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Title: | Environmental impact assessment : development of sewerage system at Himmafushi, Kaafu Atoll |
Authors: | Land and Marine Environmental Resources Group |
Issue Date: | 1-Mar-2017 |
Citation: | Land and Marine Environmental Resources Group. (2017). Environmental impact assessment : development of sewerage system at Himmafushi, Kaafu Atoll. Male': Maldives. |
Abstract: | Background
The non-technical summary outlines the findings of the Environmental Impact Assessment of
the construction of a sewage collection and disposal system at K. Himmafushi. The proponent of
this project is the Ministry of Environment and Energy and total estimated cost of the project is
USD 3.2 million.
The project involves establishment of a gravity type wastewater collection, treatment and
disposal system on Himmafushi. The sewerage system to be set up comprises a gravity sewerage
system where sloping pipelines will allow waste water from the entire island to flow to four zonal
pumping stations. The pumping stations will transfer the sewage collected through a pressure main
to the sewage treatment plant. 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 30 year design flow.
Key impacts, mitigation measures and alternatives
Impacts on the environment from various activities of the project development work
(constructional impacts) and operational impacts have been identified through interviews with the
project management team, field data collection and surveys and are also based on past experience
of consultant in similar projects. Impacts were analysed for their significance with the aid of a
Leopold Matrix.
In any development project, major direct impacts to the environment occur mainly during the
construction phase. Potential direct or indirect impacts on the environment from the proposed
project include:
Major significant impacts to the groundwater resource during trenching works;
Physical damage to live coral due to trampling during pipe laying works;
Impact due to air and noise pollution during construction work;
Impact on marine environment due to wastewater discharge; and
Positive impact on social wellbeing and health
Mitigation measures are discussed for the activities which would have potential impacts during
the construction and operational phase of the project. In general, during the construction stage it is
important to use a method of construction which has the least impact on the environment. Specific
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measures highlighted include following of established guidelines when carrying out excavation
works and dewatering. Detailed mitigation measures are discussed in Section 12 of the report.
Alternatives have been considered for various components of the project and are given as
possible options that may be either more practical or less expensive to the preferred options. The
proposed alternatives also have taken into consideration the environmental consequences resulting
from these options as compared to the preferred options. The following components of the project
have been discussed in providing these alternatives:-
Design of system;
Preferred method of STP; and
Location of STP and Outfall
The no-project scenario is also considered, which would mean that all environmental impacts
due to the project would no longer be an issue. However, this also means that method of sewage
disposal on the island of Himmafushi would remain the same, thus leading to further contamination
of the groundwater resource of the island. Additionally, it would also mean increased health risks
faced by the community due to the use of contaminated water and the loss of potential additional
job creation during the operation of the service.
The environmental impacts predicted for the project are moderate, hence the benefits of
establishing the system, though with a cost to the environment is seen to be far more beneficial
than the cancellation of the project, as the health risks faced by the community is not something
that should and can be overlooked. Therefore, the “no-project” scenario is not a feasible solution
and it is recommended that the project be continued, but with the proper implementation of all
mitigation measures proposed in the report. Details of the various alternatives considered and the
selected alternatives are shown in Section 11 of the report |
URI: | http://saruna.mnu.edu.mv/jspui/handle/123456789/4573 |
Appears in Collections: | ތިމާވެށި Environment A
|
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