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Title: | Environmental & social impact assessment for the proposed construction of sewerage system in Kelaa, Haa Alif Atoll, Maldives |
Authors: | Water Solutions |
Keywords: | Sewage system Existing environment Economic socio-economic environment Environmental impacts Mitigation measures Legislative and regulatory considerations Environmental and social impact monitoring |
Issue Date: | May-2011 |
Citation: | Water Solutions. (2011). Environmental & social impact assessment for the proposed construction of sewerage system in Kelaa, Haa Alif Atoll, Maldives. Male': Maldives |
Abstract: | This EIA report is prepared for the construction of a sewerage system in the island of Kelaa
Haa Alifu Atoll. The project will be implemented by Upper North Utilities with the funding
from Government of Maldives.
The proposed project aims to establish a sewerage system where household wastewater
gets collected in to a sewer network and gets discharged into the open ocean via an
outfall. Surveys and assessments were done in Keaa to identify the best possible option
and suitable system including evaluating alternatives to the project.
The proposed system will ensure that the groundwater of the island does not get
contaminated through improper sanitation systems. It will also ensure that the
surrounding marine environment will improve in terms of environmental quality and will
ensure pollution from sewage does not occur. These measures are expected to bring
several positive impacts on the health of the people other than improving the
environmental quality.
Various alternative to the proposed system were also studied. One of the options
identified include treatment of sewage and the use of vacuum systems. Based on the
assessment, these alternatives were assessed to identify their potential application in
Kelaa against the proposed system
The island’s sanitation system is developed on traditional septic tank system. All the
houses have toilet facilities which have on site septic tanks system on the island. The
ground water of the island is been used for toilet flushing and other purposes other than
drinking. The main portable water is from the private water tanks on individual houses.
The assessment reveals that the project can be implemented without significant impact on
the natural environment of the island.
The impact area due to the implementation of the project would be the loss of vegetation
due to the construction of the pump station, lying of the sewer network and the reef
environment due to the construction of the outfall.
These impacts would be unavoidable as trees have to be cleared from the site before
construction can begin for the pump station. The outfall need to be properly anchored to
hard substrate of the reef.
Therefore, the most significant direct impacts are going to be resulting from the loss of
flora and fauna from the area where the pump station would be constructed.
The proposed area for the construction of the pump house and the road which would
connect the sewer network to the pump house has not yet been cleared. The Kelaa Island
Council is working to give compensation to the trees that need to be removed from the
roads and the site allocated for the pump house. It is estimated that 932 mature trees
would be removed from roads and the site allocated for the pump house.
To compensate the tree losses, the proponent has already made plans to re‐plant more
trees on the green zones and Environmental Protection Zones(s) (EPZ) of the island. It is
also planned that trees will be retained in the area which would be provided to the Upper
North Utility company where possible, and/or planted within the boundary once
construction works are completed. Therefore, a long term tree plantation programme will
be developed and implemented in association with concerned agencies.
The proponent of the project shall develop necessary plans and implement the mitigation
measures in association with relevant agencies to compensate for the loss of mature trees.
It is suggested to implement a re‐plantation programme in consultation with the island
and under the guidance of island council. Therefore, financial provisions shall be made
available from the national budget to plant additional trees in the island.
Several alternatives for the proposed project have been identified and they are discussed
in detail.
All activities of the project will be closely monitored by site supervisors of Upper North
Ultities and Kelaa Island Council
In light of this assessment, the proposed project has been found to have more positive
than negative impacts, both environmentally and socially. It is crucial for the client to
manage the project in consultation and assistance with other stakeholders if the
environmental impacts are to be minimized. |
URI: | http://saruna.mnu.edu.mv/jspui/handle/123456789/3690 |
Appears in Collections: | ތިމާވެށި Environment A
|
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