ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT
For the Proposed Development of Sewerage System
Hinnavaru, Lhaviyani Atoll, Maldives
Proponent: Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water, Maldives
Registered Consultants:
Abdul Aleem (EIA09/07)
Ahmed Jameel (EIA07/07)
Ahmed Zahid (EIA08/07)
Hassan Shah (EIAT02/07)
Water Solutions Pvt. Ltd., Maldives
As SubConsultant to Al‐Habshi Consultants Office, Kuwait
June 2008 EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru
Table of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS ...... I
TABLE OF FIGURES...... V
TABLE OF TABLES ...... VI
NON TECHNICAL SUMMARY ...... VII
1 INTRODUCTION ...... 1
1.1 INTRODUCTION ...... 1 1.2 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE EIA ...... 1 1.3 METHODOLOGIES ...... 2 1.4 EIA IMPLEMENTATION ...... 2 1.5 TERMS OF REFERENCE ...... 2
2 PROJECT DESCRIPTION ...... 3
2.1 GENERAL CONTEXT OF THE STUDY ...... 3 2.2 THE PROPONENT ...... 3 2.3 PROJECT LOCATION AND STUDY AREA ...... 3 2.4 DESCRIPTION OF THE EXISTING SEWERAGE SYSTEM ...... 4 2.5 THE PROJECT...... 6 2.6 PROJECT COMPONENTS ...... 7 2.6.1 Sewer Network ...... 7 2.6.2 Treatment System ...... 8 2.6.3 Pumping Stations and Ocean Outfall ...... 9 2.7 PROJECT INPUTS AND OUTPUTS ...... 10 2.8 ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS OF THE PROJECT ...... 10 2.8.1 Household toilets ...... 10 2.8.2 Main sewer network ...... 11 2.8.3 Treatment System ...... 11 2.8.4 Pump station ...... 11 2.8.5 Marine outfall ...... 11 2.8.6 Sludge Management ...... 12 2.9 CONSTRUCTION METHODOLOGY ...... 12 2.9.1 Construction strategy ...... 12 2.9.2 Work methods for terrestrial based activities ...... 12 2.9.3 Works methods for marine based activities...... 13 2.9.4 Project duration ...... 13 2.10 OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE ...... 14 2.11 NEED AND JUSTIFICATION ...... 15
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 i EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru
2.11.1 Why install a new sewerage system? ...... 15 2.11.2 Why Hinnavaru? ...... 16 2.11.3 Why Proposed Design? ...... 16
3 THE SETTING ...... 17
3.1 APPLICABLE POLICIES, LAWS AND REGULATIONS ...... 17 3.1.1 Environmental Protection and Preservation Act ...... 18 3.1.2 Second National Environment Action Plan (1999) ...... 19 3.1.3 National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan ...... 19 3.1.4 Consultation and public participation laws ...... 20 3.1.5 Population Policy...... 20 3.1.6 Regulation on Cutting Trees ...... 20 3.2 RELEVANT INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION ...... 21 3.3 ENVIRONMENTAL PERMITS REQUIRED FOR THE PROJECT ...... 22 3.3.1 EIA Decision Note...... 22 3.3.2 Wastewater disposal permits ...... 22 3.4 WATER AND WASTEWATER REGULATIONS, POLICIES, STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES ...... 22 3.4.1 Water and Sanitation Policy Statement ...... 24 3.4.2 General guidelines for domestic wastewater disposal ...... 25 3.4.3 Design Criteria for Sewerage Systems ...... 26 3.5 ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF GROUPS INVOLVED ...... 26 3.5.1 Environment Ministry ...... 27 3.5.2 Maldives Water and Sanitation Authority ...... 28 3.5.3 Project Proponent ...... 28 3.5.4 Environmental Consultants ...... 28 3.5.5 The Public ...... 29
4 METHODOLOGY ...... 30
4.1 GENERAL METHODOLOGIES OF DATA COLLECTION ...... 30 4.1.1 Mapping and Location identification ...... 30 4.1.2 Quality of groundwater ...... 31 4.1.3 Quality of surface water ...... 31 4.1.4 Bathymetry and Ocean Currents ...... 31 4.1.5 Condition of the housereef ...... 31 4.1.6 Socio-economic condition and public consultation ...... 32
5 EXISTING ENVIRONMENT...... 34
5.1 EXISTING COASTAL AND MARINE ENVIRONMENT ...... 36 5.2 GENERAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS ...... 37 5.2.1 Rainfall ...... 38 5.2.2 Wind ...... 39
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 ii EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru
Waves ...... 40 Tides ...... 41 Currents ...... 41 5.2.3 The Impact of Indian Ocean Tsunami ...... 42 5.2.4 Natural Vulnerability of the Island of Hinnavaru ...... 43 5.3 FEATURES OF THE COASTAL ENVIRONMENT ...... 43 5.3.1 Lagoon ...... 44 5.4 MARINE ENVIRONMENT ...... 44 5.4.1 Coral Cover ...... 44 5.4.2 The Seagrass Ecosystems ...... 46 5.4.3 Marine Water Quality ...... 47 5.5 TERRESTRIAL ENVIRONMENT ...... 49 5.5.1 Topography ...... 49 5.5.2 Vegetation and Soil ...... 49 5.5.3 Groundwater ...... 49 5.6 EXISTING SOCIO-ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT ...... 53 5.6.1 The Island of Lhaviyani Hinnavaru ...... 53 5.6.2 Vulnerability and Poverty of Hinnavaru ...... 54 5.6.3 Population and Literacy rate ...... 54 5.6.4 Employment ...... 55 5.6.5 Health ...... 56 5.6.6 Education ...... 57 5.6.7 Housing ...... 57 5.6.8 Entertainment ...... 58 5.6.9 Transportation ...... 58 5.6.10 Water and Sanitation ...... 59 5.6.11 Sanitation ...... 60 5.6.12 Harbour ...... 61
6 STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATIONS...... 62
6.1 CONSULTATION WITH MEEW AND MWSA ...... 62 6.1.1 List of persons consulted ...... 63 6.2 CONSULTATIONS WITH THE PROJECT CONSULTANTS ...... 63 6.3 CONSULTATIONS WITH THE LOCAL COMMUNITY ...... 63 6.3.1 List of persons consulted ...... 64 6.3.2 Perceptions of the Community ...... 65 6.3.3 Conclusion and Follow up Issues ...... 67
7 IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES ...... 69
7.1 IMPACT IDENTIFICATION ...... 69 7.2 IDENTIFYING MITIGATION MEASURES ...... 70
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 iii EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru
7.2.1 Mitigation Options ...... 71 7.3 EXISTING ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS ...... 71 7.3.1 Natural hazard vulnerability ...... 71 7.3.2 Existing solid waste disposal impacts ...... 72 7.3.3 Existing sewage disposal impacts ...... 72 7.4 CONSTRUCTIONAL IMPACTS ...... 72 7.4.1 Civil works ...... 73 7.5 OPERATIONAL IMPACTS ...... 75 7.5.1 Groundwater ...... 75 7.5.2 Lagoon and seawater quality ...... 78 7.5.3 Coral Reef and Marine Biodiversity ...... 79 7.5.4 Socio-Economic Impacts ...... 81 7.6 UNCERTAINTIES IN IMPACT PREDICTION ...... 84 SUMMARY OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACTS ...... 84
8 ALTERNATIVES ...... 85
8.1 NO PROJECT OPTION ...... 85 8.2 ALTERNATIVE SEWERAGE SYSTEMS ...... 86 8.2.1 Sewage collection...... 86 8.2.2 Sewage treatment ...... 87 8.2.3 Disposal ...... 89 8.3 PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE SEWERAGE SYSTEM ...... 90 8.4 ALTERNATIVE LOCATIONS ...... 92 8.4.1 Other Alternatives ...... 93
9 ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING ...... 96
9.1 INTRODUCTION ...... 96 9.2 MONITORING REQUIREMENTS ...... 97 9.2.1 Coral Reef Monitoring ...... 97 9.2.2 Water Quality Monitoring ...... 98 9.2.3 Monitoring dewatering impacts ...... 98 9.2.4 Socio-Economic Aspects ...... 98 9.3 RECOMMENDED MONITORING PROGRAMME ...... 99 9.4 COST OF MONITORING ...... 100 9.5 MONITORING REPORT ...... 101
10 DECLARATION OF THE CONSULTANTS ...... 102
11 SOURCES OF INFORMATION ...... 103
APPENDIX 1: TERMS OF REFERENCE ...... 106
APPENDIX 2: COMMITMENT LETTER FROM THE PROPONENT TO UNDERTAKE MONITORING ...... 108
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 iv EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru
APPENDIX 3: CV’S OF UNREGISTERED CONSULTANTS ...... 109
APPENDIX 4: DRAWINGS ...... 110
Table of Figures
Figure 2 ‐1: Project Location: Hinnavaru in Lhaviyani Atoll ...... 4
Figure 2 ‐2: Nearshore outfalls and general lack of environmental management ...... 5
Figure 2 ‐3: Catchpits are constructed in all households to retain solids passing into the sewer line ... 6
Figure 2 ‐4: Proposed Activated Sludge Treatment system for sewage for Hinnavaru ...... 8
Figure 5 ‐1: Hinnavaru indicating survey locations and site conditions during the survey ...... 35
Figure 5 ‐2: General wind rose diagram for the Maldives (source MEEW 2005)...... 39
Figure 5 ‐3: Lee of the island during the two monsoons based on wind rose given above ...... 40
Figure 5 ‐4: Comparison of nearshore and offshore lagoon water of Hinnavaru ...... 44
Figure 5 ‐5: Percentage cover of benthic substrate present at Site 1...... 45
Figure 5 ‐6: Site 2 is almost entirely covered with coral rubble similar to what is seen here ...... 45
Figure 5 ‐7: Percentage cover of benthic substrate present at Site 1...... 46
Figure 5 ‐8: Photo representation of the coastal and marine environment of Hinnavaru ...... 48
Figure 5 ‐9: Conceptual Illustration (not to scale) of freshwater lens in a small coral island (after
Falkland)...... 50
Figure 5 ‐10: Daily safe yield per capita, which can be drawn from the Hinnavaru aquifer ...... 53
Figure 5 ‐11: Population of Hinnavaru, Septemeber 2007 (source: Island Office) ...... 55
Figure 5 ‐13: Service facilities operating in Hinnavaru ...... 56
Figure 5 ‐14: Students of Hinnavaru ...... 57
Figure 5 ‐15: Communication and entertainment facilities in Lh. Hinnavaru ...... 59
Figure 5 ‐16: Diarrhoea cases in Hinnavaru ...... 61
Figure 8 ‐1: Schematic diagram of the Vacuum System (Source of picture: Roevac Manual) ...... 90
Figure 8 ‐2: Different locations considered for pumping station and outfalls in Hinnavaru ...... 92
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 v EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru
Table of Tables
Table 2 ‐1: Design parameter values for the proposed sewerage system in Hinnavaru ...... 6
Table 2 ‐2: Different components of the proposed sewerage system, Lh. Hinnavaru...... 7
Table 2 ‐3: Main inputs of the proposed project ...... 10
Table 2 ‐4: Matrix of major outputs ...... 10
Table 2 ‐5: Overall Project Schedule ...... 13
Table 2 ‐6: Project Implementation schedule ...... 14
Table 3 ‐1: Recommended effluent quality standards ...... 23
Table 3 ‐2: Roles and responsibilities by EIA process stage ...... 27
Table 5 ‐1: Key meteorological information ...... 38
Table 5 ‐2: information recorded for Hinnavaru at the National Disaster Management Centre
following the Indian Ocean Tsunami on 26 December 2007...... 42
Table 5 ‐3: Water quality results ...... 47
Table 5 ‐4: Water quality results for Hinnavaru groundwater ...... 52
Table 6 ‐1: Summary of the finding regarding the installation of sanitation system‐ Lhaviyani
Hinnavaru ...... 66
Table 7 ‐1: Existing sewage disposal systems and their impacts ...... 72
Table 7 ‐2: Impact potential of each key component of the proposed sewerage development ...... 84
Table 8 ‐1: Advantages and disadvantages of the no project option ...... 85
Table 8 ‐2: Comparison of pressure system (gravity system with pumps) and vacuum system ...... 91
Table 9 ‐1: Coral reef system monitoring programme matrix ...... 97
Table 9 ‐2: Monitoring water quality ...... 98
Table 9 ‐3: Indicators for monitoring of socio‐economic aspects of the project ...... 99
Table 9 ‐4: Costs of the proposed monitoring programme ...... 100
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 vi EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru
Non Technical Summary
This report discusses the findings of a social and environmental impact study undertaken by Water
Solutions Pvt. Ltd. and Al Habshi Consultants Office of Kuwait at the request of the Ministry of
Environment, Energy and Water. Although this is a rehabilitation project, the sewerage system in
Hinnavaru is beyond rehabilitation and needs a complete makeover. Therefore, in accordance with the requirements of the EIA Regulation, an EIA is proposed to be done for the proposed project.
