Contents
Executive Summary
1.1 Background
1.2 Project Description
1.3 Scope of the EM&A Report
1.4 Project Organisation
1.5 Summary of Construction Works
1.6 Summary of EM&A Programme Requirements
1.7 Status of Statutory Environmental Compliance with the Environmental Permit
1.8 Status of Other Statutory Environmental Requirements
2.1 Air Quality Monitoring
2.2 Noise Monitoring
2.3 Surface Water Quality Monitoring
2.4 Landscape and Visual Monitoring
2.5 EM&A Site Inspection
2.6 Waste Management Status
2.7 Implementation Status of Environmental Mitigation Measures
2.8 Summary of Exceedances of the Environmental Quality Performance Limit
2.9 Summary of Complaints, Notification of Summons and Successful Prosecutions
3.1 Construction Programme for the Coming Month
3.2 Key Issues for the Coming Month
3.3 Monitoring Schedule for the Coming Month
4 Conclusion and Recommendation
Annexes
Annex A Work Programme
Annex B Environmental Mitigation Implementation Schedule
Annex C Monitoring Schedule for This Reporting Period
Annex D Air
Quality
Annex D1 Calibration
Certificates for Dust Monitoring Equipment
Annex D2 24-hour TSP Monitoring Results
Annex D3 Event and Action Plan for Dust Monitoring
Annex D4 Meteorological Data
Annex E Noise
Annex E1 Calibration
Certificates for Noise Monitoring Equipment
Annex E2 Noise Monitoring Results
Annex E3 Event and Action Plan for Noise Monitoring
Annex F Surface
Water Quality
Annex F1 Calibration Certificates for Surface Water Quality Monitoring
Equipment
Annex F2 Surface Water Quality Monitoring Results
Annex F3 Event and Action Plan
for
Surface Water Quality Monitoring
Annex F4 Investigation
Reports of Environmental Quality Limit Exceedance
Annex G1 Cumulative
Statistics on Exceedances, Environmental Complaints, Notification of Summons
and Status of Prosecutions
Annex G2 Investigation
Reports of Environmental Complaint
Annex H Monitoring Schedule for the Next Reporting Period
The SENT Landfill Extension (SENTX) forms an integral part in the Strategic Plan in maintaining the continuity of landfill capacity in the Hong Kong for the cost-effective and environmentally satisfactory disposal of waste. ERM-Hong Kong, Limited (ERM) is commissioned to undertake the role of Environmental Team (ET) for the construction, operation/restoration and aftercare of SENTX Project (“the Project”) in accordance with the requirements specified in the Environmental Permit (EP), updated Environmental Monitoring and Audit (EM&A) Manual, the approved Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report of the Project taking account of the latest design and other relevant statutory requirements. The construction (not including works related to site clearance and preparation) of the Project commenced on 2 January 2019.
This Monthly EM&A report presents the EM&A works carried out during the period from 1 to 31 July 2019 for the Project in accordance with the updated EM&A Manual.
Exceedance of Action and Limit Levels for Air Quality
No exceedance of Action and Limit Levels for construction air quality monitoring was recorded in the reporting period.
Exceedance of Action and Limit Levels for Noise
No exceedance of Action and Limit Levels for construction noise monitoring was recorded in the reporting period.
Exceedance of Action and Limit Levels for Surface Water Quality
3 exceedances of the Limit Level for pH and 3 exceedances of the Limit Level Suspended Solids (SS) were recorded for surface water quality impact monitoring in the reporting period. The pH and SS exceedances at DP4 (Future, temporary) on 4 July 2019, pH and SS exceedance at DP4 (Future, temporary) on 18 July 2019 and pH exceedances at DP4 (Future, temporary) on 25 July 2019 were considered not Project-related upon further investigation. The SS exceedance at DP4T (Future, temporary) on 25 July 2019 was found deemed to Project-related activities.
Environmental Complaints, Summons and Prosecutions
There were no notification of summons or prosecution recorded in the reporting period.
One environmental complaint related to dust nuisance was received during the reporting period. Investigation on the environmental complaint was conducted in accordance with the complaint handling process as stated in the Updated EM&A Manual.
Reporting Change
There was no reporting change in the reporting period.
Future Key Issues
Potential environmental impacts arising from the upcoming construction activities in the next reporting period of August 2019 are mainly associated with dust emission from the exposed area and loading and uploading operation of dusty materials and the potential surface water impact in the rainy season.
