Document control record

Document prepared by:

Company name

Registration number

Address line 1

Address line 2
Address line 3

 

T F E W

Company telephone Company fax Company email Company web

 

A person using Aurecon documents or data accepts the risk of:

a)       Using the documents or data in electronic form without requesting and checking them for accuracy against the original hard copy version.

b)       Using the documents or data for any purpose not agreed to in writing by Aurecon.

 

 

Document control
Report title		Monthly Environmental Monitoring and Audit (EM&A) Report
Document code		EM&A-01	Project number		P525672
File path
Client		Wing Tat Civil Engineering Co. Limited
Client contact			Client reference
Rev	Date	Revision details/status	Author	Reviewer	Verifier (if required)	Approver
0	2024-04-11	First Issue	Joe Ho	F. C. Tsang		Kevin Li
1	2024-04-15	Revision based on IEC comments	Joe Ho	F. C. Tsang		Kevin Li
2	2024-04-15	Revision based on IEC comments	Joe Ho	F. C. Tsang		Kevin Li
Current revision		2

 

 

Approval
Author signature		Certified by
Name	Joe Ho	Name	F. C. Tsang
Title	Environmental Team Consultant	Title	Environmental Team Leader

 

Contents

Executive summary. IV

1     Introduction. 1

1.1      Project Background. 1

1.2      Construction Works Programme. 2

1.3      Project Organisation. 2

1.4      Construction Works Programme and Construction Works Area. 3

1.5      Summary of Environmental Status. 3

2     Water Quality. 6

2.1      Monitoring Requirement. 6

2.2      Monitoring Location. 6

2.3      Monitoring Parameter and Frequency. 7

2.4      Sampling Depths & Replication. 7

2.5      Monitoring Equipment. 7

2.6      Monitoring Methodology. 11

2.7      QA/QC Requirements. 12

2.8      Action and Limit Level for Water Quality Monitoring.. 12

2.9      Event and Action Plan. 13

2.10       Results and Observations. 14

3     Noise. 19

3.1      Monitoring Locations. 19

3.2      Noise Monitoring Parameter, Frequency and Duration. 19

3.3      Monitoring Equipment, Methodology and QA / QC Procedure. 20

3.4      Maintenance and Calibration. 21

3.5      Action and Limit Levels. 21

3.6      Results and Observations. 21

4     Ecology. 23

4.1      Freshwater Crab. 23

4.2      Habitat Compensation for the Affected Riverine Habitat. 26

5     Waste Management. 27

6     Land Contamination. 28

7     Landscape and Visual. 29

7.1      Audit Requirements. 29

7.2      Results and Observations. 29

8     Cultural Heritage. 30

8.1      Archaeology. 30

8.2      Built Heritage. 30

9     Environmental Site Inspection and Audit. 30

9.1      Implementation Status of Environmental Mitigation Measures. 30

10       Summary of Monitoring Exceedance, Complaints, Notification of Summons and Prosecutions. 32

10.1       Summary of Exceedance. 32

10.2       Summary of Environmental Non-Compliance. 32

10.3       Summary of Environmental Complaint. 32

10.4       Summary of Environmental Summon and Successful Prosecution. 33

11       Future Key Issues. 34

11.1       Works and Potential Environmental Issues in the next Reporting Period. 34

11.2       Recommendation. 34

12       Conclusions. 36

12.1       Conclusion. 36

12.2       Comments/ Recommendations. 36

 

Appendices

APPENDIX 1.1    CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMME

APPENDIX 1.2    PROJECT ORGANIZATION CHART

APPENDIX 1.3    IMPLEMENTATION STATUS OF ENVIRONMENTAL MITIGATION MEASURE

APPENDIX 2.1    CALIBRATION CERTIFICATES OF IMPACT WATER QUALITY MONITORING  EQUIPMENT

APPENDIX 2.2    EVENT AND ACTION PLAN FOR WATER QUALITY EXCEEDANCE

APPENDIX 2.3    IMPACT MONITORING SCHEDULE OF THE REPORTING MONTH

APPENDIX 2.4    IMPACT WATER QUALITY MONITORING DATA

APPENDIX 3.1    CALIBRATION CERTIFICATES OF IMPACT NOISE MONITORING EQUIPMENT

APPENDIX 3.2    EVENT AND ACTION PLAN FOR NOISE EXCEEDANCE

APPENDIX 3.3    IMPACT NOISE MONITORING DATA

APPENDIX 5.1    WASTE FLOW TABLE

APPENDIX 10.1   COMPLAINT LOG

APPENDIX 11.1   IMPACT MONITORING SCHEDULE OF NEXT REPORTING MONTH

 

Figures

Figure 1.1      General Site Location Plan

Figure 1.2      Location of Work Areas for the Project

Figure 2.1      Impact Water Quality Monitoring Locations

Figure 3.1      Impact Noise Monitoring Locations

Figure 8.1      Area for Archaeological Survey

Tables

Table A1 Summary of EM&A activities in the Reporting Period

Table A2 Summary of Exceedances in the Reporting Period

Table 1.1 Parties Involved in Project Organisation

Table 1.2 Status of Environmental License, Notifications and Permits

Table 1.3 Summary of Status for Key Environmental Aspects under the Approved EM&A Manual

Table 2.1 Summary of Impact Water Quality Monitoring Stations

Table 2.2 Parameters measured in the Impact Water Quality Monitoring

Table 2.3 Water Quality Monitoring Equipment

Table 2.4 Method for Laboratory Analysis for Water Samples

Table 2.5 Action and Limit Levels for Water Quality

Table 2.6 Action and Limit Levels of Water Quality

Table 2.7 Summary of Exceedance Records of Water Quality Monitoring

Table 2.8 Summary of Exceedance Records of Water Quality Monitoring

Table 3.1 Noise Monitoring Stations during Construction Phase

Table 3.2 Construction Noise Monitoring Parameter, Frequency and Duration

Table 3.3 Construction Noise Monitoring Equipment

Table 3.4 Action and Limit Levels for Construction Noise Monitoring

Table 3.5 Summary of Construction Noise Monitoring Results

Table 3.6 Influencing Factors at Noise Monitoring Stations

Table 4.1 Summary of Species Captured during the Post-Translocation Monitoring

Table 8.1 Mitigation Measures for Impacted Graded Historic Buildings

Table 9.1 Site Inspection Record

Table 9.2 Site Observations

 

Executive Summary

A1.    This is the 2^nd Monthly Environmental Monitoring and Audit (EM&A) Report for Drainage Improvement Works Near Four Villages in Yuen Long (the Project).  This report was prepared by Aurecon Hong Kong Limited under Contract No. DC/2022/02 Drainage Improvement Works at Yuen Long – Stage 2 (hereinafter called the “Contract”).  This report documents the findings of EM&A works during the reporting period from 1 March to 31 March 2024.

Key Construction Works in the Reporting Period

A2.    A summary of construction activities undertaken during the reporting period is presented below:

Ha Che

§  Site Clearance Work;

§  Lifting Operation;

§  Plant Operation;

§  Excavation; and

§  Sheet Piling.

Lin Fa Tei

§  Site Clearance Work;

§  Lifting Operation;

§  Plant Operation; and

§  Excavation.

Tai Wo

§  No construction activities.

Sung Shan New Village

§  No construction activities.

Environmental Monitoring and Audit Programme

A3.    The monthly EM&A programme was undertaken by the ET in accordance with the approved EM&A Manual. A summary of the monitoring and audit activities during the reporting period is presented in Table A1.

Table A1 Summary of EM&A activities in the Reporting Period

EM&A Activities	Date
Water Quality Monitoring	Ha Che: 1, 4, 6, 8, 11, 13, 15, 18, 20, 22, 25 and 27 March 2024   Lin Fa Tei and Tai Wo: 20, 22, 25 and 27 March 2024
Noise Monitoring	Ha Che: 1, 8, 15, 22 and 27 March 2024   Lin Fa Tei and Tai Wo: 22 and 27 March 2024
Weekly Environmental Site Inspection	6, 15, 20, 22 and 26 March 2024

Breaches of Action and Limit Levels

A4.    Summary of the environmental exceedances of the reporting month is tabulated in Table A2.

Table A2 Summary of Exceedances in the Reporting Period

Environmental Monitoring	Parameter	No. of non-project related exceedances		Total No. of non-project related exceedances	No. of exceedances related to the the project		Total No. of exceedance related to the project
		AL	LL		AL	LL
Water Quality	DO	2	0	2	0	0	0
	Turbidity	0	0	0	0	0	0
	SS	0	2	2	0	0	0
Noise	Leq(30mins)	0	0	0	0	0	0

 

Water Quality

A5.    All water quality monitoring was conducted as scheduled in the reporting period.  Two (2) limit level exceedances for SS and two (2) action level exceedances of DO during impact water quality monitoring were recorded.  After investigation, all exceedances were considered non-project related.

 

Noise

A6.    No Action Level or Limit Level exceedance was recorded for construction noise monitoring in the reporting period.

Complaint Log

A7.    No environmental complaint was received in the reporting period.

Notification of Summons and Successful Prosecutions

A8.    No notification of summons or successful prosecutions was received in the reporting period.