Also, since EIA was not a requirement at the time Hinnavaru sewerage system was initially built, there has not been any EIA undertaken for the sewerage system. Consequently, an EIA would need to be undertaken.
The project involves the decommissioning of the existing system and development of a new sewerage system in Hinnavaru. This project is initiated by the government of Maldives with funding from Kuwait Fund (KFAED) as part of the tsunami rehabilitation programme. The sewerage system of Hinnavaru was one of the first sewerage systems installed in the inhabited islands of the Maldives. The system is old and has a lot of environmental problems, which need to be addressed. An environmental evaluation of the sewerage system in Hinnavaru was first undertaken by Riyan in 1999. This study also highlighted various issues related to the sewerage system in Hinnavaru, especially environmental degradation resulting from the sewerage system.
The environment of Hinnavaru may be described as poorly managed, with several environmental problems including inappropriate solid waste management, damaged sewerage system with nearshore outfalls, lagoon polluted with sewage and waste disposal including fish waste in the past leading to eutrophication and excessive algal blooms, modest housing with little ventilation, poor or no urban planning, lack of beach and recreational areas and contaminated groundwater and inadequate water supply. However, there is an ongoing programme to improve water supply with a
10‐ton desalination plant, a solid waste management project and this project underway to replace the existing sewerage system. These three projects are financed under tsunami assistance from different donors.
Stakeholder consultations were held with various groups, including the community and the client in order to incorporate the socio‐economic components in the project. It was observed that the community of Hinnavaru is heavily dependent upon the government for reasons of bureaucratic system of government people have been used to for their entire life. However, there are signs that
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 vii EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru people are ready to make a difference if community involvement, participation and empowerment can be assured.
Environmental impacts were assessed for both the construction and operation phase of the project.
Most of the environmental impacts of the project have been identified as positive resulting mainly from improvements to groundwater and lagoon water quality and resulting reduction in water‐ borne and water‐related diseases and general ill‐health. The main negative impact of the project would be that of excessive drawdown on the aquifer resulting from the improved sewerage system.
There are other minor negative impacts such as small amount of excavation to lay the outfall pipe and dewatering to lay the sewer network in some areas including dewatering for the construction of manholes, lift stations and sumpwell at the pumping station. These impacts are considered to be moderate but short‐term. The socio‐economic benefits of the project may be considered to outweigh the negative impacts of the project.
Mitigation measures for anticipated negative impacts have been identified and outlined in detail, including minimizing dewatering, laying the sewers properly including the outfall, locating the outfall at adequate depth, including secondary treatment before discharging final effluent to sea, removal of existing sewers and outfalls and improvements to lagoon and coastal conditions in order to attain the benefits of the project. The main mitigation measure would be water conservation and measures to minimize drawdown on the aquifer. This is considered necessary whatever the sewerage system, if it uses groundwater for flushing. The proposed design for Hinnavaru sewerage system has been prepared after considering all impacts, discussions with community and consideration of mitigation measures.
It is inevitable that there would be some negative environmental impacts. However, these are minor compared to the positive effects of the proposed system. Yet, monitoring to ensure the effectiveness of the proposed system would be necessary. Therefore, a monitoring component has been suggested which takes in to consideration, the most important elements that require regular checks. This monitoring component will be adhered to and will allow the assessment of changes due to construction and implementation of the proposed sewerage system. Monitoring is specifically focussed on ground and surface water quality changes. Reef monitoring is considered inappropriate given the scale of anthropogenic damage to the reefs of Hinnavaru.
In conclusion, it appears justified from a technical and environmental point of view, to carry out the proposed project to improve sanitation in Hinnavaru.
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 viii EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru
1 Introduction
1.1 Introduction
This Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report has been prepared in order to meet the requirements of Clause 5 of the Environmental Protection and Preservation Act of the Maldives to assess the impacts of proposed project for the development of a sewerage system in Lh. Hinnavaru.
This report will identify the potential impacts (both positive and negative) of proposed project. The report will look at the justifications for undertaking the proposed project components. Alternatives to proposed components or activities in terms of location, design and environmental considerations would be suggested. A mitigation plan and monitoring programme before, during and after the works would also be included. Monitoring would ensure that the proposed activities are undertaken with caution and appropriative care so as to protect and preserve the built environment of the areas in proximity to the site or those areas and environmental aspects affected by the development.
The major findings of this report are based on qualitative and quantitative assessments undertaken during site visit during 22‐25 October 2007. However, due to unavailability of long term site‐specific data, the impact assessment methodology has been restricted to field data collected, consultations, experience and professional judgment. Available long term data were collected from available sources, such as long term data on meteorology and climate from global databases.
This EIA has been produced in accordance with the EIA Regulations 2007, issued by the Ministry of
Environment, Energy and Water on preparing Environmental Impact Assessment studies.
1.2 Aims and Objectives of the EIA
This report addresses the environmental concerns of the proposed sewerage system development in
Hinnavaru in Lhaviyani Atoll. It helps to achieve the following objectives.
Allow better project planning Assist in mitigating impacts caused due to the project Promote informed and environmentally sound decision making To demonstrate the commitment by the proponent on the importance of environmental protection and preservation.
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 1 EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru
1.3 Methodologies
Internationally recognized and accepted methods have been used in this environmental evaluation and assessment. This EIA is based mainly on data collected during a field investigation mission from 22 to 25 October 2007 by a team from Water Solutions, Maldives. The data collection methods are described in detail under Section 4.
1.4 EIA Implementation
This EIA has been prepared jointly by a local environmental consulting firm, Water Solutions and
Al Habshi Consultants of Kuwait. The team members were:
Ahmed Jameel (Registration number: EIA 07 / 07), Ahmed Zahid (Registration number: EIA 08 / 07, Abdul Aleem (Registration number: EIA 09 / 07) Hassan Shah (Registration number: EIAT 02 / 07) Aminath Latheefa – Socio Economist (see Annex for the CV)
1.5 Terms of Reference
The terms of reference for this EIA have been attached as Appendix 1. This EIA has been prepared based on this term of reference. During discussions with MWSA and MEEW on 5 May 2008, it was decided that some of the water quality parameters such as iron (in marine water) need not be considered. According to MWSA and MEEW (Water Section), only recently did the scope for sewerage projects get finalised in consultation with them. They believe that their involvement is critical at all stages of EIAs related to water and sanitation. Consequently, MWSA and MEEW requested for a discussion of TOR and presentation of the findings of the EIA before final draft is issued for comments. They would also review the EIA document before final submission to ERC in order to improve the quality of EIAs related to water and sanitation.
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 2 EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru
2 Project Description
2.1 General context of the study
Following the tsunami of December 2004, the Republic of Maldives requested funding from the
Kuwait Fund (KFAED) to finance a project to rehabilitate the infrastructure of sewerage system (and harbour) in Hinnavaru and Thimarafushi. Although the project is a rehabilitation project, the project consultants found that the sewerage systems in the islands required more than rehabilitation because the systems were inappropriate. This project is financed by a loan from Kuwait Fund with the Executing Agency being the Department of External Resources and the implementing agency being Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water.
The project aims to propose the suitable infrastructure for Hinnavaru to manage its sewage and wastewater in a social acceptable and environment‐friendly manner. The main consideration being environmental protection (based on existing policies on sewage and wastewater disposal), the cost of construction, operation and maintenance are of secondary importance.
2.2 The Proponent
This project is proposed by the Government of Maldives with Ministry of Environment, Energy and
Water (MEEW) as the Implementing Agency. MEEW is the government agency responsible for the development and regulation of the water sector. It is also the agency which oversees the development of water supply and sanitation infrastructure of the country. All sewerage system development projects therefore fall under the responsibility of MEEW. MEEW has undertaken several water supply and sewerage projects throughout the Maldives since the tsunami and have also been involved in developing standards and criteria for wastewater disposal in the Maldives.
2.3 Project Location and Study Area
The project site is the island of Hinnavaru, in Lhaviyani Atoll, as seen in Figure 2 ‐1. The geographical coordinates of the island are 5°29’N and 73°25’E (Water Solutions 2008). Hinnavaru is the second most populated of the 5 inhabited islands of Lhaviyani Atoll with a population of 4438 and a land area of 7.24 hectares (MOAD 2007), which is about half the size of the other four inhabited islands. Therefore, Hinnavaru is highly congested with some of the house plots reaching reclaimed behind the low tide line. Consequently, an extensive reclamation project has been proposed for Hinnavaru, part of which has been completed in the past couple of years.
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 3 EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru
Kureddhdhoo Kanduolhi "Thraagadu" Fehigili Kuredu Kalhumanjehuraa (Kuredhdhoo) Musleiygihuraa Medhadihuraa Veligadu One &Only Huravalhi Kanduolhi "Huruvalhee Tharaa Gadu" Kanuhura Kalhifushi Faru Huravalhi Dhumashi Faru Maavaanu Kandu Hinnavaru Kandu Kudadhoo Medhadihuraa Medhadihuraa FUSHIFARU KANDU (4438) Hinnavaru Komandoo Island Resort Medhadihuraa Felivarukandu Veyvah Felivaru Skipkack 11, 1985 Maavaa Kandu Gaafaru Palm Beach Island Madivaru (Madhirigraodhoo) Medhadihuraa
Vihafarufinolhu Riycoppaa Knadu (4358) NAIFARU Raalhufushi Veyvah Kadu Mey yyafushee Kandu Mey-yyafushi Veyvah Faadhoo Vavvaru Maahaa Faadhoo Kandu Dhashugiri Hani Kandu Innagiri Selhlhifushi Dhiyaneri Falhu Hiriyaadhoo
Raiyruhhuraa Dhiyanerifalhu Kandu Maidhoo
Bodhuhuraa Bahurukabeeru Dhiffshi Dhidhdhoo Kanifushi Maavaafushi Olhukolhu Meedhaahuraa Hadoolaafushi Hudhufushi Medhafushi Maafilaafushi Maakaa Hadoolaafushi (Under construction) Maa Kanduolhi Maaolhu Fainuaadham Huraa Hadoolaafushi Govvaafushi Dhirubaafushi (1721) Kurendhoo Mayyaafushi Maabinhuraa Lhohi
Bodufaahuraa Lhossalafushi Varihuraa
Bodufaahuraa Olhuvelifushi (516) Ookolhufinolhu
Thilamaafushi
Aligau
Kaashidhoo Bodu Kandu
Figure 2-1: Project Location: Hinnavaru in Lhaviyani Atoll
The island of Hinnavaru lies on its own reef system on the western rim of Lhaviyani Atoll. The reef
is about 121.3 hectares. There is an extensive lagoon on the western and northwestern side of the
island covering a reef extent of about 600m. This lagoon is almost completely covered with seagrass of predominantly thalassia hemprichi species. The lagoon also has shallow depths varying from 0.3
to 0.8m on average. Some areas on the western and southeastern shoreline get dry during low tide.
The area in which the proposed outfall is located has seagrass close to the beach and a coral reef
behind the seagrass.
2.4 Description of the existing sewerage system
An inspection of the existing sewerage system was made during the field trip on 22‐25 October 2007.
It was observed that the sewerage system is a simple, gravity flow sewer network with multiple outfalls discharging raw sewage into the nearshore environment. This system is often referred to as
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 4 EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru a “small bore sewerage system”. Due to inherent design and construction issues with this type of sewerage system, it was discontinued in the late 90s until an appropriate solution can be found.
These inherent problems include:
Catchpits getting clogged too soon or too often Sewers leaking in some areas due to poor construction causing groundwater pollution. However, this is quite an insignificant issue given the improvements that the system brought to the biological quality of the groundwater. Nearshore outfalls discharging raw sewage aggravates the pollution of the lagoon making it unsuitable for swimming, adding to the incumbent problems of lagoon water pollution due to beach defaecation and inappropriate fish handling and fishwaste disposal in the past. Salinisation of the groundwater lens in coastal areas due to flooding of the pipes at high tide. This also caused backflow and maintenance problems in some areas. Lack of sufficient gradient in the sewer network reduced self‐cleansing capacity of the sewers, thereby causing more frequent maintenance and rehabilitation.
Nearshore outfalls may be considered as the main environmental design fault in these sewers. In a prime beach environment such as the Maldives, this is not acceptable. The following figure shows the condition of the nearshore environment of Hinnavaru in some of the locations.
