A1. The Project, Design, Build and Operate First Stage of Tseung Kwan O Desalination Plant (TKODP), is a Designated Project under the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (Cap. 499) (EIAO) and is currently governed by a Further Environmental Permit (EP No. FEP - 01/503/2015/A) for the construction and operation of the Contract.

A2. In accordance with the Environmental Monitoring and Audit (EM&A) Manual for the Contract, EM&A works for marine water quality, noise, waste management and ecology should be carried out by Environmental Team (ET), Acuity Sustainability Consulting Limited (ASCL), during the construction phase of the Contract.

- A3. This is the 43rd Monthly EM&A Report, prepared by ASCL, for the Contract summarizing the monitoring results and audit findings of the EM&A programme at and around Tseung Kwan O Area 137 (TKO 137) during the reporting period from 1 September to 30 September 2023.

A4. The EM&A programme for this contract has covered environmental monitoring on construction noise level at selected NSRs and Contractor’s environmental performance auditing in the aspects of construction dust, construction noise, water quality, waste management, Landscape and Visual and Ecology.

Summary of Main Works Undertaken & Key Mitigation Measures Implemented

A5. Key activities carried out in this reporting period for the Contract included the followings:

		Administration Building - Carrying out the floor tiles works at 1/F - Installation of building services, cable laying, electrical switchboard, doors and handrails - Construction of 3 dog houses on roof - Construction of block wall in the pipe duct
		Chemical building - Construction of concrete slab for safety shower - Installation of leakage collection pit cover - Underground utility construction work
		Main Electrical & Central Chiller Plant Building - Installation of roof tile for fuel tank room, chillers, building services, electrical switchboard and cable laying
		ActiDAFF - Underground utility construction work - Installation of access covers on roof - Construction of staircase no 2 - Installation of mechanical equipment, piping system, building services, electrical switchboards and cable laying
	Product Water Storage Tank Building - Installation of Cat Ladders in Water Tank A - Sealing Slab Openings in Water Tank A - Re-construction of Wall PW8 in Water Tank A - Underground utility construction - Installation of building services, cable laying, mechanical equipment and steel pipe
	OSCG Building - Installation of Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DfMA) Panel, metal cladding and roller shutters and window - Underground utility construction work - Installation of building services, mechanical equipment, metal cladding and roller shutters and window
	Reverse Osmosis Building - Installation of building services, electrical switchboard, mechanical equipment, steel pipe, Glass Reinforced Plastics (GRP) pipe, pressure test of the GRP pipe, Membrane Loading, raised floor - Installation of metal cladding, handrailing, roller shutters and glass canopy and glass house - Underground utility construction work - Pipe laying at corridor and Backfilling Work
	Post Treatment Building - Installation of louvres, cat ladders, handrailing and metal cladding - Installation of building services, mechanical equipment and GRP pipe - Underground utility construction work
	Inspection corridor - Construction of roof waterproofing works - Construction of staircase no. 1 and 2 - Installation of building services
	CO2 Tanks - Installation of pipes and electrical wiring Combined Shaft and Pump room - Internal finishing, door, window and louver Other - Watermain works at CLP 132 kV Substation - Structure Construction and steel fence election of Wave Deflector Wall at seawall area - Staircases construction at elevated walkway - Steel Bridge assembly and installation - Rock anchor installation of slope work - Marine works completed

A6. The major environmental impacts brought by the above construction works include:

- Construction dust and noise generation from construction works, excavation works, rock cutting works and pipe piling driving works;

- Waste generation from the construction activities; and

A7. The key environmental mitigation measures implemented for the Contract in this reporting period associated with the above construction works include:

- Dust suppression by regular wetting and water spraying for construction works;

- Reduction of noise from equipment and machinery on-site and regular inspection to machinery and plants/vehicles on-site to ensure proper functioning;

- Deployment of silt curtain at the marine areas; and

- Sorting and storage of general refuse and construction waste; and

Summary of exceedance & investigation & follow-up

A8. No noise monitoring was conducted during the reporting period since there are no Contract -related construction activities undertaken within a radius of 300m from the monitoring locations. No exceedance of the action Level was recorded during the reporting period.

A9. The marine water quality programme was ceased from 1 September 2023 due to the completion of marine-related construction works.

