4                     WATER QUALITY

Introduction

4.1               The water quality assessment in the EIA Report concluded that the identified water quality impacts could be minimized by implementing the recommended mitigation measures for the construction works, such as control measures on surface runoff and drainage from the works areas to minimise construction runoff and proper site management and good housekeeping practices.  No unacceptable residual water quality impact was expected.  It was recommended that regular site inspections be undertaken to inspect the construction activities and works areas in order to ensure that the recommended mitigation measures are properly implemented

Construction Site Audits

4.2               Regular site audits will help to ensure that the recommended mitigation measures are properly implemented during the construction works.  It can also provide an effective means of control of any malpractices, and therefore achieve continual improvement of environmental performance on site.

Site Inspection

4.3               Site inspections should be carried out by the ET and should be based on the recommended mitigation measures for water pollution control.  In the event that the recommended mitigation measures are not fully or properly implemented, deficiency should be recorded and reported to the site management.  Suitable actions are to be carried out to:

 

Ÿ             Record the problems and investigate the causes;

Ÿ             Issue action notes to the Contractor who is responsible for the works;

Ÿ             Implement remedial and corrective actions immediately;

Ÿ             Re-inspect the site conditions upon completion of the remedial and corrective actions; and

Ÿ             Record the event and discuss with the Contractor for preventive actions.

Compliance Audits

4.4               Compliance audits are to be undertaken to ensure that a valid discharge licence has been issued by EPD prior to the discharge of effluent from the Project site.  If monitoring of the treated effluent quality from the works areas is required during the construction phase of the Project, the monitoring should be carried out in accordance with the WPCO licence which is under the ambit of the relevant Regional Office (RO) of EPD.  The audit results reflect whether the effluent quality is in compliance with the discharge licence requirements.  In the event  of non-compliance, suitable actions by the relevant parties should be undertaken to:

 

Ÿ             Notify the site management on the non-compliance;

Ÿ             Identify the sources of pollution;

Ÿ             Check the implementation status of the recommended mitigation measures;

Ÿ             Investigate the operating conditions of the on-site treatment systems;

Ÿ             Implement corrective and remedial actions to improve the effluent quality;

Ÿ             Increase monitoring frequency until the effluent quality is in compliance with the discharge licence requirements; and

Ÿ             Record the non-compliance and propose preventive measures.

Mitigation Measures

4.5               Mitigation measures for water quality control have been recommended in the EIA Report and summarized below. The implementation schedule of the recommended water quality mitigation measures is presented in Appendix A.

 

4.6               In the event of complaints, or non-compliance / area of improvement being observed, the ET and the Contractor should review the effectiveness of these mitigation measures, design alternative or additional mitigation measures as appropriate and propose to IEC for approval, and implement these alternative or additional measures.