The SENT Landfill Extension (SENTX) forms an integral part in the Strategic Plan in maintaining the continuity of landfill capacity in the Hong Kong for the cost-effective and environmentally satisfactory disposal of waste. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report and the associated Environmental Monitoring and Audit (EM&A) Manual for the construction, operation, restoration and aftercare of the SENTX (hereafter referred to as “the Project”) have been approved under the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO) in May 2008 (Register No.: AEIAR-117/2008) (hereafter referred to as the approved EIA Report) and an Environmental Permit (EP-308/2008) (EP) was granted by the Director of Environmental Protection (DEP) on 5 August 2008.
Since then, applications for Variation of an Environmental Permit (No. VEP-531/2017) were submitted to EPD and the Variation of Environmental Permits (EP-308/2008/A and EP-308/2008/B) were granted on 6 January 2012 and 20 January 2017, respectively, as the Hong Kong SAR Government has decided to reduce the scale of the design scheme of SENTX assessed in the approved EIA Report and SENTX will only receive construction waste. In May 2018, a Further Environmental Permit (FEP) (FEP-01/308/2008/B) was granted to the SENTX’s contractor, Green Valley Landfill, Limited (GVL).
ERM-Hong Kong, Limited (ERM) and Meinhardt Infrastructure and Environment Limited (Meinhardt) are commissioned to undertake the roles of Environmental Team (ET) and the Independent Environmental Checker (IEC), respectively, to undertake the EM&A activities for the Project in accordance with the requirements specified in the EP, updated EM&A Manual ([1]), approved EIA Report ([2]) taking account of the latest design and other relevant statutory requirements.
The SENTX is a piggyback landfill, occupying the southern part of the existing SENT Landfill (including its infrastructure area) and 13 ha of Tseung Kwan O (TKO) Area 137. A layout plan of the SENTX is shown in Figure 1.1. Under the latest design, the SENTX has a net void capacity of about 6.5 Mm3 and provides an additional lifespan of about 6 years, commencing operation upon exhaustion of the SENT Landfill. The SENTX will receive construction waste only.
The key implementation milestones of the Project are indicatively summarised in Table 1.1. The construction works of the Project commenced on 2 January 2019.
Table 1.1 Estimated Key Dates of Implementation Programme
Key Stage of the Project |
Indicative Date |
Start construction |
2 January 2019 |
Commissioning of new infrastructure facilities |
2020 |
Demolition of existing infrastructure facilities |
2021 |
Start waste intake at SENTX |
2021 or upon exhaustion of SENT Landfill |
Estimated exhaustion date of SENTX |
2027 |
End of aftercare for SENTX |
2057 |
The major construction works of the SENTX includes:
· Site formation at the TKO Area 137 and the existing infrastructure area at SENT Landfill;
· Construction of surface and groundwater drainage systems;
· Construction of the leachate containment and collection systems;
· Construction of new leachate and landfill gas treatment facilities, site offices, maintenance yards at the new infrastructure area;
· Construction of new pipelines to transfer the leachate and landfill gas collected from the existing SENT Landfill to the treatment facilities at the new infrastructure area;
· Construction of the site access and new waste reception facilities; and
· Demolition of the facilities at the existing SENT Landfill infrastructure area.
This is the Monthly EM&A Report for the Project which summarises the key findings of the EM&A programme during the reporting period from 1 to 31 July 2019 for the construction works.
The organisation structure of the Project is presented in Figure 1.2.
Figure 1.2 Organisation Chart
Contact details of the key personnel are summarised in Table 1.2 below.
Table 1.2 Contact Information of Key Personnel
Party |
Position |
Name |
Telephone |
Contractor (Green Valley Landfill Limited) |
Project Manager |
Gary Barnicott |
2706 8827 |
Environmental Team (ET) (ERM-Hong Kong, Limited)
|
ET Leader |
Frank Wan |
2271 3152 |
Independent Environmental Checker (IEC) (Meinhardt Infrastructure and Environment Limited)
|
IEC |
Fredrick Leong |
2859 1739 |
The programme of the construction is shown in Annex A. As informed by the Contractor, the major works carried out in this reporting period include:
· Rebar fixing, concreting and formwork erection for the plinth and control buildings at Landfill Gas Plant area;
· Shotcreting of permanent works at buttress wall area;
· Excavating, removing and replacing unsuitable fill materials;
· Rebar fixing, formwork and concreting to the sediment trap, drop inlet shaft, MHX1, manhole and outlet box culverts;
· Rebar fixing, formwork and concreting to the Leachate Treatment Plant (LTP) area and buildings;
· Rebar, formwork and concreting to the substructure of infrastructure buildings (EPD building, GVL building and Laboratory);
· Construction of perimeter bund for Cell 1X and 2X;
· Installing groundwater pipe works along Eastern perimeter bund; and
· CLP trench works at Area X2.
