Abbreviations
Executive Summary
1.1 Background
1.2 Scope of the EM&A Report
1.3 Organization Structure
1.4 Summary of Construction Works
1.5 Summary of EM&A Programme Requirements
1.6 Status of Statutory Environmental Compliance with the Environmental Permit
1.7 Status of Other Statutory Environmental Requirements
2 EM&A Results for Tung Chung East
2.1 Air Quality
2.2 Noise Monitoring
2.3 Water Quality Monitoring
2.4 Soft Shore Ecological Monitoring
2.5 EM&A Site Inspection
2.6 Waste Management Status
2.7 Implementation Status of Environmental Mitigation Measures
2.8 Summary of Exceedances of the Environmental Quality Performance Limit
2.9 Summary of Complaints, Notification of Summons and Successful Prosecutions
3.1 Construction Programme for the Coming Month
3.2 Monitoring Schedule for the Coming Month
4 Conclusion and Recommendation
Annexes
Annex A Project Organisation
Annex B Environmental Mitigation Implementation Schedule
Annex C Status of Submissions and Implementation Status of Mitigation Measures under EP
Annex D Status of Statutory Environmental Requirements
Annex
E Air Quality
Annex E1 Calibration Certificates
Annex E2 Monitoring Schedule
Annex E3 Monitoring Results
Annex E4 Event and Action Plan
Annex
F Noise
Annex F1 Calibration Certificates
Annex F2 Monitoring Schedule
Annex F3 Monitoring Results
Annex F4 Event and Action Plan
Annex
G Water Quality
Annex G1 Calibration Certificates
Annex G2 Monitoring Schedule
Annex G3 Monitoring Results
Annex G4 Event and Action Plan
Annex I Monitoring Schedule for the Next Reporting Period
Abbreviations
|
C&D |
Construction and Demolition |
|
CAP |
Contamination Assessment Plan |
|
CEDD |
Civil Engineering and Development Department |
|
CWD |
Chinese White Dolphin |
|
DCM |
Deep Cement Mixing |
|
DO |
Dissolved Oxygen |
|
EIA |
Environmental Impact Assessment |
|
EIAO |
Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance |
|
EIS |
Ecologically Important Stream |
|
EM&A |
Environmental Monitoring and Audit |
|
EP |
Environmental Permit |
|
EPD |
Environmental Protection Department |
|
ER |
Engineer's Representative |
|
ERM |
ERM-Hong Kong, Limited |
|
ET |
Environmental Team |
|
HVS |
High Volume Sampler |
|
IEC |
Independent Environmental Checker |
|
PDA |
Planned Development Area |
|
PME |
Powered Mechanical Equipment |
|
QPME |
Quality Powered Mechanical Equipment |
|
RAP |
Remediation Action Plan |
|
RR |
Remediation Report |
|
RTTM |
Real Time Tracking and Monitoring |
|
SS |
Suspended Solid |
|
TCB |
Tung Chung Bay |
|
TCE |
Tung Chung East |
|
TCNTE |
Tung Chung New Town Extension |
|
TCW |
Tung Chung West |
|
The Project |
Tung Chung New Town Extension (East) |
|
THW |
Tai Ho Wan |
|
TSP |
Total Suspended Particulate |
|
Updated EM&A Manual |
Updated Environmental Monitoring and Audit Manual for Tung Chung New Town Extension prepared by ERM under Agreement No. CE 60/2017 (EP) and deposited to EPD under Environmental Permit No. EP-519/2016 |
Executive Summary
Tung Chung New Town Extension (TCNTE) is one of the major initiatives under the Government's multi-pronged approach to increase land supply to meet Hong Kong's medium- to long-term needs for housing, economic and social developments. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report for TCNTE (Register No. AEIAR-196/2016) was approved on 8 April 2016 and the Environmental Permit (EP) No. EP-519/2016, covering the construction and operation of TCNTE, was granted on 9 August 2016. The EIA Report and EP cover both Tung Chung East (TCE) and Tung Chung West (TCW). ERM-Hong Kong, Limited (ERM) is commissioned to undertake the role of Environmental Team (ET) for the construction and operation of TCE Project (“the Project”) in accordance with the requirements specified in the EP, Updated Environmental Monitoring and Audit (EM&A) Manual, EIA Report of the TCNTE project and other relevant statutory requirements. The construction of the Project commenced on 9 July 2018.
This is the Monthly EM&A report presenting the EM&A works carried out during the period from 1 to 31 October 2020 for the Project in accordance with the Updated EM&A Manual.
A summary of monitoring and audit activities conducted in the reporting period is listed below:
Air Quality Monitoring 5 sessions
Noise Monitoring 5 sessions
Water Quality Monitoring ([1]) 12 sessions
Environmental Site Inspection 4 sessions
Environmental Management Meeting 1 session
Environmental auditing works, including weekly site inspections of construction works conducted by the ET, audit of works vessels, audit of implementation of Dolphin Watching Plan, Works Vessel Travel Route Plan, Silt Curtain Deployment Plan, Spill Response Plan and Waste Management Plan were conducted in the reporting period. Based on the audit results and the observation for the reporting period, environmental pollution control and mitigation measures for the Project were properly implemented.
Breaches of Action and Limit Levels for Air Quality
No exceedance of Action and Limit Levels was recorded for construction air quality monitoring in the reporting period.
Breaches of Action and Limit Levels for Noise
No exceedance of Limit Levels was recorded for construction noise monitoring in the reporting period. However, one (1) Action Level was triggered from one (1) environmental complaint related to noise nuisance in the reporting period. Investigations were conducted for the exceedance in accordance with the Event and Action Plan.
Breaches of Action and Limit Levels for Water Quality
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) and Suspended Solids (SS) exceedances were recorded during the reporting period. Relevant investigations and follow-up actions were conducted according to the EM&A programme. The exceedances were considered not related to this Project after investigations.
