1.
Basic
Project Information
1.1.
Background
1.1.1.
The proposed
Desalination Plant at Tseung Kwan O (DPTKO) will produce potable water with an
initial capacity of 135 million litres per day (MLD), expandable to an ultimate
capacity of 270 MLD in the future to provide a secure and alternative freshwater
resource complying with the World Health Organization (WHO) standards. The
plant will adopt the Seawater Reverse Osmosis (SWRO) technology, which
dominates the market due to its reliability and progressive reduction in cost
as the technology advances.
1.1.2.
Pursuant to
the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO), the Director of
Environmental Protection granted the Variation of Environmental Permit (No.
EP-503/2015/A) to Water Supplies Department (WSD) for the Project on 26 January
2018.
1.1.3.
The scope of
the Contract may be considered in brief, to consist of the laying of about 10km
long 1200mm diameter freshwater mains and the associated works along the
alignment of the Project as shown with the overall view in Appendix B.
1.2.
The
Reporting Scope
1.2.1. This is the 21st Quarterly EM&A Report for the
Project which summarizes the key findings of the EM&A programme during the
reporting period from 1 August 2023 to 31 October 2023.
1.2.2.
Contact
details of the key personnel are presented in Table 1.1 below:
Table 1.1 Contract Details of Key
Personnel
|
Party
|
Position
|
Name
|
Telephone no.
|
|
Penta-Ocean-Concentric
Joint Venture
|
Environmental
Officer
|
Calvin Chik
|
9863-5630
|
|
Acuity Sustainability
Consulting Limited
|
Environmental
Team Leader
|
Jacky Leung
|
2698-6833
|
|
ANewR Consulting
Limited
|
Independent
Environmental Checker
|
James Choi
|
2618-2831
|
1.3.
Summary
of Construction Works
1.3.1. Details of the major
construction works undertaken in this reporting quarter are shown in Table
1.2. The construction programme is presented in Appendix A.
Table 1.2 Summary of Construction
Works Undertaken in the Reporting Quarter
|
Location
|
Construction activities
carried in the reporting month
|
|
Wan Po Road and TKO Area 137
|
·
Hydrostatic
Pressure test
·
Water main
installation inside sleeve pipe
·
Trenchless
method (sleeve pipe)
·
Hydrostatic
Pressure test
·
Pipe
cleaning
|
|
TKO Promenade (Stage 1 Landfill) & Po
Yap Road Roundabout
|
·
Open
trench method
·
Chamber
Construction
·
Water main
installation inside sleeve pipe
·
Hydrostatic
Pressure test
·
Pipe
cleaning
|
|
HK Velodrome
|
·
Open
trench method
·
Water main
installation inside sleeve pipe
·
Hydrostatic
Pressure test
·
Pipe
cleaning
|
|
Po Lam Road South / Ling Hong Road
|
·
Open
trench method
·
Water main
installation inside sleeve pipe
·
Trenchless
method (sleeve pipe)
·
Pipe
cleaning
|
|
Tsui Lam Road / Abandoned Road
|
·
Open trench
method
·
Trenchless
method (sleeve pipe)
·
Hydrostatic
Pressure test
·
Pipe
cleaning
|
1.4.
Summary
of Construction Works
1.4.1. A summary of the valid permits,
licences, and /or notifications on environmental protection for this Project is
presented in Table 1.3.
Table
1.3 Summary of the Status of Valid Environmental Licence, Notification, Permit
and Documentations
|
Reference
No.
|
Valid Period
|
Status
|
Remark
|
|
From
|
To
|
|
Variation of
Environmental Permit
|
|
EP no.: EP-503/2015/A
|
--
|
--
|
Valid
|
N/A
|
|
Notification
of Construction Works under the Air Pollution Control (Construction Dust)
Regulation
|
|
423775
|
--
|
--
|
Valid
|
N/A
|
|
Chemical
Waste Producer Registration
|
|
5213-839-P3287-01
|
--
|
--
|
Valid
|
N/A
|
|
Billing
Account for Disposal of Construction Waste
|
|
A/C no.: 7029491
|
--
|
--
|
Valid
|
N/A
|
|
Water
Discharge Licence
|
|
WT00032336-2018
|
10 Dec 2018
|
31 Dec 2023
|
Valid
|
N/A
|
|
Construction
Noise Permit (CNP)
|
|
GW-RE0109-23
|
8 Feb 2023
|
31 Mar 2023
|
Expired
|
Po Shun Road near junction of
Wan Po Road
|
|
GW-RE0091-23
|
6 Feb 2023
|
29 Apr 2023
|
Expired
|
Construction site near
junction of Wan Po Road and Pung Loi Road
|
1.4.2.