The implementation schedule of the mitigation measured recommended in the Updated EM&A Manual is presented in Annex B.
The status for all environmental aspects are presented in Table 1.3. The EM&A requirements remained unchanged during the reporting period.
Table 1.3 Summary of Status for the Environmental Aspects under the Updated EM&A Manual
Parameters |
Status |
Air Quality |
|
Baseline Monitoring |
The results of baseline air quality monitoring were reported in Baseline Monitoring Report and submitted to EPD under EP Condition 3.3 |
Impact Monitoring |
On-going |
Noise |
|
Baseline Monitoring |
The results of baseline noise monitoring were reported in Baseline Monitoring Report and submitted to EPD under EP Condition 3.3 |
Impact Monitoring |
On-going |
Surface Water Quality |
|
Baseline Monitoring |
The results of baseline surface water quality monitoring were reported in Baseline Monitoring Report and submitted to EPD under EP Condition 3.3 |
Impact Monitoring |
On-going |
Waste Management |
|
Waste Monitoring |
On-going |
Landscape and Visual |
|
Baseline Monitoring |
The results of baseline landscape and visual monitoring were reported in Baseline Monitoring Report and submitted to EPD under EP Condition 3.3 |
Construction Phase Audit |
On-going |
Site Environmental Audit |
|
Regular Site Inspection |
On-going |
Complaint Hotline and Email Channel |
On-going |
Environmental Log Book |
On-going |
Taking into account the construction works, impact monitoring of air quality, noise, surface water quality and waste management were carried out in the reporting period. The monitoring schedule of air quality, noise and surface water quality monitoring are provided in Annex C.
The EM&A programme also involved environmental site inspections and related auditing conducted by the ET for checking the implementation of the required environmental mitigation measures recommended in the approved EIA Report and relevant EP submissions. To promote the environmental awareness and enhance the environmental performance of the contractors, environmental trainings and regular environmental management meetings were conducted during the reporting period, which are summarised as below:
One environmental management meeting was held with the Contractor, ER, ET, IEC and EPD on 11 July 2019; and
Environmental toolbox trainings on Construction Dust and Air Pollution Control (Non-road Mobile Machinery) (Emission) Regulation were provided on 12 July and 19 July 2019 respectively by the Contractor to the workers.
The status of statutory environmental compliance with the EP conditions under the EIAO, submission status under the EP and implementation status of mitigation measures are presented in Table 1.4.
Table 1.4 Status of Submissions required under the EP and Implementation Status of Mitigation Measures
EP Condition |
Submission / Implementation Status |
Status |
2.3 |
Management Organisation of Main Construction Companies |
Submitted and accepted by EPD. |
2.4 |
Setting up of Community Liaison Group |
Community Liaison Group was set up. |
2.5 |
Submission of Detailed Landfill Gas Hazard Assessment Report |
Submitted, and accepted by EPD on 10 January 2019. |
2.6 |
Submission of Restoration and Ecological Enhancement Plan |
Submitted to EPD on 28 June 2019. |
2.7 |
Setting up of Trial Nursery |
To be set up during construction phase. |
2.8 |
Advance Screen Planting |
Works commenced on 21 March 2019 and will be completed within 9 months of taking procession of the Project Site (i.e. before September 2019). |
2.9 |
Provision of Multi-layer Composite Liner System |
Under implementation. |
The environmental licenses and permits (including EP, Water Pollution Control Ordinance (WPCO) discharge license, registration as a chemical waste producer, and construction noise permit) that are valid in the reporting period are presented in Table 1.5. No non-compliance with environmental statutory requirements was identified.
