Revision History

 

 

 

 

CONTENT

 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.. 4

1      INTRODUCTION.. 6

1.1        Background. 6

1.2        Purpose of the Baseline Monitoring Report 8

1.3        Report Structure. 8

2      NOISE MONITORING.. 9

2.1        Monitoring Requirements 9

2.2        Noise Monitoring Parameters, Time, Frequency and Duration. 9

2.3        Noise Monitoring Locations 9

2.4        Baseline Monitoring Methodology. 11

2.5        Monitoring Equipment 11

2.6        Results and Observations 12

2.7        Action and Limit Levels 12

3      CONCLUSION.. 14

 

 

List of Appendix

Appendix A       Construction Programme

Appendix B       Monitoring Scheulde

Appendix C          Noise Monitoring Equipment Calibration Certificates

Appendix D          Baseline Monitoring Data (Noise)

 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The proposed Desalination Plant at Tseung Kwan O (DPTKO) will produce potable water with an initial capacity of 135 million liters per day (MLD), expandable to an ultimate capacity of 270 Mld in the future to provide a secure and alternative fresh water 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.

In accordance with the approved Environmental Monitoring and Audit Manual (EM&A Manual) for the Project, baseline environmental monitoring for noise impact should be conducted prior to the commencement of construction works. Pursuant to EP Condition 3.4, Baseline Monitoring Report shall be submitted to the Director of Environmental Protection at least 2 weeks before the commencement of construction of the Project. Baseline monitoring for noise impact was conducted according to the EM&A Manual before the commencement of construction works at selected locations at Tseung Kwan O (TKO).

Monitoring on 7/6/2018 & 8/6/2018 were cancelled due to typhoon (Strong Wind Signal, No. 3) and the adverse weather (i.e. strong wind and heavy rain) it brought along; monitoring on 12/6/2018 was cancelled due to amber rainstorm warning. Thus, additional monitoring on 12/6/2018,13/6/2018 were scheduled, and the monitoring on 12/6/2018 was further postponed to 14/6/2018.

Daily baseline noise monitoring for A-weighted levels L_eq, L₁₀ and L₉₀ were conducted in a sample period of 30 minutes during daytime (0700 – 1900 hrs). Details of the methodology, locations and results are presented in the report.

The baseline monitoring noise measured levels L_Aeq(30min.) on daytime (0700-1900 hrs) for the three Noise Sensitive Receivers (NSRs) range from 57.6 dB(A) – 72.6 dB(A). The baseline average levels, NSRs ID and Location are summarized as below. The baseline noise quality monitoring measurement and the result are recorded in Appendix D.

 

The baseline average levels as follows:

 

Daytime (0700-1900 hrs) LAeq(30min.)
NSR ID	Location	LAeq  (dB(A))	L10(dB(A))	L90 dB(A)
NSR4	Creative Secondary School	70.0	72.8	63.3
NSR24*	PLK Laws Foundation College	72.0	74.4	60.3
NSR31	School of Continuing and Professional Studies - CUHK	61.6	64.8	56.0

Remarks: *Free field correction +3dB(A) has been made for NSR24

 

 

Action and Limit Level Determination for Noise

 

Results of the baseline noise monitoring data are processed to provide Action Levels [“AL”] and Limit Levels [“LL”] as per the table below:

 

 

 

1.   INTRODUCTION

1.1         Background

1.1.1        Penta-Ocean-Concentric Joint Venture ["POCJV"] is contracted to carry out the Mainlaying works for the development of Desalination Plant at Tseung Kwan O (DPTKO) under Contract No. 13/WSD/16 (hereinafter known as “the Project”). In line with the requirements stated in the Project EM&A Manual, POCJV is required to conduct the noise monitoring.

1.1.2        Acuity Sustainability Consulting Limited. [“ASCL”] is commissioned by POCJV to assist POCJV to carry out the Noise Monitoring in fulfillment of the EPD’s EM&A Requirements.