The status
for all environmental aspects is presented Table 1.4.
Table 1.4 Summary of Status for
Key Environmental Aspects under the EM&A Manual
1.4.3.
Other than
the EM&A works by ET, regular environmental management meetings were
conducted in order to enhance environmental awareness and closely monitor the
environmental performance of the contractors.
1.4.4. The EM&A programme has been
implemented in accordance with the recommendations presented in the approved
EIA Report and the EM&A Manual. A summary of implementation status of the
environmental mitigation measures for the construction phase of the Project
during the reporting period is provided in Appendix C.
2.
Noise
Monitoring
2.1.
Monitoring
Requirements
2.1.1.
To ensure no
adverse noise impact, noise monitoring is recommended to be carried out within
300m radius from the nearby sensitive receivers (NSRs) during construction
phase. Referring to the EM&A Manual Section 4.1.2, the impact noise
monitoring should be carried out at all designated monitoring stations when
there are project-related construction activities undertaken within a radius of
300m from the monitoring stations.
2.2.
Monitoring
Parameter
2.2.1.
Impact noise
monitoring was conducted weekly in the reporting quarter between 0700-1900 on
normal weekdays. Construction
noise level was measured in terms of the A-weighted equivalent continuous sound
pressure level (LAeq). Leq 30min was used as the
monitoring parameter for the time period between 0700 and 1900 on normal
weekdays. Table 2.1 summarizes the monitoring parameters, frequency, and
duration of the impact noise monitoring.
Table 2.1 Noise Monitoring Parameters,
Time, Frequency and Duration
|
Time
|
Frequency
|
Duration
|
Parameters
|
|
Daytime
0700 – 1900
|
Once per week
|
Continuously in
Leq 5min/Leq
30min (average of 6 consecutive Leq 5min)
|
Leq, L10 & L90
|
2.2.2.
The
monitoring methodology and QA/QC procedure could be referring to Section 2.4 of
the Monthly EM&A Report.
2.3.
Monitoring
Location
2.3.1.
According to
the environmental findings detailed in the EIA report and Baseline Monitoring
Report, the designated locations for the construction noise monitoring are
listed in Table
2.2 and shown
in Figure 2.1 –
2.3.
Table 2.2 Designated Nosie Monitoring Station
|
NSR ID
|
Noise Sensitive
Receivers
|
Monitoring
Location
|
Position
|
|
NSR4
|
Creative
Secondary School
|
Roof Floor
|
1m from Façade
|
|
NSR24
|
PLK Laws
Foundation College
|
Pedestrian Road
on Ground Floor
|
Free-Field
|
|
NSR31
|
School of
Continuing and Professional Studies - CUHK
|
Roof Floor
|
1m from Façade
|
|
|
Figure 2.1 NSR4 Creative
Secondary School
|
|
|
Figure 2.2 NSR24 PLK Laws
Foundation College
|
|
|
Figure 2.3 NSR31 School of
Continuing and Professional Studies - CUHK
|
2.4.
Action
and Limit Level
2.4.1.
The
Action/Limit Levels are in line with the criteria of Practice Note for
Professional Persons (ProPECC PN 2/93) “Noise from Construction Activities –
Non-statutory Controls” and Technical Memorandum on Environmental Impact
Assessment Process issued by HKSAR Environmental Protection Department [“EPD”]
under the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance, Cap 499, S.16 are
presented in Table 2.3.
Table 2.3 Action and Limit Level for
Construction Noise Monitoring
|
Time Period
|
Action Level
|
Limit Level
|
|
0700 – 1900 on normal weekdays
|
When one documented complaint is received
from any one of the noise sensitive receivers
|
·
70 dB(A)
for school and
·
65 dB(A)
during examination period
|
|
Notes:
(a) Limits
specified in the GW-TM and IND-TM for construction and operation noise,
respectively.
|
2.5.
Monitoring
Results and Observation
2.5.1.
13 times of noise impact
monitoring were conducted as schedule in the reporting quarter at NSR4 Creative
Secondary School since projected-related construction activities were
undertaken within a radius of 300m from the monitoring location.
2.5.2.
No
construction works were conducted within 300m radius of NSR24 and NSR31. Thus,
no construction noise monitoring was carried out at NSR24 and NSR31 in the
reporting quarter.
2.5.3.
The
Graphical presentation of the construction noise monitoring results was shown
in Figure 2.4.
Figure 2.4 Graphical
presentation of the construction noise monitoring at NSR4
2.5.4.