Table 1.5 Status of Statutory Environmental Requirements
Description |
Ref No. |
Status |
Environmental Permit |
EP-308/2008 |
Granted on 5 August 2008 |
Variation of Environmental Permit |
EP-308/2008/A |
Granted on 6 January 2012 |
EP-308/2008/B |
Granted on 20 January 2017 |
|
Further Environmental Permit |
FEP-01/308/2008/B |
Granted on 16 May 2018 |
Water Discharge License under WPCO (Permit Holder: Chun Wo) |
Licence No.: WT00033525-2019 |
Validity from 27 March 2019 to 31 March 2024 |
Billing Account for Disposal of Construction Waste
|
Chit Account Number: 5001692 |
Approved on 28 December 2005 |
Registration as a Chemical Waste Producer (Permit Holder: Chun Wo) |
5213-839-C3507-10 |
Issued on 23 August 2018 |
Construction Noise Permit (Permit Holder: Chun Wo) |
GW-RE0404-19 |
Validity from 28 May 2019 to 22 November 2019 |
GW-RE0259-19 |
Cancelled with effect from 28 May 2019 at 07:00 hrs |
|
GW-RE0002-19 |
Cancelled with effect from 15 April 2019 at 07:00 hrs |
The EM&A programme for the Project required environmental monitoring for air quality, noise and surface water quality as well as environmental site inspections for air quality, noise, surface water quality, waste management, and landscape and visual impacts. The EM&A requirements and related findings for each component are summarised in the following sections.
According to the updated EM&A Manual of the Project, impact air quality monitoring (dust, in term of Total Suspended Particulates (TSP)) was carried out at the two designated monitoring locations (i.e. DM1 and DM2) at a 6-day interval. As there are two existing TSP monitoring stations (i.e. TKO-A1 and TKO-A2a) currently operating by the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) to monitor the 24-hour TSP levels at the proposed dust monitoring stations for the SENTX, it is considered that the CEDD monitoring data can represent the dust condition of the SENTX during the construction phase.
The Action and Limit Levels of the air quality monitoring is provided in Table 2.1 below.
Table 2.1 Action and Limit Levels for 24-hour TSP
Monitoring Station |
Action Level |
Limit Level |
DM-1 – Site Egress of TKO Area 137 Fill Bank
|
204 µg m-³ |
260 µg m-³ |
DM-2A –Combined Reception and Exit Office (CREO) of TKO Area 137 Fill Bank |
193 µg m-³ |
260 µg m-³ |
High volume air samplers (HVSs) in compliance with the specifications listed under Section 3.2.2 of the updated EM&A Manual were used to measure 24-hour TSP levels at the CEDD dust monitoring stations. The HVSs were calibrated upon installation and thereafter at bi-monthly intervals to check the validity and accuracy of the results.
The equipment used in the impact air quality monitoring programme and monitoring locations are summarised in Table 2.2 and illustrated in Figure 2.1 respectively. Copies of the calibration certificates for the equipment are presented in Annex D1.
Table 2.2 Dust Monitoring Details
Monitoring Station |
Location |
Parameter |
Frequency and Duration |
Monitoring Dates |
Equipment |
DM1 |
Site Egress of TKO Area 137 Fill Bank |
24-hour TSP |
Once every 6 days during the construction phase of the Project |
3, 9, 15, 21, 27 July 2019 |
HVS Greasby 105 (S/N: 9795 (ET/EA/003/18)) |
DM2 |
Combined Reception and Exit Office (CREO) of TKO Area 137 Fill Bank |
|
HVS Andersen G1051 (S/N: 1176 (ET/EA/003/05)) |
The schedule for air quality monitoring during the reporting period is provided in Annex C.
The monitoring results for 24-hour TSP are summarised in Table 2.3. The detailed monitoring results and the graphical presentation of the 24-hour TSP results at each monitoring location are provided in Annex D2.
Table 2.3 Summary of 24-hour TSP Monitoring Results in the Reporting Period
Monitoring Station |
Average 24-hr TSP Concentration (µg m-3) (Range in bracket) |
Action Level (µg/m3) |
Limit Level (µg/m3) |
DM-1 – Site Egress of TKO Area 137 Fill Bank |
88 (74 - 112)
|
204 |
260 |
DM-2A –Combined Reception and Exit Office (CREO) of TKO Area 137 Fill Bank |
93 (82 - 111) |
193 |
260 |
The major dust sources in the reporting period included fugitive dust emission from exposed area in SENTX, as well as nearby operations of the existing SENT landfill and the TKO Area 137 Fill Bank.
All the 24-hour TSP results were below the Action and Limit Levels at the monitoring locations in the reporting period. No action is thus required to be undertaken in accordance with the Event and Action Plan presented in Annex D3.
Meteorological data obtained from the on-site meteorological monitoring station at the existing SENT landfill (see Figure 2.1) were used for the dust monitoring and are shown in Annex D4. The meteorological station will be relocated to a new position for SENTX as per the updated EM&A Manual after the new infrastructure area at the SENTX is constructed. It is considered that meteorological data obtained at the existing the on-site meteorological monitoring station are representative of the Project area and could be used for the construction phase dust monitoring programme for the Project.
