7. ENVIRONMENTAL SITE INSPECTION AND AUDIT
7.1 Site Inspection
7.1.1 Site audits were carried out by ET on weekly basis to monitor the implementation of proper environmental management practices and mitigation measures in the Project site.
7.1.2 The joint site audits for Contract No. HY/2013/03 (includes Contract No. HY/2013/06 within Contract No. HY/2013/03 works area) were conducted on 02, 09, 16, 24 and 30 March 2017 by the representatives of Engineer, Contractor, ET and IEC (IEC for 24 March 2017).
7.1.3 Particular observations during the site inspection and corrective actions undertaken by the Contractor are described below:
For Contract No. HY/2013/03
24 Feb 2017
1. CHEC was reminded to provide drip tray for chemical containers. Subsequently, drip tray for chemical containers were provided. The observation was closed on 02 March 2017.
2. CHEC was reminded to provide maintenance for a generator in A8 Bridge which emitted smoke. Subsequently, the generator was removed. The observation was closed on 02 March 2017.
3. CHEC was reminded to remove stagnant water onsite. Subsequently, stagnant water was removed. The observation was closed on 02 March 2017.
4. CHEC was reminded to remove general refuse accumulated at Box Culvert B. Subsequently, general refuse accumulated at Box Culvert B was removed. The observation was closed on 02 March 2017.
02 Mar 2017
1. The Contractor was reminded to increase watering for dust suppression on site. Subsequently, watering for dust suppression was provided. The observation was closed on 09 March 2017.
2. The Contractor was reminded to remove food waste accumulated at Building 026 and 057. Subsequently, food waste accumulated at Building 026 and 057 were removed. The observation was closed on 09 March 2017.
09 Mar 2017
1. The Contractor was reminded to remove the general refuse accumulated at Building 054 and 037. Subsequently, general refuse accumulated at Building 054 and 037 was removed. The observation was closed on 16 March 2017.
2. The Contractor was reminded to remove stagnant water accumulated at drip tray for chemical containers at Building 054. Subsequently, stagnant water accumulated at drip tray for chemical containers at Building 054 was removed. The observation was closed on 16 March 2017.
16 Mar 2017
1. The Contractor was reminded to remove the food waste accumulated at Building 037 and 038. Subsequently, food waste accumulated at Building 037 and 038 were removed. The observation was closed on 24 March 2017.
24 Mar 2017
1. The Contractor was reminded to remove stagnant water accumulated at Building 037. Subsequently, stagnant water accumulated at Building 037 was removed. The observation was closed on 30 March 2017.
2. The Contractor was reminded to remove the construction waste accumulated at Building 037.
Subsequently, construction waste accumulated at Building 037 were removed. The observation was closed on 30 March 2017.
3. The contractor was reminded to remove food waste accumulated at STP. Subsequently, food waste accumulated at STP were removed. The observation was closed on 30 March 2017.
30 Mar 2017
1. The Contractor was reminded to remove food waste accumulated at Building 033. Follow-up actions for outstanding observation will be checked in the upcoming site inspections and reported in the coming reporting period.
2. The Contractor was reminded to remove the stagnant water accumulated at the drip tray of the chemical container of Building 033. Follow-up actions for outstanding observation will be checked in the upcoming site inspections and reported in the coming reporting period.
For Contract No. HY/2013/06 within Contract No. HY/2013/03 works area
02 Mar 2017
1. Nil findings.
09 Mar 2017
1. Nil findings.
16 Mar 2017
1. Nil findings.
24 Mar 2017
1. Nil findings.
30 Mar 2017
1. Nil findings.
7.2 Advice on the Solid and Liquid Waste Management Status
7.2.1... The Contractor of Contract No. HY/2013/03 registered as a chemical waste producer for the Contract. Sufficient numbers of receptacles were available for general refuse collection and sorting.
7.2.2 The monthly summary of waste flow table for Contract No. HY/2013/03 (includes Contract No. HY/2013/06 within Contract No. HY/2013/03 works area) are detailed in Appendix E.
7.2.3 0.000 (in‘000m3) of excavated marine sediment (from Contract No. HY/2013/03), 0.000 (in‘000m3) of Inert C & D Wastes and 0.999 (in‘000m3) of Non-inert C & D Wastes were generated (from Contract No. HY/2013/03) in this reporting period. No Inert C & D Wastes and 0.002 (in tonnes) of Non-inert C & D Wastes were generated (from Contract No. HY/2013/06 within Contract No. HY/2013/03 works area) in this reporting period. 0.000 (in tonnes) paper/cardboard packaging and 0.005 (in tonnes) metals were generated and recycled (from Contract No. HY/2013/06 within Contract No. HY/2013/03 works area) in this reporting period.
