1
introduction
ERM-Hong
Kong, Limited (ERM) was appointed by NTT Com Asia (NTTCA) as the Environmental Team (ET) to
implement the Environmental Monitoring and Audit (EM&A) programme for the re-installation
of a damaged section of the telecommunication cable (Asia-Submarine-cable
Express (ASE)). The ASE cable is approximately 7,200 km in length, connecting Japan
and Singapore with branches to the Philippines, Hong Kong SAR (HKSAR) and
Malaysia
(thereinafter called the Project).
This
is the 2014
Second Weekly Impact Water Quality Monitoring Report, which summarises the results of impact
water quality monitoring as part of the EM&A programme during the reporting
period from 19 to 25 January 2014.
The
structure of the Report is as follows:
Section
1 : Introduction
Provides details of the background,
purpose and report structure.
Section
2 : Project
Information
Summarises background and scope of the project, the construction works
undertaken and the status of Environmental Permits/Licenses during the
reporting period.
Section
3 : Water
Quality Monitoring Requirements
Summarises the
monitoring parameters, monitoring programmes, monitoring methodologies,
monitoring frequency, monitoring locations, Action and Limit Levels, and Event Action
Plan.
Section
4 : Monitoring
Results
Summarises the water quality
monitoring results obtained in the reporting period.
Section
5 : Environmental
Non-conformance
Summarises any monitoring exceedance, environmental complaints and
environmental summons within the reporting period.
Section
6 : Future
Key Issues
Summarises the
monitoring schedule for the next reporting period.
Section
7 : Conclusions
Presents the key findings
of the impact monitoring results.
2
Project
Information
NTT
Com Asia (NTTCA) installed a telecommunication cable (Asia Submarine-cable
Express (ASE) cable) of approximately 7,200 km in length, connecting Japan and
Singapore with branches to the Philippines, Hong Kong SAR (HKSAR) and Malaysia
and was responsible for securing the approval to land the ASE cable in Tseung
Kwan O, Hong Kong SAR (HKSAR). The
landing site is at a Beach Manhole (BMH) and ultimately the cable connects with
a Data Centre in Tseung Kwan O (TKO) Industrial Estate which was completed in
2012. It should be noted that
Tseung Kwan O is currently the landing site for a number of submarine
cables. From Tseung Kwan O, the
cable extends westward approaching the Tathong Channel. Near to Cape Collinson, the cable is
approximately parallel to the Tathong Channel until north of Waglan Island
where the cable travels eastward to the boundary of HKSAR waters and enters the
South China Sea. The total length
of cable in Hong Kong SAR waters is approximately 33.5 km. A map of the cable route is presented in
Figure
2.1.
A
Project Profile (PP-452/2011) which includes an assessment of the potential
environmental impacts associated with the installation of the submarine
telecommunications cable system was prepared and submitted to the Environmental
Protection Department (EPD) under section 5.(1) (b)
and 5.(11) of the Environmental Impact
Assessment Ordinance (EIAO) for the application for Permission to apply
directly for Environmental Permit (EP).
EPD subsequently issued an Environmental Permit (EP- 433/2011).
Pursuant
to Condition 2.4 of EP- 433/2011, an environmental monitoring and audit (EM&A)
programme, as set out in the Environmental
Monitoring and Audit Manual (EM&A Manual) is required for this Project. Baseline data were collected prior to
the start of cable installation works in 2012 and EM&A was conducted
throughout the cable installation and after its completion in early 2013 as
required in the EM&A Manual.
Upon
inspection in October 2013 the ASE cable was found to be damaged and a section
within Zone A (see Figure 2.2) required re-installation. The EM&A
programme are therefore required to resume for the cable installation works in
Hong Kong Waters (the “Project”) in accordance with Updated EM&A
Manual.
Baseline water quality update monitoring
was conducted prior to the re-installation works and results summarise in the ‘Baseline Water Quality Monitoring Update Report
(Zone A)’of December 2013.
Impact monitoring started on 12
January 2014, when the cable installation works commenced in Zone A. Impact monitoring is being conducted on a
daily basis as the cable installation works proceed in
Zone A, including seven days within the reporting period. The first week of impact monitoring was
reported on in the Weekly Impact Water Quality Monitoring Report issued for the reporting
period 12-18 January inclusive. This
Report presents the results and findings from the second week impact monitoring,
conducted from 19 to 25 January 2014 inclusive, at the monitoring stations in
Zone A.
During the reporting period, submarine
cable installation works were conducted in Zone A (See Figure 2.2), which included making and
completing the cable joint, laying it on the seabed and diver inspections (none
of which involved water jetting work); and cable burial works using water
jetting.
A summary of the relevant permits,
licences and reports on marine water quality for this Project is presented in Table 2.1.