Figure 2-2: Nearshore outfalls and general lack of environmental management
Although groundwater quality may be considered to have improved due to the installation of the existing sewerage system, there has been a lack of awareness on the control of pumping rates and sustainable groundwater abstraction practices. This is evident in that almost all households have wells drawing water from a single point at about a meter below the water table using electric pumps.
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 5 EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru
Figure 2-3: Catchpits are constructed in all households to retain solids passing into the sewer line
2.5 The Project
The project involves the design and installation of a comprehensive sewerage system that would replace the tsunami‐damaged sewerage system of Hinnavaru, which has several problems associated with design as well as construction. Although this project is targeted at rehabilitation, there is a need to consider replacing the existing sewerage system.
The concept for rehabilitation of the existing sewerage system has been proposed based on the information and assessment made after the field visit to the site. The assessment included various aspects of socio‐economics and environmental condition of the site that included topography, bathymety and socio economic surveys on the island. The concept for rehabilitation was formulated based on the information that was collected from the site and the input that was provided by the community during various community and stakeholder consultations.
The proposed design layout for the sewerage system in Hinnavaru is given in Appendix. The important elements of the proposed system are discussed in the subsections below. The design parameters for the project is given in the Table below.
Table 2-1: Design parameter values for the proposed sewerage system in Hinnavaru
Parameter Population (2007) 4,410 Growth Ratio 1.30% Projected population in 30 years 6,497 Add for Migration (15%) 975 Total Projected Population in 30 years 7,472 (7,500) Total Demand (considering 80l/capita/day) 600 m3
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 6 EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru
2.6 Project Components
The following table gives the different components of the sewerage system and more specific details are given for some important components in the subsections below.
Table 2-2: Different components of the proposed sewerage system, Lh. Hinnavaru
Item Description House laterals Pipes UPVC, 4” pipes Inspection chambers There will be no catch pits in household connection for the old settlement but will be possible for new house connection. However household connections will comprise of corrugated PVC inspection chambers of 315mm dia. Main Pipe line UPVC 6” pipes A definition of main pipes and branch pipes as well as house lateral will be provided in order to avoid confusion. Slopes It may not be possible to attain desirable slopes of 1% due to the high water table and the site physical conditions. Velocity Min 0.6 m/sec, as per MWSA criteria Connection from households Through Y branch Clean Outs UPVC Cleanouts, 300mm dia at every 30m Minimum depth of main pipe A minimum depth of 300mm would be appropriate in the smaller lanes. Such a minimum cover would be acceptable since no vehicles could enter these narrow lanes which are less than 1.5 meters wide. Pipe protection Sand pipe bedding will be appropriate. Pipe protection in addition to soil cover is required in wider streets where pipes are laid shallower than 400mm Lifting Station requirement When the depth reaches to 1500 to 2500 mm Lifting Station Inside a concrete shaft, there will be a packaged lift station with pumps and all accessories. Concrete shaft is provided to easy installation and protection to the packaged lift station. Provision for Emergency power connection. LS Location No lifting stations will be located in the congested residential areas. Lifting stations would be located away from public areas such as schools and mosques. Secondary Treatment Although treatment increases the cost, treatment was considered necessary by MEEW Location of treatment Away from resident population, near to services and sea Outfall Sea outfall would be PE pipe designed based on flow characteristics in the order of 110 OD.
2.6.1 Sewer Network
The sewer network consists of 4 inch house laterals and 6 inch secondary pipes on the narrow roads of Hinnavaru talking sewage and wastewater to lift stations in three specific locations. These lift stations convey the sewage to treatments works and pumping station, which pumps the clarified effluent to sea at the end of the outfall.
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 7 EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru
2.6.2 Treatment System
The selection of a particular process for sewage treatment is affected by diurnal and seasonal flow variations, sewerage strength (variability of wastewater constituents) infiltration / inflow, ambient temperature and its induced septicity, degree of treatment required, magnitude and direction of wind etc. The treatment works proposed consist of preliminary treatment (screening and grit removal flow measurement), secondary treatment by bio‐remediation (oxygenations by means of
Aerations followed by clarification‐separations of effluent and sludge), effluent treatment (effluent subjected to disinfection by chlorination) and sludge treatment/removal (sludge dewatering
/digestions/ disposal).
Figure 2 ‐4 shows the sewage treatment system that would be adopted for Hinnavaru under this project. The Figure 2 ‐4 shows the layout of treatment process proposed with the locations of treatment identified, the overall area would be limited to 30m x 20m in Hinnavaru.
RAW SEWAGE (BOD= 220 mg/L)
BAR SCREEN
DISINFECTION EXTENDED AERATION SECONDARYSETTLING (OPTIONAL) GRIT CHAMBER ACTIVATED SLUDGE PROCESS SEA OUTFALL EFFLUENT
SLUDGE REMOVAL
Figure 2-4: Proposed Activated Sludge Treatment system for sewage for Hinnavaru
The proposed extended activated – sludge treatment system has been used extensively worldwide.
Extended aeration activated – sludge process is recommended as the bio‐remediation process. The design is based on an average daily flow of 360 m3/day in Hinnavaru with a peak factor of 3.
A basic extended aeration activated sludge process consists of several interrelated components: An aeration tank is where the biological reactions occur (see Figure 2 ‐4). An aeration source provides oxygen. A tank, known as the clarifier, is where the solids settle and is separated from treated wastewater. Solids are collected either to return them to the aeration tank, (return activated sludge
RAS), or to remove them from the process (waste activated sludge). Aerobic bacteria thrive as they
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 8 EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru travel through the aeration tank. They multiply rapidly with sufficient food and oxygen. By the time the waste reaches the end of the tank (between four to eight hours), the bacteria has used most of the organic matter to produce new cells. The organisms settle to the bottom of the clarifier tank, separating from the clearer water. This sludge is pumped back to the aeration tank where it is mixed with the incoming wastewater or removed from the system as excess, a process called wasting. The relatively clear liquid above the sludge, the supernatant, is sent on for further treatment as required.
The extended aeration process holds wastewater in an aeration tank for 18 hours or more and the organic wastes are removed under aerobic conditions. Air is supplied for aeration. This process operates at a high solids retention time, resulting in a condition where nitrification may occur. The microorganisms compete for the remaining food. This highly competitive situation results in a highly treated effluent with low solids production. The wastewater is screened to remove large suspended or floating solids before entering the aeration chamber, where it is mixed, and oxygen is added. The solids settle out and are returned to the aeration chamber to mix with incoming wastewater. The clarified wastewater flows to a collection channel before being diverted to the disinfection system.
Extended aeration does not produce as much waste sludge as other processes; however, wasting still is necessary to maintain proper control of the process. Significantly less sludge is produced compared to conventional systems. In Aeration tank (Extended aeration), suspended microbial growth is maintained for the biological oxidation of organics. Diffused aeration system is provided to meet the oxygen requirement of microorganisms and to keep the liquor in completely mixed regime. The process usually does not require any primary settling, and sewage after equalization directly goes to the aeration tank. However, in case of higher loadings, primary settling or grit chamber may be required. Elimination of primary settling reduces the initial cost, and also the sludge after extended aeration and secondary settling, is relatively more stabilized. Extended aeration produces the minimum amount of sludge and can handle widely varying hydraulic and biological flows. The sludge is periodically removed from the units.
2.6.3 Pumping Stations and Ocean Outfall
Considering the same quantity for the sewerage with a 24 hours retention period, the total quantity per day will be 360 m3 with the size of sludge depositing tank and effluent tank equalling to 300 m3 capacity each. A size of 20m x 10m x 2m is considered for each tanks with sufficient cover at this stage which will be refined further. A location has been identified and agreed with the Island Chief which will house the two tanks and a pumping station to pump the final effluent to the sea.
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 9 EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru
2.7 Project Inputs and Outputs
The project has inputs in terms of human resources and natural resources such as water and fuel.
The main output of the project is a comprehensive sewerage system that produces sludge and a final effluent of acceptable quality which may be disposed to land and could be used for gardening or crop cultivation. These inputs and outputs are summarised in Table 2 ‐3 and Table 2 ‐4.
Table 2-3: Main inputs of the proposed project
Input resource(s) How to obtain resources Construction workers Contractor’s responsibility Operational Staff. Local staff trained by Advertise in local papers or obtain through contractor/manufacturer. island office Construction materials. PVC pipes, reinforcement steel Import and purchase where locally available at bars, sand, cement, aggregates, packaged treatment plants, competitive prices – Contractor’s responsibility. etc. Maintenance material. 5‐year spares made available N/A Water supply (during construction) Ground or rainwater Electricity/Energy (during construction) Diesel‐based electricity from island mains Electricity/Energy (during operation) Diesel‐based electricity from island mains Table 2-4: Matrix of major outputs
Products and waste materials Anticipated quantities Method of disposal Treated effluent with BOD of 20 or Estimated to be at peak of Treated wastewater reuse for 30mg/l 130m3/day gardening, road wetting, etc. Sludge Very small quantities (about Dried and used as fertilizer or 0.065m3/day) disposed to designated location or deep sea outside the atoll Constructional waste (demolition Moderate quantities Part may be reused and rest sent to of existing system) landfill Smell Moderate levels at pumping Venting and appropriate location station/treatment works so that smell does not reach living environment
2.8 Environmental Elements of the project
Similar to any other project, the proposed sewerage project has several elements that are interrelated to the environment. In order to identify the impact on the environment, these elements need to be defined, assessed and evaluated from an environmental perspective. The environmental elements of this project have been identified by breaking down the project in to the different processes that was incorporated into the final design. The elements identified have various environmental benefits and negative consequences, details of which are outlined below.
2.8.1 Household toilets
The first element and perhaps a very basic component of this project is at the household level.
Individual households will have private toilets that are flush or fitted with automatic flush tanks to carry the wastewater in to the system. This is the point where the wastewater disposal process
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 10 EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru begins and therefore forms an important aspect of the disposal cycle. Unlike other systems, the wastewater will directly be conveyed to the main sewers rather than by passing through a septic tank. Both black and grey water will be disposed in the main sewer network.
2.8.2 Main sewer network
Sewer lines networked throughout the island will collect wastewater from individual households and convey the wastewater to the pump station through gravity. Inspection chambers will be strategically located at selected locations for inspection and maintenance purposes. Several size pipes may be used but the most common sizes are 4 inch diameter. This size pipes have been used in other islands such as Gulhi in Male’ atoll and Vaavu Rakeedhoo. There will be high concentrations of H2S in the wastewaters. Pipes and materials will therefore be selected to withstand the corrosive conditions that may arise in the different parts of the system
2.8.3 Treatment System
For details about the treatment system, please see the section 2.6.2.
2.8.4 Pump station
The pumping station is designed to dispose the wastewater beyond the reef to avoid disposing in the near shore environment, which is the lagoon. Installation of the pumping station will minimize the chance of backflow of saltwater in to the sewers and will not cause any additional adverse impact on the marine ecology. Pump station will also be designed and constructed so that foul odour will not become a nuisance for the surroundings.
2.8.5 Marine outfall
The pipeline material will be high density polyethylene (HDPE) and the construction method will be a float‐tow‐sink operation. The outfall will be anchored to sea bed and extending beyond the reef edge where maximum dilution will take place. A detailed, bathymetric survey has been completed determining water depths around the final outfall location. An outfall route has been selected along the full length of the outfall where bathymetry has been undertaken. The outfall will as far as possible be positioned perpendicular to the incoming waves in order to reduce wave forces on the outfall. The whole length the outfall will be stabilised by means of concrete anchor weights.
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2.8.6 Sludge Management
The sludge settled at the bottom of the solid separation chamber would be periodically pumped into drying beds. Once the sludge dries its volume is much reduced and it will then be disposed off in designated landfill areas or disposed to deep sea outside the atoll lagoon.
Influent Characteristics • Flow rate: 360m3/day, expandable to 600m3/day
• pH: 7‐8
• Suspended solids: 180mg/l
• BOD5: 220mg/l
Expected effluent quality • pH: 7‐8
• Suspended solids: 70mg/l
• BOD5: 50mg/l
The treated water would be clear and free from odour.
2.9 Construction methodology
2.9.1 Construction strategy
The sewerage rehabilitation project will be undertaken in the planned time period to reduce cost and also reduce the environmental damage. Both terrestrial and marine based construction activities will be done in parallel to complete the work in the least possible time frame.
2.9.2 Work methods for terrestrial based activities
The land based component of the project includes the construction of the sewer network, pumping/lifting stations and treatment system. Sewer lines networked throughout the island will collect wastewater from individual households and convey the wastewater to the pump station through gravity with help of a lifting station. Inspection chambers will be strategically located at selected locations for inspection and maintenance purposes. Several size pipes may be used but the most common sizes are 4 inch diameter.