Reporting Changes

A9.    Construction works at Lin Fa Tei and Tai Wo were commenced on 20 March 2024 and the corresponding construction phase EM&A programme at Lin Fa Tei and Tai Wo were begun on 20 March 2024.

 

A10.  The noise monitoring at LFT_M7 was suspended since 27 March 2024 due to the objection from property management office for providing access to designated monitoring location. The noise monitoring at LFT_M7 will be resumed when the access to the monitoring location is granted.

Future Key Issues

A11.  The major site activities for the next reporting period are summarized below:

Ha Che

§  Lifting Operation;

§  Plant Operation;

§  Excavation;

§  Sheet Piling; and  

§  Installation of Precast unit.

Lin Fa Tei

§  Site Clearance Work

§  Lifting Operation;

§  Plant Operation; and

§  Excavation.

Tai Wo

§  No construction activities.

Sung Shan New Village

§  No construction activities.

 

 

 

1           Introduction

1.1      Project Background

1.1.1      The Drainage Master Plan Studies for the Yuen Long, Kam Tin, Ngau Tam Mei and Tin Shui Wai Drainage Basin (YLDMP) were completed in 1998.  The majority of the improvement works in Yuen Long and Kam Tin recommended under the YLDMP Study have been completed. Since completion of the DMP Studies, there have been changes in developments within the areas and new development proposals and town planning studies were commissioned. In addition, some new flooding complaints were received at the upstream areas of the drainage basins, indicating that further improvement to the drainage systems was required.

1.1.2      The Drainage Services Department (DSD) commissioned the “Review of Drainage Master Plans in Yuen Long and North Districts – Feasibility Study” (the Review Study) in 2008 so that the new development scenarios could be incorporated and the effectiveness of the previously recommended works could also be assessed. The Review Study completed in end 2011 identified that some areas in Yuen Long District could not meet the required flood protection level according to the latest land use changes and future developments taking into account various factors, including sedimentation at the downstream main channels, mangrove growth at river estuaries, updated extreme sea level statistics at Tsim Bei Tsui and projected climate change impacts, in the hydraulic analysis. To account for the severity and extent of possible flooding and the works implementation time, the Review Study proposed drainage improvement works in Yuen Long District.

1.1.3      Atkins China Ltd (ACL) was commissioned by the DSD in November 2013 to undertake an Investigation, Design and Construction Consultancy entitled “Agreement No. CE 22/2013 (DS) Drainage Improvement Works in Yuen Long, Stage 1 – Investigation, Design and Construction” (hereinafter called the Assignment). The Project comprises construction of drainage improvement works to four villages (namely Sung Shan New Village, Tai Wo, Lin Fa Tei and Ha Che) including landscaping, waterscaping, utilities diversion, temporary traffic arrangements, re-provisioning/ improvements to existing dry weather flow intercepting system and any other works incidental to the completion of the Project.

1.1.4      An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Study Brief (ESB-279/2014) for four villages namely Ha Che, Tai Wo, Lin Fa Tei and Sung Shan New Village which is a designated project was issued by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) on 14 October 2014.

1.1.5      The EIA Report for Drainage Improvement Works Near Four Villages in Yuen Long – Sung Shan New Village, Tai Wo, Lin Fa Tei and Ha Che (referred to as “the Project”) (Register No. AEIAR-229/2021) was approved on 3 June 2021 and the Environmental Permit (EP) EP-596/2021, covering the Upgrading, Construction and Deepening of the Project was granted on 28 September 2021.

1.1.6      Aurecon Hong Kong Limited (Aurecon) is commissioned by the Wing Tat Civil Engineering Co. Limited to undertake the Environmental Team (ET) services and carry out the Environmental Monitoring and Audit (EM&A) for Drainage Improvement Works Near Four Villages in Yuen Long - Sung Shan New Village, Tai Wo, Lin Fa Tei and Ha Che (Register No. EP-596/2021).

1.1.7      This is the 2^nd Monthly EM&A Report summarizing the key findings of the construction phase EM&A programme from 1 March to 31 March 2024 (the reporting period) and is submitted to fulfil the requirements in Condition 4.4 of EP-596/2021 and Section 12.2 of the approved EM&A Manual of the Project.

1.2      Construction Works Programme

1.2.1      The construction programme and the location plan of the Project are shown in Appendix 1.1 and Figure 1.1 respectively. The locations of the proposed drainage improvement works at the four villages are presented in Figures 1.2a to Figures 1.2d.

1.3      Project Organisation

1.3.1      Involvement of relevant parties in a collaborative and interactive manner is essential for the implementation of the recommended EM&A programme. The following sections outline the primary responsibilities and duties of the key EM&A programme participants. The lines of communication with respect to EM&A works are shown in Diagram 1.1.

Diagram 1.1 Organisation Chart

1.3.2      Parties with different levels of involvement in the Project organisation are summarized in Table 1.1.

Table 1.1 Parties Involved in Project Organisation

Parties	Organization / Company
Project Proponent	Drainage Services Department
Supervisor / Engineer’s Representative (ER)	Atkins China Ltd
Contractor	Wing Tat Civil Engineering Co. Limited
Environmental Tea m (ET)	Aurecon Hong Kong Limited
Independent Environmental Checker (IEC)	Mott MacDonald Hong Kong Limited

1.3.3      The key personnel contact names and numbers are summarized in Appendix 1.2.

1.4      Construction Works Programme and Construction Works Area

1.4.1      The construction works commenced on 20 February 2024. The construction works programme and the construction works area of the Project are shown in Appendix 1.1 and Figure 1.1 respectively. A summary of construction activities undertaken during this reporting period is presented below:

Ha Che

§  Site Clearance Work

§  Lifting Operation;

§  Plant Operation;

§  Excavation; and

§  Sheet Piling.

Lin Fa Tei

§  Site Clearance Work

§  Lifting Operation;

§  Plant Operation; and

§  Excavation.

Tai Wo

§  No construction activities.

Sung Shan New Village

§  No construction activities.

1.5      Summary of Environmental Status

1.5.1      A summary of the relevant permits, licences, and/ or notifications on environmental protection for this Project is presented in Table 1.2.

 

Table 1.2 Status of Environmental License, Notifications and Permits

Permit / License No.	Valid Period		Status
	From	To
Environmental Permit
EP-596/2021	28/09/2021	N/A	Valid
Notification pursuant to Air Pollution Control (Construction Dust) Regulation
Ref. Number: 497623	29/09/2023	N/A	Valid
Billing Account for Disposal of Construction Waste
7048880	18/10/2023	N/A	Valid
Registration of Chemical Waste Producer
5213-526-W3771-01	02/11/2023	N/A	Valid
Effluent Discharge License under Water Pollution Control Ordinance
N/A	N/A	N/A	Under application

1.5.2      The status for all environmental aspects is presented in Table 1.3.

1.5.3      The EM&A programme has been implemented in accordance with the recommendations presented in the approved EIA Report and the approved EM&A Manual. A summary of implementation status of the environmental mitigation measures for the construction phase of the Project during the reporting period is provided in Appendix 1.3.

Table 1.3 Summary of Status for Key Environmental Aspects under the Approved EM&A Manual

Parameters	Status
Water Quality
Baseline Monitoring under Approved EM&A Manual	The baseline water quality monitoring results have been reported in the Baseline Monitoring Report and submitted to the EPD under EP Condition 4.3.
Impact Monitoring	The regular impact water quality monitoring was commenced at Ha Che on 21 February 2024. Since construction works were commenced at Lin Fa Tei and Tai Wo on 20 March 2024, impact water quality monitoring at Lin Fa Tei (i.e. C6, C7A and C8) and Tai Wo (i.e. C4 and C5) were started on 20 March 2024.
Noise
Baseline Monitoring	The baseline noise monitoring results have been reported in the Baseline Monitoring Report and submitted to the EPD under EP Condition 4.3.
Impact Monitoring	The weekly impact noise monitoring was commenced at Ha Che on 23 February 2024. Since construction works were commenced at Lin Fa Tei and Tai Wo on 20 March 2024, impact noise monitoring at Lin Fa Tei (i.e. LFT_M1, LFT_M3A, LFT_M7 and LFT_M11) and Tai Wo (i.e. TW_M2 and TW_M3) were started 20 March 2024. The noise monitoring at LFT_M7 was suspended since 27 March 2024 due to the objection from property management office for providing access to designated monitoring location. The noise monitoring at LFT_M7 will be resumed when the access to the monitoring location is granted.
Ecology
Freshwater Crab Translocation Plan (FCTP)	The EPD had no further comment on the submitted FCTP on 9 February 2024.  Pre-construction survey at Ha Che was carried out between 5 and 7 February 2024. Pre-construction survey at Lin Fa Tei (for sections CH.A0.00 ~ CH.A200.00 and CH.C117.50 ~ CHD.239.03) was carried out between 11 and 13 March 2024.
Habitat Creation and Management Plan (HCMP)	The first draft of HCMP was submitted to the EPD and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) on 22 December 2023.  Following comments from the EPD and AFCD dated 17 January 2024, the HCMP is pending for further revision.
Mitigation Measures listed in the Approved EM&A Manual	On-going
Waste Management
Mitigation Measures listed in the Approved EM&A Manual	On-going
Land Contamination
Mitigation Measures listed in Approved EM&A Manual	No suspected contamination was observed or reported by the Contractor in the reporting period.
Landscape and Visual
Landscape and Visual Mitigation Plan (LVMP)	The first draft of LVMP was submitted to the EPD, the AFCD and the Planning Department (PlanD) on 22 December 2023.  Following comments from the EPD, AFCD and PlanD on 7 February 2024, the LVMP is pending for further revision.
Weekly Site Audit	On-going
Mitigation Measures listed in the Approved EM&A Manual	On-going
Cultural Heritage
Archaeological Survey	Archaeological survey will be carried out at site area within Lin Fa Tei of Archaeological Interest.
Mitigation Measures listed in the Approved EM&A Manual	On-going
Environmental Audit
Site Inspection covering Measures of Air Quality, Noise, Water Quality, Waste, Land Contamination, Ecological Quality, Landscape and Visual Impacts and Cultural Heritage	On-going

 

 

 

2           Water Quality

2.1      Monitoring Requirement

2.1.1      In accordance with the approved EM&A Manual, impact water quality monitoring should be carried out three days per week at all designated monitoring stations during the construction period.  The interval between two sets of monitoring should not be less than 36 hours.

