Contents

Executive Summary

1                      inTroduction                                                                 

1.1                   Purpose of the Report                                             

1.2                   Structure of the Report                                        

2                      Project information                                                 

2.1                   Background                                                                   

2.2                   General Site Description                                        

2.3                   Major Activities Undertaken                                

2.4                   Project Organisation and Management Structure                                                                       

2.5                   Status of Environmental Approval Documents                                                                      

3                      Environmental Monitoring and Audit Requirements                                                                

3.1                   Environmental Monitoring                                     

3.1.1                Air Quality                                                                           

3.1.2                Odour                                                                                  

3.2                   Site Audit                                                                         

3.2.1                Water Quality                                                                      

3.2.2                Landscape and Visual                                                       

4                      Monitoring Results                                                   

4.1                   Air Quality                                                                      

4.1.1                Commissioning Phase Monitoring                                  

4.1.2                Operation Phase Monitoring                                            

4.2                   Odour                                                                                

4.2.1                Commissioning Phase Monitoring                                  

4.2.2                Operation Phase Monitoring                                            

4.3                   Water Quality                                                               

4.3.1                Construction Phase Monitoring                                       

4.3.2                Operation Phase Monitoring                                            

4.4                   Waste Management                                                    

4.4.1                Construction Phase Monitoring                                       

4.4.2                Operation Phase Monitoring                                            

5                      Site Audit                                                                         

5.1                   Environmental Site Audit                                        

5.1.1                Construction Phase                                                           

5.1.2                Operation Phase                                                                

5.2                   Landscape and Visual Audit                                   

6                      Environmental Non-conformance                      

6.1                   Summary of Environmental Non-Compliance

6.2                   Summary of Environmental Complaint             

6.3                   Summary of Environmental Summon and Successful Prosecution                                         

7                      Future Key Issues                                                        

7.1                   Key Issues for the Coming Month                        

8                      Conclusions                                                                  

 

 LIST OF ANNEXES

Annex A

Location of Project

Annex B

Works Location

Annex C

Construction Programme

Annex D

Project Organisation Chart and Contact Detail

Annex E

Calibration Certification for the On-line Stack

Monitoring System

Annex F

Implementation Schedule of Mitigation Measures

Annex G

Laboratory Results for NMVOCs and VOCs (including methane) for CHP 1 & CHP 2

Annex H

Waste Flow Table

Annex I

Environmental complaint, Environmental Summons and Prosecution Log

Annex J

odour Monitoring Result

Annex K

Investigation Report

 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The construction works of No. EP/SP/61/10 Organic Resources Recovery Centre Phase 1 (the Project) commenced on 21 May 2015.  This is the 16th quarterly Environmental Monitoring and Audit (EM&A) report presenting the EM&A works carried out during the period from 1 March 2019 to 31 May 2019 in accordance with the EM&A Manual.  Substantial completion of the construction works was confirmed on 3 December 2018.  In the meantime, the operation phase EM&A programme had commenced in March 2019.

Summary of Works undertaken during the Reporting Month

Works undertaken in the reporting month included:

·         Operation of the Project, including organic waste reception, and operation of the pre-treatment facilities, anaerobic digesters, composting facilities, air pollution control systems, on-line emission monitoring system for the Centralised Air Pollution Control Unit (CAPCS), Co-generation Units (CHP)s and Ammonia Stripping Plant (ASP), and the wastewater treatment plant;

·         Process fine-tune, including adjustment of the ASP with new treatment media, modification of Continuous Environmental Monitoring System (CEMS) and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition System (SCADA) rectification and improvement works following equipment failures and the alteration of different operation modes and measures to adapt to the high variation of SSOW nature and sources; and

·         Construction of the Visitor Centre.

 

Environmental Monitoring and Audit Progress

Air Quality Monitoring

Exceedances on odour from CAPCS, on dust, NOx and SO2 from CHP and on CO, NOx, SO2, VOCs and NH3 from ASP were recorded on the on-line monitoring system in March 2019.  Exceedances on odour from CAPCS, on NOx and SO2 from CHP and on CO, NOx, SO2, VOCs and NH3 from ASP were recorded on the on-line monitoring system in April 2019.  Exceedances on NOx and SO2 from CHP and on Dust, CO, NOx, SO2, VOCs, NH3 and HF from ASP were recorded on the on-line monitoring system in May 2019.  It should be noted that measurements recorded under abnormal operating conditions, e.g. start up and stopping of stacks, unstable operation, test runs and interference of sensor, are disregarded. 

Exceedances in emission parameters of CAPCS, CHP and ASP were found to be a result of problems with the chemical dosing system of the air pollution control systems of the CAPCS, tripping of the circulation pump resulting in the incomplete desulphurisation of biogas which fed to the CHPs, continuous fine-tuning of CHP setting, incomplete desulphurisation of biogas which fed to the CHPs, and tripping and stopping of ASP and the incomplete thermal combustion of the thermal combustion unit of the ASP.

The Contractor has implemented mitigation measures to control the exceedance (including the arrangement of supplier of the dosing system for the CAPCS to repair the dosing system and manual dosing of chemical to the CAPCS until the problems of the automatic dosing system is fixed; re-adjustment for NOx control for CHP; continuous monitoring and routine maintenance of the desulphurisation column is carried out ; and tuning the thermal combustion unit of the ASP to optimise combustion efficiency and overall performance).

The Contractor has implemented mitigation measures to control the exceedance by further fine-tuning the thermal combustion unit of the ASP to optimise combustion efficiency and overall performance.

The Contractor is recommended to closely monitor the processes, including the chemical dosing system in the CAPCS, the desulphurisation process, and combustion of biogas in the ASP to rectify any abnormal operating conditions. 

Odour Patrol

Odour patrol were conducted by representatives of the Contractor, the ER and Employer (EPD Project Team) on 1, 4, 8, 11, 13, 15, 18, 20, 22, 25, 27 and 29 March 2019.  The Independent Odour Patrol Team, ALS Technichem (HK) Pty Ltd (ALS), has also joined the odour patrol on 1 March 2019.  No Level 2 Odour Intensity was recorded during odour patrols. 

Air samples were also collected at the CAPCS for olfactometry analysis at the laboratory on 10, 11, 19 and 27 December 2018 and 16 and 29 January 2019.  The odour level of the samples collected on 10, 11, 19 and 27 December 2018 and 16 January 2019 have exceeded the odour limit.  The cause of the exceedances recorded was due to the breakdown of the automatic chemical dosing system and the repairing time of the automatic chemical dosing system was longer than anticipated.  The system was fixed and the odour concentration of the air sample taken on 29 January 2019 showed compliance with the odour limit. 

An investigation of the cause of the exceedance has been carried out.  The investigation report is shown in Annex K

Water Quality

No non-compliance to the effluent discharge limit stipulated in the discharge licence issued by the EPD under the Water Pollution Control Ordinance was recorded during this reporting period.

Waste Management

Waste generated from the construction of the Project includes inert construction and demolition (C&D) materials (public fill) and non-inert C&D materials (construction wastes).

Inert C&D materials (public fill) include bricks, concrete, building debris, rubble and excavated spoil. In total, 390.11 tonnes of inert C&D material were generated from the construction of the Project.

