Agreement No. CE 20/2004(EP) North East
New Territories (NENT) Landfill Extension Monthly Environmental Monitoring and Audit
Report (No. 1) – December 2022 |
Contents
12 Environmental Non-conformance
13 Implementation Status on Environmental Mitigation
Measures
Figure
Location of the Project Site |
|
Impact Monitoring Locations |
Appendix
Construction Program |
|
Project Organization Chart & Management Structure |
|
Monitoring Schedule for Reporting Month & Next Month |
|
Calibration Certificates |
|
Monitoring Results |
|
Graphical Presentations |
|
Notification of Environmental Quality Limits Exceedance |
|
Wind Data |
|
Waste Flow Table |
|
Joint Environmental Site Inspection Records |
|
Environmental Mitigation Implementation Schedule (EMIS) |
|
Construction
Site Activities Mitigation Measures of Cultural Landscape Features Ecological monitoring record |
|
Investigation Report |
|
Detail Status of Submissions required under the FEP & EP |
Aurecon Hong Kong Limited (Aurecon) was appointed to undertake the
role of Environmental Team (ET) and carry out Environmental Monitoring and
Audit for the North East New Territories (NENT) Landfill Extension.
The
construction phase and EM&A programme of the Project commenced on 1 December
2022.
This
1st Monthly EM&A Report presents the EM&A works conducted
from 1 December 2022 to 31 December 2022 in accordance with the EM&A
Manual.
Summary of Construction Works
undertaken during Report Period
The major construction works undertaken during the reporting period include:
-
Material loading and unloading, site
traffic |
-
Site clearance |
-
Installation
of permanent fencing |
-
Site formation |
-
Tree felling |
Environmental Monitoring and Audit
Progress
A summary of the monitoring activities in this reporting period is listed below:
Items |
Times |
Date |
- Air Quality Monitoring during normal weekdays at
each monitoring station |
5 times |
5, 10, 16,
22 & 28 December 2022 |
- Construction Noise Monitoring during normal
weekdays at each monitoring station |
4 times |
6, 16, 22
& 28 December 2022 |
- Surface Water Quality Monitoring during normal
weekdays at each monitoring station |
1 time |
5 December 2022 |
-
Landfill Gas Monitoring during
normal weekdays for Construction Works |
24 times |
1 to 6, 8
to 10, 12 to 17, 19 to 24, 28 to 31 December 2022 |
- Post-translocation Monitoring during normal
weekdays at recipient site |
1 time |
29
December 2022 |
- Post-transplantation monitoring and audit during normal weekdays for transplanted plants and
receptor sites |
2 time |
9 & 21
December 2022 |
- Joint Environmental Site Inspection |
4 times |
5, 12, 19 & 28 December 2022 |
Environmental
Exceedance/Non-conformance/Compliant/Summons and Prosecution
No
exceedance of the Action and Limit Levels was recorded at designated monitoring
stations during the reporting period.
No
non-compliance event and complaint were recorded during the reporting period.
No
summons/prosecutions were received in this reporting period.
One
complaint on 20 December 2022 was received by the public relations officer of
the Contractor the reporting period. There is no direct evidence showing that
the complaint is likely related to NENTX project.
Reporting Change
There was no reporting change in the reporting period.
Future Key Issues
Works to be undertaken in the next month include:
-
Permanent site office foundation
works with pouring of concrete |
-
Site clearance |
-
Installation of permanent fencing |
-
Site formation |
-
Tree felling |
Potential environmental impacts arising from the above construction activities are mainly associated with air quality, construction noise, water quality, waste management, landfill gas monitoring, landscape and visual, cultural heritage and ecology.
1.1. Background
1.1.1. The North East New Territories Landfill Extension (the NENTX Project) is located adjacent to the existing North East New Territories (NENT) Landfill at Ta Kwu Ling. The extension site is located in a valley covering mainly the existing NENT Landfill Stockpile and Borrow Area that was formed to the east of the existing landfill as part of the original site development of the landfill, and layout plan shown in Figure 1.
1.1.2. The NENTX is a designated project. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report (AEIAR-111/2007) and an Environmental Monitoring and Audit Manual were approved on 20 September 2007. The project is governed by an Environmental Permit (EP) (EP-292/2007) which was granted on 26 November 2007. A further of EP (FEP) was applied and the FEP (FEP-01/292/2007) was subsequently granted on 28 April 2022.