1.1.3        Pursuant to the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO), the Director of Environmental Protection granted the further Environmental Permit (No. EP-503/2015/A) to Water Supplies Department (WSD) for this project.

1.1.4        The overall view of alignment of the Project is shown in Figure 1.1

 

 Figure 1.1 Overview of DPTKO

1.1.5        The updated construction programme is shown in Appendix A

1.2         Purpose of the Baseline Monitoring Report

1.2.1        The purposes of this Baseline Monitoring Report are to:

·        Summarise the findings of baseline noise monitoring; and

·        Establish the AL and LL in accordance with the EM&A Manual for the subsequent impact monitoring during the construction stage.

1.2.2        In accordance with the EM&A Manual, environmental baseline noise monitoring was carried out at three monitoring stations along the proposed alignment of the mainlaying works. This Baseline Monitoring Report contains baseline findings of these three monitoring stations.

1.3         Report Structure

1.3.1        This Baseline Monitoring Report comprises the following sections:

·        Section 1 introduces the background of the Project and purpose of this Report;

·        Section 2 presents the baseline monitoring methodologies, requirements, results, influencing factors, as well as determination of the AL and LL of noise; and

·        Section 3 concludes the findings of baseline monitoring.

 

 

2.   NOISE MONITORING

2          

2.1         Monitoring Requirements

2.1.1        To ensure no adverse noise impact, noise monitoring is recommended to be carried out at the nearby NSRs during the construction phase.

2.1.2        In accordance with the EM&A Manual, baseline noise monitoring should be conducted for at least two weeks to obtain background noise levels prior to the commissioning of major construction works.

2.2         Noise Monitoring Parameters, Time, Frequency and Duration

2.2.1        The construction noise level shall be measured in terms of the A-weighted equivalent continuous sound pressure level (L_eq,L₁₀.,L₉₀). At each designated monitoring location, measurements of 5-minutes A-weighted equivalent sound pressure level [“L_{eq 5min}”] between 0700-1900 hrs shall be carried out. These measured “L_{eq 5min}” shall be then combined into equivalent sound pressure level for 30-minutes period [“L_{eq 30min}”] for comparison with the Noise Control Ordinance (NCO) criteria. Table 2.1 summarizes the monitoring parameters, frequency and duration of the baseline noise monitoring. The monitoring schedule is provided in Appendix B.

 Table 2.1 Noise Monitoring Parameters, Time, Frequency and Duration

Time	Frequency	Duration	Parameters
Daytime: 0700-1900 hrs	Daily for at least 14 days	Continuously in Leq 5min/Leq 30min (average of 6 consecutive Leq 5min)	Leq, L10 & L90

 

2.3         Noise Monitoring Locations

2.3.1        According to the environmental findings detailed in the EIA report, the designated locations for the construction noise monitoring are listed in table 2.2.

Table 2.2 Noise Sensitive Receivers

NSR ID	Noise Sensitive Receivers	Monitoring Location	Position
NSR 4	Creative Secondary School	Roof Floor	1 m from facade
NSR 24	PLK Laws Foundation College	Pedestrian Road on Ground Floor	Free-field
NSR 31	School of Continuing and Professional Studies - CUHK	Roof Floor	1 m from facade

 

2.3.2        The monitoring locations should normally be made at a point 1m from the exterior of the NSRs building façade and be at a position 1.2m above the ground. A correction of +3dB(A) should be made to the free-field measurements.

2.3.3        Three practicable noise monitoring locations for noise measurement are proposed at the sensitive receivers as shown as in Figures 2.1 – 2.3 below:

Figure 2.1 NSR4 Creative Secondary School

5

Figure 2.2 NSR24 PLK Laws Foundation College

Figure 2.3 NSR31 School of Continuing and Professional Studies - CUHK

 

2.4         Baseline Monitoring Methodology

2.4.1        Baseline noise monitoring will be conducted for 14 consecutive days (Monday to Sunday). At each designated monitoring location, measurement of 30 minutes A-weighted equivalent sound pressure level [“L_eq(30min), L₁₀, L₉₀”] should be carried out between 0700 and 1900 hrs for daytime measurements. Six measured “L_eq(5min) will then be condensed into equivalent sound pressure level for 30-minutes period [“L_eq(30min)“] for comparison with the NCO criteria.

