Initial Environmental Examination
July 2014
ARM: Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project- Additional Financing Improvement of Gegharkunik Region Settlements Water Supply System
Prepared by the State Committee Of Water System under the RA Ministry for Territorial Governance for the Asian Development Bank.
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HGSN Ltd. -JINJ Ltd. Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project - Additional Financing
STATE COMMITTEE OF WATER SYSTEM UNDER THE RA MINISTRY FOR TERRITORIAL GOVERNANCE “ARMWATERSEWERAGE” CJSC
ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK FUNDED
WATER SUPPLY AND SANITATION SECTOR PROJECT - ADDITIONAL FINANCING
Date of preparation 06.08.2013 Date of revision 16.07.2014
VI SUBPROJECT L2860-ICB-1-06: IMPROVEMENT OF GEGHARKUNIK REGION SETTLEMENTS WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM
INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EXAMINATION
Yerevan, July, 2014
Subproject VI -Preliminary Design 3 HGSN Ltd. -JINJ Ltd. Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project - Additional Financing
STATE COMMITTEE OF WATER SYSTEM UNDER THE RA MINISTRY FOR TERRITORIAL GOVERNANCE “ARMWATERSEWERAGE” CJSC
ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK FUNDED
WATER SUPPLY AND SANITATION SECTOR PROJECT - ADDITIONAL FINANCING
Subproject VI IMPROVEMENT OF GEGHARKUNIK REGION WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS
INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EXAMINATION
(Gavar, Martuni towns and Noratus, Gandzak, Sarukhan, Karmirgyugh, Ltchashen, Chkalovka, Norashen, Ddmashen villages of Gegharkunik region, RA)
HGSN Ltd, Director V. Hovasapyan
Environmental expert K.Sahakyan
Yerevan, July, 2014
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.Scope of Work ...... 6
2.Description of the Existing Water Supply and Sewage Systems ...... 7
3.Geographical Location and Climate of the Settlements ...... 7
4. Biodiversity and Specially Protected Areas ...... 9
5.Environmental Impact Assessment ...... 10
LIST OF APPENDICES
Appendix 1. Checklist for Quick Environmental Evaluation ...... 11 Appendix 2. Syunik subproject layout ...... 15
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1. Scope of Work
The aim of this subcomponent of the subproject is to improve the drinking water supply systems of Gavar and Martuni towns and Noratus, Gandzak, Sarukhan, Karmirgyugh, Ltchashen, Chkalovka, Norashen, Ddmashen villages in Gegharkunik region, RA within the framework of the project.
The priority is to improve the water supply systems of the settlements. The works carried out for the improvement of the water supply systems of the settlements of Gavar and Martuni towns and the village communities mentioned above include:
. Reconstruction or construction of the external conduit with de250-de225 polyethylene pipes, L=9860m; . Construction of de40-de280 polyethylene waterlines, L=190664m in the distribution network; . Construction of water-metering units and entry lines of private houses with de20- 32 polyethylene pipes for 59890 subscribers; . Construction of a total of 7900 water metering wells; . Construction of 69 water supply wells; . Construction of a total of 71 buried valve junctions.
The number of population of Gavar and Martuni towns as well as Noratus, Gandzak, Sarukhan, Karmirgyugh, Ltchashen, Chkalovka, Norashen, Ddmashen villages is 77227 people at the time of 01.01.2013; the urban population is 41723 people. The overall number of subscribers is 15762, the village subscribers are 5794 people. The index of annual growth of population is 0.43% according to the published data of “Armenian Demographic Handbook 2012”. As a result of project implementation all the inhabitants of the communities will be provided with drinking quality water and regular water supply. The works foreseen by the subproject cover the rehabilitation works of the existing structures, therefore they will have minimum temporary impact on the natural landscape. During the implementation of the construction works, as required, the asphalt will be bought from specialized asphalt plant which is responsible for taking environmental impact mitigation measures. All asphalt plants function in accordance with RA Environmental legislation.
