately addressed in the previous EIA study Demolition of Buildings and Structures in the Proposed Kennedy Town
Comprehensive Development Area Site and the EIA report was approved in
April 2002. According to this approved EIA report, land contamination issues
were identified at this site. Demolition and clearance of surface structures
within the Abattoir Site was being carried out by CEDD. Upon completion of these works, a concrete
paving layer of not less than
8.43
An investigation of the historical/current land uses in
respect of land contamination, including a desk-top review and site inspection,
has been conducted around the proposed WIL alignment and Works Areas. The
results indicated that most of the potential contaminated sites identified at
the site inspection are not likely to pose any significant and direct impacts
to the Project. Therefore, no site
investigation or further assessment would be required.