According to the updated EM&A Manual of the Project, impact noise monitoring was conducted weekly at the monitoring location (i.e. NM1) to obtain one set of 30 minutes measurement between 07:00 and 19:00 hours on normal weekdays.
The Action and Limit Levels for construction noise of the Project are provided in Table 2.4 below.
Table 2.4 Action and Limit Levels for Construction Noise
Time Period |
Action Level (a) |
Limit Level (b) |
07:00 – 19:00 hrs on normal weekdays |
When one documented complaint is received from any one of the noise sensitive receivers (NSRs) or 75 dB(A) recorded at the monitoring station |
75 dB(A) at NSRs |
Notes: (a) 75dB(A) along and at about 100m from the SENTX site boundary was set as the Action Level. (b) Limits specified in the GW-TM and IND-TM for construction and operational noise, respectively. |
Noise monitoring was performed by ALS Technichem (HK) Pty Ltd. (HOKLAS Registration No. 066) using sound level meter at the designated monitoring station NM1 (see Figure 2.1) in accordance with the requirements stipulated in the updated EM&A Manual. Acoustic calibrator was deployed to check the sound level meter at a known sound pressure level. Details of the deployed equipment are provided in Table 2.5. Copies of the calibration certificates for the equipment are presented in Annex E1.
Table 2.5 Noise Monitoring Details
Monitoring Station (1) |
Location |
Parameter |
Frequency and Duration |
Monitoring Dates |
Equipment |
NM1 |
SENTX Site Boundary (North) |
Leq (30 min) measurement between 07:00 and 19:00 hours on normal weekdays (Monday to Saturday) |
Once per week for 30 mins during the construction period of the Project |
4, 12, 18, 25 July 2019 |
Sound Level Meter: B&K 2250 (S/N: 3012330)
Acoustic Calibrator: Rion NC-75 (S/N: 34680623) |
The schedule for noise monitoring during the reporting period is provided in Annex C.
Results for noise monitoring are summarised in Table 2.6. The monitoring results and the graphical presentation of the data are provided in Annex E2.
Table 2.6 Summary of Construction Noise Monitoring Results in the Reporting Period
Monitoring Station |
Measured Noise Level Leq (30 min), dB(A) |
||
Average |
Range |
Action and Limit Level |
|
NM1 |
54.0 |
52.0 – 56.1 |
75 |
Major noise sources identified during the noise monitoring included noise from operations of the existing SENT landfill and the TKO Area 137 Fill Bank, aircrafts and insects.
No Action and Limit Levels exceedance was recorded for construction noise monitoring in the reporting period. No action is thus required to be undertaken in accordance with the Event and Action Plan presented in Annex E3.
According to the updated EM&A Manual of the Project, impact surface water quality monitoring were carried out at the three designated surface water discharge points (i.e. DP3, DP4 and DP6) weekly to ensure that the SENTX will not cause adverse water quality impact. Temporary relocation of surface water discharge point DP4 to DP4 (Future, temporary) as an interim arrangement due to site constraints and construction sequence was approved by EPD on 14 May 2019. Surface water quality monitoring was carried out at DP4 (Future, temporary) (i.e. DP4T) from the monitoring event on 16 May 2019. In addition, suspension of impact surface water quality monitoring at DP3 was approved under the Baseline Monitoring Report by EPD on 24 July 2019 until the actual commencement of construction works affecting DP3 in 2021.
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) and pH value were measured in-situ whereas the level of suspended solids (SS) were determined by ALS Technichem (HK) Pty Ltd. (HOKLAS Registration No. 066).
The Action and Limit Levels of the surface water quality impact monitoring are provided in Table 2.7.
Table 2.7 Action and Limit Levels for Surface Water Quality
Parameters |
Action Level |
Limit Level |
||
|
DP3 |
DP4 & DP6 |
DP3 |
DP4 & DP6 |
DO |
< 5.13 mg/L |
< 5.80 mg/L |
< 4.35 mg/L |
< 5.42 mg/L |
SS |
> 209.3 mg/L |
> 11.7 mg/L |
> 217.0 mg/L |
> 12.7 mg/L |
pH |
> 8.88 |
> 8.39 |
> 9.28 |
> 8.40 |
The locations of the monitoring stations for the Project are shown in Figure 2.1. All in situ monitoring instruments were checked, calibrated and certified by a laboratory accredited under HOKLAS or other international accreditation scheme before use, and subsequently re-calibrated at 3 monthly intervals throughout all stages of the surface water quality monitoring programme. Calibration for a DO meter was carried out before measurement according to the instruction manual of the equipment model. Details of the equipment used in the impact surface water quality monitoring works are provided in Table 2.8. Copies of the calibration certificates for the equipment are presented in Annex F1.
