Abstract: | This Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report is prepared in accordance with the
Environmental Impact Assessment Regulation 2012 to assess the impacts of proposed
development of water supply system at Th. Thimarafushi. This project is proposed by
Ministry of Environment and Energy and the impact assessment was carried out by
consultants from DCP Pvt. Ltd., lead by lead consultant Amir Musthafa. The construction
stage of the project will be undertaken by Puritas Pvt. Ltd.
This impact assessment will identify and determine the significance of potential impact of
each major component of the proposed project. Any activity that has a significant impact will
be justified and alternatives will be proposed in terms of location and design to mitigate any
adverse impact.
The project proposes a water supply system based on desalination and rainwater harvesting.
Feed water will be obtained from boreholes drilled over 30m deep. Brine will be discharge in
front of the plant facility, 100m away from the beach line. Rainwater will be used to support
the RO plant system. The main justification for the project is due to the decrease in quality of
the groundwater in the island, as is the case in most islands in the Maldives and therefore to
provide continuous supply of freshwater to the public. The integrated water supply system is
not designed to cater for the airport facility. The total water production capacity at the facility
will be 120 m3/day. The water supply system is designed to cater for 35 years.
Thimarafushi is an island that has undergone significant development in recent history. There
has been a major reclamation project as well as airport development. The proposed project
will not need to have any significant vegetation removed as there are no such vegetation at the
site. Considering the marine environment, there are no significant live corals that could be
impacted along the proposed brine discharge location. The proposed site is far away from
population center, and therefore will not have any significant impact on the residential
environment.
During the stakeholder consultations, all the major stakeholders were quite positive on the
project. Their main need was for the project to commence soon. There were other minor
concerns that could be attended easily during the implementation of the project. EPA did not
that designing the project in such a way that it caters for the airport facility would make the
project more feasible and ensure the facility is maintained at a higher level.
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 as is
always the case. 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.
Mitigation measures were proposed for all impacts. 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.
Considering the impacts from the project, it appears that the project would not lead to any
long term detrimental impact. On the other hand, the project has several positive impacts to
the community including improving the health and lifestyle of the public, 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 small change to environmental impact that the alternatives will bring.
A monitoring plan has been formulated and will be used to assess the impacts of the proposed
system. It is planned that ground water, seawater, and product water will be tested regularly at
predefined locations. 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. |