Non-inert C&D materials (construction wastes) from the construction of this Project include metals, paper/ cardboard packaging waste, plastics and other wastes such as general refuse.  0.00 kg of metals, 0.00 kg of papers/ cardboard packing and 0.00 kg of plastics were sent to recyclers for recycling during the reporting period.  23.53 tonnes of general refuse was disposed of at the landfill.

0.00 L of chemical waste was collected by licenced waste collector from the construction of the Project.

Waste generated from the operation of the Project includes chemical waste, waste generated from pre-treatment process and general refuse. 

2,200 L of chemical waste was collected by licenced waste collector from the operation of the Project.

1,460.90 tonnes of waste generated from pre-treatment process from the operation of the Project was disposed of at landfill.  Among the recyclable waste generated from pre-treatment process from the operation of the Project, 0.00 kg of metals, 0.00 kg of papers/ cardboard packing and 0.00 kg of plastics were sent to recyclers for recycling during the reporting period.

Around 5.65 tonnes of general refuse from the operation of the Project was disposed of at landfill.  Among the recycled general refuse from the operation of the Project, 0.00 kg of metals, 0.00 kg of papers/ cardboard packing and 390 kg of plastics were sent to recyclers for recycling during the reporting period.

Findings of Environmental Site Audit

A summary of the monitoring activities undertaken in this reporting period is listed below:

·      Joint Environmental Site Inspections

11 times

·      Landscape & Visual Inspections

6 times

Weekly joint environmental site inspections were carried out.  The environmental control/ mitigation measures (related to air quality, water quality, waste (including land contamination prevention), hazard-to-life and landscape and visual) recommended in the approved EIA Report and the EM&A Manual were properly implemented by the Contractor during the reporting month. 

Environmental Exceedance/Non-conformance/Compliant/Summons and Prosecution

Exceedances for the air emission limits for the CAPCS, CHP and ASP stacks were recorded during the reporting period.

An incident related to the leakage of treated effluent occurred on 21 May 2019. 

No complaint/ summon/prosecution was received in this reporting period.

Future Key Issues

Activities to be undertaken in the next reporting month include:

·         Operation of the Project.

·         Contractor should resolve the technical issue related to the on-line monitoring of methane emission (hence the calculation of the NMVOC concentration) from the CHP stacks as soon as possible and undertake gas sampling every 10 days and laboratory analysis of NMVOC when the on-line monitoring equipment for methane is not available.

·         Implementation of further measures to control the air emission from the CHP and ASP. 

·         Continue construction of the Visitor Centre.  


 

1                                 inTroduction

ERM-Hong Kong, Limited (ERM) was appointed by OSCAR Bioenergy Joint Venture (the Contractor) as the Environmental Team (ET) to undertake the construction Environmental Monitoring and Audit (EM&A) programme for the Contract No. EP/SP/61/10 of Organic Waste Treatment Facilities Phase I, which the project name has been updated to Organic Resources Recovery Centre (Phase I) (the Project) since November 2017.  ERM was also appointed by the Contractor to undertake the operation EM&A programme starting 1 March 2019.

1.1                             Purpose of the Report

This is the 48th EM&A report which summarises the monitoring results and audit findings for the EM&A programme during the reporting period from 1 March 2019 to 31 May 2019.

1.2                             Structure of the Report

The structure of the report is as follows:

Section 1:      Introduction

It details the scope and structure of the report.

 

Section 2:      Project Information

It summarises the background and scope of the Project, site description, project organisation and status of the Environmental Permits (EP)/licences.

 

Section 3:      Environmental Monitoring and Audit Requirements

It summarises the environmental monitoring requirements including monitoring parameters, programmes, methodologies, frequency, locations, Action and Limit Levels, Event/Action Plans, as well as environmental audit requirements as recommended in the EM&A Manual and approved EIA report.

 

Section 4:      Monitoring Results

It summarises monitoring results of the reporting period.

 

Section 5:      Site Audit

It summarises the audit findings of the environmental as well as landscape and visual site audits undertaken within the reporting period.

 

Section 6:      Environmental Non-conformance

It summarises any exceedance of environmental performance standard, environmental complaints and summons received within the reporting period.

 

Section 7:      Further Key Issues

It summarises the impact forecast for the next reporting month.

 

Section 8:      Conclusions

 

2                                 Project information

2.1                             Background

The Organic Resources Recovery Centre (ORRC) Phase I development (hereinafter referred to as “the Project”) is to design, construct and operate a biological treatment facility with a capacity of about 200 tonnes per day and convert source-separated organic waste from commercial and industrial sectors (mostly food waste) into compost and biogas through proven biological treatment technologies.  The location of the Project site is shown in Annex A.

The environmental acceptability of the construction and operation of the Project had been confirmed by findings of the associated Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Study completed in 2009.  The Director of Environmental Protection (DEP) approved this EIA Report under the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO) (Cap. 499) in February 2010 (Register No.: AEIAR-149/2010) (hereafter referred to as the approved EIA Report).  Subsequent Report on Re-assessment on Environmental Implications and Report on Re-assessment on Hazard to Life Implications were completed in 2013, respectively.

An Environmental Permit (EP) (No. EP-395/2010) was issued by the DEP to the EPD (Project Team), the Permit Holder, on 21 June 2010 and varied on 18 March 2013 (No. EP-395/2010/A) and 21 May 2013 (No. EP-395/2010/B), respectively.  The Design Build and Operate Contract for the ORRC Phase 1 (Contract No. EP/SP/61/10 Organic Resources Recovery Centre (Phase 1) (the Contract)) was awarded to SITA Waste Services Limited, ATAL Engineering Limited and Ros-Roca, Sociedad Anonima jointly trading as the OSCAR Bioenergy Joint Venture (OSCAR or the Contractor).  A Further EP (No. FEP-01/395/2010/B) was issued by the DEP to the OSCAR on 16 February 2015.  Variation to both EPs (Nos. EP-395/2010/B and FEP-01/395/2010/B) were made in December 2015.  The latest EPs, Nos. EP-395/2010/C and FEP-01/395/2010/C, were issued by the DEP on 21 December 2015.

Under the requirements of Condition 5 of the EP (No. FEP-01/395/2010/C), an Environmental Monitoring and Audit (EM&A) programme as set out in the approved EM&A Manual (hereinafter referred to as EM&A Manual) is required to be implemented during the construction and operation of the Project.  ERM-Hong Kong, Ltd (ERM) has been appointed by OSCAR as the Environmental Team (ET) for the construction phase EM&A programme and the Monitoring Team (MT) for the operation phase EM&A programme for the implementation of the EM&A programme in accordance with the requirements of the EP and the approved EM&A Manual.

The construction works commenced on 21 May 2015.  The operation phase of the EM&A programme commenced on 1 March 2019 ([1]).

2.2                             General Site Description

The Project Site is located at Siu Ho Wan in North Lantau with an area of about 2 hectares.  The layout of the Project Site is illustrated in Annex A.  The facility received and treated an average of 100 tonnes of source separated organic waste per day during the reporting month.

2.3                             Major Activities Undertaken

A summary of the major activities undertaken in the reporting period is shown in Table 2.1.  The site layout plan is shown in Annex B.  The construction programme is shown in Annex C.