Table 2.1 Summary
of Environmental Licensing, Notification, Permit and Reporting Status
|
Permit / Licence / Notification / Report
|
Reference
|
Validity Period
|
Remarks
|
|
Environmental Permit
|
EP 433/2011
|
Throughout the construction and
operation stages
|
Granted on 20 December 2011
|
|
EM&A Manual
|
-
|
Throughout the construction stage
|
Submitted on 18 September 2012
|
|
Updated
EM&A Manual
|
-
|
Throughout the construction stage
|
Submitted on 5 December 2013
|
|
Baseline Water Quality Monitoring Update
Report (Zone A)
|
-
|
Throughout the construction period
for Zone A
|
Submitted on 5 December 2013
|
3
Impact Water Quality Monitoring
Requirements
In accordance with the Updated EM&A Manual,
water quality monitoring samples were collected at the eleven (11) stations
situated around the cable installation works in
Zone A, as soon as the Project marine
installation works started. The
locations of the sampling stations within Zone A are shown in Figure 2.2.
· E7
is the Impact Station located at Fat Tong Chau to monitor the impacts of cable
installation works on the coral communities in the proximity;
· E8
is an Impact Station to monitor the impacts of cable installation works on the
coral communities along Junk Bay – South West;
· E9
is an Impact Station to monitor the impacts of cable installation works on the
coral communities at Cape Collison (the Gradient Station is not set due to the
short distance of this Impact Station to nearby proposed cable works which may
affect the Project marine installation works);
· F1
is an Impact Station to monitor the impacts of cable installation works on the
Tung Lung Chau Fish Culture Zone;
· S1
is an Impact Station situated at the WSD Seawater Intake Point in Junk
Bay. It is located within 500 m
north of the cable alignment at Junk Bay and set up to monitor the effect of Project
marine installation
works in the area;
· S2
is an Impact Station to monitor the impacts of cable installation works on the
WSD Seawater Intake at Siu Sai Wan;
· S3
is an Impact Station to monitor the impacts of cable installation works on the
Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital Cooling Water Intake at Heng Fa Chuen;
· G1
is a Gradient Station between S1 and the cable alignment;
· G2
is a Gradient Station between S2 and the cable alignment;
· G3
is a Gradient Station between F1 and the cable alignment; and
· C1
is a Control Station (approximately 3 km from the proposed cable alignment) for
Zone A. It is not supposed to be
influenced by the Project marine installation works due to its remoteness from the works.
The co-ordinates of the above
monitoring stations in Zone A are listed in Table 3.1.
Table 3.1 Water
Quality Monitoring Stations
|
Monitoring
Station
|
Nature
|
Easting
|
Northing
|
|
E7
|
Impact
Station (Coral Community)
|
843779
|
814520
|
|
E8
|
Impact
Station (Coral Community)
|
843111
|
815126
|
|
E9
|
Impact
Station (Coral Community)
|
843557
|
811853
|
|
F1
|
Impact Station (Fish Culture Zone)
|
847196
|
811056
|
|
S1
|
Impact Station
(Seawater Intakes)
|
847639
|
805900
|
|
S2
|
Impact Station
(Seawater Intakes)
|
849587
|
805696
|
|
S3
|
Impact Station
(Seawater Intakes)
|
845474
|
810605
|
|
G1
|
Gradient
Station
|
845297
|
816282
|
|
G2
|
Gradient
Station
|
844071
|
814784
|
|
G3
|
Gradient
Station
|
846099
|
812826
|
|
C1
|
Control
Station
|
842022
|
816547
|
The impact water quality monitoring
was conducted in accordance with the requirements stated in the Updated EM&A Manual. Monitoring
parameters are presented below.
Parameters measured in situ were:
·
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) (%
saturation and mg L-1);
·
Temperature (°C);
·
Turbidity (NTU); and
·
Salinity (‰).
The only parameter measured in the laboratory was:
·
Suspended Solids (SS) (mgL-1).
In addition to the water quality parameters, other
relevant data were measured and recorded in field logs, including the location
of the sampling stations, water depth, time, weather conditions, sea
conditions, special phenomena and work activities undertaken around the
monitoring and works area that may influence the monitoring results.
3.3.1
Monitoring
Equipment
Table
3.2 summaries the
equipment used for the impact water quality monitoring.