2.1.2      Replicate in-situ measurements of dissolved oxygen (DO), temperature, turbidity, pH, and suspended solids (SS) for each independent sampling event shall be collected to ensure a robust statistically interpretable database.

2.2      Monitoring Location

2.2.1      Impact water quality monitoring was conducted at C4, C5, C6, C7A, C8, C9 and C10 (Table 2.1). The locations of water quality monitoring stations are shown in Figure 2.1a to Figure 2.1d.

Table 2.1 Summary of Impact Water Quality Monitoring Stations

Stream	Monitoring ID	Coordinates (HK Grid)		Remarks
		Easting	Northing
SSNV	C1A (1)	821702	831945	Alternative Impact Monitoring Point
	C2	822459	831470	Control Monitoring Point
	C3A (2)	822413	831284	Alternative Control Monitoring Point
TW	C4	825497	830664	Control Monitoring Point
	C5	825486	830716	Impact Monitoring Point
LFT	C6	827232	831713	Control Monitoring Point
	C7A (3)	826865	832115	Alternative Control Monitoring Point
	C8	826513	832075	Impact Monitoring Point
HC	C9	828304	835029	Control Monitoring Point
	C10	827919	834271	Impact Monitoring Point

Notes:

(1)   At Station C1, access to safe sampling of water is not feasible due to steep banks on both sides of the stream channel.  An alternative monitoring location is proposed at Station C1A, which is about 250 m along the same stream channel downstream of Station C1 and is accessible for safe water sampling.

(2)   During the first day of baseline monitoring at Station C3, shallow water was observed, and the ET could not sample enough water for monitoring.  As agreed by the ER, the Contractor, and the IEC, a new sampling location, Station C3A, was identified at about 130 m upstream and was accessible for water sampling.

(3)   For Station C7, the location is not close to the nearest, revised works boundary (about 200 m away).  An alternative monitoring location is proposed at Station C7A, which is about 23 m upstream of the nearest, revised works boundary.

2.3      Monitoring Parameter and Frequency

2.3.1      The monitoring parameters, frequency and duration of impact water quality monitoring are listed in Table 2.2.

Table 2.2 Parameters measured in the Impact Water Quality Monitoring

Parameter	Frequency	Duration
Dissolved oxygen (DO), temperature, turbidity, salinity, pH, stream water depth and suspended solids (SS)	3 days in a week	Throughout the construction phase

2.3.2      Monitoring location and position, time, sampling depth, weather conditions and any special phenomena or work underway nearby are recorded during the impact monitoring.

2.4      Sampling Depths & Replication

2.4.1      During impact water quality monitoring, each station was sampled.  Due to shallow water depths (less than 3 m) with low flow rates in rivers, all the monitoring would be located at mid-depth level.

2.4.2      Duplicate water samples were collected at each sampling depth for laboratory measurement of SS.  Samples were stored in high density polythene bottles, packed in ice (cooled to 4 °C without being frozen), and delivered to the laboratory on the same day of collection for analysis.

2.5      Monitoring Equipment

2.5.1      The measurement of DO, temperature, turbidity, salinity, pH and stream water depth were undertaken in-situ.  In-situ monitoring instruments in compliance with the specifications listed under Section 6.3 of the approved EM&A Manual were adopted to undertake the water quality monitoring for the Project.  Water quality monitoring equipment with the following specifications shall be supplied and maintained by the ET.

 

Dissolved Oxygen and Temperature Measuring Equipment

2.5.2      The instrument for measuring dissolved oxygen and temperature should be portable and weatherproof complete with cable, sensor, and use DC power source. The equipment was capable of measuring:

§   A dissolved oxygen level in the range of 0 – 20 mg/L and 0 – 200% saturation; and

§   The temperature within 0 – 45 °C.

2.5.3      It should have a membrane electrode with automatic temperature compensation connected with a cable.  Sufficient stocks of spare electrodes and cables should be available for replacement where necessary (e.g. YSI model 59 meter, YSI 5739 probe, YSI 5795A submersible stirrer with reel and cable or an approved similar instrument).

 

pH

2.5.4      pH meter (e.g. Hanna – HI 9024 or equivalent) should be used to measure pH value of water samples in-situ.  It should be readable to 0.1 pH in a range of 0 to 14.  Standard buffer solutions of at least pH 7 to pH 10 shall be used for calibration of the instrument before and after use.

 

Turbidity Measurement Equipment

2.5.5      The instrument should be a portable, weatherproof turbidity-measuring instrument with a comprehensive operation manual.  The equipment should use a DC power source.  It should have a photoelectric sensor capable of measuring turbidity between 0 and 1000 NTU and be equipped with a cable (e.g. Hach model 2100P or an approved similar instrument).

 

Suspended Solids

2.5.6      A water sampler should comprise a transparent PVC cylinder, with a capacity of not less than 2 litres, and should be effectively sealed with latex cups at both ends. The sampler should have a positive latching system to keep it open and prevent premature closure until released by a messenger when the sampler is at the selected water depth (e.g. Kahlsico Water Sampler or an approved similar instrument).

2.5.7      Water samples for suspended solids measurement shall be collected in high density polythene bottles, packed in ice (chilled to 4 °C without being frozen), and delivered to the laboratory as soon as possible after collection.

 

Water Depth Detector

2.5.8      A portable, battery-operated echo sounder should be used for determining water depth at each designated monitoring station.

2.5.9      For shallow water (less than 1 m deep), a portable water depth ruler will be used to measure water depth.

 

Monitoring Position Equipment

2.5.10    A hand-held digital Global Positioning System (GPS) or other equivalent instrument of similar accuracy shall be provided and used during water quality monitoring to ensure the water sampling locations are correct during water quality monitoring work.

 

Water Sampling Equipment

2.5.11    A transparent PVC or glass cylinder, which has a volume of not less than 2 litres and can be sealed at both ends with cups, should be equipped with a positive latching system.  During the water sampling, a messenger is released to trigger the closure of the water sampler at suitable water depth.

2.5.12    For sampling location with shallow water depth, plastic bucket would be used instead.

 

Calibration of In-situ Instruments

2.5.13    All in-situ monitoring instruments should be checked, calibrated and certified by a laboratory accredited under HOKLAS or another international accreditation scheme before use, and subsequently re-calibrated at 3-monthly intervals throughout all stages of the water quality monitoring. Responses of sensors and electrodes should be checked with certified standard solutions before each use.  Wet bulb calibration for a DO meter should be carried out before measurement at each monitoring location.

2.5.14    For the on-site calibration of field equipment, the BS 127:1993, Guide to Field and On-Site Test Methods for the Analysis of Water should be observed.

 

Back-up Equipment

2.5.15    Sufficient stocks of spare parts should be maintained for replacements when necessary. Backup monitoring equipment shall also be made available so that monitoring can proceed uninterruptedly even when some equipment is under maintenance, calibration, etc.

2.5.16    Table 2.3 summarizes the equipment used in the water quality monitoring programme. Copies of the calibration certificates of multi-parameter water quality monitoring system are shown in Appendix 2.1.