Table 2.1        Summary of Activities Undertaken in the Reporting Period

Activities Undertaken in the Reporting Period     

·         Systems being operated – waste reception, pre-treatment, CAPCS extraction, the digesters, the centrifuge, , the composting tunnels the desulphurisation, the emergency flare, the CHPs, the ASP and the biological waste water treatment plant (about 100-130 t/d SSOW input);

·         Process fine-tune – adjustment of the ASP operational parameters with new treatment media, CEMS/SCADA modification and improvement work following equipment failures and the alteration of different operation modes and measures to adapt to the high variation of SSOW nature and sources; and

·         Construction of the Visitor Centre.

2.4                             Project Organisation and Management Structure

The project organisation chart and contact details are shown in Annex D.

2.5                             Status of Environmental Approval Documents

A summary of the valid permits, licences, and/or notifications on environmental protection for this Project is presented in Table 2.2.

Table 2.2      Summary of Environmental Licensing, Notification and Permit Status

Permit/ Licences/ Notification

Reference

Validity Period

Remarks

Environmental Permit

FEP-01/395/2010/C

 

Throughout the Contract

 

Permit granted on 21 December 2015

 

Notification of Construction Works under the Air Pollution Control (Construction Dust) Regulation

Ref No. 386715

Throughout the Contract

-

Effluent Discharge License

WT00024352-2016

3 June 2016 – 30 June 2021

Approved on 3 June 2016

Construction Noise Permit – P1&P2

GW-RW0538-18

(Superseded CNP GW-RW0229-18)

21 January 2019-20 July 2019

Approved on 31 December 2018

Construction Noise Permit – P5 (slope)

GW-RW0347-18

(superseded the

GW-RW0107-18)

30 September

2018 – 29 March

2019

Approved on 15

August 2018

Chemical Waste Producer Registration

WPN 5213-961-O2231-01

Throughout the Contract

Approved on 29 April 2015

Chemical Waste Producer Registration

WPN 5213-961-O2231-02

Throughout the implementation of the Project

Approved on 10 November 2017

Waste Disposal Billing Account

Account number: 702310

Throughout the Contract

-

3                                 Environmental Monitoring and Audit Requirements

3.1                             Environmental Monitoring

The air quality (including odour) monitoring to be carried out during the commissioning and operation phase of the Project are described below.  No monitoring for noise, waste, land contamination, hazard-to-life and landscape and visual are required during construction and operation phases of the Project.  Although water quality monitoring is not required for the construction and operation phases under the EM&A programme, there are water quality monitoring requirement under the Water Discharge Licence of the plant under the Water Pollution Control Ordinance (WPCO).  As part of this EM&A programme, the monitoring results will be reviewed to check the compliance with the WPCO requirements.

3.1.1                        Air Quality

According to the EM&A Manual and EP requirements, stack monitoring are required during the commissioning and operation phase of the Project. 

On-line monitoring (using continuous environmental monitoring system (CEMS) shall be carried out for the centralised air pollution unit (CAPCS), cogeneration units (CHP) and the ammonia stripping plant (ASP) during the commissioning and operation phase.  The calibration certificate for the on-line monitoring equipment is provided in Annex E.

The monitoring data is transmitted instantaneously to EPD (Regional Office) by telemetry system.

When the on-line monitoring for certain parameter cannot be undertaken, monitoring will be carried out using the following methodology approved by the EPD.

Table 3.1        Sampling and Laboratory Analysis Methodology

Parameters

Method

Stacks to be Monitored

Gaseous and vaporous organic substances (including methane)

USEPA Method 18

·     CAPCS

·     CHP

·     ASP

Particulate

USEPA Method 5

·     CAPCS

·     CHP

·     ASP

Carbon monoxide (CO)

USEPA Method 10

·     CHP

·     ASP

Nitrogen oxides (NOx)

USEPA Method 7E

·     CHP

·     ASP

Sulphur dioxide (SO2);

USEPA Method 6

·     CHP

·     ASP

Hydrogen chloride (HCl)

USEPA Method 26A

·     CHP

·     ASP

Hydrogen fluoride (HF)

USEPA Method 26A

·     CHP

·     ASP

Oxygen (O2);

USEPA Method 3A

·     CAPCS

·     CHP

·     ASP

Velocity and Volumetric Flow

USEPA Method 2

·     CAPCS

·     CHP

·     ASP

Ammonia (NH3)

USEPA CTM 027

·     ASP

Odour (including NH3 and H2S)

EN 13725

·     CAPCS

Water vapour content (continuous measurement of the water vapour content should not be required if the sample exhaust gas is dried before the emissions are analysed)

USEPA Method 4

·     CAPCS

·     CHP

·     ASP

Temperature

USEPA Method 4

·     CAPCS

·     CHP

·     ASP

With reference to the EM&A Manual, the air emission of the stacks shall meet the following emission limits as presented in Tables 3.2 to 3.5.

Table 3.2        Emission Limit for CAPCS Stack

Parameter

Emission Level (mg/Nm3) (a)

VOCs (including methane)

680

Dust (or Total Suspended Particulates (TSP))

6

Odour (including NH3 & H2S)

220 (b)

Notes:

(a)   Hourly average concentration

(b)   The odour unit is OU/Nm3

Table 3.3        Emission Limit for CHP Stack

Parameter

Maximum Emission Level (mg/Nm3) (a) (b)

Dust (or Total Suspended Particulates)

15

Carbon Monoxide

650

NOx

300

SO2

50

NMVOCs (c)

150

VOCs (including methane) (d)

1,500

HCl

10

HF

1

Notes:

(a)  All values refer to an oxygen content in the exhaust gas of 6% and dry basis.

(b)  Hourly average concentration

(c)  Due to technical issue related to the monitoring range of the methane sensor, the monitoring of NMVOCs is conducted at agreed interval. 

(d)  The VOCs emission limit include methane as biogas is adopted as fuel in the combustion process.

Table 3.4        Emission Limit for ASP Stack

Parameter

Maximum Emission Level (mg/Nm3) (a) (b)

Dust (or Total Suspended Particulates)

5

Carbon Monoxide

100

NOx

200

SO2

50

VOCs (including methane) (c)

20

NH3

35

HCl

10

HF

1

Notes:

(a)     All values refer to an oxygen content in the exhaust gas of 11% and dry basis.

(b)     Hourly average concentration

(c)     The VOCs emission limit include methane as biogas is adopted as fuel in the combustion process.

Table 3.5        Emission Limit for Standby Flaring Gas Unit ([2])

Parameter

Maximum Emission level (mg/Nm3) (a) (b)

Dust (or Total Suspended Particulates)

5

Carbon Monoxide

100

NOx

200

SO2

50

VOCs (including methane) (c)

20

HCl

10

HF

1

Notes:

(a)   All values refer to an oxygen content in the exhaust gas of 11% and dry basis.

(b)   Hourly average concentration

(c)   The VOCs emission limit include methane as biogas is adopted as fuel in the combustion process.

3.1.2                        Odour

To determine the effectiveness of the proposed odour mitigation measures and to ensure that the operation of the ORRC1 will not cause adverse odour impacts, odour monitoring of the CAPCS stack (see Section 3.1.1) and odour patrol will be carried out.

Odour patrol shall be conducted by independent trained personnel/ competent persons in summer months (i.e. from July to September) for the first two operational years of ORRC1 at monthly intervals along an odour patrol route at the Project Site boundary as shown in Annex A

The perceived odour intensity is divided into 5 levels.  Table 3.6 describes the odour intensity for different levels.

