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Title: | Environmental impact assessment for the proposed water production and distribution facility at Hoarafushi, Haa Alif Atoll, Maldives |
Authors: | Zuhair, Mohamed Abdul Fathah, Mariyam Shujaa-ath Shareef, Mohamed |
Keywords: | Water supply system Reverse Osmosis desalination Legislative and regulatory considerations Existing geophysical environment Existing climatic environment Existing terrestrial environment Existing marine environment Existing socio-economic environment Constructional impacts Operational impacts Mitigation measures Environmental management Environmental monitoring Environmental impact assessments |
Issue Date: | Nov-2016 |
Citation: | Zuhair, M., Abdul Fathah, M. S. & Shareef, M. (2016). Environmental impact assessment for the proposed water production and distribution facility at Hoarafushi, Haa Alif Atoll, Maldives. Male': Maldives |
Abstract: | 1. The purpose of this EIA is to critically analyse and assess the potential environmental
impacts associated with the development of the proposed water production and distribution
facility at HA. Hoarafushi and expose the solutions and preferred alternatives as well as
mitigation measures to minimize any negative impacts whilst trying to derive the maximum
positive impacts from the project;
2. Currently, rainwater is widely used in all houses as cooking water and groundwater is used
for various other domestic uses. Almost all houses have a rainwater storage tank. Bottled
water is now mainly used as drinking water. Nevertheless, the groundwater lens in the
islands of Maldives is depleted and highly saline due to over use and polluted in some areas
and not fit for use for domestic purposes. Even though rainwater is widely used, it is not a
reliable source as rainwater cannot be collected during dry season. Therefore, it is
understood that residents of Hoarafushi are in dire need of a clean water facility;
3. In the proposed facility the water production system is designed for 15 years whereas the
distribution system for 35 years;
4. Proposed project involves installation of an RO plant with a capacity of 80 tonnes per day
with three independent drains. Seawater intake is proposed from two bore wells 13 m deep
at a site near the desalination plant. In addition to the bore wells, the facility will also
incorporate rain water collected from public roofs, hence this is an integrated water
resource management facility. Project also includes laying of distribution pipeline to
existing household and a fire hydrant system;
5. A full baseline of groundwater quality, seawater quality, vegetation clearance and marine
environment was established. Marine environment study showed that living substrata and
fish count at the proposed outfall location was low;
6. The construction works of new powerhouses presented in this report are not expected to
adversely impact the environment if the mitigation measures mentioned in the report are
followed. The most important mitigation measures are daily maintenance of machinery,
following chemical handling procedures, waste segregation and storage in closed labelled
containers until disposal;
7. Overall, the proposed project is expected to bring in positive outcomes. It is expected that
the newly established water production and distribution facility will ensure water security
to the population of Hoarafushi in addition to greatly reducing health impacts associated
with the use of polluted water; and
8. Monitoring is essential to ensure that environmental thresholds are not exceeded and
mitigation measures proposed are working. Water quality and marine environment
monitoring shall be done as per to the proposed monitoring schedule. |
URI: | http://saruna.mnu.edu.mv/jspui/handle/123456789/4866 |
Appears in Collections: | ތިމާވެށި Environment A
|
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