Table
3.2 Equipment
Used during Impact Water Quality Monitoring
|
Equipment
|
Model
|
|
Global Positioning Device
|
Garmin eTrex 10
|
|
Water Depth Gauge
|
Speedtech Instrument SM-5
|
|
Water Sampling Equipment
|
1520 Kemmerer Water Sampler
|
|
Salinity, DO, Temperature Measuring Meter
|
YSI Pro 2030
|
|
Current Velocity and Direction
|
Flow Probe FP111
|
|
Turbidity Meter
|
HACH Model 2100Q Turbid Meter
|
3.3.2
Monitoring
Methodology
Timing & Frequency
In-situ data and
SS data were collected during Project marine installation works from 7:00 to 23:00 on a
daily basis. The impact monitoring
schedule for the reporting period is presented in Annex A.
Impact monitoring commenced when Project marine
installation works started in Zone A. (The daily sampling works will cease once
no Project marine installation works are being undertaken within Zone A)
Due
to the weather conditions and travelling time between stations, in-situ measurement and SS sampling were
taken at the impact monitoring stations with approximately four-hour intervals
in Zone A. The monitoring frequency
and parameters for impact monitoring are summarised in Table 3.3.
Table 3.3 Monitoring
Frequency and Parameters for Impact Monitoring in Zone A
|
Zone
|
Station
Type
|
Monitoring
Station
|
Monitoring
Frequency
|
Monitoring
Parameter
|
|
A
|
Control
|
C1
|
Daily
at a 4-hour interval while cable installation works are being undertaken in
Zone A
|
Temperature,
Turbidity, Salinity, DO and SS
|
|
Gradient
|
G1, G2, G3
|
|
Impact
|
E7, E8, E9, F1, S1, S2, S3,
|
For in-situ measurements, duplicate readings were made at each water
depth at each station. Duplicate
water samples were also collected at each water depth at each station for the laboratory analysis.
Depths
Measurements/ water samples
were taken at each sampling station, at three depths, namely, 1 m below water
surface, mid-depth and 1 m above sea bed, except where the water depth was less
than 6 m, when the mid-depth sample may have been omitted. For stations that are less than 3 m in
depth, only the mid-depth sample was taken.
Sampling/ Testing Protocols
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 all stages
of the water quality monitoring (Annex
B). Responses of sensors and electrodes were
checked with certified standard solutions before each use.
For the on-site calibration of field equipment, the BS 1427: 1993, Guide to Field and On-Site
Test Methods for the Analysis of Waters was observed. Sufficient stocks of spare parts were
maintained for replacements when necessary. Backup monitoring equipment was made
available.
Water samples for SS measurements were collected in
high density polythene bottles, packed in ice (cooled to 4 °C without being
frozen), and delivered to a HOKLAS laboratory as soon as possible after
collection.
Two replicate samples were collected from each of the
monitoring events for in situ
measurement and lab analysis.
Laboratory Analysis
All laboratory work was carried out in
a HOKLAS accredited laboratory.
Water samples of about 1,000 mL were collected at the monitoring and
control stations for carrying out the laboratory determinations. The determination work started within
the next working day after collection of the water samples. The SS laboratory measurements were
provided within 2 days of the sampling event (48 hours). The analyses followed the standard
methods as described in APHA Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 19th Edition, unless otherwise specified (APHA 2540D for SS).
The QA/QC details were in accordance
with requirements of HOKLAS or another internationally accredited scheme (Annex C)
3.3.3
Action
and Limit Levels
The
Action and Limit levels for Zones A, which were established based on the results
of Baseline Update Monitoring (Zone A),
are presented in Table 3.4.
Table 3.4 Action
and Limit Levels of Water Quality for Zone A
|
Parameter
|
Action
Level
|
Limit
Level
|
|
SS in mgL-1
(Depth-averaged) (a) (c)
|
95%-ile
of baseline data
(7.01
mg L-1), or
|
99%-ile
of baseline data
(7.15
mg L-1) , and
|
|
20%
exceedance of value at any impact station compared with corresponding data
from control station
|
30%
exceedance of value at any impact station compared with corresponding data
from control station
|
|
DO in mgL-1 (b)
|
Surface and Middle(d)
5%-ile
of baseline data for surface and middle layer
(5.91
mg L-1)
|
Surface and Middle(d)
5mg/L
or 1%-ile of baseline for surface and middle layer
(5.85
mg L-1)
|
|
Bottom
5%-ile of baseline data
for bottom layers
(5.72 mg L-1)
|
Bottom
2mg/L or 1%-ile of
baseline data for bottom layer
(5.62 mg L-1)
|
|
Turbidity in NTU (Depth-averaged)
(a) (c)
|
95%-ile
of baseline data
(5.09
NTU), or
|
99%-ile
of baseline data
(5.25
NTU), and
|
|
20%
exceedance of value at any impact station compared with corresponding data
from control station
|
30%
exceedance of value at any impact station compared with corresponding data
from control station
|
|
Notes:
a.
“Depth-averaged”
is calculated by taking the arithmetic means of reading of all sampled
depths.
b.