A10. In this reporting period, 72 times of landfill gas monitoring were conducted at TKO Area 137 (Ch1+340 - Ch1+600). No action or limit level exceedance was recorded during the reporting period.

A11. Joint site inspections of the construction work by ET and IEC were carried out on 5, 12, 19 and 26 September 2023 to audit the mitigation measures implementation status. Observation and Reminders were recorded in the site inspection checklists and provided to the contractors together with the appropriate follow-up actions where necessary.

Complaint Handling and Prosecution

A12. No environmental complaint, notification of summons and prosecution was received in the reporting period.

Reporting Change

A13. There was no change to be reported that may affect the on-going EM&A programme.

Summary of Upcoming Key Issues and Key Mitigation Measures

A14. Key activities anticipated in the next reporting period for the Contract will include the followings:

		Administration Building - Carrying out the floor tiles works at G/F - Construction of 4 dog houses on the roof. - Construction of block wall in the pipe duct - Installation of building services, cable laying, electrical switchboard
		Chemical building - Installation of leakage collection pit cover - Construction of concrete slab for safety showers - Construction of trunk load pits - Underground utility construction work - Defect rectification
		Main Electrical & Central Chiller Plant Building - Installation of chillers, building services, electrical switchboard and cable laying - Installation of Roof Tile for Fuel Tank Room
		ActiDAFF - Underground utility construction work - Installation of access covers on roof - Construction of staircase no 2 - Installation of mechanical equipment, piping system, installation of building services, electrical switchboards and cable laying
		Product Water Storage Tank Building - Installation of Cat Ladders in Water Tank A - Sealing slab opening in water Tank A - Re-construction of Wall PW8 in Water Tank A - Installation of metal cladding, building services, cable laying, mechanical equipment, steel pipe - Underground utility construction
		OSCG Building - Installation of Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DfMA) Panel and metal cladding - Installation of Roller Shutters and Window - Coating and Installation of Grating Cover for Brine Tank - Underground utility construction work - Installation of building services, mechanical equipment and cable laying
	Reverse Osmosis Building - Installation of building services, electrical switchboard, mechanical equipment, steel pipe, Glass Reinforced Plastics (GRP) pipe, pressure test of the GRP pipe, Membrane Loading, raised floor - Installation of metal cladding, handrailing, roller shutters, glass canopy and glass house - Underground utility construction work - Pipe laying at corridor outside Toilet and Backfilling Work
	Post Treatment Building - Installation of service staircase tower, louvres, cat ladders, handrailing and metal cladding - Installation of building services, Installation of mechanical equipment and piping system - Underground utility construction work
	Inspection corridor - Construction of roof waterproofing works - Construction of staircases no. 1 and 2 - Installation of Movement Joints - Construction of Screeding works on the deck level - Installation of building services
	CO2 Tanks - Installation of pipes and electrical wiring Combined Shaft and Pump room - Internal finishing, Door; window; Lover Installation Other - Rock anchor installation - Watermain works at CLP 132 kV Substation - Structure Construction, steel fence erection of Wave Deflector Wall at seawall area - Staircases construction; Steel Bridge assembly and installation at elevated walkway - Foot plinth concreting and barrier erection at flexible barrier - Final check of Marine Diffuser Pipe

A15. The major environmental impacts brought by the above construction works will include:

- Construction dust and noise generation from excavation and construction works;

- Waste generation from construction activities; and

Table 1.1 Contact Details of Key Personnel

Party

Position

Name

Telephone no.

Contract Proponent (Water Supplies Department)

SE/CM2

Milton Law

2634-3573

Supervising Officer (Binnies Hong Kong Limited)

Project Manager

Christina Ko

2608-7302

Chief Resident Engineer

Roger Wu

6343-1002

The Jardine Engineering Corporation, Limited, China State Construction Engineering (Hong Kong) Limited and Acciona Agua, S.A. Trading

Project Manager

Stephen Yeung

2807-4665

Environmental Monitoring Manager

Brian Kam

9456-9541

Acuity Sustainability Consulting Limited

Environmental Team Leader

Jacky Leung

2698-6833

ANewR Consulting Limited

Independent Environmental Checker (IEC)

Mr. CHAN Yi

Chun, Alex

2618-2831

Summary of Construction Works

1.7. Details of the major construction activities undertaken in this reporting period are shown below. The master programme is presented in Appendix A.