Table 2.3 Water Quality Monitoring Equipment

Equipment	Model	Quantity	Serial No.	Parameter	Range	Accuracy
Water Sampler	Wildco 2.2L Water Sampler with messenger or plastic bucket (used in shallow water depth)	1	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Multi-functional Water Quality Meter	YSI ProDSS (multi-parameters)	2	15M101091 and 22C106561	Dissolved Oxygen (DO)	0 to 500%	·     0 to 200%: ±1% of reading ·     200 to 500%: ±8% of reading
					0 to 50 mg/L	·     0 to 20 mg/L: ±0.1 mg/L or 1% of reading, whichever is greater ·     20 to 50 mg/L: ±8% of reading
				Temperature	-5 to 50 °C	±0.2 °C
				pH	0 to 14 pH units	±0.2 pH units
				Turbidity	0 to 4000 NTU	·     0 to 999 NTU: 0.3 NTU or ±2% of reading, whichever is greater ·     1000 to 4000 NTU: ±5% of reading
Water Depth Ruler	鼎峯0708	1	NA*	Water depth	0 – 7 m (Used for water depth less than 1 m)	±0.01 m
Positioning Equipment	Garmin (GPSmap 78s)	1	1WL223754	Positioning	N/A	GPS: ±1m

 

2.6      Monitoring Methodology

2.6.1      Water samples were collected at an appropriate water depth using a sealable transparent PVC or glass cylinder.  For locations with shallow water depth, a plastic bucket was used as an alternative. Usually, water was then transferred to the sample bottles until they were filled to the top with no remaining air space before the lid was securely screwed on.  For samples that were preserved with acid or alkalis prior to transport to the laboratory, the samples bottles were filled to the level specified by the analytical laboratory.

2.6.2      Multi-functional water quality meters were checked, calibrated and certified by Quality Pro Test-Consult Limited (HOKLAS reg no. 259) before use, and would be subsequently re-calibrated at 3-monthly intervals throughout all stages of the water quality monitoring.  Responses of sensors and electrodes should be checked with certified standard solutions before each use. Wet bulb calibration for a DO meter should be carried out before measurement at each monitoring location.  For the on-site calibration of field equipment, the BS 127:1993, Guide to Field and On-Site Test Methods for the Analysis of Water should be observed.

2.6.3      Water samples for suspended solids measurement were collected in high density polythene bottles, packed in ice (chilled to 4 °C being frozen), and delivered to the laboratory as soon as possible after collection.

2.6.4      Water sampling equipment deployed during the monitoring programme was decontaminated by manual washing and rinsed with clean distilled water after each sampling location.

2.6.5      All sampling bottles were labelled with the sample ID (including the indication of sampling station), laboratory number and sampling date. Water samples were dispatched to the testing laboratory for analysis as soon as possible after the sampling.  All samples were stored in a cool box and kept at less than 4 °C but without frozen. All water samples were handled under chain of custody protocols and relinquished to the laboratory representatives at locations specified by the laboratory. The laboratory determination works were started within 24 hours after collection of water samples.

 

Laboratory Analytical Methods

2.6.6      Analysis of SS was carried out by a HOKLAS accredited laboratory (Acumen Laboratory and Testing Limited).  At least two replicate samples from each independent sampling event were collected for the SS measurement.  Sufficient water samples (about 3,000 mL) were collected at the monitoring stations for carrying out the laboratory SS determination.  The analytical method for suspended solids is presented in Table 2.4.

Table 2.4 Method for Laboratory Analysis for Water Samples

Parameters	Analytical Method	Detection Limit
Suspended Solid (SS)	APHA 17ed 2540-D (1)	1 mg/L or better

Note:

(1)   APHA American Public Health Association Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater.

 

2.7      QA/QC Requirements

 

Decontamination Procedures

2.7.1      Water sampling equipment used during the course of the monitoring process was decontaminated by manual washing and rinsed with distilled water after each sampling event. All of the disposable components/ accessories were discarded after sampling.

 

Sampling Management and Supervision

2.7.2      All sampling bottles were labelled with the sample ID numbers (including the sampling stations), and sampling date. Water samples were dispatched to the testing laboratory for analysis as soon as possible. All the collected samples were stored in a cool box to keep the temperature less than 4 as possible after the sampling.  All water samples were handled under chain of custody protocols and relinquished to the laboratory representatives at locations specified by the laboratory.

 

Quality Control Measures for Sample Testing

2.7.3      Quality control of laboratory analysis of water samples was performed by Acumen Laboratory and Testing Limited for every batch of 20 samples:

§  One method blank; and

§  One set of QC sample

2.8      Action and Limit Level for Water Quality Monitoring

2.8.1      The criteria of action and limit levels for water quality monitoring are defined in Table 2.5.

Table 2.5 Action and Limit Levels for Water Quality

Parameters	Action Level	Limit Level
DO in mg/L	< 5%-ile of baseline data	< 4 mg/L or < 1%-ile of baseline data
SS in mg/L	> 95%-ile of baseline data or >120% of upstream control station of the same day	> 99%-ile of baseline data or 130% of upstream control station of the same day
Turbidity in NTU	> 95%-ile of baseline data or >120% of upstream control station of the same day	> 99%-ile of baseline data or > 130% of upstream control station of the same day

Notes:

(1)   For DO, non-compliance of the water quality limit occurs when monitoring result is lower than the limit.

(2)   For SS and turbidity, non-compliance of the water quality limit occurs when monitoring result is higher than the limit.

(3)   All the figures given in the table are used for reference only and the EPD may amend the figures whenever it is considered necessary.

2.8.2      Based on the criteria listed in Table 2.5, the action and limit levels for water quality are determined in Table 2.6.

 

Table 2.6 Action and Limit Levels of Water Quality

Stream	Monitoring ID	Parameters	Action	Limit
SSNV	C1A	DO in mg/L	6.72	4 (1)
		SS in mg/L	7.3 or >120% of upstream control station of the same day	8.5 or > 130% of upstream control station of the same day
		Turbidity in NTU	10.37 or >120% of upstream control station of the same day	10.81 or > 130% of upstream control station of the same day
TW	C5	DO in mg/L	8.36	4 (2)
		SS in mg/L	9.9 or > 120% of upstream control station of the same day	10.0 or > 130% of upstream control station of the same day
		Turbidity in NTU	13.64 or > 120% of upstream control station of the same day	13.87 or > 130% of upstream control station of the same day
LFT	C8	DO in mg/L	5.38	4 (3)
		SS in mg/L	6.3 or > 120% of upstream control station of the same day	7.0 or > 130% of upstream control station of the same day
		Turbidity in NTU	12.46 or > 120% of upstream control station of the same day	12.94 or > 130% of upstream control station of the same day
HC	C10	DO in mg/L	2.55	2.43 (4)
		SS in mg/L	8.7 or > 120% of upstream control station of the same day	8.8 or > 130% of upstream control station of the same day
		Turbidity in NTU	20.06 or > 120% of upstream control station of the same day	21.07 or > 130% of upstream control station of the same day

Notes:

(1)   The 1%-ile of baseline DO data at C1A is 6.61 mg/L, which is higher than 4 mg/L.  Thus, DO concentration of 4 mg/L, which is in line with the Water Quality Objectives, is adopted as the limit level.

(2)   The 1%-ile of baseline DO data at C5 is 8.09 mg/L, which is higher than 4 mg/L.  Thus, DO concentration of 4 mg/L, which is in line with the Water Quality Objectives, is adopted as the limit level.

(3)   The 1%-ile of baseline DO data at C8 is 5.36 mg/L, which is higher than 4 mg/L.  Thus, DO concentration of 4 mg/L, which is in line with the Water Quality Objectives, is adopted as the limit level.

(4)   The 1%-ile of baseline DO data at C10 is 2.43 mg/L, which is lower than 4 mg/L.  Taking account of the baseline water quality condition and to minimise any false alarm of water quality deterioration during construction phase, DO concentration of 2.43 mg/L is adopted as the limit level.

2.9      Event and Action Plan

2.9.1      Should any non-compliance of the criteria occur, action in accordance with the Event and Action Plan in Appendix 2.2 shall be followed. Investigation of the exceedances of environmental quality performance limits should be conducted, and the ET will immediately notify the IEC and EPD, as appropriate.  The notification should be followed up with advice to the IEC and EPD on the results of the investigation, proposed actions and success of the action taken, with any necessary follow-up proposals.

2.10  Results and Observations

2.10.1    All water quality monitoring was conducted as scheduled in the reporting month. The water quality monitoring schedule for this reporting month is shown in Appendix 2.3. The monitoring results and graphical presentation of water quality monitoring at the monitoring stations are shown in Appendix 2.4.

2.10.2    Since construction works were carried out at Ha Che, and Tai Wo and Lin Fa Tei (from 20 March 2024) during the reporting period, impact water quality monitoring was carried out at monitoring points located there (i.e. C4, C5, C6, C7A, C8, C9 and C10).

2.10.3    During the reporting month, two (2) limit level exceedances for SS were recorded and two (2) action level exceedances of DO during impact water quality monitoring were recorded.  Summaries of exceedance records are shown in Table 2.7 and Table 2.8.