No action or
limit level exceedance of construction noise monitoring was recorded in the
reporting quarter. Summary of exceedance could be referring to Appendix D.
2.5.5.
If non-compliance
occurred, actions as stated in Appendix F will be undertaken.
2.5.6.
The major
noise sources identified at the designated noise monitoring station were
vehicle movement near the Creative Secondary School.
3.
Waste
Management
3.1.
Mitigation
measure on waste management have been implemented in accordance with the
requirements of the EM&A Manual. Suitable C&D materials were reused
on-site, while the remaining C&D materials and non-inert wastes were
disposed at the public filling reception facilities and the landfills
respectively. The quantities disposed in the reporting quarter could be
referring to Appendix G.
4.
Summary of
Exceedance, Complaints, Notification of Summons and Prosecutions
4.1.
All
construction noise monitoring was conducted as schedule in the reporting
quarter. No Action or Limit Level exceedance was recorded in the reporting
quarter.
4.2.
Landfill gas
monitoring was carried out by the Registered Safety Officer of the Contractor
at the excavation locations and within the consultation zones. No Action or
Limit Level exceedance was recorded in the reporting quarter. Summary of
Exceedance could be referring to Appendix D.
4.3.
No environmental
complaint, notification of summons and prosecution was received in the
reporting quarter.
5.
EM&A Site
Inspection
5.1.
Site
inspections were carried out on a weekly basis to monitor the implementation of
proper environmental pollution control and mitigation measures under the Contract.
Three joint site inspections with IEC were
carried out on 21 August 2023, 22 September 2023 and 24 October 2023.
5.2.
Minor
deficiencies were observed during weekly site inspection. Key observations
during the site inspections are summarized in Table 5.1 – 5.3.
Table 5.1 Site Observations (August
2023)
|
Date
|
Environmental
Observations
|
Follow-up
Status
|
|
1 Aug 2023
|
The chemical container should be stored
in drip dray in Pit E.
|
The chemical was removed
|
|
9 Aug 2023
|
1. The drip tray should be provided to generator. (Pit O)
2. The empty chemical container should be properly disposed or
removed on site. (Pit O)
3. The smoke emission from the generator was observed during the
site inspection. The Contractor should repair the generator to reduce
emission. The Contractor also reminded that the smoke emission from the
plant shall not
exceed Shade 1 on Ringelmann Chart continuously for 30 seconds
at any time.
(Pit O1)
|
1. Generator was removed.
2. The chemical container was removed.
3. The generator was repaired to reduce the smoke emission.
|
|
16 Aug 2023
|
No major environmental deficiency was observed during site inspection.
|
N/A
|
|
21 Aug 2023
|
The oil container was found on the site area. The Contractor
should provide the
drip tray to store the oil container. (Pit O)
|
The oil container was removed.
|
|
30 Aug 2023
|
Drip tray should be provided for chemical container.
|
Chemical container was. removed.
|
Table 5.2 Site Observations (September
2023)
|
Date
|
Environmental Observations
|
Follow-up Status
|
|
5 Sept 2023
|
1. Rock breaker
should be placed on tarpaulin sheet (Pit D)
2. Paint leakage was observed (Pit D)
|
1. The rock breaker was removed.
2. Paint leakage was cleaned.
|
|
13 Sept 2023
|
1. Drip tray should be provided for chemical container (Pit D)
2. Stockpile of dusty materials should be covered with tarpaulin
sheet (Area A)
|
1. Chemical containers were removed.
2. Stockpile of dusty materials was covered with tarpaulin sheet.
|
|
22 Sept 2023
|
1. Sandbag should be
placed surrounding the drainage to prevent muddy water flowing into the
drainage in Pit D.
2. Chemical container should be placed on drip tray to prevent
ant leakage in Pit D and Shek Kok Road.
|
1. Sandbags were placed under the water safety barriers to
prevent muddy water flowing into the drainage.
2. Drip tray was provided.
|
|
29 Sept 2023
|
No major environmental deficiency was observed during site
inspection.
|
N/A
|
Table 5.3 Site Observations (October
2023)
|
Date
|
Environmental
Observations
|
Follow-up
Status
|
|
4 Oct 2023
|
Oil stain was found in the site (Creative School)
|
Oil stain was cleaned.
|
|
12 Oct 2023
|
Muddy water should not discharge directly to drainage. The Muddy
water should be treated before discharge (Pit D & Shek Kok Road)
|
The water pumping was stopped.
|
|
17 Oct 2023
|
Chemical should be stored properly /place it on drip tray in Pit
P
|
Chemical was placed on drip tray.
|
|
24 Oct 2023
|
No major environmental deficiency was observed during site
inspection.
|
N/A
|
|
31 Oct 2023
|
No major environmental deficiency was observed during site
inspection.
|
N/A
|
5.3.