1.8. Key activities carried out in this reporting period for the Contract included the followings:

		Administration Building - Carrying out the floor tiles works at 1/F - Installation of building services, cable laying, electrical switchboard, doors and handrails - Construction of 3 dog houses on roof - Construction of block wall in the pipe duct
		Chemical building - Construction of concrete slab for safety shower - Installation of leakage collection pit cover - Underground utility construction work
		Main Electrical & Central Chiller Plant Building - Installation of roof tile for fuel tank room, chillers, building services, electrical switchboard and cable laying
		ActiDAFF - Underground utility construction work - Installation of access covers on roof - Construction of staircase no 2 - Installation of mechanical equipment, piping system, building services, electrical switchboards and cable laying
	Product Water Storage Tank Building - Installation of Cat Ladders in Water Tank A - Sealing Slab Openings in Water Tank A - Re-construction of Wall PW8 in Water Tank A - Underground utility construction - Installation of building services, cable laying, mechanical equipment and steel pipe
	OSCG Building - Installation of Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DfMA) Panel, metal cladding and roller shutters and window - Underground utility construction work - Installation of building services, mechanical equipment, metal cladding and roller shutters and window
	Reverse Osmosis Building - Installation of building services, electrical switchboard, mechanical equipment, steel pipe, Glass Reinforced Plastics (GRP) pipe, pressure test of the GRP pipe, Membrane Loading, raised floor - Installation of metal cladding, handrailing, roller shutters and glass canopy and glass house - Underground utility construction work - Pipe laying at corridor and Backfilling Work
	Post Treatment Building - Installation of louvres, cat ladders, handrailing and metal cladding - Installation of building services, mechanical equipment and GRP pipe - Underground utility construction work
	Inspection corridor - Construction of roof waterproofing works - Construction of staircase no. 1 and 2 - Installation of building services
	CO2 Tanks - Installation of pipes and electrical wiring Combined Shaft and Pump room - Internal finishing, door, window and louver Other - Watermain works at CLP 132 kV Substation - Structure Construction and steel fence election of Wave Deflector Wall at seawall area - Staircases construction at elevated walkway - Steel Bridge assembly and installation - Rock anchor installation of slope work - Marine works completed

1.9. A summary of the valid permits, licences, and/or notifications on environmental protection for this Contract is presented in Table 1.2.

Table 1.2 Summary of the Status of Valid Environmental Licence, Notification, Permit and Documentations

Permit/ Licences	Valid Period		Status	Remark
	From	To
Environmental Permit
EP-503/2015/A	Throughout the Contract		Valid	-
FEP - 01/503/2015/A	Throughout the Contract		Valid	-
Notification of Construction Works under the Air Pollution Control (Construction Dust) Regulation (Form NA)
451539	Throughout the Contract		Valid	-
Billing Account for Disposal of Construction Waste
7036276	Throughout the Contract		Valid	-
Chemical Waste Producer Registration
5213-839-A2987-01	Throughout the Contract		Valid	-
Wastewater Discharge Licence (Land and Marine works)
WT00035775-2020	23/08/2021	31/07/2025	Valid	-
WT00044188-2023	16/06/2023	30/06/2028	Valid	For Plant T&C and operation
Construction Noise Permit
GW-RE0640-23	22/06/2023	21/12/2023	Valid	-

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

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

Parameters	Status
Water Quality
Baseline Monitoring under EM&A Manual	The baseline water quality monitoring was conducted between 12 May 2020 to 6 Jun 2020.
Impact Monitoring	Ceased from 1 September
Noise
Baseline Monitoring	The baseline noise monitoring result has been reported in Baseline Monitoring Report and submitted to EPD under EP Condition 3.4
Impact Monitoring	Completed
Waste Management
Mitigation Measures in Waste Management Plan	On-going
Landfill Gas
Regular Monitoring when construction works are within the 250 m Consultation Zone	On-going
Environmental Audit
Site Inspection covering Measures of Air Quality, Noise Impact, Water Quality, Waste, Ecological Quality, Fisheries, Landscape and Visual	On-going

1.11. Other than the EM&A work by ET, environmental briefings, trainings, and regular environmental management meetings were conducted, in order to enhance environmental awareness and closely monitor the environmental performance of the contractors.