Table 3.6        Odour Intensity Level

Level

Odour Intensity

0

Not detected. No odour perceived or an odour so weak that it cannot be easily characterised or described

1

Slight identifiable odour, and slight chance to have odour nuisance

2

Moderate identifiable odour, and moderate chance to have odour nuisance

3

Strong identifiable, likely to have odour nuisance

4

Extreme severe odour, and unacceptable odour level

Table 3.7 shows the action level and limit level to be used for odour patrol. Should any exceedance of the action and limit levels occurs, actions in accordance with the event and action plan in Table 3.8 should be carried out.

Table 3.7        Action and Limit Levels for Odour Nuisance

Parameter

Action Level

Limit Level

Odour Nuisance (from odour patrol)

When one documented compliant is received (a), or Odour Intensity of 2 is measured from odour patrol.

Two or more documented complaints are received (a) within a week; or

Odour intensity of 3 or above is measured from odour patrol.

Note:

(a)     Once the complaint is received by the Project Proponent (EPD), the Project Proponent would investigate and verify the complaint whether it is related to the potential odour emission from the ORRC1 and its on-site wastewater treatment unit.

Table 3.8      Event and Action Plan for Odour Monitoring

Event

Action

 

Person-in-charge of Odour Monitoring

Project Proponent (a)

Action Level

 

 

Exceedance of action level (Odour Patrol)

1. Identify source/reason of exceedance;

2. Repeat odour patrol to confirm finding.

1. Carry out investigation to identify the source/reason of exceedance.   Investigation should be completed within 2 weeks;

2. Rectify any unacceptable practice;

3. Implement more mitigation measures if necessary;

4. Inform Drainage Services Department (DSD) or the operator of the Siu Ho Wan Sewage Treatment Works (SHWSTW) if exceedance is considered to be caused by the operation of the SHWSTW.

5. Inform North Lantau Refuse Transfer Station (NLTS) operator if exceedance is considered to be caused by the operation of NLTS.

Exceedance of action level (Odour Complaints)

1. Identify source/reason of exceedance;

2. Carry out odour patrol to determinate odour intensity.

1. Carry out investigation and verify the complaint whether it is related to potential odour emission from the nearby SHWSTW;

2. Carry out investigation to identify the source/reason of exceedance.  Investigation should be completed within 2 weeks;

3. Rectify any unacceptable practice;

4. Implement more mitigation measures if necessary;

5. Inform DSD or the operator of the SHWSTW if exceedance is considered to be caused by the operation of the SHWSTW.

6. Inform NLTS operator if exceedance is considered to be caused by the operation of NLTS.

Limit Level

 

 

Exceedance of limit level

1. Identify source/reason of exceedance;

2. Inform EPD;

3. Repeat odour patrol to confirm findings;

4. Increase odour patrol frequency to bi-weekly;

5. Assess effectiveness of remedial action and keep EPD informed of the results;

6. If exceedance stops, cease additional odour patrol.

1. Carry out investigation to identify the source/reason of exceedance.  Investigation should be completed within 2 week;

2. Rectify any unacceptable practice;

3. Formulate remedial actions;

4. Ensure remedial actions properly implemented;

5. If exceedance continues, consider what more/enhanced mitigation measures should be implemented;

6. Inform DSD or the operator of the SHWSTW if exceedance is considered to be caused by the operation of the SHWSTW.

Note:

(a)   Project Proponent shall identify an implementation agent.

3.2                             Site Audit

Environmental mitigation measures (related to air quality, water quality, waste, land contamination, hazard-to-life, and landscape and visual) to be implemented during the construction and operation phase of the Project are recommended in the approved EIA Report and EM&A Manual and are summarised in Annex F.  Weekly site audits for construction phase and monthly site audits for operation phase will be carried out to check the implementation of these measures.

3.2.1                        Water Quality

Compliance audits are to be undertaken to ensure that a valid discharge licence has been issued by EPD prior to the discharge of effluent from the operation of the Project site.  The audit shall be conducted to ensure that the effluent quality is in compliance with the discharge licence requirements.  The effluent quality shall meet the discharge limits as described in Table 3.9

 Table 3.9        Discharge Limits for Effluent

Parameters

Discharge Limit (mg/L)

Flow Rate (m3/day)

685

pH (pH units)

6-10 (a)

Suspended Solids

800

Biochemical Oxygen Demand (5 days, 20°)

800

Chemical Oxygen Demand

2,000

Oil & Grease

40

Total Nitrogen

200

Total Phosphorus

50

Surfactants (total)

25

Note:

(a)   Range.

 

3.2.2                        Landscape and Visual

In accordance with EM&A Manual, the landscape and visual mitigation measures shall be implemented.  Bi-weekly landscape and visual audit during the construction phase is required to ensure that the design, implementation and maintenance of landscape and visual mitigation measures recommended in the approved EIA Report are fully achieved.  The implementation status of the mitigation measures for construction phase is summarised in Annex F.

For operation phase, site inspection shall be conducted once a month for the first year of operation of the Project.  All measures as stated in the implementation schedule of the EM&A Manual (see Annex F), including compensatory planting, undertaken by both the Contractor and the specialist Landscape Sub-Contractor during the first year of the operation phase shall be audited by a Registered Landscape Architect (RLA) to ensure compliance with the intended aims of the measures and the effectiveness of the mitigation measures. 

4                                 Monitoring Results

4.1                             Air Quality

4.1.1                        Commissioning Phase Monitoring

On 10, 11, 19 and 27 December 2018 and 16 and 29 January 2019, air samples were collected from the outlet of the CAPCS by ALS for measurement of the Odour Intensity by olfactometry analysis at the laboratory.  The odour level of the odour samples collected from the CAPCS on 10, 11, 19 and 27 December 2018 and 16 January 2019 have exceeded the odour limit as shown in Table 3.2.  No exceedance was found for the samples collected on 29 January 2019.  The laboratory results are shown in Annex J.  The cause of the exceedances recorded was due to the breakdown of the automatic chemical dosing system and the repairing of the automatic chemical dosing system was longer than anticipated.  The system was fixed and the odour concentration of the air sample taken on 29 January 2019 showed compliance with the odour limit. 

Investigation of the exceedances has been conducted.  The investigation report is shown in Annex K

Monitoring results of air quality parameters from stack emissions of the centralised air pollution control system, the ammonia stripping plant and the cogeneration units will be provided once available to show compliance with the monitoring requirements stated in the EM&A Manual (Rev. E) to support the termination of the construction phase EM&A programme. 

4.1.2                        Operation Phase Monitoring

The concentrations of concerned air pollutants emitted from the stacks of the CAPCS, CHP, and ASP during the reporting period are monitored on-line by the continuous environmental monitoring system (CEMS).  During the reporting period, there is no need to operate the standby flare and therefore no monitoring of the flare stack was undertaken.

With reference to the emission limits shown in Tables 3.2, 3.3 and 3.4, the hourly average concentrations and the number of exceedances of the concerned air emissions monitored for the CAPCS, CHP and ASP during this reporting period are presented in Tables 4.1 to 4.5.  