Excavator and manual methods would be used to excavate trenches for laying pipes and also for backfilling. Pipes will be laid at appropriate slope to avoid backflow during operation of the sewerage system.
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Dewatering would be required for pipe connections in areas below the water table and for constructing the lift stations and pump stations. Dewatering would be done using smaller pumps to reduce the zone of influence and minimize saltwater intrusion into the groundwater aquifer.
Alternative means such as hydrofusion may be considered during pipe installation.
2.9.3 Works methods for marine based activities
The work related to the marine environment of the project is mainly in the component of the construction of the ocean outfall. The material for the ocean outfall will be high density polyethylene (HDPE) and that the construction method will be a float‐tow‐sink operation. The outfall will be anchored to sea bed and extending beyond the reef edge where maximum dilution will take place.
2.9.4 Project duration
A summary schedule is given in the table below. The design development, EIA and tender documents would take around 4 months. The tendering process will also take similar time but with one month overlap between the two activities. Construction, including handing over, would be completed in eight months. This would mean that the design and tender documents with EIA will be ready by May 2008; the tender process including finalization of Contractor by end of July 2008 and the construction works with handing over completed by March 2009.
Table 2-5: Overall Project Schedule
Schedule of Works_SUMMARY
Detailed Duration Sl. Duration in Activity 08 08 09 07 08 08 07 08 08 08 09 08 07 08 08 08 09 ‐ 08 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐
No. Months ‐ Jul Jan Jan Jun Oct Oct Apr Feb Sep Feb Dec Dec Aug Nov Nov Mar Mar May
1Design, EIA & Tender Docs 4.00
2Tendering Process 4.00
3Construction & Handing Over 8.00
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 13 EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru
Table 2-6: Project Implementation schedule
Duration in Detailed Duration Sl. No. Activity Months 123456789101112131415161718192021222324
1PQ of Tenderers 1.00
2 Tendering 1.50
3 Tender Evaluation 0.50
4 Finalization of Contractor 1.00
5 Mobilization of Construction 1.00
6Construction Works 6.00
7 Handing Over 1.00
8Maintenance Period 12.00
2.10 Operation and Maintenance
Design, installation, operation and management of community water supply and sanitation projects in the Maldives has been considered a responsibility of the government so far. However, several projects that have been undertaken in the past have been managed by communities themselves.
Hinnavaru is one such island, where the sewerage system was maintained by the community apart from major repairs, which are covered by the Government. However, even then, the responsibility of the sewerage system management (operation and maintenance) lies with the Island Office.
Once the project is complete, i.e. the sewers are laid, maintenance of the sewerage system would become necessary and appropriate management system needs to be considered during the design phase. According to the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water (Environment Research
Center), maintenance is an important issue that needs to be covered within the scope of the EIA. In some projects undertaken recently under Tsunami assistance, management issue has been considered during the planning stage and the Proponent has secured manufacturer’s five‐year guarantee on all spare parts and had required the contractor to provide training of a number of operators in addition to providing a operational manual. The issue has been discussed with the
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water (Water Section) and no particular arrangements have been specified for Hinnavaru so far. An operation and maintenance system is currently under review.
The Government currently has plans to form community cooperatives which will operate and maintain communal services such as water supply, sewerage, electricity, and solid waste. It is not
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 14 EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru possible that these cooperatives would start to operate by the time the proposed system in
Hinnavaru is in place. It is envisaged that these cooperatives would be able to manage such services better and in a more‐organised manner than the current setup.
2.11 Need and Justification
The primary justification to undertake this project is to rehabilitate the damage caused by the
December 2004 tsunami. The tsunami caused external pressure on the groundwater lens thence making water gush out of the ground causing damage to sewers, septic tanks, catchpits and other sewerage infrastructure. This resulted in excessive groundwater contamination in addition to
Stalinisation caused by the percolation of seawater and upheaval of saltwater into the groundwater lens from below.
This is a socially‐driven project to improve the livelihoods of a people affected by the most devastating natural event that occurred in the recent history of the Maldives, the tsunami of
December 2004. The primary objective of the project is to improve the condition of the tsunami‐ affected sewerage system in Hinnavaru to a condition better than what it was before damage due to the tsunami. This is to ensure sustainability and improve living conditions on Hinnavaru.
2.11.1 Why install a new sewerage system?
Although mitigating impacts of tsunami was the primary reason for undertaking the proposed project, appropriate sewage disposal or wastewater management has always been a high priority for the islands of the Maldives. Maldives being a premium tourist destination promoting sun, sand and sea as the main tourism products has much to offer in terms of pristine environmental quality.
However, in Hinnavaru, the lagoon waters have been deteriorated to the extent that they are not even suitable for swimming. If people do swim, skin rashes and other health effects become prevalent especially in young children who are fond of the lagoon/near shore environment.
Additionally, the increased nutrient levels in lagoons aid the growth of sea grass making marine waters aesthetically unpleasant. Therefore, the people of Hinnavaru, needs to build a lot better sewerage system when they “build better” as per the notion promoted by the government for all tsunami projects.
In addition, the existing sewerage system had several problems inherent in its design and workmanship, owing to which the Government had stopped funding for additional sewerage systems of the same design. Hence, a new design was required to address the issues related to the existing sewerage system in Hinnavaru.
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2.11.2 Why Hinnavaru?
Hinnavaru was chosen for several reasons, as follows:
Hinnavaru incurred a lot of damage to its infrastructure as well as livelihoods from the tsunami Hinnavaru sewerage system has been in need for upgrade for a long time. Hinnavaru has a population of about 4000 people, one of the highest populated inhabited islands in the country.
2.11.3 Why Proposed Design?
The proposed sewerage system with treatment has been chosen for the following reasons.
• Groundwater aquifer is the primary water resource for the people of the Maldives. Even in
Malé, the capital, where the aquifer is highly contaminated and salty, most people depend
on the groundwater aquifer to meet their non‐potable water demands. Therefore, people of
Hinnavaru should protect their aquifer from faecal contamination for longterm
sustainability. This can be achieved by a system that does not dispose untreated or partially
treated effluent into the aquifer or thin sand layer above.
• As mentioned earlier, white sandy beaches and clear azure blue lagoon are important
natural assets for the islands of the Maldives, and the quality of the beaches and the
lagoonal waters needs to be protected and preserved for the benefit of present and future
generations. Therefore, the proposed system does not have multiple, nearshore outfalls.
• The construction cost of the proposed system is less than that of sewerage systems utilizing
household septic tanks.
• Wastewater treatment is considered in order to minimize the impact on the marine
environment, mainly due to policy consideration that treatment has to be considered.
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3 The Setting
The project takes place in the Maldives Environment. Therefore, the extent to which the project conforms to existing plans, policies, guidelines, regulations and laws of the Maldives needs to be considered. Hence, this section will look at the context in which the project activities take place and the legal and policy aspects relevant to those activities. It is important to note that the project is of a local and regional scale and also has some bearing at a national context.
3.1 Applicable Policies, Laws and Regulations
There are few environmental policies, regulations and standards of specific relevance to the project.
These are considered in this section. The main legal instrument pertaining to environmental protection is the Environmental Protection and Preservation Act (Law No. 4/93) of the Maldives passed by the Citizen’s Majlis in April 1993. This Act provides the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water with wide statutory powers of environmental regulation and enforcement. This umbrella law covers issues such as environmental impact assessment, protected areas management and pollution prevention.
Water and Sanitation regulations, standards, guidelines and design criteria are of specific relevance to the proposed project in Hinnavaru. However, there are no regulations on water and wastewater in force except the National Desalination Regulation, which was passed by the Government in 2001.
A set of regulations on water and sanitation was drafted by an international consultant in 1999.
However, there was no further development of these draft regulations.
A set of guidelines on wastewater disposal in inhabited islands was later drafted in 2005 as a result of requests from international NGOs and aid agencies that provided assistance in rebuilding entire sewerage networks in islands affected by the tsunami of December 2004. These guidelines are now adopted as the guiding document pertaining to wastewater disposal and management in the islands. The important elements of these guidelines are considered in this chapter after providing an overview of current environmental regulatory framework in the Maldives.
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3.1.1 Environmental Protection and Preservation Act
The main legal instrument pertaining to environmental protection and preservation for sustainable development in the Maldives is the Environmental Protection and Preservation Act (Law No. 4/93) passed by the Citizen’s Majlis in April 1993. The following clauses of the Environmental Protection and Preservation Act (Law No. 4/93) are relevant to the project:
Clause 5a: An impact assessment study shall be submitted to the Ministry of Environment,
Energy and Water before implementing any development project that may have a
potentially detrimental impact on the environment.
Clause 5b: The Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water shall formulate the guidelines
for EIA and shall determine the projects that need such assessment as mentioned in
paragraph (a) of this clause.
Clause 6: The Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water has the authority to terminate
any project that has an undesirable impact on the environment. A project so terminated
shall not receive any compensation.
Clause 9a: The penalty for minor offences in breach of this law or any regulations made
under this law, shall be a fine ranging between Rf5.00 (five Rufiyaa) and Rf500.00 (five
hundred Rufiyaa), depending on the actual gravity of the offence. The fine shall be levied by
the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water or by any other government authority
designated by that Ministry.
Clause 9b: Except for those offences that are stated in (a) of this clause, all major offences
under this law shall carry a fine of not more than Rf100,000,000.00 (one hundred million
Rufiyaa), depending on the seriousness of the offence. The fine shall be levied by the
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water.
Clause 10: The government of the Maldives reserves the right to claim compensation for all
damages that are caused by activities that are detrimental to the environment. This includes
all activities mentioned in Clause No. 7 of this law as well as those activities that take place
outside the projects that are identified here as environmentally damaging.
Clause 5 is of specific relevance to this EIA. The EIA Regulations, which came into force in May 2007 has been developed by the powers vested by the above umbrella law.
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3.1.2 Second National Environment Action Plan (1999)
The aim of NEAP II is to protect and preserve the environment of the Maldives and to sustainably manage its resources for the collective benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations.
Main strategies of the NEAP II are:
Continuous assessment of the state of the environment in the Maldives, including impacts of human activities on land, atmosphere, freshwater, lagoons, reefs and the ocean; and the effects of these activities on human well‐being Development and implementation of management methods suitable for the natural and social environment of the Maldives, and maintain or enhance environmental quality and protect human health, while at the same time using resources on a sustainable basis Consultation and collaboration with all relevant sectors of society to ensure stakeholder participation in the decision making process Preparation and implementation of comprehensive national environmental legislation in order to provide for responsible and effective management of the environment Adhering to international and regional environmental conventions and agreements and implementation of commitments embodied in such conventions. NEAP II specifies priority actions in the following areas. Climate change and sea level rise; coastal zone management; biological diversity conservation; integrated reef resources management; integrated water resources management; management of solid waste and sewerage; Pollution control and management of hazardous waste; sustainable tourism development; land resources management and sustainable agriculture human settlement and urbanisation
NEAP II contains environmental policies and guidelines that should be adhered to in the implementation of the proposed project activities, especially impact assessment, stakeholder consultation, biodiversity conservation and human settlement and urbanisation.
3.1.3 National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan
The goals of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan are:
Conserve biological diversity and sustainably utilize biological resources. Build capacity for biodiversity conservation through a strong governance framework, and improved knowledge and understanding. Foster community participation, ownership and support for biodiversity conservation.
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In implementing the proposed project activities due care has to be taken to ensure that the national biodiversity strategies are adhered to. In fact, surveys were undertaken at the design stage to find out if biological resources of value and protected nature are affected by the proposed project.
3.1.4 Consultation and public participation laws
In the Maldives public participation has been limited to the review stages of the EIS until recently with the EIA Regulation, which considers public consultation as an important and integral part of the EIA process. Hence, this EIA has also taken public views into consideration. In fact, public consultation was conducted in order to take public opinion, views, suggestions and expectations into consideration in the design of the project and not simply to fulfil the obligations under the EIA
Regulation. A chapter on public consultation is dedicated to discuss the findings of public consultations held and natural interviews undertaken.
3.1.5 Population Policy
The objective of the Population Policy of Maldives is to contribute to improve standard of living and quality of life of the Maldivian people through socio‐economic development with a sustainable balance between population and development. One important aspect of the Population Policy is the strategy of population and development consolidation, which focuses on organising human settlements in such a way that sustainable development is fostered and economies of scale are met.
The proposed project in Hinnavaru is expected to facilitate the strategy of population and development consolidation.