1.1.3. In accordance with the requirements specified in Section 2.6 to 2.10 and Section 12.3 of the approved Environmental Monitoring and Audit (EM&A) Manual and Environmental Permit (EP and FEP) condition 3.3, Monthly EM&A report should be submitted to the Director of Environmental Protection (DEP), within 2 weeks after the end of the reporting month. The submissions shall be certified by the Environmental Team (ET) Leader and verified by the Independent Environmental Checker (IEC).
1.1.4. The construction phase and EM&A programme of the Project commenced on 1 December 2022.
1.2. Nature, Scale and Scope of the captioned Designated Project
1.2.1 The Nature, Scale and Scope of the captioned Designated Project is presented in Table 1-1.
Table 1-1 Nature,
Scale and Scope of the captioned Designated Project
Item(s) |
Content |
Nature of Designated Project |
Construction and
operation of a landfill for waste as defined in the “Waste Disposal
Ordinance” (Cap. 354) |
Scale and Scope of
Designated Project |
The Project mainly
consists of the followings: - Construction and
operation of a landfill extension of about 70 hectares with a target void
space of at least 19 million cubic metres on the eastern side of the existing
NENT Landfill, including the followings: -
i.
Site formation and preparation;
ii.
Installation of liner system; iii.
Installation of leachate collection, treatment and disposal facilities; iv.
Installation of gas collection, utilization and management facilities;
v.
Utilities provisions and drainage diversion; vi.
Landfilling operation; vii.
Restoration and aftercare in subsequent stages; and viii.
Measures to mitigate environmental impacts as well as environmental
monitoring and auditing to be implemented. |
1.3. Purpose of this Report
1.3.1. This is the 1st Monthly EM&A Report which summarises the impact monitoring results and audit findings for the EM&A programme during the reporting period from 01 December 2022 to 31 December 2022.
1.4.1. The structure of the report is as follows:
-
details the background, purpose and structure of the report.
Section 2 – Project Information
-
summarises background and scope of the Project, site description, project
organization and contact details, construction programme, the construction
works undertaken and the status of Environmental Permit(s)/License(s) during
the reporting period.
Section 3 – Air Quality Monitoring
-
Construction Dust
Section 5 – Water Quality Monitoring
-
Groundwater Monitoring
-
Surface Water Monitoring
Section 6 – Waste Management
Section 7 – Landfill Gas Monitoring
Section 8 – Landscape and Visual
Section 10 – Ecological Monitoring
Section 11 – Site Inspection and Audit
Section 12 – Environmental Non-Conformance
Section 13 – Implementation Status on Environmental Mitigation Measures
Section 14 – Future Key Issues
2.1.1. A summary of the major construction activities undertaken in this reporting period is shown in Table 2-1. Construction programme is illustrated in Appendix A. Detailed construction activities and the construction layout plan are summarized in Appendix L.
Table 2-1 Major
Construction Activities Undertaken in the Reporting Period
Construction Activities
Undertaken |
-
Material
loading and unloading, site traffic |
-
Site
clearance |
-
Site
formation |
-
Tree
felling |
2.2. Project Organization & Management Structure
2.2.1. The Project Organization Chart & Management Structure are shown in Appendix B. The key personnel contact information is summarized in Table 2-2.
Table 2-2 Contact Information of
Key Personnel
Party |
Name |
Contact
Number |
Contractor (Veolia
Environmental Service Hong Kong Holding Ltd.) |
Mr. William Wan |
2902 5296 |
Independent Environmental Checker (IEC) (Meinhardt Infrastructure and Environment Ltd.) |
Ms. Claudine Lee |
2859 5409 |
Environmental Team Leader (ET) (Aurecon Hong Kong Limited) |
Mr. Fredrick Leong |
3664 6888 |
2.3. Status of Submission required under the FEP & EP
2.3.1. The status of statutory environmental compliance with the EP conditions under the EIAO, submission status under the FEP & EP are presented in Table 2-3. The detail status of statutory environmental compliance with the EP conditions under the EIAO, submission status under the FEP & EP for NENTX project are shown in Appendix P.