Soft Shore Ecological Monitoring
No impact soft shore ecological monitoring at Tung Chung Bay and Tai Ho Wan was scheduled during the reporting period.
Environmental Complaints, Non-compliance & Summons
There was no notification of summons or prosecution recorded in the reporting period.
A total of four (4) environmental complaints were received in the reporting period, including two (2) environmental complaints related to muddy road condition/dusty road and one (1) environmental complaint related to muddy water and one (1) environmental complaint related to noise nuisance were received in the reporting period. Investigations were conducted for the environmental complaints in accordance with the complaint handling process as stated in the Complaint Management Plan.
Reporting Change
There was no reporting change in the reporting period.
Key Issues For The Coming Month
Potential environmental impacts arising from the upcoming construction activities in the next reporting period of November 2020 are mainly associated with dust emission, noise from barge and plant operation during normal working hours and restricted hours, elevation in SS due to sediment loss from laying of sand blanket and marine filling works, disturbance to Chinese White Dolphin (CWD) during marine works, handling and storage of C&D materials generated from construction activities, efficiency of wastewater and drainage management. The ET will keep track on the construction works to confirm compliance of environmental requirements and the proper implementation of all necessary mitigation measures. The ET will also recommend to the Contractor about the environmental toolbox topics on the abovementioned key issues for the coming month.
1
Introduction
1.1
Background
Tung Chung New Town Extension (TCNTE) is one of the major initiatives under the Government's multi-pronged approach to increase land supply to meet Hong Kong's medium- to long-term needs for housing, economic and social developments. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report for TCNTE (Register No. AEIAR-196/2016) was approved on 8 April 2016 and the Environmental Permit (EP) No. EP-519/2016, covering the construction and operation of TCNTE, was granted on 9 August 2016. The EIA Report and EP cover both Tung Chung East (TCE) and Tung Chung West (TCW).
ERM-Hong Kong, Limited (ERM) is commissioned to undertake the role of Environmental Team (ET) for the construction and operation of TCE Project (“the Project”) in accordance with the requirements specified in the EP, Updated Environmental Monitoring and Audit (EM&A) Manual ([2]), EIA Report of the TCNTE project ([3]) and other relevant statutory requirements.
The TCE Project (“the Project”) comprises the following elements:
1. Reclamation of the seabed by a non-dredged method at TCE to form a total of about 130 hectares of land;
2. Construction of about 4.9 kilometres of seawalls, with an eco-shoreline, three drainage box culvert outfalls, three circulation drains and a seawater intake at TCE;
3. Construction of a 470-metre (m) long multi-cell drainage box culvert at TCE;
4. Provision of infrastructure for Tung Chung Area 58, including construction of a single two-lane road with a footpath of about 270 m in length and the associated utility works;
5. Construction of roads, footbridges, drainage, sewerage, waterworks, sewage and salt water pumping stations, fresh water and salt water service reservoirs, and flood protection measures;
6. Provision of new cycle tracks connecting to the existing cycle track network;
7. Landscaping, reprovisioning and ancillary works; and
8. Implementation of environmental mitigation measures and environmental monitoring and audit works.
The location of the Project, including the associated infrastructure works, is shown in Figure 1.1. The construction and the reclamation related marine works of the Project commenced on 9 and 13 July 2018, respectively.
1.2
Scope of the EM&A Report
This is the Monthly EM&A Report for the Project which summarises the key findings of the EM&A programme during the reporting period from 1 to 31 October 2020 for the construction works.
1.3
Organization Structure
The organization structure of the Project is shown in Annex A. The key personnel contact names and contact details are summarized in Table 1.1 below.
Table 1.1 Contact Information of Key Personnel
|
Party |
Position |
Name |
Telephone |
|
Civil Engineering and Development Department
|
Senior Engineer |
Lo Siu Keung |
2231 4426 |
|
Marine Conservation Officer
|
Wo King Tai |
3894 9707 |
|
|
Engineer’s Representative (ER) (AECOM Asia Company Limited)
|
Principal Resident Engineer Chief Resident Engineer |
Frankie Fan
Dennis Leung |
3894 9403
3894 9404 |
|
Senior Resident Engineer |
Chris Cheung |
3894 9605 |
|
|
Resident Engineer |
Vincent Leung |
3894 9645 |
|
|
Senior Inspector of Works
|
C K Liu |
3894 9733 |
|
|
Environmental Team (ET) (ERM-Hong Kong, Limited)
|
ET Leader |
Jovy Tam |
3894 9507 |
|
Deputy ET Leader |
Raymond Chow |
3894 9504 |
|
|
Independent Environmental Checker (IEC) (Black & Veatch Hong Kong Limited)
|
IEC |
Manuel Chua |
3894 9501 |
|
Deputy IEC
|
Ivan Ting |
3894 9502 |
|
|
Contractor (Contract No. NL/2017/03 TCNTE – Reclamation and Advance Works) (Build King – SCT Joint Venture)
|
Site Agent |
Keith Tse |
3903 1503 |
|
Construction Team Leader |
Lee Wai Man |
3903 1520 |
|
|
Environmental Officer |
Donna Tso |
3903 1580 |
|
|
24-hour Complaint Hotline
|
- |
9862 2910 |
1.4
Summary of Construction Works
As informed by the Contractor, details of the major works carried out in this reporting period are listed below:
Table 1.2 Major Activities in the Reporting Period
|
Activities |
Key Issues |
Key Mitigation Measures |
|
Land-based Works |
|
|
|
· Ground investigation works · Land DCM works and jet grouting · Placing of sorted public fill · Box culvert construction · Chain link fence erection and U-channel construction |
· Dust emission · Handling and storage of C&D materials generated from construction activities · Noise from plant operation · Emission of dark smoke from PMEs · Efficiency of wastewater and drainage management |
· Good site practices · Regular water spraying on stockpiles, unpaved haul road and land filling area · Provide tarpaulin sheets coverage on stockpiles · Sorting and reuse of C&D materials as far as practicable · Use of QPME and noise barrier/acoustic mat · Regular maintenance of PMEs · Implementation of wastewater and drainage management |
|
Marine-based Works |
|
|
|
· Laying of geotextile and sand blanket for reclamation works and DCM works · Marine-based instruments monitoring works · Placing of sorted public fill · DCM works · Seawall construction |
· Elevation in impact on Water Quality due to sediment loss from sand blanket laying and marine filling works · Potential surface runoff · Potential filling material drop from barges · Disturbance to Chinese White Dolphin · Noise from marine vessels and plant operation during normal working hours or restricted hours · Dust emission during storage and transfer of sand/ sorted public fill · Emission of dark smoke from marine vessel
|
· Provision of perimeter silt curtain · Provision of a leading seawall of at least 200m before marine filling works · Regular cleaning of accumulated sand/fill materials at the edge of the barges · Implementation of Dolphin Watching for the marine-based works · Strictly follow requirement under CNP for the use of PMEs and works within restricted period · Use of acoustic mat and other noise mitigation measures when necessary · Regular maintenance of engines and mechanical equipment |
The environmental mitigation implementation schedule is presented in Annex B.