7.2.4 The excavated marine mud from the land-based works was disposed of at the designated disposal sites within Hong Kong as allocated by the Marine Fill Committee. The Contractor of Contract No. HY/2013/03 shall ensure no spilling and overflowing of materials during loading / unloading / transportation is allowed.
7.2.5... The Contractor was reminded that chemical waste containers should be properly treated and stored temporarily in designated chemical waste storage area on site in accordance with the Code of Practice on the Packing, Labelling and Storage of Chemical Waste.
7.2.6... Contractor of Contract No. HY/2013/03’s site arrangement for disposal of bentonite slurry to Tseung Kwan O Area 137 Fill Bank was checked by ET and formal consent has been obtained from Tseung Kwan O Area 137 Fill Bank for receiving used bentonite slurry generated from Contract No. HY/2013/03.
7.3 Environmental Licenses and Permits
7.3.1 The valid environmental licenses and permits for Contract No. HY/2013/03 (includes Contract No. HY/2013/06 within Contract No. HY/2013/03 works area) during the reporting period are summarized in Appendix F. The Contractor of Contract No. HY/2013/06 was advised to register as a chemical waste producer when chemical waste is expected to generate for the foreseeable future from the operations (For Registration as Waste Producer Pursuant to Waste Disposal (Chemical Waste) (General) Regulation).
7.4 Implementation Status of Environmental Mitigation Measures
7.4.1... In response to the site audit findings, the Contractor carried out corrective actions.
7.4.2... A summary of the Implementation Schedule of Environmental Mitigation Measures (EMIS) is presented in Appendix G. All necessary mitigation measures at this stage of works were implemented properly.
7.4.3... Implementation status of Regular Marine Travel Route Plan (RMTRP) was checked by ET. Training of marine travel route for marine vessels operator was given to relevant staff and relevant records were kept properly. The marine traffic records and geographical plots of all the vessels tracks to demonstrate the conformance of the vessel to the proposed route in February 2017 would be provided to ER, ETL, IEC/ENPO for checking within the month of April 2017.
7.4.4... With respect to condition 3.26A of EP-353/2009/K approved by EPD on 11 April 2016, the numbers and operating periods of floating grout production facilities and floating concrete batching plants on-site to review on the compliance to this EP condition were checked. Under Contract No. HY/2013/03, one floating concrete batching plant was operated on-site during the reporting period.
7.5 Summary of Exceedance of the Environmental Quality Performance Limit
7.5.1 Summary of Action and Limit Level exceedance of 1-hr TSP level and 24-hr TSP level at AMS6 shall be referred to the monthly EM&A report prepared by Contract No. HY/2011/03.
7.5.2 There was no Action and Limit Level exceedance of 1-hr TSP level and 24-hr TSP level recorded at station AMS7 by the Environmental Team of Contract No. HY/2010/02 during the reporting period.
7.5.3 There was no Action and Limit Level exceedance for noise recorded at station NMS2 and station NMS3B by the Environmental Team of Contract No. HY/2010/02 during the reporting period.
7.5.4 There was no marine works conducted during the reporting period and therefore, no relevant monitoring result is reported.
7.5.5 There was no marine works conducted during the reporting period and therefore, no ecology monitoring result is reported.
7.6...... Summary of Complaints, Notification of Summons and Successful Prosecution
7.6.1 There were two complaints received in relation to the environmental impact during the reporting period. The summary of environmental complaints is presented in Table 7.1. The details of cumulative statistics of Environmental Complaints are provided in Appendix H.
Table 7.1 Summary of Environmental Complaints for the Reporting Month
|
Log No. |
Environmental Complaint Ref. No. |
Date of Complaint Receipt |
Description |
|
006 |
ENPO-C0110 |
21 March 2017 |
Water pollution |
|
007 |
ENPO-C0113 |
28 March 2017 |
Noise and water pollution |
7.6.2 The first complaint (ENPO-C0110) was received by EPD from a member of the public and was referred by EPD to the ENPO. Then the ENPO forwarded the complaint by email to the ET (Materialab Consulants Ltd.) of the Contract No. HY/2013/03 on 21 March 2017.
Details of Complaint
One complaint was forwarded from IEC on 21 March 2017, with the following information provided by EPD:
The complainant complained about the construction site at the east of HZMB artificial island in Tung Chung which was belonged to Dragages Hong Kong. The construction site discharged waste water into open water frequently in the evening causing ecological pollution.