Table 2-3 Status of Submissions
required under the FEP & EP
FEP Condition |
EP Condition |
Submission / Measures |
Status |
2.1 |
2.3 |
Management Organization of Main
Construction Companies |
Submission Date (12 Oct
2022) |
2.2 |
2.4 |
Setting up of Community Liaison
Group |
Submission Date (12 Oct 2022) |
2.3 |
2.5 |
Submission of EM&A Manual |
Submission Date (12 Oct 2022) |
2.5 |
2.7 |
Submission of Vegetation Survey
(Transplantation Proposal) |
Submission Date (2 September 2022) |
2.6 |
2.8 |
Submission of translocation
proposal |
Submission Date (8 July 2022) |
2.7 |
2.9 |
Submission of Transplantation
Report |
Submission Date (19 Jan 2023) 2nd
transplantation monitoring (9 Dec
2022) 3rd
transplantation monitoring (21 Dec
2022) |
2.8 |
2.10 |
Translocation and translocation
monitoring |
Translocation
was carried out in July 2022 Submission
Date (27 December 2022) 5th
translocation monitoring (29 Dec
2022) |
2.9 |
2.11 |
Submission of Detailed Landfill Gas
Hazard Assessment Report |
Submission Date (6 Oct 2022) |
2.10 |
2.12 |
Submission of Waste Management Plan |
Submission Date (30 December 2022) |
3.2 |
3.2 |
Submission of Baseline Monitoring
Report |
Submission Date (30 Nov
2022) |
2.4. Status of Environmental Approval Document
2.4.1. A summary of the relevant valid permits, licences, and/or notifications on environmental protection for this Project since the granting of the EP is presented in Table 2-4.
Permit / Licenses /
Notification |
Reference |
Expiry Date |
Remark |
Environmental Permit (EP) |
EP-292/2007 |
Throughout the Contract |
Permit granted on 26 November 2007 |
Further Environmental Permit (FEP) |
FEP-210/2022 |
Throughout the Contract |
Permit granted on 28 April 2022 |
Notification of Construction
Works as required under Air Pollution Control (Construction Dust) Regulation |
479809 |
Throughout the Contract |
Approved on 13 May 2022 |
Registration of Waste Producer
under Waste Disposal Ordinance |
7043692 |
Throughout the Contract |
Approved on 13 April 2022 |
Registration as Chemical Waste
Producer |
5213-642-P1034-18 |
Throughout the Contract |
Approved on 11 July 2022 |
Construction Noise Permit |
GW-RN1151-22 |
28 February 2023 |
Approved on 29 November 2022 |
Effluent Discharge License
under Water Pollution Control Ordinance |
WT00042301-2022 |
31 October 2027 |
Approved on 18 October 2022 |
2.5. Environmental Monitoring and Audit Progress
2.5.1. A summary of the monitoring activities in this reporting period is presented in Table 2-5.
Table 2-5 Summary of the Monitoring Activities in this reporting period
Items |
Times |
Date |
- Air Quality Monitoring during normal weekdays at
each monitoring station |
5 times |
5, 10, 16,
22 & 28 December 2022 |
- Construction Noise Monitoring during normal
weekdays at each monitoring station |
4 times |
6, 16, 22
& 28 December 2022 |
- Surface Water Quality Monitoring during normal
weekdays at each monitoring station |
1 time |
5 December 2022 |
- Landfill Gas Monitoring
during normal weekdays for Construction Works |
24 times |
1 to 6, 8
to 10, 12 to 17, 19 to 24, 28 to 31 December 2022 |
-
Post-translocation
Monitoring during normal weekdays at recipient site |
1 time |
29
December 2022 |
-
Post-transplantation monitoring and audit during normal weekdays for transplanted plants and
receptor sites |
2 time |
9 & 21
December 2022 |
- Joint Environmental Site Inspection |
4 times |
5, 12, 19 & 28 December 2022 |
Air
Quality
5
sets of 1-hr TSP & 24-hr TSP construction dust measurement were carried out
at each monitoring stations during normal weekdays of the reporting period. No
exceedance of Action and Limit Levels of construction dust was recorded during
the reporting period.
Noise
4
sets of 30-minute construction noise measurement were carried out at each
monitoring stations during normal weekdays of the reporting period. No
exceedance of Action and Limit Levels of construction noise was recorded during
the reporting period.
Groundwater
Site
clearance of future landfilling area is in progress. The installation of
groundwater monitoring boreholes will be installed after the site formation
work of the landfilling area. The target commencement period of groundwater
monitoring will be in 2026.
Surface
Water Quality
1
set of surface water quality measurement were carried out at each monitoring
stations during normal weekdays of the reporting period. No exceedance of
Action and Limit Levels of surface water quality was recorded during the
reporting period.
Landfill
Gas
24
sets of landfill gas measurement were carried out at a designated monitoring
location during normal weekdays of the reporting period. No exceedance of
Action and Limit Levels of landfill gas was recorded during the reporting
period.
Landscape
and Visual
All
the specified and affected LCAs, LRs and VSRs have been monitored during the
reporting period. No exceedance of Action and Limit Levels of landscape and
visual was recorded during the reporting period.
Cultural
Heritage
Implementation
of the mitigation measures during construction phase of the Project has been
monitored through the regular site inspection/audit.
