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Title: | Environmental impact assessment : development of sewerage system at Hithadhoo, Addu City |
Authors: | Land and Marine Environmental Resources Group |
Issue Date: | 1-Apr-2017 |
Citation: | Land and Marine Environmental Resources Group. (2015). Environmental impact assessment : development of sewerage system at Hithadhoo, Addu City. Male': Maldives |
Abstract: | 1.1 Background
The non-technical summary outlines the findings of the Environmental Impact Assessment of
the construction of a sewage collection and disposal system at the northern and southern regions
of Hithadhoo, Addu City. The proponent of this project is the Ministry of Environment and Energy
and total estimated cost of the project is approximately MVR 100 million.
The proposed sewerage network scheme for the island is a Conventional Sewage System with
a gravity flow networks integrated pump stations (13 in total), a pressure network leading to a
disposal pumping station and pumping out the effluent to the sea via sea outfall. The installation
of a sewerage treatment plant is planned for a later phase of this project and once installed, the
pressure lines from disposal pumping station shall bypass to sewerage treatment plant and pump
out the effluent through the same sea outfall.
1.2 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:
Impacts to the groundwater resource during trenching works;
Physical damage to live coral due to trampling during pipe laying works;
Impact on the designated Marine Protected Area, which is located near the project site
on the northern region
Impact on vegetation due to the need to cut down vegetation located at the plots
allocated for construction of infrastructure;
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
measures highlighted include following of established guidelines when carrying out excavation
works and dewatering. Detailed mitigation measures are discussed in Section 11 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 wastewater disposal system
Outfall discharge location
As mentioned, the northern region outfall is within close proximity of the protected area
(approximately 100m south) and thus has the potential to have a negative impact on this area due
to continuous discharge of untreated wastewater. One of the key outcomes of the Stakeholder
Consultations was that EPA will not allow any impact to the protected area and hence the need for
an alternative means of sewage disposal for the northern region is required. The proponent has
now agreed to reroute the pressure line from the northern side to the southern side and use the
southern zone outfall for disposal of waste water.
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 Hithadhoo (areas that are not included in vacuum system wastewater
collection network) 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. Details of the various alternatives considered and the
selected alternatives are shown in Section 10 of the report.
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 and selected alternatives proposed in the report. |
URI: | http://saruna.mnu.edu.mv/jspui/handle/123456789/4795 |
Appears in Collections: | ތިމާވެށި Environment A
|
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