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

2. NOISE

Monitoring Requirements

2.1. To ensure no adverse noise impact, noise monitoring is recommended to be carried out within 300m radius from the nearby noise sensitive receivers (NSRs), during construction phase. The NSRs selected as monitoring station are (i) NSR4 - Creative Secondary School, (ii) NSR24 - PLK Laws Foundation College, and (iii) NSR31 - School of Continuing and Professional Studies - CUHK respectively.

2.2. Construction noise level were measured in terms of the A-weighted equivalent continuous sound pressure level (LAeq). Leq 30min was used as the monitoring parameter for the time period between 0700 and 1900 on normal weekdays. Construction works would follow stipulations of the valid Construction Noise Permits if works had to be conducted during restricted hours or public holidays. Table 2.1 summarizes the monitoring parameters, frequency, and duration of the impact noise monitoring.

Table 2.1 Noise Monitoring Parameters, Time, Frequency and Duration

Time	Duration	Interval	Parameters
	Day time:	Continuously in
Daytime:	0700-1900	Leq 5min/Leq 30min	Leq 30min
0700-1900	(during normal weekdays)	(average of 6 consecutive Leq 5min)	L10 30min & L90 30min

Monitoring Locations

2.3. The monitoring locations were normally made at a point 1m from the exterior of the NSRs building façade and be at a position 1.2m above the ground. A correction of +3dB(A) should be made to the free-field measurements.

2.4. According to the environmental findings detailed in the EIA report and Baseline Monitoring Report, the designated locations for the construction noise monitoring are listed in Table 2.2 below.

Table 2.2 Noise Sensitive Receivers

NSR ID	Noise Sensitive Receivers	Monitoring Location	Position
NSR 4	Creative Secondary School	Roof Floor	1 m from facade
NSR 24	PLK Laws Foundation College	Pedestrian Road on Ground Floor	Free-field
NSR 31	School of Continuing and Professional Studies - CUHK	Roof Floor	1 m from facade

2.5. Three noise monitoring locations for impact monitoring at the nearby sensitive receivers are shown in Figure 2.1-2.3.

3. WATER QUALITY

3.1. In accordance with the recommendations of the EIA, water quality monitoring is required during dredging for the submarine pipelines and, during operation phase. The following Section provides details of the water quality monitoring to be undertaken by the Environmental Team (ET) to verify the distance of sediment and brine plume dispersion and to identify whether the potential exists for any indirect impacts to occur to ecological sensitive receivers.

3.2. The water quality monitoring programme was be carried out to allow any deteriorating water quality to be readily detected and timely action taken to rectify the situation.

3.3. Water quality monitoring for the Contract can be divided into the following stages:

- Dredging activities during construction phase;

- Discharge of effluent from main disinfection during construction phase;

Water Quality Parameters

3.4. The parameters that have been selected for measurement in situ and in the laboratory are those that were either determined in the EIA to be those with the most potential to be affected by the construction works or are a standard check on water quality conditions. Parameters to be measured in the impact monitoring are listed in Table 3.1.

Table 3.1 Parameters measured in the Impact Marine Water Quality Monitoring

Parameters	Unit	Abbreviation
In-situ measurements
Dissolved oxygen	mg/L	DO
Temperature	oC	-
pH	-	-
Turbidity	NTU	-
Salinity	0/00	-
Total Residual Chlorine NOTE1	mg/L	TRC
Laboratory measurements
Suspended Solids	mg/L	SS
Iron-Soluble	mg/L	Fe
Anti-scalant as Reactive Phosphorus	mg/L	PO4 as P-

NOTE 1: Monitoring of Total Residual Chlorine will be conducted when cleaning and sterilization of the new freshwater main is carried out.

3.5. In addition to the water quality parameters, other relevant data were also being measured and recorded in Water Quality Monitoring Logs, including the location of the sampling stations, water depth, time, weather conditions, sea conditions, tidal stage, current direction and velocity, special phenomena and work activities

undertaken around the monitoring and works area that may influence the monitoring results.