Ecology
1
set of post-translocation monitoring at recipient site and 2 sets of
post-transplantation monitoring and audit for transplanted plants and receptor
sites during normal weekdays of the reporting period were carried out.
Implementation of the mitigation measures during construction phase of the
Project has been monitored through the regular site inspection/audit.
Environmental
Site Inspection
ET
weekly environmental site inspections were carried out on 05, 12, 19 & 28
December 2022. A joint environmental site inspection was carried out by the
representatives of the Employer's Representative (ER), the Contractor, IEC and
the ET on 19 December 2022. The Contractor has generally implemented the
mitigation measures as recommended.
3.1.1.1
In accordance with the EM&A Manual, 1-hr & 24-hr Total Suspended
Particulates (TSP) levels should be measured at the designated air quality
monitoring stations in every 6 days to ensure that any deteriorating air
quality could be readily detected, and timely action shall be undertaken to
rectify such situation. For 1-hr TSP monitoring, the sampling frequency of at
least three times in every six-days should be undertaken when the highest dust
impact occurs. The specific time to start and stop the 24- hr TSP monitoring
shall be clearly defined for each location.
3.1.2 Monitoring Parameters, Frequency and Location
3.1.2.1
According to the EM&A
Manual, three monitoring stations namely AM(D)1, AM(D)2 and AM(D)3 are selected
for the impact monitoring.
3.1.2.2 A baseline monitoring plan has been submitted to IEC and EPD on 31 May 2022 including the proposal with justification of change of monitoring locations. Due to limited access to the original monitoring locations at AM(D)1, AM(D)2 and AM(D)3, the adjusted stations at AM1, AM2 and AM3 were agreed with IEC prior to the baseline and impact monitoring. The locations of adjusted dust monitoring locations are shown in Figure 2.
3.1.2.3 The detailed monitoring schedule is shown in Appendix C. The locations of dust monitoring stations are shown in Table 3-1. The monitoring parameters, frequency and duration are shown in Table 3-2.
Table 3-1 Locations of Dust Monitoring Stations
Monitoring Station |
Representative for |
Monitoring Parameters |
|
AM1 |
Tung Lo Hang |
1-hr and 24-hr TSP |
|
AM2 |
Heung Yuen Wai |
1-hr and 24-hr TSP |
|
AM3 |
Wo Keng Shan
Tsuen |
1-hr and 24-hr TSP |
Remarks:
The contractor passed correspondence including
original monitoring locations specified on the existing EM&A Manual to the
village representatives on 26 April 2022. After a meeting with Ta Kwu Ling
District Rural Committee (RC) Chairman, representative from the RC and a few
villagers on 1 May 2022, all the Village Heads of Wo Keng Shan Tsuen, Heung
Yuen Wai and Lin Ma Hang verbally refused to accept our proposal for
installation of dust and / or noise monitoring equipment within or next to
their villages, for the baseline & impact monitoring.
AM(D)1 Tung Lo Hang, AM(D)2 Heung
Yuen Wai, AM(D)3 Wo Keng Shan Tsuen are the air monitoring stations for the
construction phase EM&A programme as identified in the approved EM&A
Manual for the Project. The access to Tung Lo Hang, Heung Yuen Wai and Wo Keng
Shan Tsuen were denied. A search for
alternative air monitoring locations (AM1, AM2 & AM3) was carried out
during the site visit.
The Baseline Monitoring Plan has
been submitted to IEC including the proposal of change of monitoring locations on 31 May 2022. This arrangement
was conducted between baseline and impact monitoring and has been agreed by the
Independent Environmental Checker (IEC).
Due to the adjustment of the
location of AM(D)1, AM(D)2 & AM(D)3to AM1, AM2 & AM3, the measured air
quality levels at AM1, AM2 & AM3 would represent the air quality levels at
AM(D)1, AM(D)2 & AM(D)3.
Table 3-2 Dust
Impact Monitoring Parameters, Frequency and Duration
Monitoring Station |
Parameter |
Frequency and Duration |
AM1, AM2, AM3 |
1-hr TSP |
At least 3 times per 6 days |
24-hr TSP |
1 time per 6
days |
3.1.3.1 High volume samplers (HVSs) were used for carrying out 24-hr TSP monitoring. For 1-hr TSP monitoring, direct reading dust meters were used to measure 1-hr TSP levels.
3.1.3.2 Table 3-3 summarises the equipment that were used in the dust monitoring programme. The calibration certificates are shown in Appendix D.
