| Abstract: | This Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report is prepared in accordance with the
Environmental Impact Assessment Regulation 2012 to assess the impacts of proposed
sewerage system in ADh.Fenfushi. This project is proposed by State Electric Company
Limited (STELCO) and the impact assessment was carried out by a team led by lead
consultant Amir Musthafa.
This impact assessment will describe the project components and identify and determine the
significance of potential impact of each major component. Any activity that has a significant
impact and is required to be carried out will be justified and mitigation measures provided to
reduce impact. Alternatives will be proposed in terms of location and design to further reduce
impact and to increase the overall environmental sustainability of the project.
The main justification for the project is to improve the overall sewage management in the
island which in turn will have positive socio economic impacts as well as health and
environmental impacts for the island. The existing sewerage facilities on the island are based
on septic tank systems and small bore sewersystems. Poor maintenance and damage to septic
tanks may lead to contamination of groundwater. Consequently, this will compromise the use
of groundwater for the general uses by the residents of the island. Therefore, the current
sewage management in the island is not environmentally ideal and unsafe for the health and
hygiene aspects within the island and thus a great need existed to improve sewage
management in the island.
The project proposes a gravity type wastewater collection and disposal system for ADh.
Fenfushi. Fenfushi is among the southern most islands in ADh. Atoll, which is traditionally
more popular for its tourism. The sewerage system for Fenfushi will be a gravity sewerage
system where sloping pipelines will allow waste water from the entire island to flow to zonal
pumping stations. The sewage will be pumped from the pumping station to the treatment plant
where it will be treated and discharged via a sea outfall pipeline into the sea. The sewerage
system shall comprise of elements of a given specification for sewer mains, cleanouts,
manholes, vents, pump stations, outfall pipeline and diffuser that will ensure a 35 year design
flow.
Based on design criteria and specifications, two zonal pumping stations are necessary to
effectively service the entire network. Each pumping station will have 2 pumps each capable
of pumping peak flow. A Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) will be designed to treat the sewage
before disposal through the sea outfall. In addition to this, an administration building will be
located at the site to operate and maintain this network. outh of the island is environmentally protected South Ari Atoll seas, which is protected
because of its importance as a globally significant aggregation site for the whale
shark Rhincodon typus.
There has been a harbor construction project in Fenfushi, and therefore impact from heavy
machinery is already felt in the island the community will be somewhat familiar with the
machinery. The proposed project will not need to have any significant vegetation removed as
there are no such vegetation at any of the pump station location, as well as administrative
building and potential STP location. Considering the marine environment, there are no
significant live corals that could be impacted along the proposed and alternative sewage
outfall location.
During the stakeholder consultations, all the major stakeholders were generally positive on the
project. However, the main concern was regarding the sewage outfall. The environmental
authorities had informed that there should not be any impact on the protected seas and as such
had informed that tertiary treatment of sewage will be necessary if discharge is to be towards
this area. The island council expressed concern for the delay of commencement of physical
works and also concerns regarding foul odour that could potentially exist at the pump stations.
Regarding impacts, moderate impacts are expected at the commencement of the project
during mobilization and use of heavy machinery and setting up site for the proposed project.
Due to the absence of notable environmental features at the site, the construction stage will
not have a significant negative impact. However, waste management will be an issue. Impacts
of note include noise pollution, loss of visual amenity, potential damage to existing cables,
health and safety issues, groundwater degradation, marine water quality degradation, impact
on marine life, etc. However, most of these impacts were regarded as minor. Major impacts
include those due to accidents, for which the probability of occurrence is less. The most
notable impact had been that of potential impact on the south ari atoll protected area.
Extensive discussion is presented on this and it had been concluded that considering the small
volumes of sewage and actions taken to ensure maximum dilution, there will not be any
significant impact on the protected area. However, considering the stand taken by the
environmental protection authorities, and due to the negative public perception and possible
negative precedence the project may set, it is recommended to either undertake tertiary
treatment if discharging to this area, or change the outfall northwards towards the Atoll. It is
discussed that this will not have a negative impact on the environment as dilution will still be especially considering the fact that solids will be removed and the sewage will have
undergone secondary treatment.
Mitigation measures were proposed for other minor impacts as well. Mitigation measures
included following proper safety procedures at site including wearing proper safety clothing,
informing the council and community of the project details beforehand, getting information of
existing cables from service providers, proper storage of waste and hazardous chemicals,
ensuring the quality of water treatment. It is also proposed to place the discharge pipe with
ballast blocks to prevent movement of the pipeline during heavy wave activity. This is already
built into the project.
Considering the impacts from the project, it appears that the project would not lead to any
long term detrimental impact once the mitigation measures are in place and the alternatives
considered. On the other hand, the project has several positive impacts to the community
including improving the overall environment of the island, improving health and lifestyle of
the public, and also improving industries such as tourism and agriculture, thereby facilitating
economic growth.
Alternatives for the project including the no project option were also considered. However, it
was recommended the project proceeds as proposed based on the feasibility of
implementation and the need for the project to first of all take place.
A monitoring plan has been formulated and will be used to assess the impacts of the proposed
system. It is planned that ground water, and seawater will be tested regularly at predefined
locations. Monitoring locations and parameters are the same as given for this project.
Findings from the monitoring program will be used to re-evaluate the mitigation measures to
reduce any significant negative impact on the environment.
The overall environmental impacts of the project have been assessed using peer reviewed
methodology and the results indicated that the proposed project has net positive impact. Given
that the project has major socio-economic benefits, minor environmental impacts in addition
to improving the health and wellbeing of the community; it is recommended to allow the
project to proceed as proposed |