2.4.2        During the baseline monitoring, there shall not be any construction activities in the vicinity of the monitoring locations and in the project site. Any non-project related construction activities in the vicinity of the monitoring stations during the baseline monitoring shall be noted and the source and location of such activities should be recorded. In accordance to current good practice for drafting of the Environmental Management Plan (EMP), the LL for school should be 70 dB(A) and 65 dB(A) during examination period.

2.5         Monitoring Equipment

2.5.1        Integrated sound level meter shall be used for the noise monitoring.  The meter shall be in compliance with the International Electrotechnical Commission Publications 651: 1979 (Type 1) and 804: 1985 (Type 1) specifications. Immediately prior to and following each noise measurement the accuracy of the sound level meter shall be checked using an acoustic calibrator generating a known sound pressure level at a known frequency.  Measurements may be accepted as valid only if the calibration level before and after the noise measurements agree to within 1.0 dB(A). Calibration certificates of the instruments used are presented in Appendix C.

2.5.2        Noise measurements shall not be made in the presence of fog, rain, wind with a steady speed exceeding 5 m/s or wind with gusts exceeding 10 m/s. The wind speed shall be checked with a portable wind speed meter capable of measuring the wind speed in m/s.

Table 2.3 Baseline Noise Monitoring Equipment

Equipment	Brand and Model	Detection Limit
Sound Level Meter	Nti XL2	30-130 dB(A)
Sound Level Meter Calibrator	Rion NC-74	Nil
Pocket Wind Meter Anemometer	Kestrel 1000 Wind Meter	Nil

 

2.6         Results and Observations

2.6.1        Baseline monitoring for noise impact was conducted from 29/5/2018 to 14/6/2018. The baseline noise levels at Noise Monitoring Stations at TKO (i.e. NSR 4, 24 and 31) are summarized in Tables 2.4. Details of noise monitoring results are presented in Appendix D.

Table 2.4  Summary of Baseline Noise Monitoring Results

NSR ID	Noise in dB(A)
	Average			Range
	Leq 30min	L10 30min	L90 30min	Leq 30min	L10 30min	L90 30min
NSR 4	70.0	72.8	63.3	68.8-72.6	71.3-75.6	59.9-68.7
NSR 24*	72.0	74.4	60.3	68.8-74.9	70.9-77.0	56.5-64.6
NSR 31	61.6	64.8	56.0	57.6-69.1	60.0-72.2	51.4-60.5

Remarks: *Free field correction +3dB(A) has been made for NSR24

2.6.2        No construction activity was observed during the baseline monitoring. The major noise source at the monitoring station included the traffic noise and school activities. These noise sources are expected to exist in near future and throughout the construction period of the Project.

2.6.3        Monitoring on 7/6/2018 & 8/6/2018 were cancelled due to typhoon (Strong Wind Signal, No. 3) and the adverse weather (i.e. strong wind and heavy rain) it brought along; monitoring on 12/6/2018 was cancelled due to amber rainstorm warning. Thus, additional monitoring on 12/6/2018,13/6/2018 were scheduled, and the monitoring on 12/6/2018 was further postponed to 14/6/2018.

 

2.7         Action and Limit Levels

2.7.1        The AL and LL in line with the criteria of Practice Note for Professional Persons (ProPECC PN 2/93) “Noise from Construction Activities – Non-statutory Controls” ,Technical Memorandum on Environmental Impact Assessment Process issued by HKSAR Environmental Protection Department [“EPD”] under the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance, Cap 499, S.16 and EM&A Manual are presented in Table 2.4.