For
DO, non-compliance of the water quality limits occurs when the monitoring
result is lower than the limits.
c.
For
SS and turbidity, non-compliance of the water quality limits occurs when
monitoring result is higher than the limits.
d.
The
Action and Limit Level for DO for surface and middle layer were calculated
from the combined pool of baseline surface layer data and baseline middle
layer data.
|
3.3.4
Event
and Action Plan
The
Event and Action Plan for water quality monitoring which was stipulated in Updated EM&A Manual is presented in Table 3.5.
Table 3.5 Event
Action Plan for Water Quality
Event
|
Contractor
|
|
Action
Level Exceedance
|
Step 1
- repeat sampling event.
Step
2 – Inform EPD and AFCD and confirm
notification of the non-compliance in writing;
Step
3 - discuss with cable installation
contractor the most appropriate method of reducing suspended solids during
cable installation (e.g. reduce cable laying speed/volume of water used
during installation.
Step
4 - repeat measurements after
implementation of mitigation for confirmation of compliance.
Step
5 - if non-compliance continues,
increase measures in Step 3 and repeat measurements in Step 3. If non-compliance occurs a third time,
suspend cable laying operations.
|
|
Limit Level Exceedance
|
Undertake Steps 1-4 immediately, if further non-compliance continues at the
Limit Level, suspend cable laying operations until an effective solution is
identified.
|
4
Impact Monitoring Results
A total of seven monitoring events were scheduled in the reporting period
from 19 to 25 January 2014 (Annex
A).
Continuous water sampling was taken at the impact monitoring stations in
Zone A at approximately 4-hour intervals (subject to the weather conditions and
travelling time between stations) on a daily basis, so collections were made at
least four (4) times per day. Monitoring
events at all designated monitoring stations within Zone A were performed on schedule. No major activities influencing the
water quality were identified during the reporting period.
The
results of the impact monitoring and their graphical presentations are included
in Annex D.
No exceedances of Action and/or Limit Levels
were recorded. The monitoring
results of Turbidity, SS and DO are discussed together as follows.
The
levels of depth-averaged Turbidity showed variation throughout the second week
impact monitoring (Figure D1 of Annex D), however, no sharp increase in
Turbidity levels was detected on any one monitoring day.
Levels
of depth-averaged SS measured during the first week impact monitoring showed a trend
of decreasing with time (Annex D). In general, SS levels recorded were
similar among the stations during the week impact monitoring, all following a
similar pattern.
In
general, the water quality of Zone A was stable throughout each sampling
day. The overall Turbidity, SS and
DO levels at the impact stations were of similar magnitude to the measurements
taken at the control stations which were located far from the area of cable
installation works and wouldn’t be affected by the repair works. Given this information, any changes in the
impact monitoring measurements are considered to be caused by natural
background variation rather than the cable installation works of the
Project.
5
Environmental Non-CONFORMANCES
No
exceedances of the Action and Limit Levels were recorded during the reporting
period.
5.2
Summary of
Environmental Non-compliance
No
non-compliance events were recorded during the reporting period.
No
complaints were received during the reporting period.
No
summons or prosecution on environmental matters were received during the
reporting period.
6
Future Key Issues
In the week
from 26 January to 1 February 2014, the cable installation works to be
conducted in Zone A will include:
- Diver
inspections (no water jetting work); and
- Cable burial
works (water jetting work).
Note no work
will be conducted from 31 January to 2 February inclusive due to the Chinese
New Year Holiday.
Impact water quality monitoring is scheduled
to be carried out in parallel with the cable installation works in Zone
A from from 26 January to 1 February 2014 inclusive,
noting no cable
installation works will be carried out from 31
January to 2 February inclusive due to the Chinese New Year Holiday
7
Conclusions
This
2014 Second Weekly Impact Monitoring Report presents the results and findings of
impact water quality monitoring undertaken in Zone A during the period from 19
to 25 January 2014 in
accordance with the Updated EM&A Manual and the requirements
under Environmental Permit (EP - 433/2011)
for the Project.
No
exceedances of Action and Limit Levels were recorded during the impact water
quality monitoring period. No complaints
or summons/prosecutions were received either during the reporting period.
Water
quality in Zone A was generally stable throughout the reporting period. Similar magnitudes of Turbidity, SS
and DO levels were generally recorded among the stations. Levels of Turbidity, SS and DO levels
showed fluctuation over time during the reporting period.
In
general, the overall water quality at the impact stations was found
to be similar to that at the control stations.
It
is concluded that no deterioration of water quality was observed during the
reporting period and hence the effect of the Project cable installation works
on water quality at the Project site was considered to be negligible.
_files/image002.jpg)
_files/image004.jpg)
_files/image006.jpg)