Environmental Impact assessment : relocation of sewer outfalls at IGMH and West park area, Male’ city

Abstract

Background The non-technical summary outlines the findings of the Environmental Impact Assessment of the relocation of sewer outfalls near Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital and West Park Area of Male’. The outfalls are planned to be relocated to the industrial village area of Male’. The proponent of this project is Male’ Water and Sewerage Company Pvt Ltd. The total estimated cost of the project is MRF 10 million. The project involves relocation of the outfalls for the Pump Stations PS5 and PS6 which were located near West Park and the outfalls for Pump Stations PS3 and PS4 which were located near IGMH. The pipes from PS3, PS4, PS5 and PS6 will be re-routed to the four new Pumping Stations at the MWSC plot at Male’ Industrial Village (on the southern side of Male’). The proposed sea outfall is from these stations to the the southern side ocean. Key impacts, mitigation measures and al ternatives 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: Minor to moderate impact on groundwater due to dewatering required during trenching works for rerouting of pipelines; Impact to marine habitat due to physical damage to live coral due to trampling during pipe laying works; Minor impact due to air and noise pollution during construction work Impact on traffic flow and road use Minor impact on marine environment due to sewage disposal 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 x 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:- Outfall pipeline arrangement Outfall pipeline routing options 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 the current issue of sewage pollution of the lagoon of the western side of Male’area, namely the Rasfannu swimming area, will have the chance of being polluted with sewage, thus effecting the health and well-being of the recreational swimmers and beachgoers. The environmental impacts predicted for the project are primarily minor to moderate, hence the benefits of continuing the project, 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 large number of population using the Rasfannu area is not something that should or 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 of the report.