Table 2.4  Action and Limit Levels for Noise

Time Period	Action	Limit (dB(A))
0700-1900 hrs on normal weekdays	When one documented complaint is received from any one of the noise sensitive receivers or 75 dB(A) recorded at the monitoring station	·  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.

 

3.   CONCLUSION

3          

3.1         Baseline noise monitoring was carried out from 29/5/2018 to 14/6/2018 at three monitoring stations at TKO. All monitoring stations as specified in EM&A Manual were accessible and thus there is no revision for inclusion in the EM&A Manual.

 

3.2         At NSR31, the averaged baseline daytime noise monitoring results were below the criteria of 70dB(A) for educational premises. At NSR4 and NSR24, the averaged baseline daytime noise monitoring results were above criteria of 70dB (A) for educational premises. The measured level during impact monitoring will be adjusted by the below equation when exceeded the baseline level:

Adjusted Measure Level = 10* Log ( 10^( Measured Level *0.1)- 10^(Baseline                          Level*0.1))

 

3.3         Traffic noise and school activities were observed as the major noise sources affecting the noise background at the three monitoring stations.

 

3.4         The Action Level of construction noise is based on documented valid complaints received, while the Limit Level for each monitoring location is set at a specific limit according to EIAO-TM and the EM&A Manual. The high background noise level of NSR4 and NSR24 recorded from the baseline study will be taken into account for the future EM&A programme during impact monitoring at construction phase.

 

 

 

 

Appendix A: Construction Programme

 

 

 

 

Appendix B: Monitoring Scheulde

 

Baseline Noise Monitoring Schedule

 

Date and Monitoring Period			Noise Monitoring Minimum 30-minutes monitoring period during (0700 – 1900 hrs)
Tue	29/5/2018	09:00 – 12:00 (14:30 for NSR4)	Leq(30min), L10, L90
Wed	30/5/2018	09:00 – 12:00	Leq(30min), L10, L90
Thu	31/5/2018	09:00 – 12:00	Leq(30min), L10, L90
Fri	1/6/2018	09:00 – 12:00	Leq(30min), L10, L90
Sat	2/6/2018	12:00 – 15:00	Leq(30min), L10, L90
Sun	3/6/2018	12:00 – 15:00	Leq(30min), L10, L90
Mon	4/6/2018	12:00 – 17:00	Leq(30min), L10, L90
Tue	5/6/2018	12:00 – 17:00	Leq(30min), L10, L90
Wed	6/6/2018	15:00 – 18:00	Leq(30min), L10, L90
Thu	7/6/2018	15:00 – 18:00	Leq(30min), L10, L90
Fri	8/6/2018	15:00 – 18:00	Leq(30min), L10, L90
Sat	9/6/2018	15:00 – 18:00	Leq(30min), L10, L90
Sun	10/6/2018	09:00 – 12:00	Leq(30min), L10, L90
Mon	11/6/2018	13:30 – 16:30	Leq(30min), L10, L90
Tue	12/6/2018	15:00 – 18:00	Leq(30min), L10, L90
Wed	13/6/2018	15:00 – 18:00	Leq(30min), L10, L90
Thu	14/6/2018	15:00 – 18:00	Leq(30min), L10, L90

 

Remark:

1.     Monitoring on 7/6/2018 & 8/6/2018 were cancelled due to typhoon (Strong Wind Signal, No. 3) and the adverse weather (i.e. strong wind and heavy rain) it brought along; monitoring on 12/6/2018 was cancelled due to amber rainstorm warning. Thus, additional monitoring on 12/6/2018,13/6/2018 were scheduled, and the monitoring on 12/6/2018 was further postponed to 14/6/2018.