1.5
Summary of EM&A Programme Requirements
The status for all environmental aspects are presented in Table 1.3. The EM&A requirements remained unchanged during the reporting period.
Table 1.3 Summary of Status for the Environmental Aspects under the Updated EM&A Manual
|
Parameters |
Status |
|
Air Quality |
|
|
Baseline Monitoring |
The results of baseline air quality monitoring for TCE were reported in Baseline Monitoring Report and submitted to EPD under EP Condition 3.4
|
|
Impact Monitoring |
On-going for TCE, monitoring conducted three times every six days |
|
|
|
|
Noise |
|
|
Baseline Monitoring |
The results of baseline noise monitoring for TCE were reported in Baseline Monitoring Report and submitted to EPD under EP Condition 3.4
|
|
Impact Monitoring |
On-going for TCE, monitoring conducted once per week
|
|
Impact Monitoring for Road Traffic Noise during Operational Phase
|
To be conducted during operational phase |
|
Fixed Noise Commissioning Test |
To be implemented by the Contractor before operation of TCNTE |
|
|
|
|
Water Quality |
|
|
Baseline Monitoring |
The results of baseline water quality monitoring for TCE were reported in Baseline Monitoring Report and submitted to EPD under EP Condition 3.4
|
|
Impact Monitoring |
On-going for TCE, monitoring conducted three times per week |
|
|
|
|
Waste Management |
|
|
Waste Monitoring |
On-going |
|
|
|
|
Land Contamination |
|
|
Contamination Assessment Plan (CAP), Remediation Action Plan (RAP) and Remediation Report (RR) |
Pending environmental site investigation and lab testing works for TCW |
|
|
|
|
Ecology |
|
|
Monitoring for Compensation Woodland
|
To be conducted when compensation woodland are planted |
|
Monitoring for Emergent Plant inside the future River Park
|
To be conducted in the future River Park |
|
Monitoring for Translocated Amphibians of Conservation Importance
|
To be conducted after translocation |
|
Monitoring for Preserved/Transplanted Plant Species of Conservation Importance
|
To be conducted after preservation/ transplantation |
|
Monitoring for Tung Chung Stream EIS and Wong Lung Hang EIS
|
To be conducted under TCW |
|
Eco-shoreline Monitoring |
To be conducted when eco-shoreline at TCE PDA and Road P1 is built
|
|
Tung Chung Bay and Tai Ho Wan Baseline Monitoring |
The results of baseline soft shore ecological monitoring at Tung Chung Bay and Tai Ho Wan were reported in Baseline Monitoring Report and submitted to EPD under EP Condition 3.4
|
|
Tung Chung Bay and Tai Ho Wan Impact Monitoring |
On-going for TCE, monitoring conducted quarterly |
|
|
|
|
Landscape and Visual |
|
|
Baseline Monitoring |
The results of baseline landscape and visual monitoring were reported in Baseline Monitoring Report and submitted to EPD under EP Condition 3.4 |
|
|
|
|
Site Environmental Audit |
|
|
Regular Site Inspection
|
On-going |
|
Dolphin Watching Plan implementation measures
|
Under implementation by the Contractor |
|
Works Vessel Travel Route Plan implementation measures
|
Under implementation by the Contractor |
|
Silt Curtain Deployment Plan implementation measures |
Under implementation by the Contractor |
|
|
|
|
Spill Response Plan implementation measures |
Under implementation by the Contractor |
|
|
|
|
Waste Management Plan implementation measures |
Under implementation by the Contractor |
|
|
|
|
Complaint Hotline and Email Channel
|
Under implementation by the Contractor |
|
Environmental Log Book |
On-going |
Taking into account the construction works, impact monitoring of air quality, noise, water quality and waste management were carried out in the reporting period. The monitoring schedule of air quality, noise and water quality monitoring are provided in Annex E2, Annex F2 and Annex G2, respectively.
The EM&A programme also involved environmental site inspections and related auditing conducted by the ET for checking the implementation of the required environmental mitigation measures recommended in the approved EIA Report and relevant EP submissions, including Dolphin Watching Plan, Works Vessel Travel Route Plan, Silt Curtain Deployment Plan, Spill Response Plan and Waste Management Plan.
To promote the environmental awareness and enhance the environmental performance of the contractors, environmental trainings and regular environmental management meetings were conducted during the reporting period, which are summarized as below:
Ÿ One (1) environmental management committee meeting was held with the Contractor, ER, ET, IEC and CEDD on 22 October 2020; and
Ÿ Environmental toolbox trainings on noise control measures, dump truck wheel washing before leaving site, dark smoke prevention, waste management, installation of geotextile for transshipment, NRMM labels, chemical storage and Works Vessel Travel Route Plan on 7, 9, 16, 21, 23, 28 and 30 October 2020.
