| Abstract: | The purpose of this document is to fulfil the requirements to get necessary environmental
clearance from the Environmental Protection Agency to install the proposed Water Production
Supply System at Meedhoo, Raa Atoll. The proponent of this project is Ministry of Environment
and Energy.
The main rationale for the project is to improve the health condition and quality of life of
residents of Meedhoo Island by establishing a proper potable water supply system that will
provide clean and safe water for the residents of Meedhoo. The project is intended at providing
an integrated water supply system covering rainwater and desalinated water production and
supply.
The proposed project involves installation and establishment of two 40 m3 reverse osmosis plant
systems that consists construction of a borehole to supply raw water for the RO plants,
construction of elevated water storage tanks, construction of brine discharge outfall and house
connections. An area of 9,557 sq ft has been approved and given to the proponent for this
project. The project will also install the required water storage tanks including 500 m3 storage
tank for desalinated water and 1,000 m3 storage tank for rainwater. The project aims at laying of
separate pipe networks for water distribution, rainwater collection and rainwater treatment
system. Duration of the project is approximately 11 months.
Currently the island population sources water from shallow wells constructed at individual
households or in public areas. This is supplemented by collection of rainwater. These methods
provide inadequate quantity and unacceptable quality due to the over abstraction and the
unreliability of rainwater harvesting.
All project activities will be in conformance to the laws and regulations of the Maldives, and
relevant international conventions that Maldives is party to. The key laws and regulations
applicable to this project are: Environmental Protection and Preservation Act, Environmental
Impact Assessment Regulation 2012, Desalination Systems Regulations, and Waste
Management Regulation 2013.
The existing condition of the island and the proposed RO plant site was assessed for this report.
Assessments conducted include marine assessments at the proposed brine outfall and alternative
outfall locations. Groundwater quality and baseline noise level measurements were also taken.
The assessments showed that there is a marine protected area within 11 km from the island.
Marine assessments indicated that the proposed outfall location is mainly composed of dead
coral.
The assessment shows that the RO systems can be developed on the island with limited
implications on the environment. The assessment shows that the proposed developments involve
significant impacts on the marine environment due to brine outfall construction, brine discharge,
ground excavation and operation of vehicles and machinery. The project also involves
moderately significant health and safety risks due to equipment handling and pollution.
However, the predicted impacts can be minimized considerably with the proposed mitigation
measures. Significant impacts of operation stage include marine degradation due to brine
discharge, increased GHG emissions due to RO plant and operation of pumps stations, and
increased cost of living due to additional cost in purchasing water. The assessment shows that
the proposed project has many positive impacts including improved quality and accessibility to
potable water, protection of groundwater aquifer, reduction of water related disaster risk, and
increased employment and business opportunities
The alternatives evaluated for the project is the alternative brine outfall location. The “No
Project” option has also been explored and this option is not deemed preferable, given the
current condition of portable water. An alternative site for brine outfall was also explored, but
given the advantages associated with the proposed outfall, it is the preferred option.
Monitoring plan is designed to assess any changes to the coral reef environment of the island,
ground and marine water quality as these are the key areas that will be impacted from this
project. Monitoring costs is estimated at Rf 75,000 per annum.
The management plan for this project is designed to produce a framework for anticipated
impacts, including practicable and achievable performance requirements and systems for
monitoring, reporting and implementing corrective actions. In addition provide evidence of
compliance to legislation, policies, guidelines and requirements of relevant authorities.
Stakeholder consultations were held with Meedhoo Island council, FENAKA, Meedhoo public,
Health Protection Agency and Environmental Protection Agency. A willingness-to-pay survey
was also conducted during field assessments. Both Meedhoo Island Council and public
highlighted the need for a potable water supply system on the island and are in favour for the
project. Majority of the people consulted wish to pay as per usage. HPA, currently does not have
any regulations for quality of potable water, however they stressed the importance of
disinfecting and treating water prior to releasing to the supply network. EPA advised on ways to
implement the project and its components.
In conclusion, this project has been designed in conformance to the relevant laws and regulations
of Maldives but requires final approval from EPA for the detailed drawings. The most
significant impacts are expected to be short-term impacts for the construction phase. However,
mitigation measures have been proposed to adequately minimise these significant impacts.
Overall, the project will have positive impacts to the island community of Meedhoo |