 

 

 

Appendix C: Noise Monitoring Equipment Calibration Certificates

 

 

 

 

Appendix D: Baseline Monitoring Data (Noise)

 

NSR ID:	NSR4
Baseline monitoring period:	29/5/2018 to 14/6/2018
Parameter :	Leq 30min, L10 30min ,L90 30min
Major Site Activities	No construction works were conducted in the vicinity during the monitoring period.
Major dust source	Nearby traffic and school activities
Other Factors	NA

 

 

NSR ID:	NSR24
Baseline monitoring period:	29/5/2018 to 14/6/2018
Parameter :	Leq 30min, L10 30min ,L90 30min
Major Site Activities	No construction works were conducted in the vicinity during the monitoring period.
Major dust source	Nearby traffic and school activities
Other Factors	NA

 

Date	Time	Weather	Leq-5min, dB(A)						L-30min, dB(A)	L10 -30min, dB(A)	L90 -30min, dB(A)	Free-field Correction L-30min, dB(A)	Free-field Correction L10 -30min, dB(A)	Free-field Correction L90 -30min, dB(A)
			Reading (1)	Reading (2)	Reading (3)	Reading (4)	Reading (5)	Reading (6)
29/5/2018	10:18-10:48	sunny	67.9	71.1	66.2	68.3	68.7	67.8	68.6	70.5	55.4	71.6	73.5	58.4
30/5/2018	11:10-11:40	sunny	68.6	67.5	69.1	68.4	68.8	67.3	68.3	70.4	56.5	71.3	73.4	59.5
31/5/2018	10:35-11:05	sunny	69.2	68.6	67.1	68.9	68.6	68.6	68.5	72.0	55.9	71.5	75.0	58.9
1/6/2018	13:50-14:20	sunny	66.3	65.4	69.6	65.1	69.2	69.1	67.8	69.9	54.9	70.8	72.9	57.9
2/6/2018	12:57-13:27	Fine	68.6	67.8	69.0	68.3	68.5	69.3	68.6	70.8	56.3	71.6	73.8	59.3
3/6/2018	16:28-16:58	Fine	69.5	68.2	68.3	69.7	68.8	69.4	69.0	71.2	55.8	72.0	74.2	58.8
4/6/2018	16:55-17:25	cloudy	72.6	71.8	70.5	71.3	72.2	72.8	71.9	74.0	58.4	74.9	77.0	61.4
5/6/2018	13:34-14:04	cloudy	69.4	71.1	71.5	72.3	70.4	70.6	71.0	73.0	61.6	74.0	76.0	64.6
6/6/2018	14:06-14:36	Cloudy	71.5	69.3	68.8	70.4	71.0	69.6	70.2	72.4	59.4	73.2	75.4	62.4
7/6/2018	cancelled due to typhoon and the adverse weather
8/6/2018	cancelled due to typhoon and the adverse weather
9/6/2018	15:24-15:54	fine	64.3	65.2	65.8	67.1	66.4	65.3	65.8	67.9	59.7	68.8	70.9	62.7
10/6/2018	15:25-15:55	Fine	68.3	67.9	69.1	68.6	67.8	68.0	68.3	70.3	55.8	71.3	73.3	58.8
11/6/2018	14:49-15:19	fine	67.7	65.2	69.2	66.5	67.5	67.3	67.4	70.0	54.1	70.4	73.0	57.1
12/6/2018	cancelled due to typhoon and the adverse weather
13/6/2018	15:50-16:20	Fine	68.3	68.1	68.9	67.5	67.8	67.1	68.0	71.6	55.7	71.0	74.6	58.7
14/6/2018	17:06-17:31	Fine	70.4	66.2	70.6	69.6	68.4	61.0	68.6	72.6	53.5	71.6	75.6	56.5

Remarks: Free-field correction +3dB(A) has been made for NSR24

 

NSR ID:	NSR31
Baseline monitoring period:	29/5/2018 to 14/6/2018
Parameter :	Leq 30min, L10 30min ,L90 30min
Major Site Activities	No construction works were conducted in the vicinity during the monitoring period.
Major dust source	Nearby traffic and school activities
Other Factors	NA