1.6
Status of Statutory Environmental Compliance with the
Environmental Permit
The status of statutory environmental compliance with the EP conditions under the EIAO, submission status under the EP and implementation status of mitigation measures are presented in Annex C.
1.7
Status of Other Statutory
Environmental Requirements
The environmental licenses and permits, including environmental permit, waste discharge license, registration as chemical waste producer and construction noise permit, which were valid in the reporting period are presented in Annex D. No non-compliance with environmental statutory requirements was recorded.
2
EM&A Results for Tung Chung East
The EM&A programme for the Project required environmental monitoring for air quality, noise, water quality and marine ecology as well as environmental site inspections for air quality, noise, water quality, waste management, marine ecology and landscape and visual impacts. The EM&A requirements and related findings for each component are summarized in the following sections.
2.1
Air Quality
2.1.1
Monitoring Requirements and Equipment
According to the Updated EM&A Manual of the Project, impact air quality monitoring in terms of 1-hour Total Suspended Particulate (TSP) was conducted three (3) times every six (6) days when the highest dust impact was expected. The Action and Limit Levels of the air quality monitoring is provided in Table 2.1 below.
Table 2.1 Action and Limit Levels for 1-hour TSP
|
Location |
Action Level, µg/m3 |
Limit Level, µg/m3 |
|
Monitoring station for Tung Chung East |
279 |
500 |
Portable direct reading dust meters were used to measure 1-hour TSP levels in undertaking the air quality monitoring for the Project. The proposed use of portable direct reading dust meters was submitted to IEC and obtained agreement from the IEC as stated in Section 5.5 of the Updated EM&A Manual. With the use of direct reading dust meter, it can allow prompt and direct results for the EM&A reporting and the implementation of the event and action plan. The portable direct reading dust meter would be calibrated every year against High Volume Sampler (HVS) to check the validity and accuracy of the results measured by direct reading method.
The monitoring location and equipment used in the impact air quality monitoring programme are summarized in Table 2.2 and illustrated in Figure 2.1. Copies of the calibration certificates for the equipment are presented in Annex E1, which showed that the portable direct reading dust meter is capable of providing comparable results with that provided by a HVS.
Table 2.2 Air Quality Monitoring Details
|
Monitoring Station |
Location |
Parameter |
Frequency and Duration |
Monitoring Dates |
Equipment |
|
DM-1 |
Tung Chung Area 56 – Ying Tung Estate |
1-hour TSP |
Three times per six days during the construction period of the Project |
6, 12, 17, 23 and 29 October 2020 |
1-hour TSP Dust Meter SIBATA LD-5R (S/N: 831656) and SIBATA LD-3B (S/N: 436553) |
|
Remark: It should be noted that impact monitoring at other construction dust monitoring locations at TCE as stated in the Updated EM&A Manual will commence after the flat intake (for Monitoring Stations DM-2, DM-3 and DM-4). |
|||||
2.1.2
Monitoring Schedule for the Reporting Month
The schedule for air quality monitoring during the reporting period is provided in Annex E2.
2.1.3
Results and Observations
The monitoring results for 1-hour TSP are summarized in Table 2.3. The monitoring data and the graphical presentation are provided in Annex E3.
Table 2.3 Summary of 1-hour TSP Monitoring Results in the Reporting Period
|
Monitoring Station |
Average (µg/m3) |
Range (µg/m3) |
Action Level (µg/m3) |
Limit Level (µg/m3) |
|
DM-1 |
32 |
15-58 |
279 |
500 |
The dust sources in the reporting period included haul road traffic, unloading of sand/fill material, filling works and operation of marine vessels under the Project.
No exceedance of Action and Limit Levels was recorded for construction air quality monitoring in the reporting period. No action is thus required to be undertaken in accordance with the Event and Action Plan presented in Annex E4.
2.2
Noise Monitoring
2.2.1
Monitoring Requirements and Equipment
According to the Updated EM&A Manual of the Project, impact noise monitoring was conducted once per week during the construction phase of the Project. The Action and Limit Level for construction noise of the Project is provided in Table 2.4 below.
Table 2.4 Action and Limit Levels for Construction Noise
|
Time Period |
Action Level |
Limit Level |
|
0700 - 1900 hours on normal weekdays |
When one documented complaint is received |
75 dB(A) * |
Notes:
Limit level is exceeded when Leq ≥ 75 dB(A). If works are to be carried out during restricted hours, the conditions stipulated in the construction noise permit issued by the Noise Control Authority have to be followed.
* Reduce to 70 dB (A) for schools and 65 dB (A) during school examination periods.
Noise monitoring was performed using sound level meter at the designated monitoring stations NMS-CA-1A ([4]) ([5]) and NMS-CA-4 (Figure 2.2; Table 2.5) in accordance with the requirements stipulated in the Updated EM&A Manual. Acoustic calibrator was deployed to check the sound level meters at a known sound pressure level. Details of the deployed equipment are provided in Table 2.5. Copies of the calibration certificates for the equipment are presented in Annex F1.