Monitoring Equipment

3.6. For water quality monitoring, the following equipment were used:

Dissolved Oxygen and Temperature Measuring Equipment - The instrument was a portable, weatherproof dissolved oxygen measuring instrument complete with cable, sensor, comprehensive operation manuals, and was operable from a DC power source. It was capable of measuring: dissolved oxygen levels in the range of 0 - 20 mg/L and 0 - 200% saturation; and a temperature of 0 - 45 degrees Celsius. It has a membrane electrode with automatic temperature compensation complete with a cable of not less than 35 m in length. Sufficient stocks of spare electrodes and cables were available for replacement where necessary (e.g. YSI model 59 DO meter, YSI 5739 probe, YSI 5795A submersible stirrer with reel and cable or an approved similar instrument).

Turbidity Measurement Equipment - The instrument was a portable, weatherproof turbidity-measuring unit complete with cable, sensor and comprehensive operation manuals. The equipment was operated from a DC power source, it has a photoelectric sensor capable of measuring turbidity between 0 - 1000 NTU and complete with a cable with at least 35 m in length (for example Hach 2100P or an approved similar instrument).

Salinity Measurement Instrument - A portable salinometer capable of measuring salinity in the range of 0 - 40 ppt was provided for measuring salinity of the water at each monitoring location.

Water Depth Gauge - A portable, battery-operated echo sounder (for example Seafarer 700 or a similar approved instrument) was used for the determination of water depth at each designated monitoring station. This unit will preferably be affixed to the bottom of the work boat if the same vessel is to be used throughout the monitoring programme. The echo sounder was suitably calibrated.

Positioning Device - A Global Positioning System (GPS) was used during monitoring to allow accurate recording of the position of the monitoring vessel before taking measurements. The Differential GPS, or equivalent instrument, was suitably calibrated at appropriate checkpoint (e.g. Quarry Bay Survey Nail) to verify that the monitoring station is at the correct position before the water quality monitoring commence.

Water Sampling Equipment - A water sampler, consisting of a PVC or glass cylinder of not less than two litres, which can be effectively sealed with cups at both ends, was used. The water sampler has 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.

Sampling / Testing Protocols

3.7. All in situ monitoring instruments were checked, calibrated, and certified by a laboratory accredited under HOKLAS or any other international accreditation scheme before use, and subsequently re-calibrated at monthly intervals throughout the stages of the water quality monitoring. Responses of sensors and electrodes were checked with certified standard solutions before each use.

3.8. On-site calibration of field equipment was following the “Guide to On-Site Test Methods for the Analysis of Waters”, BS 1427: 2009. Sufficient stocks of spare parts were maintained for replacements when necessary. Backup monitoring equipment was made available so that monitoring can proceed uninterrupted even when equipment is under maintenance, calibration etc.

Laboratory Measurement and Analysis

3.9. Sufficient volume of each water sample was collected for carrying out the laboratory analyses. Using chain of custody forms, collected water samples were transferred to a HOKLAS accredited laboratory (Acumen Laboratory and Testing Limit - HOKLAS 241) for immediate processing. The determination work was start within the next working day after collection of the water samples. Analytical methodology and sample preservation of other parameters were based on the latest edition of Standard Methods for the Examination of Waste and Wastewater published by APHA, AWWA and WPCF and methods by USEPA, or suitable method in accordance with requirements of HOKLAS or another internationally accredited scheme. The QA/QC details were in accordance with the requirements of HOKLAS or another internationally accredited scheme.

3.10. Parameters for laboratory measurements, standard methods and detection limits are presented in Table 3.3.

Table 3.3 Laboratory measurements, standard methods, and corresponding detection limits of marine water quality monitoring

Parameters	Standard Methods	Detection Limit	Reporting Limit	Precision
Dissolved oxygen	Instrumental, CTD	0.1	-	+-25%
Temperature	Instrumental, CTD	0.1	-	+-25%
pH	Instrumental, CTD	0.1	-	+-25%
Turbidity	Instrumental, CTD	0.1	-	+-25%
Salinity	Instrumental, CTD	0.1	-	+-25%
Suspended Solids	APHA 23rd Ed 2540D	1.0	2.5	+-17%

Monitoring Location

3.11. The Impact water quality monitoring locations are in accordance with the EM&A Manual and detailed in Table 3.4 below. A schedule for water quality monitoring was prepared by the ET and submitted to IEC and EPD prior to the commencement of the monitoring.