3.1.6 Regulation on Cutting Trees
The Regulation on cutting down, uprooting, digging out and export of trees and palms from one island to another was recently issued by the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water. Clause 5 (a) of the regulations states that Prior to the commencement of any project(s) that would require the indiscriminate removal and export of trees/palms from one island to another for the purpose of agriculture, development/redevelopment, construction or any other purpose, it is mandatory under the Regulation to prepare and Environmental Impact Assessment Report stating clearly the details of the Project(s) with all necessary information and submit the same through the relevant Ministry to Ministry of Environment
Energy and Water, and the project(s) can only commence upon the grant of written approval from the
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water.
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Article 8 (a) requires permission be obtained from Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water, if more than 10 coconut palms that are of a six of 15 ft (from base of the palm to the tip of the palm frond) are cut, uprooted or relocated to another island. The regulation also ensures the replacement of the vegetation that is lost by imposing the planting of two palms for every palm tree that is cut or uprooted (Article 2 (d)). Logging on inhabited islands must be done under supervision of the islands chief or an official appointed by the island chief (Article 8 (c)).
The proposed sewerage project does involve clearing land since the proposed treatment plant and pumping station would be located in reclaimed land. However, if required, the clearing will be done according to the requirements of the Regulation on cutting down, uprooting, digging out and export of trees and palms from one island to another. Cutting down of mature trees would be minimized and it would be ensured that not more than 10 mature trees would be cut down for the purpose of the project.
3.2 Relevant International Environmental Legislation
Maldives is party to several international conventions, treaties and protocols on environmental protection and preservation as well as sustainable development. These include:
• United Nations Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Kyoto Protocol which
aims at minimising greenhouse gases to reduce or combat potential impacts of global
climate change, global warming and associated effects such as sea level rise, which are
thought to have devastating impacts on the Maldives, a fragile small island nation. The only
aspects of the proposed project that applies to this convention are the use of excavators and
other machinery in the construction phase, especially their emissions as well as the use of
pumps which consume electricity from diesel generators emitting greenhouse gases.
However, these impacts would be considered minor on its own but cumulative impacts of
several small communities undergoing extensive use of pumps would be considerable.
• United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD) with the objective of “the
conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components and the fair and
equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources, including
by appropriate access to genetic resources and by appropriate transfer of relevant
technologies, taking into account all rights over those resources and to technologies, and by
appropriate funding”. Maldives was one of the first nations to ratify UNCBD. Maldives has
developed the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) in 2002.
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Formulation of NBSAP was through wide consultation and extensive stakeholder
participation.
3.3 Environmental Permits required for the Project
3.3.1 EIA Decision Note
The most important environmental permit to initiate construction work in Hinnavaru would be a decision regarding this EIA from the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water. The EIA Decision
Statement, as it is referred to, shall govern the manner in which the project activities must be undertaken. This EIA report assists decision makers in understanding the existing environment and potential impacts of the project. Therefore, the Decision Statement may only be given to the
Proponent after a review of this document following which the Ministry may request for further information or provide a decision if further information is not required. In some cases, where there are no major environmental impacts associated with the project, the Ministry may provide the
Decision Note while at the same time requesting for further information.
3.3.2 Wastewater disposal permits
Wastewater disposal permit is required according to the General Guidelines for Domestic
Wastewater Disposal issued in 2006. According to these Guidelines, once the design together with the EIA Decision Statement has been issued to the Maldives Water and Sanitation Authority
(MWSA), it will check if the applicant fulfils the requirements of the Guidelines and provide a commencement of works permit. This is perhaps the only guideline in the Maldives which has legally binding statements written into it. These Guidelines are discussed in more detail in the following sections.
3.4 Water and Wastewater Regulations, Policies, Standards and Guidelines
In the past decade or so, as regulator of water and wastewater, MWSA has mainly focused on regulating the service provider, Malé Water and Sewerage Company, MWSC and environmental controls have not been given adequate emphasis. Although several attempts have been made to introduce regulations and standards, they are still at a draft stage. Consequently, upon increasing requests from donors under the tsunami relief assistance programmes, the Maldives Water and
Sanitation Authority drafted the General Guidelines for Domestic Wastewater Disposal in the
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Maldives. At present MWSA is also in the process of drafting the “National Efluent Quality
Standards” for both domestic and industrial sources.
The Maldives adheres to WHO guidelines for its drinking water standards. However, due to the small size of the islands and the time water remains within the waterworks, free chlorine levels have been set below WHO guideline values. This adjustment has been mainly due to public complaints of chlorine levels in their drinking water but has not been technically justified. MWSA is also in the process of finalizing the “Guidelines for National Drinking Water Quality”.
Currently, there are no surface water quality standards for the Maldives, but this issue has been addressed in the ”Guidelines for Domestic Wastewater Disposal” in the Maldives. The pristine nature of the Maldivian waters requires high standards to be met. Given the existing concerns of raw sewage disposal and wastewater disposal within the coastal zone, there should be surface water quality standards that ensure that the pristine state of the coastal waters of the country as a whole is not affected. There are also standards set by the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation for the tourist resorts. These are derived from stringent international standards.
Effluent quality standards are also non‐existent in the Maldives. Therefore, for reference, the standards given in Table 3 ‐1 may be used. These effluent quality standards are based on standards of some developed countries.
Table 3-1: Recommended effluent quality standards
Parameter Description Standard Temperature An important determinant because of its effects on chemical <40 o C reaction, reaction rates, aquatic life and suitability for beneficial uses pH Hydrogen ion concentration is an important quality parameter 5‐9 of both natural water and wastewater. Concentration range suitable for the existence of most biological life is quite narrow and critical BOD5 Most widely used parameter of organic pollution applied to 20‐60 mg/l both wastewater and surface water is the 5‐day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5). Treated effluents should usually meet this criterion. COD Chemical oxygen demand (COD) test is used to measure the 120 mg/l contents of organic matter of both wastewater and industrial water. This test is also used to measure organic matter in wastewater that contains compounds that are toxic to biological life. COD of wastewater is in general higher than BOD, because more compounds can be chemically oxidized than can be biologically oxidized. Total Suspended This is also one of the most important contaminants of concern 150 mg/l Solid (TSS) in wastewater treatment. Suspended solids can lead to the development of sludge deposits and anaerobic conditions when untreated wastewater is discharged in the environment.
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3.4.1 Water and Sanitation Policy Statement
The policy statement for water and sanitation was made public on MEEW website recently. The document was finalised in April 2006. Although the policy document states that “dissemination of information regarding the policy will be given a very high priority”, to this day, there has been little information dissemination with regard to the policy document.
Seventeen key policy principles have been outlined in the policy document. These include political commitment, supportive legal framework, integrated approaches, private sector participation, environmental protection, participatory planning and management, community empowerment and ownership, incremental development, equitable service provision, and information dissemination.
The document also considers sector objectives and targets which include:
Universal access to safe water supply and adequate sanitation Remove disparities in service provision Reduce maternal and child morbidity and mortality through improved access to safe water and sanitation Protect the country’s vital freshwater resources Strengthen legal framework to improve sector performance Develop institutional capacity to meet growing needs and challenges Ensure there are adequate water and sanitation services to support economic growth centres Regulate and monitor the disposal of industrial wastes from industrial and economic centres
Different strategies to meet the objectives and targets as well as institutional responsibilities in the implementation of the water and sanitation policy are also addressed in this document. One important aspect of the policy statement that is of specific relevance to the project in Hinnavaru or similar projects is the twelfth principle on encouraging community ownership. It states that,
“The communities served by these schemes must take ownership of the water supply and sanitation
schemes and they must take responsibility for the operation and maintenance of the systems. The
MEEW will continue to provide a supporting role where needed but only for as long as it is needed.
MEEW will encourage all communities to shoulder their responsibility to support their community
water sanitation facilities by paying an appropriate tariff approved by Maldives Water and Sanitation
Authority (MWSA) in consultation with the local community. The tariff will at least cover the cost of
operation and local maintenance of the schemes”.
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 24 EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru
A critical analysis of the policy statement would reveal that the policies are dramatised rather than real and measurable, period‐specific objectives and targets are not clearly stated. As a result, the policy document on water and sanitation lacks support even within the sector itself.
3.4.2 General guidelines for domestic wastewater disposal
“General Guidelines for Domestic Wastewater Disposal 2006” was a result of a series of questions raised by donors following the tsunami of December 2004 due to the absence of any regulations or guidelines to follow in the design of sewerage systems. In fact, the Guidelines were the first public document demanding the application for a permit and subsequent approval before installation of a sewerage system in the Maldives. The guidelines require all wastewater management systems to meet prescribed criteria for the use of groundwater, design for easy access for maintenance and durability and undertake monitoring and provide facilities for sampling final effluent. Monitoring requirements have been set for monthly monitoring and annual monitoring of groundwater quality.
It is evident from the guidelines that the guidelines have been set for domestic wastewater since it is stated that industrial effluents require special permits from the Authority. Also, the guidelines have been set specifically for wastewater disposal into the groundwater aquifer as receiving water quality objectives have been set only for groundwater and analysis schedule is also for groundwater. The guidelines also focus mainly on on‐site wastewater disposal systems, with specific reference to septic tanks. However, it is stated that:
“Where a sea outfall is used it should be placed away from areas such as commercial harbours or
areas designated for recreational purposes. The sea outfall must be placed in such a way that the
effluent will be flushed out into the deep sea, where it can be diluted and dispersed so that the impact
on the marine environment is reduced. Untreated wastewater shall not be disposed into the near shore
lagoon.”
The Guidelines also provides for Environmental Impact Assessment for sewerage project and states that:
“All sewerage projects have to undertake the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) as required by
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water and then submit the EIA Decision Note to the Authority.
The EIA must in particular assess the impact of the proposed project upon the island’s water resources
and receiving waters, including an assessment of the groundwater sustainable yield, quality and
anticipated impacts/changes resulting from the project.”
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 25 EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru
3.4.3 Design Criteria for Sewerage Systems
In early 2007, MWSA prepared design criteria for sewerage systems. These include design standards, testing requirements, submittals and drawing standards, impact analysis procedures and service fee requirements. Some important considerations are that:
All buildings shall be connected to sewer lines Storm water drainage can be deviated to sewers with special permission Sewerage system design shall allow for sewage resulting from future landuse and new reclamation Sewerage systems shall be designed with a single outfall. If multiple outfalls are required, pumping stations shall be provided All systems shall have a bypass sea outfall An operation and maintenance manual shall be furnished for all sewerage projects
These design criteria established by the Maldives Water and Sanitation Authority has been taken into consideration in finalizing the design for the proposed sewerage system in Hinnavaru. Since its implementation, the Design Criteria has been used by engineers in designing sewerage systems for the islands of the Maldives. However, as for the water and sanitation policy statement, there is a need to increase awareness about the Design Criteria and further discussion with engineers and other technical personnel working in the sector. It is believed that the Design Criteria has been subject to some criticism especially with regard to specific references to pipe diameters given in the
Design Criteria. Such issues are being given further consideration by MWSA.
3.5 Roles and Responsibilities of Groups involved
There are various organizations and parties involved in the EIA process. There are national agencies responsible for environmental protection as well as the key stakeholders and the project proponent, each with a role and responsibility within the EIA process. One key principle in EIA implementation is to involve these groups and provide them the opportunity to participate in the EIA process so that their concerns are addressed. This section discusses the roles and responsibilities of national groups involved in the EIA system, with specific focus on the proposed project.
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 26 EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru
Table 3 ‐2 provides a summary of the roles and responsibilities of each group in the different stages of the EIA process.
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 27 EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru
Table 3-2: Roles and responsibilities by EIA process stage
Stage Environment Proponent EIA Other Govt Public and Ministry (ERC) Consultants Agencies Interest Groups Screening Screen Project Provide Provide Raise issues necessary technical advice and concerns information Scoping Approve TOR Provide TOR Prepare TOR Provide Participate in Review IEE Provide IEE Prepare IEE comments/ consultation feedback EIA study Provide scope/ Provide EIA Prepare EIA Participate Approve TOR Comment Review Review EIA Revise EIA Assist in review Comment Approval Approve EIA Provide Approve Attach terms technical advice relevant components Environmental Implement Conduct Implement Management mitigation monitoring Monitoring measures and monitoring programme Post Audit and Evaluate Provide Assist in the Provide info to Evaluation project necessary audit auditors information
Source: Adapted from Lohani et al (1997)
3.5.1 Environment Ministry
The Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water plays the main role within the Government for implementing EIA and other environmental matters. It has central control over environmental protection and related issues. Water has specific focus and a Section within the Ministry has been established for water and sanitation. This section has two wings: a planning wing and an implementation wing.
The Environment Research Center (ERC) of the Ministry has responsibility for efficient operation of the EIA process. This encompasses a number of tasks, including screening of projects and provision of general procedural advice to the project proponents throughout the EIA process. ERC manages the review of the EIA report and is responsible for any approvals or recommendations associated with the EIA. ERC is playing a commendable role in the EIA administration process although it still lacks the capacity to undertake audits and enforce environmental monitoring during construction and post‐construction stage.