Table 2.5 Noise Monitoring Details
|
Monitoring Station (a) |
Location |
Parameter |
Frequency and Duration |
Monitoring Dates |
Equipment |
|
NMS-CA-1A (b) |
Residential premise in Tung Chung East – Century Link/Ying Hong Road (c)
|
30-minute measurement between 0700 and 1900 on normal weekdays (Monday to Saturday). Leq, L10 and L90 would be recorded. |
Once per week for 30 mins during the construction period of the Project |
6, 12, 17, 23 and 29 October 2020 |
Sound Level Meter: Rion NL-52 (S/N: 00331805)
Acoustic Calibrator: LARSON DAVIS CAL200 (S/N: 11333) |
|
NMS-CA-4 |
Residential premise in the reclamation area next to Tung Chung East – Ying Tung Estate
|
|
|||
|
Remarks: (a) It should be noted that impact monitoring at other construction noise monitoring locations at TCE as stated in the Updated EM&A Manual will commence after the flat intake of residential premise in TCE (for Monitoring Station NMS-CA-1) and operation of schools (for Monitoring Stations NMS-CA-2 and NMS-CA-3). (b) Impact monitoring at monitoring station NMS-CA-1A commenced on 19 September 2018 in view of the close vicinity of the construction works near the residential area at Century Link. (c) Due to land handover issue, NMS-CA-1A was relocated to Ying Hong Road which is located 60m away from the original location. Proposal on the relocation of NMS-CA-1A was approved by IEC on 23 November 2018. Noise monitoring at the relocated location commenced since 24 November 2018. |
|||||
2.2.2
Monitoring Schedule for the Reporting Month
The schedule for noise monitoring during the reporting period is provided in Annex F2.
2.2.3
Results and Observations
Results for noise monitoring are summarized in Table 2.6. The monitoring data and the graphical presentation are provided in Annex F3.
Table 2.6 Summary of Construction Noise Monitoring Results in the Reporting Period
|
Monitoring Station |
Average , dB(A), Leq (30mins) |
Range, dB(A), Leq (30mins) |
Limit Level, dB(A), Leq (30mins) |
|
NMS-CA-1A |
66.2 |
65.3-67.1 |
75 |
|
NMS-CA-4 |
71.2 |
70.0-73.2 |
75 |
Major noise sources during the noise monitoring included noise from barge and plant operation, DCM works, craning, haul road traffic as well as nearby traffic noise and aircraft noise and construction works under other contracts.
No Limit Level exceedance was recorded for construction noise monitoring in the reporting period. However, one (1) Action Level was triggered from one (1) environmental complaint related to noise nuisance received in the reporting period. Investigations were conducted for the complaint in accordance with the Event and Action Plan (Annex F4) and the details are provided in Section 2.9.
2.3
Water Quality Monitoring
2.3.1
Monitoring Requirements and Equipment
Impact water quality monitoring was carried out to ensure that any deterioration of water quality was detected, and that timely action was taken to rectify the situation. Impact water quality monitoring was undertaken three days per week since the commencement of marine works during the reporting period in accordance with the Updated EM&A Manual. Each impact water quality monitoring was scheduled such that the interval between two impact water quality monitoring was more than 36 hours to record representative water quality data throughout the week during the marine works.
Two (2) replicate in-situ measurements and samples were collected at each monitored water depth of each designated monitoring stations. Dissolved Oxygen (DO), pH value, salinity, temperature and turbidity were measured in-situ whereas the level of suspended solids (SS) were determined by ALS Technichem (HK) Pty Ltd which is a HOKLAS accredited laboratory.
The Action and Limit Levels of the water quality monitoring are provided in Table 2.7.
Table 2.7 Action and Limit Levels for Water Quality
|
Parameters |
Action Level |
Limit Level |
|
DO in mg/L (Surface, Middle & Bottom) |
Surface and Middle 5.9 mg/L [1]
Bottom 5.6 mg/L |
Surface and Middle 4 mg/L [1]
Bottom 2 mg/L
|
|
SS in mg/L (Depth-averaged) |
13.5 mg/L
|
23.5 mg/L |
|
Turbidity in NTU (Depth-averaged) |
17.1 NTU |
23.5 NTU |
Notes:
(1) For DO, non-compliance occurs when monitoring results is lower than the limits.
(2) For SS and Turbidity, non-compliance occurs when monitoring results is larger than the limits
The locations of the monitoring stations under the Project are shown in Figure 2.3 and Table 2.8.
Table 2.8 Locations of Impact Water Quality Monitoring Stations and the Corresponding Monitoring Requirements
|
Monitoring Station |
Description |
Coordinates |
Parameters (a) |
Frequency |
Monitoring Dates (b) |
Depth |
|||
|
|
|
Easting |
Northing |
|
|
|
|||
|
TCE-WQM1 |
Near Airport Channel |
811838 |
817341 |
Ÿ Dissolved Oxygen (DO) (mg/L and % saturation) Ÿ Temperature (°C) Ÿ Turbidity (NTU) Ÿ Salinity (ppt) Ÿ pH Ÿ Water depth (m) Ÿ Suspended Solid (SS) (mg/L) |
Impact monitoring: 3 days per week, at mid-flood and mid-ebb tides during the construction period of the Project
|
2, 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 16, 19, 21, 26, 28 and 30 October 2020 |
3 water depths: 1m below sea surface, mid-depth and 1m above seabed. If the water depth is less than 3m, mid-depth sampling only. If water depth less than 6m, mid-depth may be omitted |
||
|
TCE-WQM2a |
Marine Park 1 |
814439 |
819879 |
||||||
|
TCE-WQM2b |
Marine Park 2 |
814439 |
821905 |
||||||
|
TCE-WQM3A |
Outlet of Tai Ho Wan |
814705 |
817859 |
||||||
|
TCE-WQM4 |
HKBCF |
813344 |
818849 |
||||||
|
TCE-C1 |
Control Station - Outside Airport Channel |
804247 |
815620 |
||||||
|
TCE-C2 |
Control Station - Sunny Bay |
819460 |
821473 |
||||||
|
|
Notes: |
||||||||
|
|
(a) In addition to the abovementioned parameters, other relevant data shall also be recorded, including monitoring location / position, time, water depth, tidal stages, weather conditions and any special phenomena or work underway at the construction site. (b) Water quality monitoring on 23 October 2020 was cancelled due to the issue of Strong Wind Signal No.3 by Hong Kong Observatory. |
||||||||
Table 2.9 summarizes the equipment used in the impact water quality monitoring works. Copies of the calibration certificates are attached in Annex G1.