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2. Description of the Existing Water Supply and Sewage Systems
Gavar and Martuni towns as well as Noratus, Gandzak, Sarukhan, Karmirgyugh, Ltchashen, Chkalovka, Norashen villages are served by AWS CJSC and Ddmashen village is served by the community. Among the above mentioned settlements the water supply system of Gavar and Sarukhan settlements is fed from the water springs of “Hatsarat” and “Sarukhan” with 3 groups of DRRs by means of the pumping stations. The water is disinfected in the chlorination plants nearby the catchments. The water supply system of Martuni town is fed from “Tsakqar” and “Hopoyi Var” catchaments by gravity. The water supply of Noratus, Ltchashen, Chkalovka, Norashen communities is implemented from the 32.5km long water conduit of Hatsarat – Sevan Ø500(St) pressure system fed from the springs of “Hatsarat”, to which they are connected at the corresponding points by Ø50(St) pipes. The water supply of Gandzak village is implemented from the 2x500m3 DRRs and deep wells by gravity. The water supply of Karmirgyugh is implemented from the springs of “Sarukhan” by the pumping station and from “Kloyi gyol” by gravity. Ddmashen village is fed from the catchment structures built on the springs, from where the water is given to the distribution network by the DRRs of 2x250m3 capacity. The internal water supply systems in the observed settlements are in an emergency condition, the distribution networks and the DRRs need replacement or construction. Reconstruction works of waterlines, pumping stations, DRRs and water supply wells have been carried out in recent years. In 2013 a project of water supply system improvement was carried out funded by the World Bank, which was aimed at implementing reconstruction works of the distribution network. Gavar town included in the subproject is canalized partially, and Martuni town is canalized completly, the sewage is removed and filled into the treatment plant.
The villages are also canalized partially. The sewage is gathered from the settlements, removed and filled into Gavaraget. In the lower districts there are no waste water removal stations, the inhabitants use yard toilets.
3. Geographical Location and Climate of the Settlements
Gavar, Martuni towns and Noratus, Gandzak, Sarukhan, Karmirgyugh, Ltchashen, Chkalovka, Norashen, Ddmashen village communities are situated in Gegharkunik
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Region. The area of Gegharkunik Region occupies 5348 km2 surface. The regional centre is Gavar town, which is 98 km away from Yerevan. The observed area of Gegharkunik Region represents a depression surrounded with high folded block-mountains and middle height mountains, the inter-mountainous trough of which is occupied by Lake Sevan. The settlements are located 1700-2100m above sea level in the river valley of southern and western shores of Lake Sevan. The climate of the area is terrestrial and is characterized by cold winter, by relatively warm and sunny summer, by wet and changeable spring and autumn. The water surface of Sevan basin influences the climete mildly and promotes the origination of the solar gloss. The average duration of the solar gloss is 2650 hours and the number of not sunny days is 19. The average annual temperature is 5.3 0C. The absolute maximum temperature is +320C, and the absolute minimum is -330C. The minimum temperature reaches up to -400 C (Gavar town). The annual atmospheric percepitation is 400-800mm. In winter there is stable snow layer everywhere. The snow layer of the lake shore lasts 120-130 days, and in high mountainous zones – up to 250 days. The western, south-western and southern winds dominate in the region. The average speed of the wind varies between 3-5 m/sec. From the geomorphologic viewpoint the area is bordered by Geghama mountain range from the West, the volcanic mount shields of Vardenis from the South and Areguni mountain range from the North. The relief is characterized as having strongly dissected mountainous landscape with rocky slopes and coombs of different depth and width. From the geological viewpoint the area is represented by the middle – higher fourth lake sediments and by Eocene andesite porphyrites and tuff-breccias. The lake sediments are represented by the interchangeable layers of sand, clay, boulder stones and fine boulder stones. In the constructed areas of the settlements the rock formations are represented mainly by deluvial deposits and by coarse porphyrites. From hydrogeological viewpoint the area is characterized by the existance of strong and weak water-bearing rocky formations. Strong water bearing layers are lake deposits, and andesite porphyrites and tuff-breccias are considered weak conduits. The water basin of Lake Sevan is rich in ground waters – in resources and artesian basins, which are distributed unequally. Pressure artesian waters are wide spread in river valleys. As a result the levels of soil waters are comparatively high. The majority of the settlements is located in the river valleys, where among the geodynamic processes slides, floodings and stone fallings of different sizes and origins are spread (Gavaraget, Dzknaget, etc.).