Table 2.8 Impact Surface Water Quality Monitoring Details
Monitoring Station |
Location |
Frequency |
Monitoring Dates |
Parameter |
Equipment |
DP3 |
Surface water discharge point DP3 |
Weekly |
4, 12, 18, 25 July 2019 |
•pH •DO •SS |
YSI Professional Plus (S/N: HK1923829)
|
DP4 (Future, temporary) |
Surface water discharge point DP4 |
||||
DP6 |
Surface water discharge point DP6 |
||||
Notes: (a) DP4 was temporary relocated to DP4 (Future, temporary) (i.e. DP4T) as an interim discharge point from the monitoring event on 16 May 2019. (b) Impact surface water quality monitoring at DP3 was suspended from the monitoring event on 25 July 2019 |
The schedule for surface water quality monitoring during the reporting period is provided in Annex C.
A total of 4 monitoring events for impact surface water quality monitoring were scheduled at all designated monitoring stations during the reporting period. However, sampling was not carried out on 4 July 2019 at DP6, on 12 July 2019 at DP4 (Future, temporary) and DP6 and on 18 July 2019 at DP6 due to insufficient flow. Impact water quality monitoring results and graphical presentations are provided in Annex F2.
Action and Limit Level exceedances were recorded for surface water quality impact monitoring in the reporting period and actions in accordance with the Event and Action Plan presented in Annex F3 were undertaken. Investigations on the Action and Limit Levels exceedances were conducted and summarised in Table 2.9 below. Investigation reports of the exceedances are presented in Annex F4.
Table 2.9 Details of Exceedances Recorded for Surface Water Quality Monitoring
Date |
Monitoring Location |
Parameter |
Type of Exceedance |
Remarks |
4 July 2019 |
DP4 (Future, temporary) |
pH |
Limit Level |
Non Project-related |
4 July 2019 |
DP4 (Future, temporary) |
SS |
Limit Level |
Non Project-related |
18 July 2019 |
DP4 (Future, temporary) |
pH |
Limit Level |
Non Project-related |
18 July 2019 |
DP4 (Future, temporary) |
SS |
Limit Level |
Non Project-related |
25 July 2019 |
DP4 (Future, temporary) |
pH |
Limit Level |
Non Project-related |
25 July 2019 |
DP4 (Future, temporary) |
SS |
Limit Level |
Project-related |
Based on the investigation conducted for each of the monitoring event with potential Action and Limit Levels exceedances with the Contractor, and the IEC, the pH and SS exceedances at DP4 (Future, temporary) on 4 July 2019, pH and SS exceedance at DP4 (Future, temporary) on 18 July 2019 and pH exceedances at DP4 (Future, temporary) on 25 July 2019 were considered not Project-related upon further investigation. The SS exceedance at DP4T (Future, temporary) on 25 July 2019 was found deemed to Project-related activities. The Contractor was reminded to implement all relevant mitigation measures for the construction works and maintain good site practice. The ET will keep track on the monitoring data and ensure Contractor’s compliance of the environmental requirements.
According to the updated EM&A Manual of the Project, the monthly landscape and visual audit was conducted on 22 July 2019 to monitor the implementation of the landscape and visual mitigation measures during construction phase.
All relevant environmental mitigation measures listed in the approved EIA Report and the updated EM&A Manual and their implementation status are summarised in Annex B.
The Contractor has implemented environmental mitigation measures as stated in the approved EIA Report and the EM&A Manual.
Regarding the landscape and visual audit, the Contractor was reminded to identify the topsoil to be generated from the construction works and plan for the storage and re-use of the topsoil where practical. The Contractor shall consider the mitigation measures during the design phase, including the preparation of the Construction Drawings and Detailed Landscape Design Drawings.
Site inspections were carried out on a weekly basis with the Contractor, IEC and ER to monitor the implementation of proper environmental pollution control and mitigation measures for air quality, noise, surface water quality and waste management under the Project. In the reporting period, 4 site inspections were carried out on 5, 11, 18 and 25 July 2019.
Key observations during the site inspections are summarised in Table 2.10.