Table 2.7 Summary of Exceedance Records of Water Quality Monitoring

Date	Station	Parameter (Unit)	Averaged Measured Value	Exceedance		Exceedances due to the Project
				Action Level (AL)	Limit Level (LL)
01/03	C9	DO (mg/L)	8.49			N/A
	C10		2.98			N/A
	C9	Turbidity (NTU)	7.27			N/A
	C10		7.01			N/A
	C9	SS (mg/L)	10.50			N/A
	C10		8.00			N/A
04/03	C9	DO (mg/L)	6.74			N/A
	C10		2.62			N/A
	C9	Turbidity (NTU)	3.64			N/A
	C10		6.55			N/A
	C9	SS (mg/L)	5.50			N/A
	C10		5.50			N/A
06/03	C9	DO (mg/L)	6.62			N/A
	C10		3.18			N/A
	C9	Turbidity (NTU)	7.31			N/A
	C10		10.63			N/A
	C9	SS (mg/L)	7.00			N/A
	C10		8.00			N/A
08/03	C9	DO (mg/L)	7.86			N/A
	C10		2.77			N/A
	C9	Turbidity (NTU)	7.99			N/A
	C10		6.03			N/A
	C9	SS (mg/L)	24.50			N/A
	C10		5.50			N/A
11/03	C9	DO (mg/L)	9.01			N/A
	C10		6.27			N/A
	C9	Turbidity (NTU)	8.69			N/A
	C10		7.42			N/A
	C9	SS (mg/L)	7.00			N/A
	C10		8.00			N/A
13/03	C9	DO (mg/L)	7.96			N/A
	C10		3.73			N/A
	C9	Turbidity (NTU)	6.23			N/A
	C10		5.25			N/A
	C9	SS (mg/L)	18.50			N/A
	C10		7.00			N/A
15/03	C9	DO (mg/L)	7.95			N/A
	C10		2.65			N/A
	C9	Turbidity (NTU)	3.63			N/A
	C10		7.16			N/A
	C9	SS (mg/L)	17.50			N/A
	C10		10.00			N/A
18/03	C9	DO (mg/L)	7.90			N/A
	C10		3.16			N/A
	C9	Turbidity (NTU)	7.89			N/A
	C10		7.04			N/A
	C9	SS (mg/L)	16.00			N/A
	C10		3.50			N/A
20/03(1)	C4	DO (mg/L)	8.07			N/A
	C5		7.97	ü		NO
	C6		5.52			N/A
	C7A		6.25			N/A
	C8		4.34	ü		NO
	C9		8.26			N/A
	C10		3.30			N/A
	C4	Turbidity (NTU)	23.75			N/A
	C5		12.23			N/A
	C6		15.40			N/A
	C7A		7.18			N/A
	C8		9.93			N/A
	C9		12.69			N/A
	C10		7.91			N/A
	C4	SS (mg/L)	29.00			N/A
	C5		30.50			N/A
	C6		4.90			N/A
	C7A		18.50			N/A
	C8		8.90			N/A
	C9		18.50			N/A
	C10		5.40			N/A
22/03	C4	DO (mg/L)	7.40			N/A
	C5		8.57			N/A
	C6		3.62			N/A
	C7A		5.09			N/A
	C8		6.00			N/A
	C9		7.76			N/A
	C10		2.93			N/A
	C4	Turbidity (NTU)	5.28			N/A
	C5		6.16			N/A
	C6		23.72			N/A
	C7A		9.29			N/A
	C8		11.47			N/A
	C9		8.55			N/A
	C10		9.52			N/A
	C4	SS (mg/L)	3.10			N/A
	C5		11.15		ü	NO
	C6		18.00			N/A
	C7A		4.75			N/A
	C8		10.50			N/A
	C9		3.10			N/A
	C10		11.00		ü	NO
25/03	C4	DO (mg/L)	10.08			N/A
	C5		10.50			N/A
	C6		8.68			N/A
	C7A		6.20			N/A
	C8		6.14			N/A
	C9		8.14			N/A
	C10		3.06			N/A
	C4	Turbidity (NTU)	7.17			N/A
	C5		6.75			N/A
	C6		4.89			N/A
	C7A		10.47			N/A
	C8		9.25			N/A
	C9		6.78			N/A
	C10		9.94			N/A
	C4	SS (mg/L)	1.90			N/A
	C5		2.95			N/A
	C6		8.55			N/A
	C7A		7.90			N/A
	C8		3.85			N/A
	C9		24.00			N/A
	C10		5.70			N/A
27/03	C4	DO (mg/L)	9.33			N/A
	C5		9.40			N/A
	C6		5.44			N/A
	C7A		5.70			N/A
	C8		6.41			N/A
	C9		7.58			N/A
	C10		4.59			N/A
	C4	Turbidity (NTU)	7.74			N/A
	C5		6.73			N/A
	C6		20.18			N/A
	C7A		3.84			N/A
	C8		5.89			N/A
	C9		4.25			N/A
	C10		18.13			N/A
	C4	SS (mg/L)	8.80			N/A
	C5		8.85			N/A
	C6		12.50			N/A
	C7A		7.95			N/A
	C8		11.50			N/A
	C9		8.30			N/A
	C10		9.05			N/A

Notes:

(1)   Additional monitoring was carried out on 21 March 2024 due to the exceedances recorded during the in-situ measurement on 20 March 2024.

 

Table 2.8 Summary of Exceedance Records of Water Quality Monitoring

Parameter	No. of non-project related exceedances		Total No. of non-project related exceedances	No. of exceedance related to the Project		Total No. of exceedance related to the Project
	AL	LL		AL	LL
Dissolved Oxygen	2	0	2	0	0	0
Turbidity	0	0	0	0	0	0
Suspended Solids	0	2	2	0	0	0

 

2.10.4    After confirmation of exceedances of the water quality monitoring results, ET had issued Notifications of Exceedance (NOE) to inform relevant parties (i.e., EPD, ER, IEC and Contractor) about the exceedances. After investigation, all action and limit level exceedances recorded during the reporting period were considered non-project related.

2.10.5    Exceedances of action levels on DO were recorded during the regular monitoring at C5 (Tai Wo) and C8 (Lin Fa Tei) on 20 March 2024. The frequency of monitoring was increased to daily at C4, C5, C6, C7A and C8 starting from 21 March 2024. As no further exceedances of action or limit levels were observed on the monitoring results of 21 March 2024 and 22 March 2024, the frequency of monitoring was resumed to normal (regular monitoring) after 22 March 2024. Since there were no construction works carried out at Lin Fa Tei and Tai Wo on 20 March 2024 and no deficiency in mitigation measures for preventing site runoff were observed during the weekly site inspection at Lin Fa Tei and Tai Wo on 20 March 2024 and 22 March 2024 respectively, it is considered that the exceedances of action levels of DO are not related to the Project.

 

2.10.6    Exceedances of limit levels on SS were recorded during the regular monitoring at C5 (Tai Wo) and C10 (Ha Che) on 22 March 2024. Two sets of geotextiles were properly deployed onsite and a water bypass was deployed to direct river water from the upstream of works area to the downstream of work area at Ha Che. Since sufficient measures for preventing contamination of downstream water were well implemented and no deficiency in mitigation measures for preventing site runoff was observed during weekly site inspection at Ha Che on 22 March 2024 and no construction work was carried out at Tai Wo, it is considered that the exceedances are not related to the Project.

 

 

3           Noise

3.1      Monitoring Locations

3.1.1      The monitoring locations for construction noise monitoring are listed in Table 3.1 and shown in Figure 3.1a to Figure 3.1d.

Table 3.1 Noise Monitoring Stations during Construction Phase

ID No. (1)	Location	Nature of Uses	Type of Measurement
SSNV_M2	Village house next to a nullah in Tong Tai Po Tsuen (near DD118 1720 S.A)	Residential	Façade
SSNV_M3	Village house near a soybean sauce factory in Sung Shan New Village (near DD118 1712)	Residential	Façade
SSNV_M6	#43, Sung Shan New Village	Residential	Free-field
TW_M2	#200, Cheung Po	Residential	Free-field
TW_M3	Kai Yip Garden, #3H, Tai Wo	Residential	Free-field
LFT_M1	#2G, Lin Fa Tei	Residential	Façade
LFT_M3A (2)	Near #125B, Lin Fa Tei	Residential	Free-field
LFT_M5	#156B, Lin Fa Tei	Residential	Façade
LFT_M7	Village house near the nullah (DD112 699 S.E)	Residential	Façade
LFT_M11 (2)	#210, Ngau Keng Tsuen	Residential	Façade
HC_M3A (2)	Next to DD111 326 S.B RP near Fan Kam Road	-	Free-field
HC_M4	#1C, Chuk Hang	Residential	Façade
HC_M6	The Arbutus House 12, #52, Shui Kan Shek	Residential	Façade

Notes:

(1)   SSNV – Sung Shan New Village; TW – Tai Wo; LFT – Lin Fa Tei; HC – Ha Che.

(2)   LFT_M3A, LFT_M11, HC_M3A and are alternative noise monitoring stations proposed to replace LFT_M3, LFT_M13 and HC_M3, respectively.

3.2      Noise Monitoring Parameter, Frequency and Duration

3.2.1      Construction noise level was measured by the ET and measured in terms of the A-weighted equivalent continuous sound pressure level (L_eq).  L_eq(30mins) was used as the monitoring parameter for the construction noise monitoring.

3.2.2      As supplementary information for data auditing, statistical results such as L₁₀ and L₉₀ were also obtained for reference.