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The area has absolute acceleration of soils for about 0.3-1.4g and is situated in the area of possible earthquake zone of 9 points magnitude.
4. Biodiversity and Specially Protected Areas
In the area, on the aluvial and lake deposits the types of weakly developed sand soils, meadow pebble rocks and floodplains were formed. The natural terrestrial ecosystems of the basin are meadows, steppes, sylvan and sparse forest vegetation, as well as complexes freed from mountainous and lake waters. The forest landscape ecosystems are distributed on the slope of the mountain 1950- 2400m above sea level. These types are mainly forests of oak trees and juniper grouped in separate islets and small groupings. These groupings are gradually transformed into rocky-kserofil shrubberies. The main groupings of oak trees anf junipers are spread in the southern areas. Due to relief specifics the vegetation of Sevan basin has emphasized mosaic nature. In the lower areas deserts and semi-deserts can be noticed, which originated on the banks segregated from the lake and which have secondary origin. Among these types relict ones were preserved such as peaty marshes, rocks and plant groups, sprawling bushes, i.e. low-growing junipers etc. The soils freed from Lake Sevan are covered with artificial planting (pine, poplar, holly etc.). The wide spread bushes are quickbeam, mountain ash, greek quicken, sweet brier, spirea, hawthorn, willow and other types. There are not so big marshes in Noratus and Martuni, where hairy sedge, brown flatsedge and some other types. In the coastal areas and plashes, where marshes are originating, different plant types swim, such as round or oblong duckweeds with green leaves and yellow flowers. For about 60 types of plants of National Park and reserved zone are used as herbs, and for about 100 types of plants are considered to be edible. The fauna is represented by different species in the area of “Sevan” National Park and its reserved zone. Among invertebrates there are calculated species of snails such as malacoids, types of crayfish such as long-crawled crayfish and species of arthropods /insects/. Among species of insects the Lycaenidae is included in the Red list of international union. The following species of vertebrates are observed in the area: fishes 9, amphibians 3, raptiles 17, birds 267, mammals 34. Among amphibians the following species of Salinetaria can be met: lake frog, Iranian long-legged wood frog, green toad, tree frog. In the area of “Sevan” National Park and and its reserved zone the following types of birds canh be met: mallards, common pochards, chukars, quails, european turtle doves , rock doves, common wood pigeons etc.
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Many species of animals mentioned above are included in the Red Book of Armenia. They are mammals - otter, brown bear, forest cat, bezoar goat; reptiles - spotted lizard and lizard of Asia minor, and birds – heron, greater flamingo, Armenian gull, which is considered to be an endemnic species. Two species of fish – the Sevan trout and Sevat barbel are also included in the Red Book of Armenia. All the communities included in the subproject have areas in the zone of “Sevan” National Park and are mainly considered to be a recreative zone of national park including the beach area as well. The nearest settlement to “Sevan” National park is Chkalovka village included in the subproject, which is situated 200m far from “Sevan” National Park. There are recretive and tourism resources in the area, such as reserve zones /national parks/, specially protected areas of nature. “Sevan” National Park situated nearby the settlements includes reserve parks of “Noratus” and “Norashen” which borders are set 600-800m far from the communities mentioned above. In the reserve zone, 1.0 km far from Martuni town the reserve park of “Gavaraget” is situated, the aim of which is to secure the protection of residual ponds in the river mouth and the protection of bird nesting areas in the coastal area of “Noratus” peninsula, as well as sprawning caviar and development of the rare fish species. Among the settlements included in the subproject there are cultural, archeological or inherited sites including the tombs of Ltchashen which is situated far from the settlements. And the existing monastries of 10-13th centuries are 2-5 km far from the settlements included in the subproject and the project doesn’t deal with the latters.