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 28 EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru
3.5.2 Maldives Water and Sanitation Authority
The Maldives Water and Sanitation Authority (MWSA) is the government authority responsible for water and wastewater regulation in the Maldives. Its regulatory functions and capacity are still at an infant stage. Under the proposed project, MWSA will be the Authority determining the appropriateness of the proposed design based on certain principles as per the Design Criteria and the General Guidelines for Domestic Wastewater Disposal. The Authority would also assist the
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water in preparing the scope of the EIA and evaluating the
EIA proposed for the project. MWSA would finally issue a permit to install the proposed sewerage system based on the outcome of the EIA and review of final design, which would be undertaken at the same time.
3.5.3 Project Proponent
The project proponent is the party responsible for the effective implementation of the project. The proponent for the proposed project is Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water (MEEW). MEEW is also the executing authority for the EIA process in the Maldives. Therefore, as has been described earlier, the Proponent is directly involved in the finalisation of the Terms of Reference and environmental clearance for the proposed project. According to the Water Section, they have not had a chance to review the EIAs proposed by them in the past. However, they would do so for all future projects, including discussions of findings with MWSA, as has been done for this EIA.
The proponent hired the services of Technical and Environmental Consultants in order to commission a study to design the system and undertake the Environmental Impact Assessment. The proponent provided access to information about the project activities and the environmental setting of those activities. The proponent would be responsible for the implementation of mitigation measures and shall implement the proposed monitoring measures if it was required to conduct environmental monitoring based on the review of the EIA.
3.5.4 Environmental Consultants
As the EIA forms an integral part of the feasibility study and design of the proposed sewerage system, the EIA component needs to be integrated into the sewerage system study, which would help in the design of the project in a sustainable manner. Since Water Solutions was subcontracted to undertake the EIA for the project from the initial stages, there was good communication between the EIA consultants and the design engineers. Consequently, some important aspects of the EIA including public consultation and dialogue between the designers and EIA consultants were taken
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 29 EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru into consideration in finalising the design. It was the role of the Environmental Consultants to ensure that EIA forms an integral part of the project and project designers, surveyors and stakeholders including Hinnavaru community were consulted.
3.5.5 The Public
As has been discussed earlier, this EIA has also taken public views into consideration. Public consultation has been conducted in order to take public opinion, views, suggestions and expectations into consideration in the design of the project and not simply to fulfil the obligations under the EIA Regulation. Since public consultation is an important element of Environmental
Impact Assessment, this EIA has considered public consultation during project preparation as the project components directly influence public interests or necessitate public participation and involvement. Furthermore, this EIA would be subjected to public review for a ten day period stated in the EIA Regulations 2007. This process would be undertaken by the Ministry of Environment,
Energy and Water represented by Environment Research Center.
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 30 EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru
4 Methodology
The section covers methodologies used to collect data on the existing environment. The key environmental and socio‐economic components of the project that were considered are physical environment, social and economic environment and coral reef areas as the marine environment.
Hence, data collection was undertaken for the above components. In order to study the existing environment of the island, the following data collection methodologies were used during the field visit to Hinnavaru during 22 to 25 October 2007.
4.1 General Methodologies of data collection
Existing environmental condition of the island with respect to existing sanitation facilities, daily and seasonal variation of peak and average sewage flows, population, population growth rate, number of houses, road network, land use, terrain, depth to water table, tidal variations etc. was collected from surveys undertaken specifically for the sewerage project.
Conditions of the existing environment of the study area were analysed by using appropriate scientific methods. Field surveys were undertaken to get further understanding of the existing environment of the island. Field surveys were carried out during field visit to the island in January
2007 to collect baseline data. Before the trip was undertaken all existing information regarding the site was gathered including possible treatment processes, location of outfalls and concept design.
AlHabshi in association with UBI provided project details.
The following components of the existing environment of Hinnavaru were assessed.
Socio‐economic aspects
Groundwater quality
Terrestrial flora, fauna, topography and soil
Coastal environment including the status of coastline and the lagoon. Longshore sediment
transport processes and currents were not studied.
4.1.1 Mapping and Location identification
The entire island, including reef line, shore line, vegetation line, coral patches and marine survey locations (in the project boundary), were mapped. Mapping was undertaken using hand held differential GPS. These data collection points include water sampling locations, marine survey areas and pump station and outfall locations. These are shown in Figure 5 ‐1.
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 31 EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru
4.1.2 Quality of groundwater
The quality of the groundwater was assessed by testing the groundwater from wells on the islands.
Using a GeoXT GPS, the positions of the wells were determined and parameter tested for the location was recorded. Quality of the groundwater was assessed by taking samples and testing them at the National Healthy Laboratory. In‐situ testing was not undertaken since the YSI MODEL
6820 V2 SONDE and Data Logger at Water Solutions was not calibrated. Faecal and total coliforms were also assessed by collecting water samples from the island and testing at the National Health
Laboratory.
4.1.3 Quality of surface water
Quality of the surface water around the island was also determined by taking samples for testing for pH, electrical conductivity, turbidity, nitrates and dissolved oxygen. Faecal and total coliforms were not tested for these samples as adequate sampling was not carried out.
4.1.4 Bathymetry and Ocean Currents
Bathymetry around Hinnavaru was taken at the location of the proposed outfalls. Bathymetry at the proposed outfall location from the shore up to the reef line (reef edge) was taken using echosounder. Ocean currents at the location(s) of the outfalls were not measured as it was beyond the scope of the project and also because a single record of ocean currents would not be useful.
4.1.5 Condition of the housereef
The overall health of the reef was assessed by undertaking line intercept transects at three locations in the reef system, which are considered as potential locations for outfall. The three locations are:
LIT1 on the southern side, LIT 2 on the southeast end and LIT3 at the northern end. LIT3 is the location in which the proposed outfall is located. These locations are shown in Figure 5 ‐1.
LITs were used to obtain quantitative data from the sessile benthic communities of the reef. This method used a 50‐metre fibreglass measuring tape, which was placed roughly parallel to the reef crest area touching the corals. Using different life form categories that provide a basic morphology description of the reef communities, transitions or the length of the measuring tape that intercepted these categories were recorded by a swimmer who swam along the tape or the transect.
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 32 EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru
4.1.6 Socio‐ economic condition and public consultation
A participatory approach based on the following methods was applied during the assessment:
1. Series of community consultation based on focus group discussions 2. Key informant interviews 3. Data collected from secondary sources 4. Natural Interviews 5. Personal observation
4.1.6.1 Focus group discussions
Focus group discussions were held separately with Island Development Committee, Women’s
Development Committee and the Non‐Governmental Organizations, Fishermen and Traders registered in the island. Together, these groups encompass a wide age range, as well as both genders, and people from the entire communal spectrum. Their views would represent a substantial and sizeable cross‐section of the island population.
4.1.6.2 Natural Interviews
Natural interviews in groups, or natural group discussions are interviews conducted with
‘naturally’ occurring groups. The method has the advantage of being interviewed at a time and place of their convenience, and is suitable from the point of view of the interviewee. The result is frank and open discussion in a more relaxed and informal manner.
4.1.6.3 Key informant interviews
To verify and cross check the information collected from the focus group discussions interviews were also held with key informants such as island chief, staff of the Island Office and Atoll Office and community members who were interested in providing information. For some of these interviews household visits were made to visually observe the system when collecting information.
4.1.6.4 Secondary sources
Secondary sources of data, including island office records forms an integral part of the assessment.
Socio‐economic data relating to the population, literacy rate, housing, economic activities, educational status, health services, electricity and other infrastructure existing in the island were collected.
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 33 EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru
4.1.6.5 Observation
During the field visit personal observation were made which harmonized the information collected through other sources.
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 34 EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru
5 Existing Environment
This section covers the existing environmental conditions of Hinnavaru, especially those areas which may be impacted by the proposed works. The key environmental, social and economic components of the project under consideration are described below.
Vital Environmental, Social and Economic Components
• Soil and topography
• Groundwater aquifer – quality and quantity
• Marine and coastal water quality
• Human health and well being
• Land use – availability and constraints
• Capacity to pay and operation and maintenance cost considerations
Data was collected using internationally recognized methodologies discussed in the previous section. The data collection points and general environmental information are represented in Figure
5 ‐1.
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 35 EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru
~5% live coral Predominantly coral massive moderate fish abundance and diversity LIT3
Shallow reef flat
Land between the road and the shoreline on the west has been reclaimed by excavating from this area Possible PS location B Submerged breakwater (set in with tsunami) Groundwater lens area considered
for sustainable yield calculations
E
x
i
s
t
i
n
g
h
a
r b
o Harbour u
r Entrance Congested housing condition
Shallow reef flat Narrow spine roads except a few wide roads
n o Extent of seagras (thalassia hemprichi) ti from shore ca lo r u ) Bashi court o s r a u Possible PS rb d o Hinnavaru Hiyaa a e rb h s a location A d u h s y i o tl n p n o o e h r rr d School P u ll (c a m Zuvaanunnaa s Kulhivaru Marukazu Existing jetty Harbour and entrance channel created in recent years Naturally deep area
Extent of seagras (thalassia hemprichi) from shore
LI T 1 ~4% live coral Predominantly coral massive moderate fish abundance L IT 2 and diversity Dead reef Predominantly branching coral Low fish diversity and abundance
Figure 5-1: Hinnavaru indicating survey locations and site conditions during the survey
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 36 EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru
5.1 Existing Coastal and Marine Environment
The island of Hinnavaru lies on its own reef system on the western rim of Lhaviyani Atoll. The reef is about 121.3 hectares. The island has a peculiar shaped reef with wide reef extent on the western side varying from 673m on the west corner to 485m on the north corner. The reef extent on the eastern side, where the existing harbour is located, is about 114m with the reef extent on this side extending towards the south with the southwest side where there is a naturally deep area with a jetty extending to the deeper area is about 260m. The reef slope was narrow on all sides with the breaker zone extending all the way on the eastern side towards the northern and southern corners.
There is an extensive lagoon on the western and northwestern side of the island covering a reef extent of about 600m. This lagoon is almost completely covered with seagrass of predominantly thalassia hemprichi species. The lagoon also has shallow depths varying from 0.3 to 0.8m on average. Some areas on the western and southeastern shoreline get dry during low tide. The area in which the new harbour is located has seagrass close to the beach within a somewhat enclosed area.
Other areas have clear lagoon which gets deeper as it gets closer to the reef slope.
The western side of the island is prone to high energy swells from Baraveli Kandu, the northern corner and the western corner being the most dynamic and with the greatest reef extents. The southwest side of the reef, which is usually calmer than the other areas of the reef, has a dredged area, which was previously used as a harbour.
The lagoon all around the island has somewhat constant depths and the reef flat is less obvious on the lagoonward (leeward) reef on the east than the rim reef on the west. The reef has a gentle especially on the eastern side and southeast side where the existing and proposed harbour is located. The island lagoon is clearer on the eastern side than the western side possibly due to less growth of seagrass and greater depths than the west.
The island coastline is poorly managed with solid waste dumping in almost all locations around the periphery of the island. Dumping of fish waste used to pollute the lagoon in the past, however, this practice has been abandoned by the fishermen now.
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 37 EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru
Plate 1: Recent aerial photo of Hinnavaru (2006)
5.2 General meteorological conditions
The climate of the Maldives varies slightly from North to South of the country. General meteorological conditions prevailing in the central region based on meteorological data for Hulhulé has been used to understand climatic factors affecting the island of Mudhdhoo.
The Maldives, in general, has a warm and humid tropical climate with average temperatures ranging between 25°C to 30°C (MHAHE, 2001) and relative humidity ranging from 73 per cent to 85 per cent. The country receives an annual average rainfall of 1,948.4mm. Table 5 ‐1 provides a summary of key meteorological findings for Maldives.
Monsoons of Indian Ocean govern the climatology of the Maldives. Monsoon wind reversal plays a significant role in weather patterns. Two monsoon seasons are observed: the Northeast (Iruvai) and the Southwest (Hulhangu) monsoon. Monsoons can be best characterized by wind and rainfall patterns. These are discussed in more detail in the following subsections. The southwest monsoon is the rainy season which lasts from May to September and the northeast monsoon is the dry season that occurs from December to February. The transition period of southwest monsoon occurs between March and April while that of northeast monsoon occurs from October to November.