3.2.3      Table 3.2 summarizes the monitoring parameters, duration, and frequency of construction noise monitoring.

Table 3.2 Construction Noise Monitoring Parameter, Frequency and Duration

Monitoring Station	Parameter	Frequency and Duration
HC_M3A, HC_M4, HC_M6, TW_M2, TW_M3, LFT_M1, LFT_M3A, LFT_M5, LFT_M7 and LFT_M11	Leq(30mins) (as a logarithmic average of 6 consecutive Leq(5mins))	Once every week throughout the construction phase

3.3      Monitoring Equipment, Methodology and QA / QC Procedure

3.3.1      As referred to the technical memorandum issued under the Noise Control Ordinance (NCO), sound level meters in compliance with the International Electrotechnical Commission Publications 651: 1979 (Type 1) and 804: 1985 (Type 1) specifications were used for carrying out the construction noise monitoring.

3.3.2      Noise measurements were not made in fog, rain, wind with a steady speed exceeding 5 m/s or wind with gusts exceeding 10 m/s.  The wind speed was checked with a portable wind speed meter capable of measuring the wind speed in m/s.

3.3.3      Sufficient numbers of noise measuring equipment and associated instrumentation were prepared by the ET.  All the equipment and associated instrumentation were clearly labelled.

3.3.4      Wind data were collected from the records of Hong Kong Observatory Shek Kong Weather Station, which is about 2 km south-west of Ha Che and about 900 m north of Lin Fa Tei.

3.3.5      The monitoring procedures are as follows:

§  For façade measurement, the monitoring station was set at a point 1 m from the exterior of the sensitive receivers building façade and set at a position 1.2 m above the ground.  For free-field measurement, the monitoring station was set at a position 1.2 m above the ground.

§  The battery condition was checked to ensure good functioning of the meter.

§  Parameters such as frequency weighting, the time weighting and the interval were set as follows:

-       Frequency weighting: A

-       Time weighting: Fast

-       Interval: 30 minutes (L_eq(30mins)) would be determined for daytime noise by calculating the logarithmic average of six L_eq(5mins) data

§  Prior to and after each noise measurement, the meter was calibrated using an acoustic calibrator for 94.0 dB at 1000 Hz.  If the difference in the calibration level before and after measurement is more than 1.0 dB, the measurement was considered invalid and repeat of noise measurement will be required after re-calibration or repair of the equipment.

§  At the end of the monitoring period, the values of L_eq, L₉₀ and L₁₀ were recorded.  In addition, noise sources were recorded on a standard record sheet.

3.3.6      Table 3.3 summarizes the noise monitoring equipment used during the construction noise monitoring.  Calibration certificates for the impact noise monitoring equipment are attached in Appendix 3.1.

Table 3.3 Construction Noise Monitoring Equipment

Equipment	Model	No. of Equipment	Serial No.
Sound Level Meter	Svantek SVAN 971	2	96062
			C132269
Acoustic Calibrator	Rion NC-75	1	34724244

3.4      Maintenance and Calibration

3.4.1      Maintenance and calibration procedures are as follows:

§  The microphone head of the sound level meter and calibrator were regularly cleaned with a soft cloth; and

§  The sound level meter and acoustic calibrator were calibrated annually by a HOKLAS accredited laboratory or the manufacturer.

3.5      Action and Limit Levels

3.5.1      The Action and Limit levels were established in accordance with the approved EM&A Manual. Table 3.4 presents the Action and Limit Levels for construction noise. Should non-compliance of the criteria occur, action in accordance with the Event and Action Plan presented in Appendix 3.2 shall be carried out.

Table 3.4 Action and Limit Levels for Construction Noise Monitoring

Time Period	Action	Limit Level
07:00 – 19:00 on normal weekdays	When one or more documented complaints are received	75 dB(A)(1)
07:00 – 23:00 on holidays; and 19:00 – 23:00 on all other days		45 dB(A)(2)
23:00 – 07:00 of the next day		30 dB(A)(2)

Notes:

(1)   Between 07:00 and 19:00, construction noise limit for school during normal term time is 70 dB(A) and 65 dB(A) during examination period.

(2)   The ASR of identified noise sensitive receivers is “A”, which is a rural area that is not affected by the in Influencing Factors (IFs). The limit levels are stipulated in the Technical Memorandum on Noise from Construction Work in Designated Areas.

3.6      Results and Observations

3.6.1      The construction noise monitoring was conducted on 1, 8, 15, 22 and 27 March 2024. The monitoring schedule is presented in Appendix 2.3.

3.6.2      The construction noise monitoring results are summarized in Table 3.5.  No Action or Limit levels exceedance was recorded in the reporting period.  Details of the results and graphical presentation are shown in Appendix 3.3.

3.6.3      Noise monitoring at LFT_M7 had been suspended since 27 March 2024 as the property management office refused our field officer to access the designated monitoring location.  Monitoring will be resumed once the access is granted.

 

Table 3.5 Summary of Construction Noise Monitoring Results

Monitoring Station	Noise Level, dB(A)		Limit Level
	Leq(30mins)
	Minimum	Maximum
HC_M3A(1)	63.8	64.9	75 dB(A)
HC_M4	67.0	68.5	75 dB(A)
HC_M6	68.5	69.3	75 dB(A)
TW_M2(1)	59.5	60.3	75 dB(A)
TW_M3(1)	63.6	64.0	75 dB(A)
LFT_M1	62.4	63.2	75 dB(A)
LFT_M3A(1)	63.7	64.9	75 dB(A)
LFT_M5	66.9	67.1	75 dB(A)
LFT_M7	58.5	58.5	75 dB(A)
LFT_M11	61.8	63.3	75 dB(A)

Note:

(1)   For Free Field measurement, +3 dB(A) was added to the measured results.

3.6.4      During the construction noise monitoring period, the influencing factors which may affect the results are summarized in Table 3.6.

Table 3.6 Influencing Factors at Noise Monitoring Stations

Monitoring Stations	Influencing Factors
HC-M3A	Road Traffic Noise
HC-M4	Road Traffic Noise
HC-M6	Road Traffic Noise
TW_M2	Nil
TW_M3	Nil
LFT_M1	Nil
LFT_M3A	Nil
LFT_M5	Road Traffic Noise
LFT_M7	Nil
LFT_M11	Road Traffic Noise

 

 

 

4           Ecology

4.1      Freshwater Crab

4.1.1      With reference to the approved EIA Report (Register No.: AEIAR-229/2021), two freshwater crab species of conservation importance were recorded within the work sites during the ecological baseline survey. Somanniathelphusa zanklon was recorded at Lin Fa Tei and Ha Che, while Cryptopotamon anacoluthon was recorded in the upstream area at Ha Che. Both species are endemic to Hong Kong and considered to be “Endangered” and “Vulnerable” by the IUCN respectively (IUCN 2023). The construction activities of the project will disturb their natural habitats and potentially causing a direct loss of these two species due to their limited mobility.

 

Freshwater Crab Translocation Plan

4.1.2      Freshwater Crab Translocation Plan (FCTP) was prepared by an Ecologist with relevant experience in freshwater habitats and submitted to the EPD and the AFCD for their approval under Condition 2.8 of the EP. Any aquatic species of conservation importance found during the pre-construction surveys were translocated to suitable receptor sites outside of the proposed works area, and their condition and number was monitored to ensure their long-term survivorship after translocation. The EPD advised no further comment on the submitted FCTP on 9 February 2024.

 

Pre-construction Survey Results

Ha Che

4.1.3      The pre-construction survey was carried out at Ha Che on 5, 6 and 7 February 2023 prior to the commencement of construction works at Ha Che. A total of 11 freshwater crabs were collected, marked, and translocated from Ha Che. All these captured individuals were observed on the first (5 February 2024) and third (7 February 2024) nights of the three consecutive pre-construction surveys. No crabs were collected on 6 February 2024. Seven C. anacoluthon (four males and three females) were found particularly on the upper section of the works area within rocky substratum and leaf-litters, while four S. zanklon were noted on sections with soft silty-muddy substrate.

4.1.4      The captured endemic freshwater crabs were translocated to the identified receptor sites indicated in the approved Freshwater Crab Translocation Plan. C. anacoluthon were translocated in the section of shallow fast-flowing semi-natural watercourse with rocky substratum located south-east of Chuk Hang Village.  Meanwhile S. zanklon were translocated to the section of shallow slow-flowing seminatural channel characterised soft soil substrate encompassed by a small patch of woodland and village houses. The receptor sites have comparable characteristics with the collection site.

 

4.1.5      Several aquatic invertebrates were also incidentally caught during the surveys. Among the observed aquatic invertebrates, larvae of species with conservation importance namely one Macromia berlandi, two Macromia urania and two Zygonyx iris were translocated to the proposed receptor sites. M. urania and M. berlandi were translocated to the receptor site for S. zanklon while Z. iris to the receptor site of C. anacoluthon.

Lin Fa Tei

4.1.6      The pre-construction survey was carried out at Lin Fa Tei on 11, 12 and 13 March 2023 prior to the commencement of construction works at Lin Fa Tei.  A freshwater crab was collected, marked, and translocated from Lin Fa Tei. The captured individuals were observed on the third (13 March 2024) night of the three consecutive pre-construction surveys. No crabs were collected on 11 and 12 March 2024. The captured C. anacoluthon was found by kick sampling within the stream bed roughly 5 meters downstream from the concrete water gate within section CH.A0.00 ~ CH.A200.00.