Table 2.10 Key Observations Identified during the Site Inspection in this Reporting Month
Inspection Date |
Environmental Observations and Recommendations |
5 July 2019 |
· The Contractor shall remove the deposited silt and grit and repair the bund at the temporary drain along the western perimeter bund and near future EPD building to ensure it is functioning at all times. · The Contractor shall fix the geo-textile at the pipes of DP6 channel. · The Contractor shall improve the concrete berm to avoid leakage and overflow of muddy water to DP6 channel. · The Contractor shall remove stagnant water in the drip trays at Cell X1 and near the future GVL building. · The Contractor shall avoid the accumulation of water in the rodding eye of the concrete block near the Wetsep at Cell X1. · The Contractor shall remove general refuse and maintain housekeeping at the future LTP and near the future GVL building. · The Contractor shall dispose the waste in the waste skip regularly at Cell X1. |
11 July 2019 |
· The Contractor shall provide silt fencing/ berm along the DP6 channel to minimize SS runoff to the channel. · The Contractor shall maintain site drainage and avoid accumulation of stagnant water at the temporary drain near Eastern site boundary and at sediment trap. |
18 July 2019 |
· The Contractor shall fix the crack at DP4T channel to avoid direct discharge of site water to the channel. · The Contractor shall provide drip tray for the chemical placed near DP4T channel. · The Contractor shall display chemical labels to the chemicals placed near LTP and southern site boundary. |
25 July 2019 |
· The Contractor shall maintain DP4T channel to minimise SS run-off. · The Contractor shall clean up the oil spillage near the wheel-washing facilities and handle the clean-up materials as chemical waste. · The Contractor shall repair the temporary drainage along western site boundary to avoid direct discharge of site water outside site boundary. · The Contractor shall label the chemical waste in the chemical waste cabinet in accordance with the Code of Practice on the Packaging, Handling and Storage of Chemical Waste. Also, the Contractor shall avoid accumulation of oily liquid in the chemical waste cabinet and dispose the clean-up material as chemical waste. · The Contractor shall dispose the general refuse in the refuse skip near the wheel-washing facilities, southern western boundary and LTP. · The Contractor shall clear the refuse skip regularly to reduce odour, pest and littler impacts. · The Contractor shall also dispose the chemical waste in refuse skip and empty chemical containers in the site in the chemical waste cabinet. |
The Contractor has rectified all of the observations identified during environmental site inspections in the reporting period. Key environmental deficiencies identified and the corresponding rectification actions are presented in Table 2.11.
Table 2.11 Summary of Environmental Deficiencies Identified and Corresponding Rectification Actions
Deficiencies |
Rectifications Implemented |
Proposed Additional Control Measures |
Surface Water |
||
Intercepting channels & drainage system |
Reviewed drainage plan. |
Addition of channels. Expedite the construction of permanent sediment trap and discharge culverts.
|
DP channels (design & regular silt removal) |
Carried out regular maintenance and cleaning of channels. DP4 channel: Area near the channel was paved with concrete and a bund was built. DP6 channel: Gravel piles on the channel were covered with concrete which serve as blocks for running water and to divide the channel into several sections. A pump was placed in the water zone in the upstream section to pump water to the Wetsep for treatment prior to the discharge to the last section before the weir plate. DP6: Pipes through the gravel piles between different channel sections were covered with geotextiles to block debris and silt.
|
N.A. |
Stockpiles & exposed soil |
Installed silt fencing near surface water channel along DP6 channel. |
Improve soil covering. Compaction and cover for stockpiles and soil slopes.
|
Wetsep (treatment capacity & number) |
Reviewed Wetsep capacity. Chemicals dosage of the Wetsep was increased to enhance the efficiency. |
Install additional Wetsep. |
Backflow / ponding during heavy rainfall |
Raised with EPD (LDG) and CEDD. |
N.A. |
The Contractor has registered as chemical waste producer under the Contract. Sufficient numbers of receptacles were available for general refuse collection and sorting.
As informed by the Contractor, waste generated during this reporting period include mainly non-inert construction waste. Reference has been made to the waste flow table prepared by the Contractor. The quantities of different types of wastes and imported fill materials are summarised in Table 2.12.
