Environmental audit report : desalination facilities Thundufushi Island Resort South Ari Atoll, Maldives

Abstract

This environmental audit report addresses the environmental concerns of the existing desalination plant in Thundufishi Island resort. The primary objective of the audit exercise is to renew desalination plant registration. Having an environmental clearance statement is a requirement for the registration of desalination plants. In Thundufushi, there is one seawater desalination plant with daily production capacity 150 m3 in which feed water intake and brine concentrate discharge is on the eastern side of the island. The overall performance of the desalination plant in Thundufushi island resort is adequate and acceptable. However in the audit exercise conducted it was identified that water quality monitoring has not been conducted regularly and water quality records are also not available at plant site. Water quality was tested from four areas which are identified four potential impact areas including feed water intake zone, brine disposal site, groundwater within the plant operation and product water (desalinated water). The electrical conductivity of product water was found at 700μS/cm and no coliforms were detected from product water. The groundwater quality in terms of electrical conductivity was found at 6800μS/cm (considered as measure of salinity), this shows the aquifer is saline compared to freshwater aquifers in other islands across the Maldives. A monitoring programme has been outlined at the end of the report which can be implemented for environmental quality improvement and informed decision making. In particular, water quality monitoring and daily log maintenance at plant site. The overall performance of the seawater desalination facility in Thundufushi is at adequate and acceptable. Key aspects of the operations are in compliance to Desalination Regulations of the Maldives.