4.1.7      The captured endemic freshwater crab was translocated to the identified receptor site indicated in the approved Freshwater Crab Translocation Plan. The captured C. anacoluthon was translocated to a section of a shallow slow-flowing seminatural watercourse with silt and rocky substrate surrounded by agricultural lands at Lin Fa Tei which has comparable characteristics with the collection site.

4.1.8      A single individual of an adult Spotted Narrow-mouthed Frog was found on a slope in the eastern section of section CH.A0.00 ~ CH.A200.00. As the specimen is mobile and able to avoid the construction area once the construction work commences, it was not translocated to the receptor site.

 

Post-translocation Monitoring

4.1.9      According to Section 5.2.5 of the approved EM&A Manual for the Project, monthly post-translocation monitoring shall be conducted for at least 12 months after pre-construction surveys to monitor their establishment.

4.1.10    During the monitoring, active visual search by hand netting and kick sampling for aquatic fauna species would be performed at the respective receptor sites.  Potential micro-habitats and hiding spaces that is favoured by the crabs such as rocks, organic debris, leaf litter, and riparian vegetation etc., will also be overturned or raked.

4.1.11    Upon discovery of any marked individuals from the pre-construction survey, date and time of capture, size and health condition of the individual will also be recorded once again.

4.1.12    The practice of mark and recapture of the translocated population of S. zanklon and C. anacoluthon at the receptor site can then be used to estimate population size, as well as inform the health and survival status of the translocated population.

4.1.13    Post-translocation monitoring at Ha Che was carried out on 7 March 2024. The upper and lower receptor sites of Ha Che were visited to monitor the population of freshwater crabs translocated from Ha Che chainage CH.A11.13~CH.A300.00.

4.1.14    Site conditions of both receptor sites are similar to that during the pre-construction survey, i.e., no pollution, anthropogenic disturbance or change in vegetation was observed. Representative photos of the site conditions are presented in Plate 4.1.

Plate 4.1 Site condition of receptor sites at Ha Che during the reporting month

4.1.15    None of the translocated individuals from the pre-construction survey was found in both the upper and lower receptor sites. The inability to recapture the translocated individuals could be due to the structural complexity of the habitats of both sites. The many rocks and riffles at the upper receptor site and large and deep pools of water in the lower receptor site provides excellent refuge and protection for the crabs.

4.1.16    However, three new individuals of C. anacoluthon without markings were captured at the upper receptor site, with carapace size ranging from 13.9 to 18.9 mm.  These, however, were not the translocated individuals as their details (i.e., carapace and sex) did not match with any of the translocated individuals in the record.  The details of the captured new individuals are summarized in Table 4.1.

 Table 4.1 Summary of Species Captured during the Post-Translocation Monitoring

Species	ID No./ Code	Sex	Carapace Size (mm)	Recipient Site	Time of Capture	Remarks
C. anacoluthon	New Individual	F	14.3	Ha Che Upper	19:08	/
C. anacoluthon	New Individual	M	13.9	Ha Che Upper	19:19	/
C. anacoluthon	New Individual	F	18.9	Ha Che Upper	19:24	/

 

4.1.17    To maximise the survey effort, extent of search of translocated individuals at the receptor site will likewise be extended further upstream and downstream to increase the chance of recapturing translocated individuals in the coming months.

 

4.2      Habitat Compensation for the Affected Riverine Habitat

4.2.1      In order to ensure the reinstated habitat could compensate the loss of the important riverine habitat, Habitat Creation and Management Plan (HCMP) is required to be submitted for EPD and AFCD approval under Condition 2.9 of the EP.

4.2.2      The first draft of HCMP was submitted to EPD and AFCD on 22 December 2023 with the following objectives:

§  detail the approach and design features for restoring/ reinstating the three green channels at Sung Shan New Village, Lin Fa Tei and Ha Che so as to facilitate and promote the colonisation of the freshwater crab and other wildlife after the reinstatement; and

§  detail the monitoring programme to monitor the physical environment of the restored/ reinstated channels (i.e. green channels) including water quality, water current, as well as the establishment of riparian vegetation and the biota assemblage that would recolonise the reinstated channel.

 

 

5           Waste Management

5.1.1      Waste generated from the Project include inert construction and demolition (C&D) materials and non-inert C&D wastes in the reporting period. The quantities of waste generated by the construction works of the Project during the reporting period are shown in Appendix 5.1

5.1.2      Sorting of construction and demolition (C&D) materials was carried out on site.  Sufficient numbers of receptacles were provided for general refuse collection and sorting.  Excavated inert C&D materials were reused to minimize the disposal of C&D waste to public fill.

5.1.3      The Contractor is advised to minimize the wastes generated through recycling or reusing.  All applicable mitigation measures stipulated in the approved EM&A Manual and waste management plans will be fully implemented.

 

 

6           Land Contamination

6.1.1      With reference to results of land contamination assessment included in the approved EIA Report (Register No.: AEIAR-229/2021), all identified sites with potential contamination are located outside the work area of the Project and no potential contamination arising from the proposed drainage improvement works is anticipated.  Therefore, no land contamination issue is anticipated for this Project.

6.1.2      Mitigation measures listed in Appendix 1.3 should be adopted if any suspected contamination encountered during construction.

6.1.3      No suspected on-site contamination was observed or reported by the Contractor in the reporting period.

 

 

7           Landscape and Visual

7.1      Audit Requirements

7.1.1      According to the approved EM&A Manual, site audits should be undertaken every week during the construction phase to check that the proposed landscape and visual mitigation measures are properly implemented and maintained as per their intended objectives. Mitigation measures recommended in the EIA Report as the audit requirements, including preservation of existing vegetation, transplanting of affected trees, compensatory tree planting, control of night-time lighting glare, erection of decorative screen hoarding and management of construction activities and facilities, are summarized in Appendix 1.3.

7.2      Results and Observations

7.2.1      To monitor and audit the implementation of landscape and visual mitigation measures, five weekly landscape and visual site audits were carried out on 6, 15, 20, 22 and 26 March 2024.

7.2.2      No deficiency in the mitigation measures on landscape and visual was observed during the reporting period.

 

 

8           Cultural Heritage

8.1      Archaeology

8.1.1      According to the assessment included in the approved EIA report (Register No.: AEIAR-229/2021) the proposed drainage works in the Lin Fa Tei area are located immediately adjacent to existing river course on mainly Pleistocene terraced alluvium and the western end of the alignment on Holocene alluvium between Lin Fa Tei Site of Archaeological Interest (SAI) and Shui Lau Tin SAI. The proposed works are partially located within Lin Fa Tei SAI.  Previous investigations within SAI have shown both in-situ and secondary deposit and with potential for wooden features near the stream bed.  As per the recommendation from EIA report, Archaeological Survey shall be conducted prior to the construction works, the concerned area is marked in Figure 8.1.

8.1.2      A qualified archaeologist shall be engaged and apply for a licence under the Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance (Cap. 53) to conduct the Archaeological Survey prior to the construction phase. The scope and methodology of the Archaeological Survey shall be agreed with the Antiquities and Monuments Office (AMO) prior to implementation. Tentatively and subject to agreement with AMO, a fieldscan, where possible, twenty auger tests and four 5 m by 1 m narrow trenches are proposed to further assess the archaeological potential of the area. If significant remains are uncovered, the AMO should be notified and potential need for mitigation and/ or an appropriate way forward should be agreed by the AMO and relevant parties.

8.1.3      For the remaining drainage works areas (outside the area identified for Archaeological Survey) deemed to have limited (near Kam Sheung Road) to minimal (remainder of Works Areas) archaeological potential, AMO shall be informed immediately if antiquities or supposed antiquities are discovered during construction works for the proposed drainage improvement works for ascertaining required remedial works.

8.2      Built Heritage

8.2.1      According to the approved EM&A Manual, mitigation measures that should be implemented during the construction phase for graded historic buildings are presented in Table 8.1.

8.2.2      Condition surveys were carried out by a qualified structural engineer for Lee Tat Bridge, Lan Fong Study Hall and St John’s Chapel prior to construction works. The Pre-construction Condition Survey Report were submitted to the EPD on 22 December 2023 under Condition 2.10 of the EP.

 

Table 8.1 Mitigation Measures for Impacted Graded Historic Buildings

Graded Historic Buildings	Mitigation Measures
Lee Tat Bridge, Shui Tsan Tin (Grade 3)	§   A condition survey should be carried out in advance of works and after completion of works by qualified building surveyor or structural engineer. The Condition Survey Report should contain descriptions of the structure, identification of fragile elements, an appraisal of the condition and working methods for any proposed monitoring and precautionary measures that are or were recommended with aid of photo records. The condition survey report must be submitted to the AMO for comment before construction activities commence and after the works have been completed. The contractor should implement the approved monitoring and precautionary measures. §   Vibration, settlement and tilting monitoring should be undertaken during the construction works to ensure that safe levels of vibration are not exceeded.  An Alert, Alarm and Action (AAA) vibration limit set at 5 / 6 / 7.5 mm/s for Grade 3 historic buildings, settlement limit set at 6/ 8/ 10 mm, and tilting limit set at 1/2000; 1/1500; 1/1000 should be adopted. Monitoring proposal, including checkpoint locations, installation details, response actions for each of the AAA levels and frequency of monitoring should be submitted for AMO's consideration. Installation of monitoring checkpoints shall be carried out in great care and adequate protection shall be provided so as to avoid unnecessary disturbance/ damage to the historic fabrics.  Photo records of monitoring checkpoints shall be submitted upon installation for AMO's records. Monitoring records should be submitted to the AMO on regular basis and alert the AMO should the monitoring reach AAA levels.
Lan Fong Study Hall, Chuk Hang (Grade 3)
St John’s Chapel, Cheung Po (Grade 2)

 

 

 

9           Environmental Site Inspection and Audit

9.1      Implementation Status of Environmental Mitigation Measures

9.1.1      Site inspections were carried out on a weekly basis to monitor the implementation of proper environmental pollution control and mitigation measures under the Contract.  In the reporting period, site inspections were carried out on 6, 15, 20, 22 and 26 March 2024 at the site portions listed in Table 9.1 below.