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 38 EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru
Table 5-1: Key meteorological information
Parameter Data Average Rainfall 9.1mm/day in May, November 1.1mm/day in February 1900mm annual average Maximum Rainfall 184.5 mm/day in October 1994 Average air temperature 30.0 C in November 1973 31.7 C in April Extreme Air Temperature 34.1 C in April 1973 17.2 C in April 1978 Average wind speed 3.7 m/s in March 5.7 m/s in January, June Maximum wind speed W 31.9 m/s in November 1978 Average air pressure 1012 mb in December 1010 mb in April
5.2.1 Rainfall
Hinnavaru would receive an average rainfall the wet season with monthly average ranging from
125‐250mm. The northeast monsoon is known as the dry season with average monthly rainfall of 50‐
75mm. The intensity of rainfall is a concern in the Maldives since intensity is high with low frequency. However, excessive rainfall is not a concern for Hinnavaru since the island does not cup towards the middle but rather diverts the runoff towards shore on all sides. Percolation through permeable ground is also high.
It is sometimes believed that the interval of rainfall (frequency) is important in considering the recharge potential of precipitation. However, the amount of rainfall (intensity) is more important.
According to the USGCRP team (Carter et al 2001), “the size of the groundwater lens is directly related to the size of the island… (and) also related to the normal amount and type of precipitation
(e.g., heavy downpours recharge lenses, while light rain generally does not)”. Therefore, the type of rainfall that occurs in the Maldives with high intensity‐high duration‐low frequency rainfall is useful for the development of groundwater lenses in low‐lying islands. It is also important to note that the aquifer (like a rainwater tank) has its own capacity and not every drop of rainwater will percolate to contribute to the freshwater lens. This argument also supports the belief held by the consultants that aquifer recharge is not easily possible by grey water recharge.
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 39 EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru
5.2.2 Wind
Wind has been shown to be an important indirect process affecting formation, development and seasonal dynamics of the islands in the Maldives. Winds often help to regenerate waves that have been weakened by travelling across the reef and they also cause locally generated waves in lagoons.
Therefore winds are important here, as being the dominant influence on the hydrodynamics around the island (waves and currents). With the reversal of winds in the Maldives, NE monsoon period form December to March and a SW monsoon from April to November, over the year, the accompanying wave and current processes respond accordingly too.
The two monsoon seasons have a dominant influence on winds experienced across Maldives. These monsoons are relatively mild due to the country’s location close to the equator and strong winds and gales are infrequent. However, storms and line squalls can occur, usually in the period May to
July; gusts of up to 60 knots have been recorded at Male’ during such storms.
N NNW 20 NNE NW 15 NE
10 WNW ENE 5
W 0 E
WSW ESE
SW SE SSW SSE S
Figure 5-2: General wind rose diagram for the Maldives (source MEEW 2005).
Changes in wind directions need to be taken into consideration in determining the location of outfalls. The following figure shows the locations of the island that may be considered to be the lee of the island during both monsoons and these area need to be avoided when locating outfalls.
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 40 EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru
Lee of the island during SW monsoon
Lee of the island during NE monsoon
Figure 5-3: Lee of the island during the two monsoons based on wind rose given above
Waves
Wave energy is also important for the movement and settlement of sediments, suspended solids and other matter in sewage, and is also a crucial factor controlling coral growth and reef development. Although waves would help to mix sewage effluent to a great extent, it has greater potential to move the material closer to the lagoon and shore paving way for greater nutrient and sediment loading. Therefore, direct and incident waves may be avoided to the greatest possible extent when locating outfalls.
Studies by Lanka Hydraulics (1988a & 1998b) on Malé reef indicated that two major types of waves on Maldives coasts: wave generated by local monsoon wind and swells generated by distance storms. The local monsoon predominantly generates wind waves which are typically strongest during May‐July in the south‐west monsoon period. During this season, swells generated north of
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 41 EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru the equator with heights of 2‐3 m with periods of 18‐20 seconds have been reported in the region.
Local wave periods are generally in the range 2‐4 seconds and are easily distinguished from the swell waves.
Distant cyclones and low pressure systems originating from the intense South Indian Ocean storms are reported to generate long distance swells that occasionally cause flooding in Maldives (Goda,
1988). The swell waves that reached Malé and Hulhule in 1987, thought to have originated from a low pressure system of west coast of Australia, had significant wave heights in the order of 3 metres.
Similar to winds, wave climate of the island has been considered in the location of outfalls. The western rim reef has been avoided due to its potential to move nutrients towards the shore. This is currently evident from the great extent of seagrass on this side. Therefore, it would be best to avoid rim reef areas, as has been indicated earlier.
Tides
Tides affect wave conditions, wave‐generated and other reef‐top currents. Tide levels are believed to be significant in controlling amount of wave energy reaching an island, as no wave energy crosses the edge of the reef at low tide under normal conditions. In the Maldives, where the tidal range is small (1m), tides may have significantly important influence on the formation, development, and sediment movement process around the island. Tides also may play an important role in lagoon flushing, water circulation within the reef and water residence time within an enclosed reef highly depends on tidal fluctuations. Therefore, tidal movement would also need to be considered in identifying appropriate location of outfalls.
Currents
Studies on current flow within a reef flat in Male’ Atoll suggests that wave over wash and tides generate currents across the reef platforms, which are also capable of transporting sediments (Binnie
Black & Veatch, 2000). However, available information suggests that tidal currents are not strong due to small tidal range.
Generally current flow through the Maldives is driven by the dominating two‐monsoon season winds. Westwardly flowing currents are dominated from January to March and eastwardly from
May to November. The change in currents flow pattern occurs in April and December. In April the
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 42 EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru westward currents flow are weak and eastward currents flow will slowly take place. Similarly in
December eastward currents flows are weak and westward currents will take over slowly.
Studies on current flow process within a coral atoll have shown that waves and tides generate currents across the reef platforms, which are capable of transporting sediments on them. Currents, like waves are also modified by reef morphology. Under low‐input wave conditions (0.5m heights) strong lagoonward surge currents (>60cm/sec) are created by waves breaking at the crest. Studies on current flow across reef platforms have shown that long‐period oscillations in water level cause transportation of fine‐grained sediments out of the reef‐lagoon system, while strong, short duration surge currents (<5sec.) transport coarse sediments from the breaker zone to seaward margin of the backreef lagoon. Always sediment accumulates at the lee of high‐speed current zones. Generally zones of high current speed (jets or rips, 50‐80cm/sec) are systematically located around islands.
Data on current speed and direction around Hinnavaru was not collected during the field visit. This is because, spot data taken on a single day would not yield sufficient data to understand coastal dynamics. Therefore, general current patterns as described earlier have been taken into consideration in the design of project elements that have a relevance, such as determining the appropriate location of outfalls.
5.2.3 The Impact of Indian Ocean Tsunami
Following information for Hinnavaru has been produced based on the reports that the National
Disaster Management Centre received in December 2004 following the Indian Ocean Tsunami.
Table 5-2: information recorded for Hinnavaru at the National Disaster Management Centre following the Indian Ocean Tsunami on 26 December 2007.
Island Hinnavaru Impact Sequence High Displaced population in the island 0 Island evacuated No Groundwater condition Usable Drinking water availability Required Solid waste generated Lot Damaged breakwaters length (m) 0 Damaged seawall length (m) 0 Area of the harbour basin become shallow (m2) 0 Houses damaged ¾ of the house Jetties damaged 0 Length of the jetties damaged (m) 0 Impact on harbour entrance Became shallow Impact on beach No Area of beach eroded 0 Impact on roads No Length of road damaged (m) 0
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 43 EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru
5.2.4 Natural Vulnerability of the Island of Hinnavaru
The islands of the Maldives have natural characteristics which make them vulnerable to disasters such as tsunami. An island’s Natural Vulnerability depends on geographic and geomorphologic characteristics of the island. These include geographic features of the island like the side of the country where the island is located, the formation of the island, location of the island respect to the atoll, orientation of the island, region of the country where island is located, level of shadow to the island from the reefs and other islands; area of the inland lake found on the island, width of the island’s house reef, coastal defence structures on the island, shape of the island and the area of the island. A Model to Integrate the Management of Hazards and Disasters in the National Sustainable
Development Planning of the Maldives which was developed as part of the Masters of Science
(Hazard and Disaster Management) thesis at the University of Cantebruy (2007) identified the relationship between natural characteristics of the island and the natural vulnerability of the islands using the data that was collected following the Indian Ocean Tsunami.
Based on this research, the natural vulnerability of the Hinnavaru was found to be high for flooding disasters such as caused by tsunami or high waves incident approaching the island from the east.
5.3 Features of the Coastal Environment
The coastal environment of the island and in general the project area can be described as having four major characteristics as illustrated in Figure 5 ‐8. They are:
1. The harbour on the northeast with the quay wall and breakwaters
2. Jetty extending to deepwater at the southeast side of the island
3. A coastline characterised by coral rubble (due to reclamation) in most areas and dirty beach areas in few locations.
4. Waste is dumped along the entire perimeter of the coastline although a waste dumpsite has been designated. There is no waste management arrangement or organised waste management practice on the island.
5. The coastline on the new harbour area mainly consists of coral rubble. There is also construction debris and non‐biodegradable waste such as bottles dumped here with the aim of reclaiming land.
The condition of the coastal environment of the island is illustrated in Figure 5 ‐8.
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5.3.1 Lagoon
The lagoon around Hinnavaru is contaminated with inappropriate sewage, waste and fish‐waste disposal practices. The nearshore environment has the greatest impact. Wherever there is shallow depth such as below 2.5m, there is seagrass growth. Seagrass is not seen only in areas where the water is deep, especially on the eastern side where there is narrow reef extent and the island lagoon rapidly slopes towards the atoll lagoon. In comparison, the lagoon on the west has a wide reef extent and shallow water with extensive growth of seagrass.
Figure 5-4: Comparison of nearshore and offshore lagoon water of Hinnavaru
5.4 Marine Environment
The marine environment of the island was studied by surveying coral cover and fish populations in three locations; one on the southeast side, the second on the southern end and the other at the location of the proposed outfall on the northeast end. The findings for these three locations are given in the subsections below.
5.4.1 Coral Cover
Manta Tow swims from the corner of the existing jetty towards the middle of the southern end of the island indicated that the house reef of Hinnavaru is not very well formed with low coral cover and abundance and very little live coral cover. There was about 4 percent live coral cover at the middle of the southern side, which was the best location in terms of coral cover, abundance and diversity found through the entire swim. The results of the LIT done at this location is shown in
Figure 5 ‐5. Average depth was 1.5 or 2m and visibility was moderate.
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 45 EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru
CBT CM 1% 3%
CR 30% DCM 42% S 23%
DS 1%
Figure 5-5: Percentage cover of benthic substrate present at Site 1.
In this figure, CBT = branching table coral, CM = coral massive, DCM = dead coral massive, S= sand and CR = coral rubble
The bottom of the reef‐flat was dominated by rock, rubble, and dead coral remnants. The reef slope on the eastern side forms a gradual slope to the atoll‐basin. There is no well formed reef here. The
LIT survey done on the southeast side, immediately behind the jetty, is in an area of dead coral remnants. The LIT here (LIT 2) indicates that over 90% of the LIT was dead coral remnants and the rest was sandy bottom. Therefore, the results of this transect are not shown.
Figure 5-6: Site 2 is almost entirely covered with coral rubble similar to what is seen here
The LIT done on the northeast side, where the proposed outfall is located shows that there is about
5‐6% live coral cover in this area. This area is also seen to be dominated by coral massives with
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 46 EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru
CB CT CM 2% 2% 5%
S 41% DCM 25%
CR 25%
Figure 5-7: Percentage cover of benthic substrate present at Site 1.
In this figure, CBT = branching table coral, CM = coral massive, DCM = dead coral massive, S= sand and CR = coral rubble
5.4.2 The Seagrass Ecosystems
Seagrass beds are known to have high ecological value as they provide important food resources to a range of fish and invertebrates (King 1981; SunAqua 2002), both directly (grazing by fish and turtles) and indirectly (through detrital food chains, or provision of shelter to other associated flora and fauna). Furthermore, seagrasses provide structural habitat, shelter and nursery areas to a range of marine flora and fauna, including many species of invertebrates and fish of fisheries value (e.g.,
King, 1981; Haywood 1995; SunAqua 2002). This may be true for the extensive seagrass beds found in neritic environments. The significance of seagrass ecosystems to Maldivian environment and biodiversity has not been studied yet. However, it is known that seagrass beds play a very important role in protection shoreline erosion. In the case of the Maldives the presence of seagrass around an island has been linked to the eutrophication in coastal areas. The presence of seagrass in the reef‐flat of many fishing islands including Hinnavaru is an indicator of this.