Investigation of Complaint
Date Complaint Investigated by Environmental Team: 22 March 2017
........... Summary of Investigation
........... After liaising with CHEC and the operation team, it cannot be identified if the location mentioned in the complaint is under HY/2013/03 or not. As there are construction sites which under other contracts of HZMB.
........... Notwithstanding the above, interview was conducted on 22 March 2017 with Mr. Marko Chan, Environmental Officer of CHEC and site management. Wastewater was treated properly and discharged recently. Water sampling will also be conducted regularly to monitor water quality. The location plan showing the existing wastewater treatment facilities and discharge points is shown in Appendix A and the result of water sampling on the complaint date is shown in Appendix B.
........... During the site inspection conducted on 24 March 2017, the discharge point located in the construction site of Dragages Hong Kong has been visited. It was connected to two tanks in STP which carried underground water pumped out. Water was being treated before discharge. By observation, the water discharged from the discharge point and water discharge to the tanks looked clear. Photos of investigation during this site audit is shown in Appendix C. According to the result of water sampling conducted on the complaint date at the tank in STP as shown in Appendix B, no exceedance was recorded.
........... For Contract No. HY/2013/06 within Contract No. HY/2013/03 works area, they do not have any marine works, marine transportation nor water discharge.
........... Investigation Results
...........
........... Due to lack of information, The ET of Contract No. HY/2013/03 cannot conclude that the captioned complaint is related to the construction activities of our contract. Nevertheless, the Contractor had been reminded to comply with the requirements stipulated in the Environmental Mitigation Implementation Schedule (EMIS) of the EM&A Manual, in particular:
...........
• Water Quality
........... W2: Land Work
........... Wastewater from temporary site facilities should be controlled to prevent direct discharge to surface or marine waters
........... The ET of Contract No. HY/2013/06 within Contract No. HY/2013/03 works area concluded that the captioned complaint is not related to the construction activities of our contract.
Follow up status (complaints)
During weekly site audit on 2, 9, 16 and 24 February 2017, 2, 9 and 16 March 2017, ET confirmed that the Contractor had provided workable and effective water quality mitigation measures on site. Mitigation measures implemented include: 1. Wastewater from temporary site facilities should be controlled to prevent direct discharge to surface or marine waters; 2. storm drainage shall be directed to storm drains via adequately designed sand/silt removal facilities such as sand traps, silt traps and sediment basins. Channels, earth bunds or sand bag barriers should be provided on site to properly direct storm water to such silt removal facilities. Catch pits and perimeter channels should be constructed in advance of site formation works and earthworks; 3. Wastewater generated from concreting, plastering, internal decoration, cleaning work and other similar activities, shall be screened to remove large objects. The implementation status of the mitigation measures will be checked during the following site audits.
Recommendations to the Contractor
The Contractor was reminded to continue to fully implement all water quality mitigation measures and comply with the requirements of Water Discharge License.
Follow up Status (Overall)
As The ET of Contract No. HY/2013/03 (including Contract No. HY/2013/06 within Contract No. HY/2013/03 works area) is not able to conclude the validity of this complaint, additional follow up is needed. ET has proposed several recommendations to the Contractor, and reminded on complying with the requirements stipulated in the Environmental Mitigation Implementation Schedule (EMIS) of the EM&A Manual. According to site audit conducted recently, ET confirmed all mitigation measures stipulated in the EMIS had been implemented during site audit on 2, 9, 16 and 24 February 2017, 2, 9 and 16 March 2017 and will keep checking their implementation status during the future site audit, in particular to the following aspect:
• Water Quality:
W2: Land Work
Wastewater from temporary site facilities should be controlled to prevent direct discharge to surface or marine waters
7.6.3 The second complaint (ENPO-C0113) was received by EPD from a member of the public on 27 March 2017 and was referred by EPD to the ENPO. Then the ENPO forwarded the complaint by email to the ET (Materialab Consulants Ltd.) of the Contract No. HY/2013/03 on 28 March 2017.
Details of Complaint
One complaint was forwarded from IEC on 28 March 2017, with the following information provided by EPD:
As advised by EPD, the complaint should be made by a resident of Century Link. The complainant complained that starting from around 10pm to midnight on 27 March 2017, there were loud noise outside. By observation, the noise should come from the construction of artificial island of HZMB. Besides, in the morning on 28 March 207, water pollution was observed in the sea outside which should result from HZMB project. The photo provided by the complainant is shown in Appendix B.
Investigation of Complaint
Date Complaint Investigated by Environmental Team: 28 March 2017
Summary of Investigation
Interview was conducted on 28 March 2017 with Mr. Marko Chan, Environmental Officer of CHEC and site management. Night works were conducted on 26 March 2017 under Construction Noise Permit for Contract No. HY/2013/03 including GW-RS1329-16 & GW-RS0205-17 as shown in Appendix A.