Table 3-3 Dust Monitoring Equipment
Equipment |
Model |
Monitoring Station |
High
Volume Sampler (HVS) |
TE-5170X (S/N: 1105) |
AM1 |
TE-5170X (S/N: 1106) |
AM2 |
|
TE-5170X (S/N: 1856) |
AM3 |
|
Direct Reading Dust Meter |
Sibata LD-5R
(S/N: 0Z4545) |
AM1 to AM3 |
Sibata LD-5R (S/N: 882106) |
||
Sibata LD-5R
(S/N: 882110) |
||
Sibata LD-5R (S/N: 942532) |
||
Calibration Kit (for HVS) |
TE-5025A (S/N:
3465) |
AM1 to AM3 |
1-hr TSP Monitoring
3.1.4.1
The 1-hr TSP impact monitoring was conducted using a portable direct
reading dust meter.
3.1.4.2
The measuring procedures of the 1-hr dust meter has been undertaken in
accordance with the Manufacturer’s Instruction Manual as follows:
Procedure
of starting monitoring
Procedure
of setting measurement timer
3.1.4.3 The direct reading dust meters will be verified against calibrated high volume samples (HVSs) annually. A 2-day, three 3-hour measurement results per day from direct reading dust meter will be taken to compare with the sampling results from the HVS. The correlation between the direct reading dust meter and the HVS will then be concluded. By accounting for the correlation factor, the direct reading dust meter will be considered to achieve comparable results as that of the HVS.
3.1.4.4
All digital dust indicator will be
calibrated with on-site HVS annually. Calibration certificate will be provided
after calibration.
3.1.4.5
Checklist of regular checking for digital
dust meter will be conducted bi-weekly by environmental technician to ensure
the all-digital dust meter are in good condition and submitted to supervisors.
All checklists will be kept by supervisors.
3.1.4.6
Logbook is provided to environmental
technician record the transferal of equipment to other colleagues, reporting to
supervisors is required.
24-hr
TSP Monitoring
3.1.4.7
The 24-hr TSP monitoring has been conducted using a High-Volume Sampler
(HVS).
3.1.4.8
The HVS has been set-up at the monitoring location with a fixed power
supply for operation. The measuring procedures of the 24-hr TSP measurements has
been undertaken in accordance with the specifications listed in the EM&A
Manual. Each HVS includes a motor, a
filter holder, a flow controller and a sampling inlet in accordance with the
performance specification of the USEPA Standard Title 40, Code of Federation
Regulations Chapter 1 (Part 50), Appendix B. The measuring procedures of the 24-hr
dust meter was undertaken in accordance with the Manufacturer’s Instruction
Manual as follows:
3.1.4.9
In addition, site conditions and dust sources were recorded in a standard
form for direct input into a database.
3.1.4.10
The high volume motors and their accessories should be properly
maintained, including routine motor brushes replacement and electrical wiring
checking, to ensure that the equipment and a continuous power supply were in
good working condition.
3.1.4.11
Initial calibration of dust monitoring equipment shall be conducted upon
installation and thereafter at bi-monthly intervals. The transfer standard shall be
traceable to the internationally recognized primary standard and be calibrated
annually.
The detail procedure of calibration of HVS
is listed below:
1.
Make sure the electrical circuit is
connected properly. The motor should be directly connected to the power source.
2.
Open the top cover and unlock
the screws at the four corners.
3.
Install the variable orifice and adapter
plate to high volume air sample. Tighten the nut securely. Turn the knob of
orifice clock-wise to close the four holes on the bottom open.
4.
Hold the water manometer on the cover of
mass flow controller vertically. Connect one side of a water manometer to the
pressure tap on the side of the orifice with a rubber vacuum tube. Leave
opposite side of the manometer open to the atmosphere.
5.
Turn on the sampler
6.
Turn the knob orifice counter clock-wise
to adjust the openings the four holes on the bottom open. Record the manometer
reading and the reading from continuous flow recorder. At least 5 sets of data
should be recorded.
3.1.5.1 The impact dust monitoring results are summarized in Table 3-4 and Table 3-5. The monitoring data together with graphical presentations are presented in Appendix E and Appendix F.
Dust Monitoring Station |
Average 1-hr TSP Concentration, µg/m³ (Range) |
Action Level, µg/m³ |
Limit Level, µg/m³ |
AM1 |
54 (44 – 65) |
>285 |
>500 |
AM2 |
54 (45 – 61) |
>279 |
>500 |
AM3 |
63 (57 – 68) |
>285 |
>500 |
Dust Monitoring Station |
Average 24-hr TSP Concentration, µg/m³ (Range) |
Action Level, µg/m³ |