Table 2.9 Water Quality Monitoring Equipment
|
Equipment |
Model |
|
Water Sampler |
Kahlsico Water Samplers |
|
Multi-parameter Water Quality System (measurement of DO, Temperature, Turbidity, Salinity and pH) (Note 1) |
YSI ProDSS (S/N: 16H104233, 17H105557); YSI 6920 v2 (S/N: 0001C6A7, 00019CB2)
|
|
Note 1: One multi-parameter water quality system was used at each monitoring station during each survey day. |
|
2.3.2
Monitoring Schedule for the Reporting Month
The schedule for water quality monitoring during the reporting period is provided in Annex G2. Water quality monitoring on 23 October 2020 was cancelled due to the issue of Strong Wind Signal No.3 by Hong Kong Observatory.
2.3.3
Results and Observations
A total of 12 monitoring events for impact water quality monitoring were conducted at all designated monitoring stations during the reporting period. Impact water quality monitoring results and graphical presentations are provided in Annex G3.
Action and Limit level exceedances were recorded for water quality impact monitoring in the reporting period and the event and action plan (Annex G4) was undertaken. Investigations on the action and limit level exceedances were conducted and summarized in Table 2.10 below.
Table 2.10 Details of Exceedances Recorded for Water Quality Monitoring
|
Date |
Tide |
Parameter |
Station |
Type |
Justification |
|
|
2 October 2020 |
ME |
DO (S&M) |
TCE-WQM2a |
Action |
(c) |
|
|
ME |
DO (S&M) |
TCE-WQM2b |
Action |
|||
|
MF |
DO (S&M) |
TCE-WQM2a |
Action |
(c) (d) |
||
|
MF |
DO (S&M) |
TCE-WQM2b |
Action |
|||
|
MF |
DO (S&M) |
TCE-WQM3A |
Action |
|||
|
5 October 2020 |
ME |
DO (S&M) |
TCE-WQM2b |
Action |
(c) |
|
|
ME |
DO (S&M) |
TCE-WQM3A |
Action |
|||
|
MF |
DO (S&M) |
TCE-WQM1 |
Action |
(c) (d) |
||
|
MF |
DO (S&M) |
TCE-WQM2a |
Action |
|||
|
MF |
DO (S&M) |
TCE-WQM2b |
Action |
|||
|
MF |
DO (B) |
TCE-WQM2a |
Action |
|||
|
7 October 2020 |
ME |
DO (S&M) |
TCE-WQM3A |
Action |
(c) |
|
|
MF |
DO (S&M) |
TCE-WQM2a |
Action |
(c) (d) |
||
|
MF |
DO (S&M) |
TCE-WQM2b |
Action |
|||
|
MF |
SS |
TCE-WQM4 |
Action |
(a) (b) |
||
|
9 October 2020 |
MF |
SS |
TCE-WQM3A |
Action |
(b) |
|
|
14 October 2020 |
ME |
SS |
TCE-WQM3A |
Action |
(a) (b) |
|
|
MF |
SS |
TCE-WQM2b |
Action |
(b) (e) |
||
|
16 October 2020 |
MF |
SS |
TCE-WQM2a |
Action |
(b) (e) |
|
|
MF |
SS |
TCE-WQM2b |
Action |
|||
|
MF |
SS |
TCE-WQM4 |
Action |
(a) (b) |
||
|
19 October 2020 |
MF |
SS |
TCE-WQM2b |
Action |
(a) (b) (e) |
|
|
21 October 2020 |
MF |
SS |
TCE-WQM3A |
Action |
(f) |
|
|
MF |
SS |
TCE-WQM4 |
Action |
(a) (b) |
||
|
Remarks: |
||||||
|
(a) |
The exceedance was not considered as caused by the construction of the Project due to areas of reclamation related marine works undertaken under the Project were surrounded by silt curtain which were inspected daily by the Contractor and inspected periodically by ER. The silt curtain nearby the water quality monitoring stations was observed to be in good condition/well-functioning. |
|||||
|
(b) |
The exceedance was not considered as caused by the construction of the Project due to no sediment plume was observed nearby the water quality monitoring station during the sampling in mid-ebb/mid-flood tide. |
|||||
|
(c) |
The exceedance was not considered as caused by the construction of the Project due to the monitoring result was similar to the corresponding upstream/control station(s). |
|||||
|
(d) |
The exceedance was not considered as caused by the construction of the Project due to the corresponding upstream/control station(s) already exceeded the Action Level during the same tide. |
|||||
|
(e) |
The exceedance was not considered as caused by the construction of the Project due to the station was located further away from the Project works area. |
|||||
|
(f) |
The exceedance was likely contributed by propeller wash during marine vessel operation. |
|||||
Based on the investigations conducted for each of the monitoring day with exceedances, decrease in the exceedances of DO is observed in the reporting period which suggested that the exceedances of DO are likely caused by seasonal fluctuation and the exceedances of SS are not likely caused by the work activities related to the Project.
Nevertheless, the Contractor was reminded to implement all relevant mitigation measures for the marine works, including regular checking of silt curtain integrity, provide periodic maintenance and maintain good site practice. The ET will keep on checking monitoring data, plant, equipment and Contractor’s working methods.
2.4
Soft Shore Ecological Monitoring
No impact soft shore ecological monitoring at Tung Chung Bay and Tai Ho Wan was scheduled during the reporting period. The impact soft shore ecological monitoring at Tung Chung Bay and Tai Ho Wan is scheduled to be conducted in December 2020 in accordance with the Updated EM&A Manual.
2.5
EM&A Site Inspection
Site inspections were carried out on a weekly basis with the Contractor and ER to monitor the implementation of proper environmental pollution control and mitigation measures for air quality, noise, water quality, waste management, marine ecology and landscape and visual impacts under the Project. In the reporting period, four (4) site inspections were carried out on 8, 15, 22 and 29 October 2020.
Key observations during the site inspections are summarized in Table 2.11.