According to
the EIA Study Report, Environmental Permit, contract documents and EM&A
Manual, the mitigation measures detailed in the documents should be implemented
as much as practical. An updated Implementation Status of Environmental
Mitigation Measures (EMIS) is provided in Appendix C.
6.
Landfill Gas
Monitoring
6.1.
Monitoring
Requirements
6.1.1.
In
accordance with Section 11 of the EM&A Manual, monitoring of landfill gas
is required for construction works within the 250m Consultation Zone. Part of
the desalination plant and the indicative area of natural slope mitigation
works fall within the SENT Landfill Extension Consultation Zone; and part of
the 1,200 mm diameter freshwater mains along Wan Po Road falls within the SENT
Landfill and SENT Landfill Extension Consultation Zones, TKO Stage II/III
Restored Landfill and TKO Stage I Restored Landfill Consultation Zones.
6.2.
Monitoring
Location
6.2.1.
Monitoring
of oxygen, methane, carbon dioxide and barometric pressure was performed for
excavations at 1m depth or more within the Consultation Zone.
6.2.2.
During
construction of works within the consultation zones, excavations of 1m depth or
more was monitored:
·
At the
ground surface before excavation commences;
·
Immediately
before any worker enters the excavation;
·
At the
beginning of each working day for the entire period when the excavation remains
open; and
·
Periodically
through the working day whilst workers are in the excavation.
6.2.3.
For
excavations between 300mm and 1m deep, measurements should be carried out:
·
Directly
after the excavation has been completed; and
·
Periodically
whilst the excavation remains open.
6.3.
Monitoring
Parameter
6.3.1.
Landfill Gas
monitoring was carried out to identify any migration between the landfill and
the Project and to ensure the safety of the construction, operation and
maintenance personnel working on-site, visitors and any other person within the
Project area.
6.3.2.
The
following parameters were monitored:
·
Oxygen;
·
Carbon
Dioxide;
·
Barometric
Pressure
·
Methane;
6.3.3.
The
monitoring methodology and equipment could be referring to Section 4.5 of the
Monthly Report.
6.4.
Action
and Limit Level
6.4.1.
Action and
Limit Level for landfill gas monitoring are presented in Table 6.1.
Table 6.1 Action and Limit Level for
Landfill Gas Monitoring
|
Parameters
|
Action Level
|
Limit Level
|
|
Oxygen (O2)
|
<19% O2
|
<19% O2
|
|
Methane (CH4)
|
>10% LEL
|
>20% LEL
|
|
Carbon Dioxide
(CO2)
|
>0.5% CO2
|
>1.5% CO2
|
6.5.
Monitoring
Result
6.5.1.
In the
reporting quarter, landfill gas monitoring was carried out by the Registered
Safety Officer of the Contractor at the excavation locations for 1008 times. No action or limit level exceedance was
recorded in the reporting quarter. The landfill gas monitoring results could be
referring to Appendix J of the Monthly EM&A Report.
7.
Conclusion
and Recommendations
7.1.
This is the 21st quarterly Environmental Monitoring
and Audit (EM&A) Summary Report prepared by ASCL. This report presents the
EM&A works carried out during the period of 1 August
2023 to 31 October 2023 in accordance with the EM&A Manual and the
requirement under EP-503/2015/A.
7.2.
13 times of noise impact
monitoring were conducted in the reporting quarter at NSR4 Creative Secondary
School since projected-related construction activities were undertaken within a
radius of 300m from the monitoring location.
7.3.
No Action or
Limit Level exceedance of construction noise was recorded during the reporting
quarter.
7.4.
No landfill
gas monitoring exceedance was recorded in the reporting quarter.
7.5.
Weekly
environmental site inspection was conducted during the reporting quarter. Minor
deficiencies were observed during site inspection and were rectified. The
environmental performance of the Project was therefore considered satisfactory.
7.6.
According to
the environmental site inspections performed in the reporting quarter, the
Contractor is reminded to pay attention on proper storage of chemical and maintaining
site tidiness. The Contractor is also reminded to consider the treatment of
wastewater from the construction site area.
7.7.
One (1) environmental
complaint was received in the reporting quarter
7.8.
No notification
of summons and prosecution was received in the reporting quarter.
7.9.
The ET will
keep track on the construction works to confirm compliance of environmental
requirements and the proper implementation of all necessary mitigation
measures.
7.10.
Statistics
on complaints and regulatory compliance are summarized in Appendix E.