Table 2.12 Quantities of Different Waste Generated and Imported Fill Materials
Month/ Year |
Inert
C&D Materials (a) |
Imported
Fill |
Inert
Construction Waste Re-used |
Non-inert
Construction Waste (b) |
Recyclable Materials (c) (in ‘000kg) |
Chemical
Wastes |
|
Rock |
Soil |
||||||
1 – 31 July 19 |
0.028 |
0 |
6889.13 |
0 |
0.049 |
0 |
0 |
Notes: (a) Inert construction wastes include hard rock and large broken concrete, and materials disposed as public fill. Density assumption: 1.6 (kg/L) for public fill. (b) Non-inert construction wastes include general refuse disposed at landfill. Density assumption: 0.9 (kg/L) for general refuse. (c) Recyclable materials include metals, paper, cardboard, plastics and others. |
A summary of the Environmental Mitigation Implementation Schedule is presented in Annex B. The necessary mitigation measures were implemented properly for the Project.
The 24-hour TSP monitoring results and construction noise monitoring results complied with the Action and Limit Levels in the reporting period. 3 exceedances of the Limit Level for pH and 3 exceedances of the Limit Level Suspended Solids (SS) were recorded for surface water quality impact monitoring in the reporting period. The pH and SS exceedances at DP4 (Future, temporary) on 4 July 2019, pH and SS exceedance at DP4 (Future, temporary) on 18 July 2019 and pH exceedances at DP4 (Future, temporary) on 25 July 2019 were considered not Project-related upon further investigation. The SS exceedance at DP4T (Future, temporary) on 25 July 2019 was found deemed to Project-related activities.
Cumulative statistics on exceedances is provided in Annex G1.
There were no notification of summons or prosecution recorded in the reporting period.
One environmental complaint related to dust nuisance was received during the reporting period. Investigation on the environmental complaint was conducted in accordance with the complaint handling process as stated in the Updated EM&A Manual. The implementation of the relevant mitigation measures recommended in the updated EM&A Manual by the Contractor might suggest that the dust nuisance was deemed to activities that are not related to the Project. Investigation report of the complaint is presented in Annex G2.
Statistics on complaints, notifications of summons, successful prosecutions are summarised in Annex G1.
As informed by the Contractor, the major works for the Project in July 2019 will be:
Construction of buttress wall;
Site clearance, preparation and formation of Area X1 and X2;
Excavation and removal of unsuitable fill materials;
Filling of perimeter bund for Cell 1X and 2X;
Construction of Drop Inlet and Culvert X9;
Construction of edge wall and plinths at LTP area and substructure at bioplant;
Construction of CLP trench;
Excavation and construction of discharge box culvert;
Construction of substructure and superstructure of new Infrastructure Building;
Construction of substructure and superstructure at Landfill Gas Plant area;
Construction of X12 channel;
Construction of groundwater pipe from East to South in Cell 1X and 2X perimeter bund; and
Construction of substructure and superstructure at Maintenance Building.
Potential environmental impacts arising from the above upcoming construction activities in the next reporting period of August 2019 are mainly associated with dust emission from the exposed area and loading and uploading operation of dusty materials and the potential surface water impact in the rainy season. The ET will keep track on the construction works to confirm compliance of environmental requirements and the proper implementation of all necessary mitigation measures.
The tentative schedules for environmental monitoring in August 2019 are provided in Annex H.
This EM&A Report presents the findings of the EM&A activities undertaken during the period from 1 to 31 July 2019 in accordance with the updated EM&A Manual and the requirements of the Environmental Permit (EP-308/2008/B).
Air quality (24-hour TSP), noise and water quality (DO, pH and SS) monitoring were carried out in the reporting period. Results for air quality monitoring (24-hour TSP) complied with the Action and Limit Levels in the reporting period. No Action and Limit Levels exceedances were recorded for construction noise monitoring. 3 exceedances of the Limit Level for pH and 3 exceedances of the Limit Level Suspended Solids (SS) were recorded for surface water quality impact monitoring in the reporting period. The pH and SS exceedances at DP4 (Future, temporary) on 4 July 2019, pH and SS exceedance at DP4 (Future, temporary) on 18 July 2019 and pH exceedances at DP4 (Future, temporary) on 25 July 2019 were considered not Project-related upon further investigation. The SS exceedance at DP4T (Future, temporary) on 25 July 2019 was found deemed to Project-related activities.
Environmental site inspections were carried out during the reporting period. Recommendations on remedial actions were given to the Contractor for the deficiencies identified during the site inspections.
There were no notification of summons or prosecution recorded in the reporting period. One environmental complaint related to dust nuisance was received during the reporting period. Investigation on the environmental complaint was conducted in accordance with the complaint handling process as stated in the Updated EM&A Manual.
The ET will keep track on the construction works to confirm compliance of environmental requirements and the proper implementation of all necessary mitigation measures.