It should be noted that measurements recorded under abnormal operating conditions, e.g. start up and stopping of stacks, unstable operation, test runs and interference of sensor, are disregarded.

Table 4.1        Hourly Average of Parameters Recorded for CAPCS

Parameter

Range of Hourly Average Conc. (mg/Nm3)

Emission Limit (mg/Nm3)

Exceedance Identified

Remarks

VOCs (including methane) (a)

0 – 680

680

Nil

Nil

Dust (or TSP)

0 - 2

6

Nil

Nil

Odour (including NH3 & H2S) (b)

0 – 2,138

220

Identified (c)

The chemical dosing system of the CAPCS was under optimisation. Manual dosing of the chemical to the system was arranged. The defect was rectified on 10 April 2019. Alkaline dosing system was under urgent maintenance on 25 April 2019.

Notes:

(a)    One-line monitoring of VOCs (including methane) was not available during March and April 2019.  Mini RAE PID meter that complies with the USEPA method 21 was used to measure VOCs.

(b)    The odour unit is OU/Nm3.

(c)    Dates with exceedance on Odour (number of exceedances on the day) were identified on 8 (1), 10 (2), 11 (5), 12 (12), 13 (21), 14 (18), 15 (13), 16 (11), 17 (24), 18 (18), 19 (19), 20 (12), 21 (19), 22 (8), 25 (4), 27 (2), 28 (1), 29 (7), 30 (1) and 31 (2) March and 3 (1), 4 (2), 5 (16), 6 (6), 8 (1) and 9 (2) April 2019.

 

Table 4.2         Hourly Average of Parameters Recorded for CHP 1

Parameter

Range of Hourly Average Conc. (mg/Nm3) (a)

Max. Emission Limit (mg/Nm3)

Exceedance

Identified

Remarks

Dust (or TSP)

0 – 4

15

Nil

Nil

Carbon Monoxide

0 – 602

650

Nil

Nil

NOx

0 – 350

300

Identified (d)

CHP setting was fine-tuned for performance optimisation. Continuous re-adjustment for NOx control of CHP has been carried out.

SO2

0 – 123

50

Identified (e)

Tripping of the desulphurisation column.  Continuous monitoring to reduce the duration of tripping.

NMVOCs (b)

5 - 8

150

Nil

See Annex G for laboratory results

VOCs (including methane) (c)

0 – 1,090

1,500

Nil

See Annex G for laboratory results

HCl

0 – 2

10

Nil

Nil

HF

0 – 0.4

1

Nil

Nil

Notes:

(a)    All values refer to an oxygen content in the exhaust gas of 6% and dry basis.

(b)    Technical issue related to monitoring range of methane sensors and the Contractor is solving the problem together with the equipment suppliers. 

(c)    The VOCs emission limit include methane as biogas is adopted as fuel in the combustion process.

(d)    Dates with exceedances on NOx (number of exceedances on the day) were identified on 14 (1), 21 (3), 22 (3), 23 (3), 27 (1) and 29 (1) April 2019 and 20 (1), 21 (1), 27 (9), 29 (4) and 30 (2) May 2019

(e)    Dates with exceedances on SO2 (number of exceedances on the day) were identified on 11 (3), 15 (1), 16 (2), 28 (5), 29 (1) and 31 (5) March 2019, 8 (2), 10 (2), 11 (2), 12 (1), 14 (2), 15 (2), 18 (2), 19 (10), 20 (1), 23 (1), 24 (1), 26 (1), 29 (6) April 2019 and 1 (1), 3 (1), 11 (2), 12 (7), 16 (4), 18 (3), 21 (2) and 22 (3) May 2019.

 

Table 4.3        Hourly Average of Parameters Recorded for CHP 2

Parameter

Range of Hourly Average Conc. (mg/Nm3) (a) (b)

Max. Emission Limit (mg/Nm3)

Exceedance

Identified

Remarks

Dust (or TSP)

0 – 8

15

Nil

Nil

Carbon Monoxide

0 – 358

650

Nil

Nil

NOx

0 – 628

300

Identified (d)

CHP setting was fine-tuned for performance optimisation. Continuous re-adjustment for NOx control of CHP has been carried out.

SO2

0 – 105

50

Identified (e)

Tripping of the desulphurisation column.  Continuous monitoring to reduce the duration of tripping.

NMVOCs (b)

Not Available

150

Nil

Nil

VOCs (including methane) (c)

0 – 1,281

1,500

Nil

Nil

HCl

0 – 3

10

Nil

Nil

HF

0 –1

1

Nil

Nil

Notes:

(a)    All values refer to an oxygen content in the exhaust gas of 6% and dry basis.

(b)    Technical issue related to monitoring range of methane sensors and the Contractor is solving the problem together with the equipment suppliers. 

(c)    The VOCs emission limit include methane as biogas is adopted as fuel in the combustion process.

(d)    Dates with exceedances on NOx (number of exceedances on the day) were identified on 7 (4), 10 (1), 13 (3), 16 (1), 17 (2), 19 (2), 22 (3), 23 (1) and 28 (1) April 2019 and 1 (1), 15 (1), 16 (1), 20 (2), 21 (13) and 27 (9) May 2019. 

(e)    Dates with exceedances on SO2 (number of exceedances on the day) were identified on 1 (4), 2 (1), 3 (2), 4 (1), 5 (6), 6 (2), 9 (4), 12 (2), 13 (1), 14 (1), 16 (1), 17 (1), 18 (2), 19 (4), 20 (3), 23 (5), 25 (3) and 26 (4) March 2019, 16 (2), 1 (1), 13 (3), 16 (5), 19 (5), 20 (1), 22 (2), 25 (2), 27 (2), 28 (2), 29 (1) and 30 (5) April 2019 and 20 (3) and 21 (2) May 2019. 

 

Table 4.4        Hourly Average of Parameters Recorded for CHP 3

Parameter

Range of Hourly Average Conc. (mg/Nm3) (a)

Max. Emission Limit (mg/Nm3)

Exceedances

Identified

Remarks

Dust (or TSP)

0 – 12

15

Nil

Nil

Carbon Monoxide

0 – 351

650

Nil

Nil

NOx

0 – 409

300

Identified (d)

CHP setting was fine-tuned for performance optimisation. Continuous re-adjustment for NOx control of CHP has been carried out.

SO2

0 – 129

50

Identified (e)

Tripping of the desulphurisation column. Continuous monitoring to reduce the duration of tripping.

NMVOCs (b)

5.2

150

Nil

See Annex G for laboratory results

VOCs (including methane) (c)

288 – 1,291

1,500

Nil

Nil

HCl

0 – 1

10

Nil

Nil

HF

0 – 1

1

Nil

Nil

Notes:

(a)    All values refer to an oxygen content in the exhaust gas of 6% and dry basis.

(b)    Technical issue related to monitoring range of methane sensors and the Contractor is solving the problem together with the equipment suppliers. 

(c)    The VOCs emission limit include methane as biogas is adopted as fuel in the combustion process. 

(d)    Dates with exceedances on NOx (number of exceedances on the day) were identified on 5 (1), 12 (1) and 13 (1) April 2019.

(e)    Dates with exceedances on SOx (number of exceedances on the day) were identified on 10 (2), 13 (2), 14 (1), 15 (1), 27 (2), 29 (3) and 30 (1) March 2019 and 3 (1) April 2019.