Table 9.1 Site Inspection Record

Date	Inspected Site Portion	Time
6 March 2024	Lin Fa Tei	2:34 pm – 3:00 pm
15 March 2024	Ha Che	2:30 pm – 3:00 pm
20 March 2024	Lin Fa Tei	3:00 pm – 3:30 pm
22 March 2024	Lin Fa Tei, Ha Che, Tai Wo	9:00 am – 11:30 am
26 March 2024	Lin Fa Tei, Ha Che, Tai Wo	2:00 pm – 4:30 pm

9.1.2      Environmental deficiencies were observed during weekly site inspections.  Key observations during the site inspections in the reporting period are summarized in Table 9.2.

Table 9.2 Site Observations

Date	Environmental Observations	Follow-up Status
6 March 2024	Observation(s) and Recommendation(s)   Nil	Nil
15 March 2024	Observation(s) and Recommendation(s)   Ha Che: 1.     Oil stain should be removed and treated as “Chemical Waste”.	Ha Che: 1.     Oil stain had been removed and treated as “Chemical Waste”.
20 March 2024	Observation(s) and Recommendation(s)   Lin Fa Tei: 1.     General rubbish bin should be enclosed and labeled properly.	Lin Fa Tei: 1.     General rubbish bin had been enclosed and labeled properly.
22 March 2024	Observation(s) and Recommendation(s)   Nil	Nil
26 March 2024	Observation(s) and Recommendation(s)   Ha Che: 1.     Dusty material should be covered by tarpaulin.	Ha Che: 1.     Dusty material had been covered by tarpaulin.

9.1.3      According to the approved EIA Report, Environmental Permit, contract documents and approved EM&A Manual, the mitigation measures detailed in the documents should be implemented as much as practical during the reporting period. An updated Implementation Status of Environmental Mitigation Measures (EMIS) is provided in Appendix 1.3.

 

 

10      Summary of Monitoring Exceedance, Complaints, Notification of Summons and Prosecutions

10.1  Summary of Exceedance

10.1.1    During the reporting month, two (2) limit level exceedances for SS and two (2) action level exceedances of DO were recorded in the impact water quality monitoring.  After investigation, all exceedances were considered to be non-project related.

 

10.1.2    Exceedances of action levels on DO were recorded during the regular monitoring at C5 and C8 on 20 March 2024. The frequency of monitoring was increased to daily at C4, C5, C6, C7A and C8 starting from 21 March 2024.  As no further exceedances of action or limit levels were observed on the monitoring results of 21 March 2024 and 22 March 2024, the frequency of monitoring was resumed to normal (regular monitoring) after 22 March 2024.  Since there were no construction works carried out at Lin Fa Tei and Tai Wo on 20 March 2024 and no deficiency in mitigation measures for preventing site runoff were observed during the weekly site inspection at Lin Fa Tei and Tai Wo on 20 March 2024 and 22 March 2024 respectively, it is considered that the exceedances of action levels of DO are not related to the Project.

 

10.1.3    Exceedances of limit levels on SS was recorded during the regular monitoring at C5 and C10 on 22 March 2024. Two sets of geotextiles were properly deployed onsite and a water bypass was deployed to direct river water from the upstream of works area to the downstream of works area at Ha Che.  Since sufficient measures for preventing contamination of downstream water were well implemented and no deficiency in mitigation measures for preventing site runoff was observed during weekly site inspection at Ha Che on 22 March 2024 and no construction work was carried out at Tai Wo, it is considered that the exceedances of limit levels of SS are not related to the Project.

10.1.4    No Action Level or Limit Level exceedance was recorded for construction noise monitoring in the reporting period.

10.2  Summary of Environmental Non-Compliance

10.2.1    No environmental non-compliance was recorded in the reporting period.

10.3  Summary of Environmental Complaint

10.3.1    No environmental complaint was received in the reporting period.  The Cumulative Complaint Log is presented in Appendix 10.1.

10.4  Summary of Environmental Summon and Successful Prosecution

10.4.1    There was no successful environmental prosecution or notification of summons received since the Project commencement. The Cumulative Log for environmental summon and successful prosecution is presented in Appendix 10.1.

 

 

11      Future Key Issues

11.1  Works and Potential Environmental Issues in the next Reporting Period

11.1.1    The construction programme for the Project for the next reporting period is presented in Appendix 1.1.

11.1.2    Works to be undertaken in the next reporting period are summarized below:

    Ha Che

§  Lifting Operation;

§  Plant Operation;

§  Excavation;

§  Sheet Piling; and  

§  Installation of Precast unit.

 

Lin Fa Tei

§  Site Clearance Work

§  Lifting Operation;

§  Plant Operation; and

§  Excavation.

 

Tai Wo

§  No planned construction activity.

 

Sung Shan New Village

§  No planned construction activity.

11.1.3    Potential environmental impacts arising from the above construction activities are mainly associated with construction noise impact, water quality impact, ecological impact, waste management, and landscape and visual.

11.2  Recommendation

11.2.1    The key environmental mitigation measures for the Project in the coming reporting period expected to be associated with the construction activities include:

 

Noise

 

§  Only well-maintained plant should be operated on-site, and plant should be maintained regularly during the construction programme; and

§  Quality Powered Mechanical Equipment (QPME) should be adopted as far as possible.

 

Water Quality

 

§  No effluent discharge would be allowed before obtaining the effluent discharge license;

§  Surface run-off from construction sites should be discharged into dedicated discharge point via adequately designed sand/ silt removal facilities;

§  Channels/ earth bunds/ sandbags barriers should be provided on site to properly direct stormwater to silt removal facilities;

§  Silt removal facilities, channels and manholes should be maintained, and the deposited silt and grit should be removed regularly;

§  Open stockpiles of construction materials on sites should be covered with tarpaulin or similar fabric during rainstorms; and

§  Perimeter channels should be provided on site boundaries where necessary to intercept stormwater run-off from outside the site so that it will not wash across the site.

 

Waste Management

 

§  Provision of sufficient waste disposal points and regular collection of waste;

§  Regular cleaning and maintenance programme for drainage system; and

§  Chemical containers shall be stored with drip tray underneath.

 

Ecology

 

§  Minimize loss of habitats and associated wildlife; and

§  Using directional lighting to prevent excessive light spill into adjacent natural habitat and disturbance to nocturnal fauna.

 

Landscape and Visual

 

§  Construction activities shall be carefully designed to minimize impact on existing retained trees; and

§  Adequate tree protection measures shall be provided for the trees to be retained on site.

11.2.2    The tentative schedule of regular construction noise and water quality monitoring in the next reporting period is presented in Appendix 11.1.  The regular impact noise and water quality monitoring will be conducted at the same monitoring locations in the next reporting period.  

 

 

12      Conclusions

12.1  Conclusion

12.1.1    This 2^nd Monthly EM&A Report presents the EM&A works during the reporting period from 1 March 2024 to 31 March 2024 in accordance with the approved EM&A Manual.

12.1.2    Two (2) limit level exceedances for SS and two (2) action level exceedances of DO were recorded during impact water quality monitoring in the reporting period.  After investigation, all exceedances were considered non-project related.

12.1.3    No Action Level or Limit Level exceedance was recorded for construction noise monitoring in the reporting period.

12.1.4    Environmental site inspections were conducted on 6, 15, 20, 22 and 26 March 2024 by the ET in the reporting period.

12.1.5    No environmental complaint was received in the reporting period.

12.1.6    No notification of summons and prosecution was received in the reporting period.

12.1.7    The ET will keep track on the construction works to confirm compliance of environmental requirements and the proper implementation of all necessary mitigation measures.

12.1.8    Construction work at Lin Fa Tei and Tai Wo was commenced on 20 March 2024 and the corresponding construction phase EM&A programme at Lin Fa Tei and Tai Wo were begun on 20 March 2024.

12.1.9    The noise monitoring at LFT_M7 have been suspended since 27 March 2024 due to the objection from property management office for providing access to the designated monitoring location. The noise monitoring at LFT_M7 will be resumed when the access to the monitoring location is granted.

12.2  Comments/ Recommendations

12.2.1    The proposed mitigation measures were properly implemented and were considered effective and efficient in pollution control.