5. Environmental Impact Assessment
The initial environmental examination (IEE) showed that in the areas of implementation of water supply system improvement /in the area of project influence/ there are no harmful influences on the landscape, flora and fauna, as well as on the earth and water resources. The subproject will be basically implemented in the constructed areas of settlements, and for realization of the works new areas will not be included. As a result of project implementation the specially protected areas will not undergo any influences. According to the initial environmental examination the subproject was classified as ecological project of “B” rank. Within the work project for the current subproject, environmental management plan (EMP) should be developed, which will include all the communities pointed out in the detailed design.
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Appendix 1. Checklist for Quick Environmental Evaluation
Improvement of water supply and sanitation systems of RA Country/ Subproject Title settlements
Sector division Subproje ct 6 – Gavar and Martuni towns and Noratus, Gandzak, Sarukhan, Karmirgyugh, Ltchashen, Chkalovka, Norashen, Ddmashen villages
Screening Questions Yes N/A No Remarks A. Project Siting Is the project area…?
Densely populated + The settlements included in the project are considered to have average density of population and the village communities are populated sparsely Overloaded by development/construction projects The 80% of the settlements have project + development documents of urban development /master plans/ + Some parts of village communities are situated in the reserve zone of “Sevan” National Park / Norashen, Chkalovka, Ltchashen/, but the Is situated in ecologically sensitive areas or nearby areas of project implementation /settlements/ are situated out of borders of “Sevan” National Park Almost in all the settlements there are historical Is an area of historical cultural heritage + cultural monuments, but the project doesn’t deal
with them Preserved area + The tomb field of Ltchashen, which is 700m far from the settlements + Lake Sevan, which is considered to be a fresh water basin of national significance. The settlements included in the subproject are in the central scope of influence of lake Sevan. Wetland The reserve park “The Isle of Gulls”/situated in Norashen/, and the reserve park “Gavaraget” /situated in Martuni/ are considered to be watery and wet areas + Is occupied by mangroves
+ Estuarine
+ The majority of settlements /except Ddmashen, Is a buffer zone of the preserved area village/ are situated in the protection, recreation and tourism zone of “Sevan” national park
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+ The reserve park of “Norashen” is 800m far from Norashen village, and the reserve park of A special area for preserving biodiversity “Gavaraget” is 1.0km far from Martini town. The
goal of the latters is the protection of bird nesting places + Is a bay
B. Potential Environmental Impacts
Will the project lead to…? Pollution of raw water supply from upstream + The water supply of settlements is implemented wastewater discharge from communities, industries, from the underground resources agriculture, and soil erosion runoff Impairment of historical/cultural monuments/areas + Almost in all settlements there are historical- and loss/damage to these sites cultural monuments, but the project doesn’t concern them Hazard of land subsidence caused by excessive + The project doesn’t deal with the soil water ground water pumping intake that’s why the implementation of the project can’t lead to soil settling Social conflicts arising from displacement of + Isn’t foreseen communities Origination of conflicts as a result of shortage of + Within the scope of the project the drinking polluted water supply for the use of surface and water supply is implemented from underground underground waters for other useful purposes resources. The drinking water mustn’t be utilized for irrigation and other purposes. Unsatisfactory raw water supply (e.g. excessive + Within the scope of the project the drinking pathogens or mineral constituents) water supply is implemented from underground resources after the disinfection Unsafe water supply to the distribution system + Inadequate protection of intake works or wells, + The water intakes and wells included in the leading to pollution of water supply project are equipped with fences and sanitary zones Over pumping of ground water, leading to + The project doesn’t deal with the soil water salinization and ground subsidence intakes, that’s why the implementation of the project can’t lead to salinization and ground subsidence Excessive algal growth in storage reservoir + Origination of slopes exceeding the limits of powers + Wastewater treatment stations //except Martuni of community infrastructures town/ do not operate in the communities Inadequate disposal of sludge from water treatment + Isn’t applicable to the subproject plants Inadequate buffer zone around pumping and + The pumping station projected within the scope treatment plants to alleviate noise and other of the project will be demarcated with a fence possible nuisances and protect facilities protecting the sanitary zone