 

Table 4.5         Hourly Average of Parameters Recorded for ASP

Parameter

Range of Hourly Average Conc. (mg/Nm3) (a)

Max. Emission Limit (mg/Nm3)

Exceedances

Identified

Remarks

Dust (or TSP)

0 – 6

5

Identified (c)

Ongoing optimisation of ASP combustion efficiency has been carried out. 

Carbon Monoxide

0 – 655

100

Identified (d)

ASP tripped and stopped. Ongoing optimisation of ASP combustion efficiency has been carried out. 

NOx

0 – 519

200

Identified (e)

ASP tripped and stopped. Ongoing optimisation of ASP combustion efficiency has been carried out. 

SO2

0 – 102

50

Identified (f)

ASP tripped and stopped. Ongoing optimisation of ASP combustion efficiency has been carried out. 

VOCs (including methane) (b)

0 – 3,370

20

Identified (g)

ASP tripped and stopped. Ongoing optimisation of ASP combustion efficiency has been carried out. 

NH3

0 – 2,772

35

Identified (h)

ASP tripped and stopped. Ongoing optimisation of ASP combustion efficiency has been carried out. 

HCl

0 – 4 

10

Nil

Nil

HF

0 – 1.5

1

Identified (i)

ASP tripped and stopped. Ongoing optimisation of ASP combustion efficiency has been carried out. 

Notes:

(a)    All values refer to an oxygen content in the exhaust gas of 11% and dry basis.

(b)    The VOCs emission limit include methane as biogas is adopted as fuel in the combustion process.

(c)    1 exceedance on Dust was identified on 8 May 2019.

(d)    Dates with exceedances on CO (number of exceedances on the day) were identified on 21 (1), 23 (2), 24 (1), 25 (5), 26 (1) and 29 (1) April 2019 and 9 (1), 17 (2) and 22 (1) May 2019.

(e)    Dates with exceedances on NOx (number of exceedances on the day) were identified on 6 (1), 7 (1), 8 (2), 18 (3), 19 (2), 22 (2), 23 (4), 24 (5) and 26 (3) April 2019 and 2 (1), 5 (5), 6 (4), 8 (5), 9 (3), 11 (6), 12 (12), 13 (7), 14 (12), 15 (8), 17 (8), 18 (5), 19 (6), 20 (6), 22 (8), 24 (1), 25 (1) and 28 (1) May 2019.

(f)     Dates with exceedances on SO2 (number of exceedances on the day) were identified on 10 (2), 13 (2), 14 (1), 15 (1), 27 (2), 29 (3) and 30 (1) March 2019, 18 (1), 29 (6) and 30 (6) April 2019 and 17 (1) May 2019. 

(g)    Dates with exceedances on VOCs (including methane) (number of exceedances on the day) were identified on 8 (1), 23 (2), 24 (1), 26 (3) April 2019, 8 (1), 9 (2), 15 (1), 17 (4), 18 (1), 19 (4) and 20 (2) May 2019.

(h)    Dates with exceedances on NH3 (number of exceedances on the day) were identified on 1 (10), 2 (6), 3 (1), 8 (1), 19 (1), 20 (1), 21 (2), 22 (2), 23 (7), 24 (10), 25 (7), 26 (13), 27 (5), 29 (5) and 30 (4) April 2019 and 1 (2), 2 (3), 3 (8), 4 (6), 5 (2), 6 (2), 7 (6), 8 (6), 9 (15), 10 (5), 11 (8), 12 (9), 13 (1), 14 (3), 15 (2), 17 (9), 18 (5), 19 (12), 20 (7), 22 (9), 23 (1), 24 (2), 30 (6) and 31 (7) May 2019.

(i)     Dates with exceedances on HF (number of exceedances on the day) were identified on 17 (1) and 20 (1) May 2019. 

4.2                             Odour

4.2.1                        Commissioning Phase Monitoring

Odour patrols were conducted by representatives of the Contractor, the ER and Employer (EPD Project Team) on 1, 4, 8, 11, 13, 15, 18, 20, 22, 25, 27 and 29 March 2019.  The Independent Odour Patrol Team, ALS Technichem (HK) Pty Ltd (ALS), has also joined the odour patrol on 1 March 2019.  According to the EM&A Manual and EP requirements, it is considered an exceedance if the odour intensity recorded by the panellists is Level 2 or above.  During this reporting period, no Level 2 Odour Intensity was recorded.  The odour patrol results are shown in Annex J.

4.2.2                        Operation Phase Monitoring

No odour patrol was required to be conducted for this reporting period.

4.3                             Water Quality

4.3.1                        Construction Phase Monitoring

No effluent was discharged from the construction activity in the reporting month, hence it was not necessary to carry out effluent discharge sampling for this reporting period. 

4.3.2                        Operation Phase Monitoring

Effluent discharge was sampled monthly from the Effluent Storage Tank as stipulated in the operation phase discharge licence.  The results of the discharge sample is recorded in Table 4.6 to 4.8.

Table 4.6        Results of the Discharge Sample Collected on 25 March 2019

Parameters

Discharged Effluent Concentration (mg/L)

Discharge Limit (mg/L)

Compliance with Discharge Limit

pH (pH units)

6.12 - 8.47

6-10 (a)

Yes

Suspended Solids

34

800

Yes

Biochemical Oxygen Demand (5 days, 20°)

35

800

Yes

Chemical Oxygen Demand

888

2,000

Yes

Oil & Grease

<5

40

Yes

Total Nitrogen

76.5

200

Yes

Total Phosphorus

25.1

50

Yes

Surfactants (total)

<1.0

25

Yes

Notes:

(a)    Daily Average.

Table 4.7        Results of the Discharge Sample Collected on 1 April 2019

Parameters

Discharged Effluent Concentration (mg/L)

Discharge Limit (mg/L)

Compliance with Discharge Limit

pH (pH units)

7.40 - 7.91

6-10 (a)

Yes

Suspended Solids

37

800

Yes

Biochemical Oxygen Demand (5 days, 20°)

47

800

Yes

Chemical Oxygen Demand

683

2,000

Yes

Oil & Grease

<5

40

Yes

Total Nitrogen

59

200

Yes

Total Phosphorus

27

50

Yes

Surfactants (total)

<1.0

25

Yes

Notes:

(a)     Daily Average.

 

Table 4.8        Results of the Discharge Sample on 6 May 2019

Parameters

Discharged Effluent Concentration (mg/L)

Discharge Limit (mg/L)

Compliance with Discharge Limit

pH (pH units)

7.50 – 8.50

6-10 (a)

Yes

Suspended Solids

115

800

Yes

Biochemical Oxygen Demand (5 days, 20°)

55

800

Yes

Chemical Oxygen Demand

706

2,000

Yes

Oil & Grease

<5

40

Yes

Total Nitrogen

94

200

Yes

Total Phosphorus

36.5

50

Yes

Surfactants (total)

<1.0

25

Yes

Notes:

(a)     Daily Average.

No exceedance of discharge limit was recorded during the reporting period. 

