Environmental audit report : desalination facilities : Viventa by Taj – Coral Reef North Male’ Atoll, Maldives

Abstract

This environmental audit report addresses the environmental performance of the existing desalination plant in Viventa by Taj Coral Reef for registration of desalination plant. Having an audit or environmental performance statement is a requirement for the registration of desalination plants. There are three seawater desalination plants with daily production capacity 240 m3 in which feed water intake and brine concentrate discharge is on the northern side of the island. The overall performance of the desalination plant in Viventa by Taj Coral Reef is adequate and acceptable, except the poor environmental aesthetic. Water quality monitoring has been conducted regularly beginning from December 2010 and water quality records are also available at plant site. Water quality of the product water has regularly been checked from four main locations including storage tank, main kitchen, Jacuzzi and swimming pool. The electrical conductivity of desalinated water is found in the range at 500-1150 μS/cm Additionally during the site visit water quality was tested from four areas which are identified to be key 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 793μS/cm and no coliforms were detected from product water. A monitoring program has been outlined at the end of the report which can be implemented for environmental quality improvement and informed decision makings. In particular of water quality monitoring and daily log maintenance at plant site. The overall performance of the seawater desalination facility in Viventa by Taj Coral Reef is at adequate and acceptable condition except poor environmental aesthetic. Key aspects of the operations are in compliance to desalination plant registration regulations in Maldives.