Table 2.11 Key Observations Identified during the Site Inspection in this Reporting Month
|
Inspection Date |
Environmental Observations |
Recommendations/ Remarks |
|
8 October 2020
|
DCM barge (DJ2) Ÿ Chemical container was not placed on drip tray. Ÿ Steel plates around the edge of the barge was not fully sealed and opening was observed between the steel plates.
Tung Chung East Reclamation Area Ÿ Defect on the silt curtain was observed. |
DCM barge (DJ2) Ÿ The Contractor was reminded to provide drip tray to chemical containers. Ÿ The Contractor was reminded to close the opening of the steel plate to avoid chemical spillage to the sea.
Tung Chung East Reclamation Area Ÿ The Contractor was reminded to carry out maintenance immediately. |
|
15 October 2020
|
Area A5 · Chemical container was not placed on drip tray.
Area near Berth No.3 · Dust was observed from haul road.
|
Area A5 Ÿ The Contractor was reminded to place chemical container on drip tray.
Area near Berth No.3 Ÿ The Contractor was reminded to maintain watering and enhance watering frequency. |
|
22 October 2020 |
DCM barge (ESC51) · Chemical containers were not placed in drip tray. · Construction noise permit was observed not updated.
Tung Chung East Reclamation Area · Defect was observed on silt curtain.
· Dark smoke was observed from tug boat.
Area BC2 · NRMM label was missing on the generator.
· Haul road was observed in dry condition. |
DCM barge (ESC51) Ÿ The Contractor was urged to provide drip tray on site for chemical storage. Ÿ The Contractor was reminded to provide an updated construction noise permit.
Tung Chung East Reclamation Area Ÿ The Contractor was reminded to carry out maintenance immediately. Ÿ The Contractor was reminded to carry out maintenance to avoid dark smoke emission.
Area BC2 Ÿ The Contractor was reminded to provide NRMM label on the generator. Ÿ The Contractor was reminded to apply watering immediately. |
|
29 October 2020 |
Flat top barge (LP03) Ÿ Chemical containers were not placed on drip tray.
Tung Chung East Reclamation Area · Defect was observed on silt curtain.
DCM barge (ESC62) · Construction noise permit was observed not updated.
|
Flat top barge (LP03) Ÿ The Contractor was urged to remind workers to place chemical containers on drip tray.
Tung Chung East Reclamation Area Ÿ The Contractor was reminded to carry out maintenance immediately.
DCM barge (ESC62) Ÿ The Contractor was reminded to provide an updated construction noise permit.
|
The Contractor has rectified all of the observations identified during environmental site inspections in the reporting period. The Contractor was reminded to implement all relevant mitigation measures related to construction dust, construction noise, water quality and waste management outlined in the EIA Report and EM&A Manual.
2.6
Waste Management Status
The Contractor has registered as chemical waste producer under the Contract. Sufficient numbers of receptacles were available for general refuse collection and sorting.
All dump trucks engaged on site was equipped with RTTM system during the reporting period. The Surveillance Team of the ET conducted regular site inspection on the dump trucks and their track records. No illegal dumping and landfilling of C&D materials was found during the reporting period.
Wastes generated during this reporting period include mainly non-inert construction wastes, chemical waste and recyclable materials. The Project imports fill materials including mainly sand and public fill. In addition, the Project reuses inert construction materials from other projects which are not generated by the Project for reclamation activities i.e. imported fill (sand) for sand blanket. Reference has been made to the waste flow table prepared by the Contractor. The quantities of different types of wastes and imported fill materials are summarised in Table 2.12.
Table 2.12 Quantities of Different Waste Generated and Imported Fill Materials
|
Month/ Year |
Inert C&D Materials (a) (m3) |
Imported Fill (d) (sand) (m3) |
Imported Fill (d) (public fill) (m3) |
Inert Construction Waste Re-used (m3) |
Non-inert Construction Waste (b) (m3) |
Recyclable Materials (c) (kg) |
Chemical Wastes (kg) |
|
|
|||||||
|
1 to 31 Aug 20 |
0 |
219,985 |
199,061 |
0 |
39.0 |
200 |
0 |
|
1 to 30 Sep 20 |
0 |
232,861 |
239,125 |
0 |
160.0 |
398,630 |
3,200 |
|
1 to 31 Oct 20 |
0 |
189,292 |
386,569 |
0 |
207.0 |
549,175 |
3,200 |
|
Notes: (a) Inert construction wastes include hard rock and large broken concrete, and materials disposed as public fill. (b) Non-inert construction wastes include general refuse disposed at landfill. (c) Recyclable materials include metals, paper, cardboard, plastics and others. (d) Imported fill materials include sand and public fill. (e) No glass cullet was imported in the reporting period. |
|
||||||
2.7
Implementation Status of
Environmental Mitigation Measures
A summary of the Environmental Mitigation Implementation Schedule is presented in Annex B. The necessary mitigation measures were implemented properly for the Project.
2.8
Summary of Exceedances of the Environmental Quality
Performance Limit
Action level exceedances were recorded for water quality impact monitoring in the reporting period. The investigations on the action level exceedances were conducted and the results were summarized in Section 2.3.3.
Cumulative statistics on exceedances is provided in Annex H.
2.9
Summary of Complaints, Notification
of Summons and Successful Prosecutions
There was no notification of summons or prosecution recorded in the reporting period.
A total of four (4) environmental complaints were received in the reporting period. Investigations were conducted for the environmental complaints in accordance with the complaint handling process as stated in the Complaint Management Plan. Environmental complaints in the reporting period are summarized below.
|
|
Complaint(s) |
Investigation/Follow up action(s) |
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
Environmental complaint related to muddy road condition was received on 5 October 2020.
|
Based on the information provided by the Contractor, mitigation measures for dust suppression apart from the wheel washing bay were provided. Based on ET investigation the complaint case was likely due to the vehicles not being cleaned properly by the wheel washing bay and therefore debris/dirt were carried out to the project site area. The Contractor was urged to improve the wheel washing performance and provide additional wheel washing bay. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
Environmental complaint related to dusty road condition was received on 8 October 2020.
|
Based on the information provided by the Contractor, mitigation measures for dust suppression apart from the wheel washing bay were provided. The complaint case was likely due to the vehicles not being cleaned properly by the wheel washing bay and therefore debris/dirt were carried out to the project site area. The Contractor agreed to provide additional wheel washing bay with high pressure water jet to further improve the wheel washing arrangement.