4.4                             Waste Management

4.4.1                        Construction Phase Monitoring

Wastes generated from this Project include inert construction and demolition (C&D) materials (public fill) and non-inert C&D materials (construction waste).  Construction waste comprises general refuse, metals and paper/cardboard packaging materials.  Metals generated from the construction of the Project are also grouped into construction waste as the materials were not disposed of with others at public fill.  Reference has been made to the Monthly Summary Waste Flow Table prepared by the Contractor (see Annex H).  With reference to the relevant handling records and trip tickets of this Project, the quantities of different types of waste generated in the reporting month are summarised in Table 4.9

Table 4.9        Quantities of Waste Generated from the Construction of the Project

Month / Year

Quantity

 

Total Inert C&D Materials Generated (a)

Non-inert C&D Materials (b)

C&D Materials Recycled (c)

C&D Waste Disposed of at Landfill (d) 

Chemical Waste

March 2019

190.40 tonnes

0.00 kg

16.45 tonnes

0.00 L

April 2019

199.71 tonnes

0.00 kg

2.92 tonnes

0.00 L

May 2019

0.00 tonnes

0.00 kg

4.16 tonnes

0.00 L

Notes:

(a)  Inert C&D materials (public fill) include bricks, concrete, building debris, rubble and excavated spoil.  In total, 390.11 tonnes of inert C&D material were generated from the Project.  The detailed waste flow is presented in Annex H.

(b)  Non-inert C&D materials (construction wastes) include metals, paper / cardboard packaging waste, plastics and other wastes such as general refuse.  Metals generated from the Project were grouped into construction wastes as the materials were not disposed of with others at the public fill.

(c)  0.00 kg of metals, 0.00 kg of papers/ cardboard packing and 0.00 kg of plastics were sent to recyclers for recycling during the reporting period.

(d)  Construction wastes other than metals, paper/cardboard packaging, plastics and chemicals were disposed of at NENT Landfill by subcontractors. 

4.4.2                        Operation Phase Monitoring

Wastes generated from the operation of the Project include chemical waste, wastes generated from pre-treatment process and general refuse ([3]).  Reference has been made to the Monthly Summary Waste Flow Table prepared by the Contractor (see Annex H).  With reference to the relevant handling records and trip tickets of this Project, the quantities of different types of waste generated from the operation of the Project in the reporting month are summarised in Table 4.10

Table 4.10      Quantities of Waste Generated from the Operation of the Project

Month / Year

Chemical Waste

Waste Generated from
Pre-treatment Process

General Refuse

 

Disposal of at CWTC

Disposed of at Landfill (a)

Recycled (b) 

Disposed of at Landfill (a) (d)

Recycled (c) 

March 2019

1,200 L

477.08 tonnes

0.00 tonnes

1.50 tonnes

0.00 kg

April 2019

0 L

455.60 tonnes

0.00 tonnes

1.27 tonnes

0.00 kg

May 2019

1,000 L

528.22 tonnes

0.00 tonnes

2.88 tonnes

390 kg

Notes:

(a)  Waste generated from pre-treatment process and general refuse other than chemical waste and recyclables were disposed of at NENT landfill by sub-contractors.

(b)   Among waste generated from pre-treatment process, 0.00 kg of metals, 0.00 kg of papers/ cardboard packing and 0.00 kg of plastics were sent to recyclers for recycling during the reporting period.

(c)   Among general refuse, 0.00 kg of metals, 0.00 kg of papers/ cardboard packing and 390 kg of plastics were sent to recyclers for recycling during the reporting period.

(d)   It was assumed that four 240-litre bins filled with 80% of general refuse were collected at each collection.  The general refuse density was assumed to be around 0.15 kg/L.

 

5                                 Site Audit

5.1                             Environmental Site Audit

5.1.1                        Construction Phase

Ten construction phase site inspections were conducted during the reporting period.  The inspections checked the implementation of the recommended mitigation measures for air quality, landscape and visual, water quality, waste (land contamination) and hazard-to-life stated in the Implementation Schedule (see Annex F).

Follow-up actions resulting from site inspections were generally taken as reported by the Contractor.  The Contractor has implemented environmental mitigation measures recommended in the approved EIA Report and EM&A Manual. 

March 2019

Joint site inspections were conducted by representatives of the Contractor and the ET on 8, 15, 22 and 28 March 2019 as required for the construction of the Project.  The IEC was present at the joint inspection on 22 March 2019.   

April 2019

Joint site inspections were conducted by representatives of the Contractor and the ET on 26 and 30 April 2019 as required for the construction of the Project.  The IEC was present at the joint inspection on 30 April 2019.   

May 2019

Joint site inspections were conducted by representatives of the Contractor and the ET on 7, 17, 24 and 31 May 2019 as required for the construction of the Project.  The IEC was present at the joint inspection on 31 May 2019.   

5.1.2                        Operation Phase

The monthly inspections of the landscape and visual mitigation measures for the operation phase of the Project covered the operation phase environmental site inspections.  The inspections checked the implementation of the recommended mitigation measures for air quality, landscape and visual, water quality, waste (land contamination) and hazard-to-life stated in the Implementation Schedule (see Annex F).  

Follow-up actions resulting from the site inspections were generally taken as reported by the Contractor.  The Contractor has implemented environmental mitigation measures recommended in the approved EIA Report and EM&A Manual. 

March 2019

The monthly inspection of the landscape and visual mitigation measures for the operation phase of the Project on 22 March 2019 covered the operation phase environmental site audit.  Joint site inspections was conducted by representatives of the Contractor, IEC and the MT on 22 March 2019 as required for the operation of the Project.

April 2019

The monthly inspection of the landscape and visual mitigation measures for the operation phase of the Project on 25 April 2019 covered the operation phase environmental site audit.  Joint site inspections was conducted by representatives of the Contractor, IEC and the MT on 25 April 2019 as required for the operation of the Project.

May 2019

The monthly inspection of the landscape and visual mitigation measures for the operation phase of the Project on 31 May 2019 covered the operation phase environmental site audit.  Joint site inspections was conducted by representatives of the Contractor, IEC and the MT on 31 May 2019 as required for the operation of the Project.

5.2                             Landscape and Visual Audit

It was confirmed that the necessary landscape and visual mitigation measures during the construction and operation phase as summarised in Annex F were generally implemented by the Contractor.  No non-compliance in relation to the landscape and visual mitigation measures was identified during the site audits in this reporting period and therefore no further actions are required.  The ET/MT will keep track of the EM&A programme to check compliance with environmental requirements and the proper implementation of all necessary mitigation measures.

March 2019

Bi-weekly inspections of the landscape and visual mitigation measures for the construction phase of the Project were performed on 8 and 22 March 2019.  The inspection on 22 March 2019 also covered the monthly inspection of the landscape and visual mitigation measures for the operation phase of the Project.

April 2019

Inspection of the landscape and visual mitigation measures for the construction phase of the Project was performed on 30 April 2019.  Inspection of the landscape and visual mitigation measures for the operation phase of the Project was performed on 25 April 2019.  

May 2019

Inspection of the landscape and visual mitigation measures for the construction phase of the Project was performed on 17 and 31 May 2019.  Inspection of the landscape and visual mitigation measures for the operation phase of the Project was performed on 31 May 2019.   

 

6                                 Environmental Non-conformance

6.1                            Summary of Environmental Non-Compliance

March 2019

Non-compliance of emission limits for CAPCS, CHP and ASP were recorded during the reporting period. 