Impairments associated with transmission lines and + Deterioration of the access roads isn’t intended, access roads and in case of intersection with electric transmission lines , the intersection will be implemented according to the required norms Health hazards arising from inadequate design of + The documents of the project elements meant facilities for receiving, storing, and handling of for getting and reserving chlorine and other chlorine and other hazardous chemicals dangerous chemicals are compiled according to the required norms
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Health and safety hazards to workers from handling + All the technological processes should be and management of chlorine used for disinfection, preserved when working with chlorine and other other contaminants, and biological and physical polluting materials. hazards during project construction and operation Dislocation and involuntary resettlement of the + not foreseen inhabitants Inadequate impacts on the poor, women and + not foreseen children, Indigenous Peoples or other vulnerable groups Origination of noise and dust as a result of + The mitigating measures will be included in construction EMP /environmental management plan/ Increase of traffic as a result construction works + insignificant increase, is foreseen for the period of construction Continuing soil erosion/silt runoff from construction + The concrete measures for the organization of operations construction will be shown in the EMP Delivery of unsafe water due to poor O&M treatment + There won’t occur any problems of sludge processes (especially mud accumulations in filters) accumulation in the filters, and the monitoring of and inadequate chlorination due to lack of adequate the residual chlorine will be implemented monitoring of chlorine residuals in distribution according to the required norms systems Delivery of water to distribution system, which is + During the exploitation of this system, any corrosive due to inadequate attention to feeding of chemical materials aren’t used for the treatment corrective chemicals of the water Accidental leakage of chlorine gas + not foreseen Excessive abstraction of water affecting + The project of the system reconstruction is downstream water users? elaborated for excluding such situations Competition of water utilization + The aim of the project is to alleviate the competition of water utilization Increase of sewage water flow as a result of water + supply increase Origination of silts in sewage treatment stations and + The existing sewage treatment stations do not increase of household waters (cooking and washing operate in the settlements included in the water) project Large population influx during project construction + The project deals with reconstructions of and operation that causes increased burden on existing systems, a new social influence isn’t social infrastructure and services (such as water foreseen supply and sanitation systems) Social conflicts if workers from other regions or + Mainly a local labor will be engaged countries are hired Risks to community health and safety due to the + The risks will be decreased to the minimum in transport, storage, and use and/or disposal of case of maintaining the rules of safety when materials such as explosives, fuel and other using explosives, fuel and other chemical chemicals during operation and construction materials utilized within the scope of the project Community safety risks due to both accidental and + The risks will be decreased to the minimum in natural hazards, especially where the structural case of maintaining the rules of safety when elements or components of the project are using, transporting and preserving the accessible to members of the affected community or explosives, fuel and other chemical materials where their failure could result in injury to the utilized within the scope of the project community throughout project construction, operation and decommissioning.
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Climate Change and Disaster Risk Questions Yes No Notes
The following questions do not concern the ecological classification. They are included in this checklist to help identify potential climate and disaster risks. Is the Project area subject to hazards such as earthquakes, floods, + Armenia is situated in an active tectonic landslides, tropical cyclone winds, storm surges, tsunami or volcanic zone and can undergo dangers with all eruptions and climate changes (see Appendix I) the possible consequences
Could changes in temperature, precipitation, or extreme events + The shortage of precipitations can patterns over the Project lifespan affect technical or financial cause water shortages in the resources sustainability (e.g., changes in rainfall patterns disrupt reliability of which will result in changes of the water water supply; sea level rise creates salinity intrusion into proposed supply stability water supply source)
. Are there any demographic or socio-economic aspects of the Project + area that are already vulnerable (e.g., high incidence of marginalized populations, rural-urban migrants, illegal settlements, ethnic minorities, women or children)
. Could the Project potentially increase the climate or disaster + vulnerability of the surrounding area (e.g., by using water from a vulnerable source that is relied upon by many user groups, or encouraging settlement in earthquake zones).
*Hazards are potentially damaging physical events.
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Appendix 2. Gegharkunik subproject layout
Subproject VI -Preliminary Design 15