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 |
Environmental complaint related to muddy water being discharged into the sea was received on 21 October 2020. |
Based on the information provided by the Contractor, supplemented follow up inspection and joint site inspection with EPD, although no illegal discharge was observed during inspection, the video captured by the complainant clearly showed that this complaint was valid and related to the Tung Chung New Town Extension (East) project. To ensure such discharging activity would not happen again, a specific environmental training was conducted which list of procedures were acknowledged by frontline staff. All excessive seawater would be retained on barge and no discharge would be conducted. In addition, Contractor was requested to extend the protection area of the geotextile to prevent excessive materials dropping into the sea. The operator involved in this complaint had been re-educated via the training conducted by Contractor environmental team and was re-arranged to other working location.
|
|
4 |
Environmental complaint related to noise nuisance was received on 27 October 2020. |
Based on the information provided by the Contractor and supplemented results of noise monitoring, there was no non-compliance observed. Construction works under the Tung Chung New Town Extension (East) project were located further away from the residential area compare to other adjacent projects near Ying Tung Estate. Nevertheless, the Contractor was reminded to implement all noise mitigation measures. |
|
|
|
|
Statistics on complaints, notifications of summons, successful prosecutions are summarised in Annex H.
3
Future Key Issues
3.1
Construction Programme for the Coming Month
Works to be undertaken in the next monitoring period of November 2020 are summarized in Table 3.1 below, together with the key issues and the key mitigation measures:
Table 3.1 Major Activities for the Next Reporting Period
|
Activities |
Key Issues |
Key Mitigation Measures |
|
Land-based Works |
|
|
|
· Ground investigation works · Land DCM works and jet grouting · Placing of sorted public fill · Box culvert construction · Chain link fence erection and U-channel construction |
· Dust emission · Handling and storage of C&D materials generated from construction activities · Noise from plant operation · Emission of dark smoke from PMEs · Efficiency of wastewater and drainage management |
· Good site practices · Regular water spraying on stockpiles, unpaved haul road and land filling area · Provide tarpaulin sheets coverage on stockpiles · Sorting and reuse of C&D materials as far as practicable · Use of QPME and noise barrier/acoustic mat · Regular maintenance of PMEs · Implementation of wastewater and drainage management |
|
Marine-based Works |
|
|
|
· Laying of geotextile and sand blanket for reclamation works and DCM works · Marine-based instruments monitoring works · Placing of sorted public fill · DCM works · Seawall construction |
· Elevation in impact on Water Quality due to sediment loss from sand blanket laying and marine filling works · Potential surface runoff · Potential filling material drop from barges · Disturbance to Chinese White Dolphin · Noise from marine vessels and plant operation during normal working hours or restricted hours · Dust emission during storage and transfer of sand/ sorted public fill · Emission of dark smoke from marine vessel
|
· Provision of perimeter silt curtain · Provision of a leading seawall of at least 200m before marine filling works · Regular cleaning of accumulated sand/fill materials at the edge of the barges · Implementation of Dolphin Watching for the marine-based works · Strictly follow requirement under CNP for the use of PMEs and works within restricted period · Use of acoustic mat and other noise mitigation measures when necessary · Regular maintenance of engines and mechanical equipment |
The ET will keep track on the construction works to confirm compliance of environmental requirements and the proper implementation of all necessary mitigation measures. The ET will also recommend to the Contractor about the environmental toolbox topics on the abovementioned key issues for the next reporting period.
3.2
Monitoring Schedule for the Coming Month
The tentative schedules for environmental monitoring in November 2020 are provided in Annex I.
4
Conclusion and Recommendation
This EM&A Report presents the findings of the EM&A activities undertaken during the period from 1 to 31 October 2020 in accordance with the Updated EM&A Manual and the requirements of the Environmental Permit (EP-519/2016).
Air quality (1-hour TSP), noise and water quality (DO, turbidity and SS) were carried out in the reporting period.
The monitoring results for air quality monitoring (1-hour TSP) complied with the Action/ Limit levels in the reporting period.
No exceedance of Limit Levels was recorded for construction noise monitoring in the reporting period. However, one (1) Action Level was recorded in the reporting period.
No Project-related Action/ Limit level exceedances were recorded for water quality after investigations.
No impact soft shore ecological monitoring at Tung Chung Bay and Tai Ho Wan was scheduled during the reporting period.
Environmental site inspections were carried out during the reporting period. Recommendations on remedial actions were given to the Contractor for the deficiencies identified during the site inspections.
There was no notification of summons or prosecution recorded in the reporting period. A total of four (4) environmental complaints were received in the reporting period, including two (2) environmental complaints related to muddy road condition/dusty road, one (1) environmental complaint related to muddy water and one (1) related to noise nuisance were received in the reporting period. Investigations were conducted for the environmental complaints in accordance with the complaint handling process as stated in the Complaint Management Plan.
The ET will keep track on the construction works to confirm compliance of environmental requirements and the proper implementation of all necessary mitigation measures.
([1]) Water quality monitoring on 23 October 2020 was cancelled due to the issue of Strong Wind Signal No.3 by Hong Kong Observatory.
([2]) ERM (2018a). Updated Environmental Monitoring and Audit Manual for Tung Chung New Town Extension. Deposited to EPD under EP-519/2016
([3]) Arup (2015). Environmental Impact Assessment Report for Tung Chung New Town Extension. Deposited to EPD under Register No. AEIAR-196/2016