The Contractor has reviewed the organic waste treatment processes (i.e. waste reception, waste pre-treatment, anaerobic digesters, and composting processes) and found that they were operated normally during the reporting period.  The Contractor has investigated air pollution control systems of the CAPCS, CHP and ASP and the combustion system for the CHP and the ASP and identified several potential causes for the exceedance.  Remedial and follow-up actions had been completed by the Contractor.  The Investigation Report is show in Annex K.

April 2019

Non-compliance of emission limits for CAPCS, CHP and ASP were recorded during the reporting period. 

The Contractor has reviewed the organic waste treatment processes (i.e. waste reception, waste pre-treatment, anaerobic digesters, and composting processes) and found that they were operated normally during the reporting period.  The Contractor has investigated air pollution control systems of the CAPCS, CHP and ASP and the combustion system for the CHP and the ASP and identified several potential causes for the exceedance.  Remedial and follow-up actions had been completed by the Contractor.  The Investigation Report is show in Annex K.

May 2019

Non-compliance of emission limits for CHP and ASP were recorded during the reporting period.

The Contractor has reviewed the organic waste treatment processes (i.e. waste reception, waste pre-treatment, anaerobic digesters, and composting processes) and found that they were operated normally during the reporting period.  The Contractor has investigated air pollution control system and the combustion system of the CHP and ASP and identified several potential causes for the exceedance.  Remedial and follow-up actions had been completed by the Contractor.  The Investigation Report is show in Annex K.

Leakage of treated effluent was observed at the discharge outlet on 21 May 2019.  The investigation report and the extract of the incident report provided by the Contractor are presented in Annex K.

6.2                            Summary of Environmental Complaint

No complaint was received during the reporting period.

6.3                            Summary of Environmental Summon and Successful Prosecution

No summon/prosecution was received during the reporting period.  The cumulative summons/prosecution log is shown in Annex I.

7                                 Future Key Issues

7.1                            Key Issues for the Coming Month

Activities to be undertaken for the coming reporting period are:

·           Operation of the Project.

·           Contractor should resolve the technical issue related to the on-line monitoring of methane emission (hence the calculation of the NMVOC concentration) from the CHP stacks as soon as possible and undertake gas sampling and laboratory analysis of NMVOC at agreed interval when the on-line monitoring equipment for methane is not available. 

·           Implementation of measures to further rectify the abnormal operating conditions for the CHP and ASP.  

·           Continue construction of the Visitor Centre.

 

8                                 Conclusions

This EM&A Report presents the EM&A programme undertaken during the reporting period from 1 March 2019 to 31 May 2019 in accordance with EM&A Manual (Version E) and requirements of EP (FEP-01/395/2010/C). 

No air quality, noise and water quality monitoring is required under the construction and commissioning EM&A requirements.

For the operation phase, exceedances of the emission limits for stack monitoring (including CAPCS, CHP and ASP stacks) were recorded under normal operating conditions during the reporting period (see Table 8.1).

Table 8.1        Exceedances for Stack Emissions

Stack

Exceedances During the Reporting Period

Centralised Air Pollution Control Unit (CAPCS)

·   Exceeded emission limit of Odour on 8, 10 to 22, 25 and 27 to 31 March 2019 and 3 to 6, 8 and 9 April 2019

Cogeneration Unit (CHP)

·   Exceeded emission limit of NOx on 5, 7, 10, 12 to 14, 16 to 17, 19, 21 to 23 and 27 to 29 April 2019 and 1, 15, 26, 20, 21, 27, 29 and 30 May 2019

·   Exceeded emission limit of SO2 on 1 to 6, 9 to 20, 23 and 25 to 31 March 2019, 1, 8, 10 to 12, 14 to 16, 18 to 20 and 22 to 30 April 2019 and 1, 3, 11, 12, 16, 18 and 20 to 22 May 2019

Ammonia Stripping Plant (ASP)

·   Exceeded emission limit of Dust on 8 May 2019

·   Exceeded emission limit of CO on 12, 13, 16 to 22, 24 to 27 and 29 March 2019, 21, 23 to 26 and 29 April 2019 and 9, 17 and 22 May 2019

·   Exceeded emission limit of NOx on 11 to 14, 17 to 20, 22, 24, 24 27 to 29 and 31 March 2019, 6 to 8, 18 to 19, 22 to 24 and 26 April 2019 and 2, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11 to 15, 17 to 20, 22, 24, 25 and 28 May 2019

·   Exceeded emission limit of SO2 on 9, 14, 16, 19, 20, 24 to 26, 28, 29 and 31 March 2019, on 18 and 29 to 30 April 2019 and 17 May 2019

·   Exceeded emission limit of VOCs on 16, 18, 19 to 22, 24 to 26, 28 and 29 March 2019, 8, 23 to 24 and 26 April 2019 and 8, 9, 15 and 17 to 20 May 2019

·   Exceeded emission limit of NH3 on 9 to 22, 24 to 26, 28 and 29 March 2019, 1 to 3, 8, 19 to 27 and 29 to 30 April 2019 and 1 to 15, 17 to 20, 22 to 24, 30 and 31 May 2019

·   Exceeded emission limit of HF on 17 and 20 May 2019

Exceedances in emission parameters of CAPCS, CHP and ASP were found to be a result of problems with the chemical dosing system of the air pollution control systems of the CAPCS, incomplete desulphurisation of biogas which fed to the CHPs, and the incomplete thermal combustion of the thermal combustion unit of the ASP. 

The Contractor has implemented mitigation measures to control the exceedance (including the arrangement of supplier of the dosing system for the CAPCS to repair the dosing system and manual dosing of chemical to the CAPCS until the problems of the automatic dosing system is fixed; adding additional activated carbon filters to the biogas desulphurisation system to control the H2S level in the biogas which fed to the CHP and the ASP; and tuning the thermal combustion unit of the ASP to optimise combustion efficiency and overall performance). 

Odour patrols and monitoring were conducted in accordance to the EM&A requirements.  No exceedance of odour intensity limit for all odour patrol events.  Air samples were collected at the CAPCS for olfactometry analysis at the laboratory on 10, 11, 19 and 27 December 2018 and 16 and 29 January 2019.  The odour level of the samples collected on 10, 11, 19 and 27 December 2018 and 16 January 2019 have exceeded the odour limit.  An investigation of the cause of the exceedance has been carried out.  The investigation report is shown in Annex K.

No non-compliance to the effluent discharge limit was recorded during this reporting period.

The environmental control /mitigation measures related to air quality, water quality, waste (including land contamination prevention), hazard-to-life and landscape and visual recommended in the approved EIA Report and the EM&A Manual were properly implemented by the Contractor during the reporting month. 

Bi-weekly landscape and visual monitoring were conducted in the reporting period.  The necessary landscape and visual mitigation measures recommended in the approved EIA Report were generally implemented by the Contractor. 

An incident related to the leakage of treated effluent occurred on 21 May 2019. 

No complaint/summon/prosecution was received.


 



([1]) As some of the minor items are yet to be closed out in March 2019, the construction phase EM&A programme and Operation Phase EM&A programme were undertaking in parallel in March 2019.

([2])   A standby facility.  Only operate when the CHPs are not in operation or when the biogas generated exceeded the utilisation rate of the CHPs.

([3]) Public fill and construction waste may only be generated during maintenance works when there are civil or structural works.