For Contract No. HY/2013/06 within Contract No. HY/2013/03 works area, as confirmed with the operation team, there was no construction work at the said location during complained hours, i.e. from 2200 on 27 March 2017.
Regarding the water pollution problem, there was no marine work and marine transportation undertaken on 26 and 27 March 2017. The location of pollution indicated in the complaint should be at the South of the artificial island. There is no discharge point nearby for Contract No. HY/2013/03.
For Contract No. HY/2013/06 within Contract No. HY/2013/03 works area, there was no marine work, marine transportation nor water discharge.
Investigation Results
The ET of Contract No. HY/2013/03 (including Contract No. HY/2013/06 within Contract No. HY/2013/03) concluded that the captioned complaint is not related to the construction activities of our contract. Nevertheless, the Contractor had been reminded to comply with the requirements stipulated in the Environmental Mitigation Implementation Schedule (EMIS) of the EM&A Manual, in particular:
Construction Noise (air borne):
N1: Use of good site practices to limit noise emissions: machines and plants (such as trucks, cranes) that may be in intermittent use should be shut down between work periods or should be throttled down to a minimum; and
N5: sequencing operation of construction plants where practicable.
Water Quality
W1:
· Loading of barges and hoppers shall be controlled to prevent splashing of dredged material to the surrounding water. Barges or hoppers shall not be filled to a level which will cause overflow of materials or pollution of water during loading or transportation;
· Any pipe leakages shall be repaired quickly. Plant should not be operated with leaking pipes;
· The works shall not cause foam, oil, grease, litter or other objectionable matter to be present in the water within and adjacent to the works site.
W2: Wastewater from temporary site facilities should be controlled to prevent direct discharge to surface or marine waters.
Follow up status (complaints)
During weekly site audit on 2, 9, 16, 24 and 30 March 2017, ET confirmed that the Contractor had provided workable and effective noise and sewage mitigation measures on site.
Noise mitigation measures implemented include: 1. Machines and generators that may be in intermittent use were shut down between work periods; 2. Silencers or mufflers on construction equipment were properly fitted and maintained without significant noise generation; 3. Generators were situated as far away from NSRs as possible and practicable; and 4. Material stockpiles, site office and other structures were effectively utilized, where practicable, to screen noise from on-site construction activities.
Water quality mitigation measures implemented include: 1. loading of barges and hoppers shall be controlled to prevent splashing of dredged material to the surrounding water. Barges or hoppers shall not be filled to a level which will cause overflow of materials or pollution of water during loading or transportation; 2. Any pipe leakages shall be repaired quickly. Plant should not be operated with leaking pipes; 3. The works shall not cause foam, oil, grease, litter or other objectionable matter to be present in the water within and adjacent to the works site; 4. Wastewater from temporary site facilities should be controlled to prevent direct discharge to surface or marine waters.
Recommendations to the Contractor
The Contractor was reminded to fully implement all noise and water quality mitigation measures and comply with the requirements of Water Discharge License and Construction Noise Permit.
Follow up Status (Overall)
The captioned complaint is not valid and therefore, no additional follow up is needed. However, ET has proposed several recommendations to the Contractor, and reminded on complying with the requirements stipulated in the Environmental Mitigation Implementation Schedule (EMIS) of the EM&A Manual to the Contractor. According to site audit conducted recently, ET confirmed all mitigation measures stipulated in the EMIS had been implemented during site audit on 2, 9, 16, 24 and 30 March 2017, in particular to the following aspect:
Construction Noise (air borne):
N1: Use of good site practices to limit noise emissions: machines and plants (such as trucks, cranes) that may be in intermittent use should be shut down between work periods or should be throttled down to a minimum; and
N5: sequencing operation of construction plants where practicable.
Water Quality
W1:
· Loading of barges and hoppers shall be controlled to prevent splashing of dredged material to the surrounding water. Barges or hoppers shall not be filled to a level which will cause overflow of materials or pollution of water during loading or transportation;
· Any pipe leakages shall be repaired quickly. Plant should not be operated with leaking pipes;
· The works shall not cause foam, oil, grease, litter or other objectionable matter to be present in the water within and adjacent to the works site.
W2: Wastewater from temporary site facilities should be controlled to prevent direct discharge to surface or marine waters.
7.6.4 There was no notification for summons or prosecutions received in relation to the environmental impact during this reporting period.
7.6.5 Statistics on environmental complaints, notifications of summons and successful prosecutions are provided in Appendix H.