Seagrass was observed on the western side of the island from northwest to southern end of the western lagoon of the island. Seagrass was also found in the southern lagoon. Some seagrass were also found on the eastern side. Only one species of seagrass (Thalassia hemprichii) was recorded on the seagrass beds. The density of the sea grass varied depending on the locality. The density of the sea grass is controlled by wave energy and strong current in some areas. The depth of the lagoon and reef extent also influenced the density and growth of seagrass.
No observation was made on the biology of the seagrass beds since seagrass beds were not found in the immediate zone of the proposed outfall location but only in part of the proposed outfall pipe. In fact, it would be difficult to undertake an assessment of the seagrass bed biology given that most of
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 47 EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru the mollusk and other echinoderms are nocturnal. Also, thick growth of sea grass camouflages them making it hard to find. Fish species could be rarely seen. The emperor fish Lethrinus harak may be considered as an indicator species of the health of the seagrass area. This species generally inhabits in healthy seagrass beds.
5.4.3 Marine Water Quality
The marine water quality samples were tested at the National Health Laboratory. Water samples were taken from the three transect locations.
The water quality tests, the results of which are given in Table 5 ‐3, indicate that the marine water quality at the marine transect locations. There is no visual change in turbidity. The onsite water quality logger at Water Solutions could not be used since calibration solutions had run out and instrument could not be calibrated. It is intended to use the instrument in future monitoring prior to project.
Also, adequate sampling was not carried out for the testing of coliforms in marine water samples.
Therefore, it is proposed to test for coliforms, BOD and (if possible) COD at a later stage prior to starting the construction works at site. In addition to samples from the proposed locations, samples would be taken from nearshore for monitoring purposes as baseline data.
Table 5-3: Water quality results
PARAMETER TESTED Unit SW1 SW2 SW3
GPS coordinates Latitude 5o29’14.50925 N 5o29’11.88197 N 5o29’49.30151 N Longitude 73o24’27.76896 E 73o24’49.63173 E 73o24’54.46377 E Physical appearance clear clear clear pH 7.4 7.3 7.3 Electrical conductivity uS/cm 62400 61780 62100 Nitrate mg/l 0.7 0.2 0.4 Dissolved oxygen mg/l 5.4 mg/L 5.6 mg/L 5.8 Nitrate mg/l 2.1 1.8 1
These water quality parameters indicate that the marine water quality at offshore locations is at a near pristine state. However, nearshore lagoon waters appear to be contaminated due to several anthropogenic factors such as nearshore sewage outfalls, waste disposal on the beach areas and fish waste disposal in the near past.
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 48 EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru
Figure 5 ‐8: Photo representation of the coastal and marine environment of Hinnavaru
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 49 EIA for the Rehabilitation of the Tsunami Damaged Harbour at Lh. Hinnavaru
5.5 Terrestrial Environment
5.5.1 Topography
Levels were taken around Hinnavaru in order to design the sewer lines and to estimate the amount of material to be excavated for laying sewer pipes, etc. The topographic surveys determined that ground level is generally level varying from 0.5 m to 1.5 m with average elevation of around 1.1m from MSL. Detailed drawings in the Appendix give levels of roads and coastal areas in Hinnavaru.
5.5.2 Vegetation and Soil
Vegetation survey of the island was made in order to assess the impacts of clearing land for the sewage treatment plant. Other components of the proposed project do not affect the vegetation of the island. The island vegetation has been cleared in the proposed sewage treatment plant location.
The proposed location is also on reclaimed land with a less developed soil column.
5.5.3 Groundwater
Generally, the islands of the Maldives have superficial groundwater lenses below about a metre of coralline sandy soil with a very narrow humus layer on top. The groundwater lenses so formed are formed due to density differences between percolated rainwater and saltwater beneath the island.
The freshwater lens floats on top of the saltwater. This makes it extremely fragile and prone to saltwater intrusion due to over‐abstraction.
The depth of the freshwater lens or aquifer depends on the groundwater level above mean sea level on small islands. The typical ratio between the height of the water lens above mean sea level compared to the depth of freshwater below mean sea level is of the order of 1:20. Groundwater levels above mean sea level on small islands may be 0.10 to 0.50m above sea level, resulting in a freshwater lens depth of 2‐10m thick. Measuring absolute water level elevations is difficult in small flat islands, so the investigation techniques used target the thickness of the freshwater lens and its aereal extent. The water lens in small islands is illustrated in Figure 5 ‐9.
Ministry of Construction and Public Infrastructure 2008 50 EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru
Evapotranspiration Rainfall
2-3m Water table Mean sea level
Lagoon Ocean
Freshwater zone
Seawater 10-20m Unconsolidated Holocene sediments (low permeability) e on n z itio ns Tra
Pleinocene limestone (high permeability) 300-1000m
Figure 5-9: Conceptual Illustration (not to scale) of freshwater lens in a small coral island (after Falkland).
Groundwater was tested at the National Health Laboratory. DO and pH remained almost constant in all the wells but the electrical conductivity varied slightly. The results of the tests are given in
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 51 EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru
Table 5 ‐4. These indicate that the groundwater quality is comparatively good in all areas of the island. However, within about 50m from the shore, there is no sound freshwater lens formed. These results will form a baseline for future monitoring activities. They have little relevance, however, in the design of the sewerage system.
Biological tests could not be done due to sampling constraints. Therefore, it is proposed to undertake further sampling and testing for faecal and total coliforms and other parameters given in the TOR. In fact, in order to speed up the system design and EIA process, field data collection was done before the TOR was finalised. Therefore, all parameters given in the EIA has not been tested.
Also, it was considered at the time that further sampling and water quality analysis would be done before construction begins at site.
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Table 5-4: Water quality results for Hinnavaru groundwater
DO Nitrate E conductivity Temp TDS Place pH (mg/l) (mg/l) (uS/cm) (oC) (mg/l) Athireege 1.1 4.6 0 633 27.1 295 Eveready House 7.2 4.8 0 458 27.8 209 Handhuali 7.6 4.6 0 1199 28.3 553 Lh. Atoll Education Center 7.8 4.3 0 1084 26.9 4940 Starlight (reclaimed area) 7.8 4.4 0 236 26.2 1106 Badhal 7.9 3.8 60 1958 28.3 917 Hamraj 7.2 4.1 35 9500 27.2 4940 Mustharaah 6.9 4.9 0 140 26.9 64.4 Resting Villa 7.8 4.1 65 10950 28.2 5.58 Samandharuge 7.5 4 10 2330 26.8 1137 Nedhunge 7.6 4.5 20 766 28.7 349 Riyaazuge 7.1 4.5 30 889 28.1 410 Lainoofaruge 7.5 4.7 3 595 27.9 2730 Bahaaruge 7.4 0 842 27.8 390 Guleynoorange 7.3 4.7 0 549 30 241 Reydhuvaage(well 1) 7.3 4.8 0 1189 28.3 549 Reydhuvaage(well 2) 7.3 4.7 0 661 28.1 302
Similarly, the volume of groundwater resource and sustainable yield of that resource has little relevance in the design of the sewerage system, however, may be useful in longterm water and wastewater management strategies of the island. Nevertheless, an estimation of the groundwater lens was made using empirical methods. The estimated sustainable (daily) yield was based on the size of the freshwater lens based on the size and shape of the island, recharge from rainfall, evapotranspiration and other determinants. The aquifer is expected to exist within 50m inside the shoreline, which is approximately 11 hectares in area with a sustainable yield of 95 cubic metres per day. This estimate has been based on the assumption that the average recharge is about 35% of annual rainfall, which is over 2000mm/year. Daily safe yield depending on population growth up to
7,000 people is shown in Figure 5 ‐10.
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300
250 Worst case Best Case 200
150
100
50
0 0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000
Figure 5-10: Daily safe yield per capita, which can be drawn from the Hinnavaru aquifer
Understanding the type of wastewater generated on site is important for the design of sewerage systems. Only domestic wastewater was generated on site as there are no industries. However, a site specific analysis of the wastewater was not undertaken. Therefore, average national wastewater loads and domestic wastewater quality criteria has been used in the design.
5.6 Existing Socio-economic environment
5.6.1 The Island of Lhaviyani Hinnavaru
Hinnavaru is grouped under Lhaviyani Atoll consisting of 5 inhabited islands and number of uninhabited islands and is located at 5°29ʹ24ʺN 73°25ʹ12ʺE. Common to many other islands of the
Maldives fishing is the dominant source of income people of atoll. Among the uninhabited islands
Kuredhu Island Resort, One and only Kanuhura Resort, Komandhoo Island Resort and Palm Beach
Island Resort have been developed as tourists resorts within the atoll. Hudhufushi within the atoll is an upcoming resort. And Lhaviyani Felivaru within the atoll is an industrial island developed as a
Fish Processing Centre.
Lhaviyani Hinnavaru is relatively a small island with a land area of 12.6 hectares and is the smallest inhabited island of the atoll. The rest of the islands of Lhaviyani atoll are larger in area that of
Hinnavaru. The island is quite close (7.5km) to Naifaru the capital island of the atoll. The other five islands of the atoll are within the range of 31 km. The furthest island of the atoll is Olhuvelifushi.
Hinnavaru is 147 km away from the capital Male’.
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Over the years a significant number of infrastructure facilities have been established to cater for the island population. In this respect in addition to Island Office, Atoll Education Centre, Island Health
Centre, Power House, Youth Sports Centre Zone 3, Hinnavaru Hiyaa (rent accommodation for guest), Cable TV service (private company), Desalination Plant, and Cybercafé (private company) has been in operation are of significant importance in terms employment and service providers.
Important island infrastructure also includes the jetty and harbour facilities paving way for trade related activities.
Eight associations work for the socio‐economic development of the island Although few of these organization has been working as far as 1987 most of the associations have developed recently and are mainly activated by the youth of the island. The 8 associations are;
1. Hesperas Sports Club 2. Club Human 3. Hinnavaru Innovative Youth Association 4. Lhaviyani Atoll thaluleemee Markaz Is dharivarunge Naadu 5. The Fantasy 6. Hinnavaru Society of Social Development and Awareness 7. Hinnavaru Masaikay theringe Jamiyya 8. Hinnavaru Traders Association
5.6.2 Vulnerability and Poverty of Hinnavaru
In order to place Lhaviyani Hinnavaru in national context in terms of vulnerability and poverty, the income poverty outlined in the Poverty and Vulnerability Assessment of 2004 were reviewed.
Lhaviyani Hinnavaru’s income poverty index is 3.2 where as the national average is 1.0 while all the atoll average (excluding Malé) is 1.4. Lhaviyani Atolls income poverty index stands at 3.0 (Ministry of Planning and Development 2005) The income poverty figures illustrate Lhaviyani Hinnavaru’s position in terms of poverty and vulnerability compared to the atoll average and national average.
The indexes are based on other dimensions and is measured on scale of 1‐10, where the higher the score the higher the vulnerability. A score of 3.2 indicates that performance Lhaviyani Hinnavaru is at the same level as that of the other islands of the atoll but lower than the atoll average as well as national average.
5.6.3 Population and Literacy rate
Population of Hinnavaru is recorded at 4438 in September 2007(Island Office Records).
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 55 EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru
3000
2500
2000 Males Females 1500 Numbers 1000
500
0 under 18 years 18-65 years 65 years Age Group
Figure 5-11: Population of Hinnavaru, Septemeber 2007 (source: Island Office)
Although Hinnavaru is the smallest inhabited island in the atoll in terms of land area, the island has the second largest number of people hence has a population density of 252 per hectare and is considered one of the densely populated islands in the Maldives
As illustrated in graph 1 the population by major age groups reveals that 33% of the population is less than 18 years while 62% of the population is between 18 years and 65 years and the rest (5%) is above 65 years.
5.6.4 Employment
Major economic activities of the people living in Lhaviyani Hinnavaru are fishing, retail trade, carpentry, construction work, fixed salary jobs in the resorts, Male and the Fish Processing Plant of
Felivaru. It is observed that due to the scarcity of employment in home island considerable number of males in the island are working away from Home Island. The working away population of
Lhaviyani Hinnavaru is 861 of which 753 are males and 108 are females. They work either in Male, tourist resort or the Lhaviyani Felivaru Fish Processing Plant.
In terms of fishing Lhaviyani Hinnavaru has 6 mechanized vessel 6 trolling vessels operating in the island. In addition fishing vessels from other islands are operating in the Island. Major type of fishing is tuna fishing and the fish caught is sold mostly to the Felivaru Fish Processing Plant
Other service related income earning activities such as retail trade, carpentry and construction work has increased significantly over the years. Lhaviyani Hinnavaru has 53 retail outlets operated by
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 56 EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru private people. These shops are stored with food and other items of every day use facilitating the community to get the necessary items from the island.
60
50
40
30 Number
20
10
0 shops pharmacy café/teashops carpentry Service facilities
Figure 5-12: Service facilities operating in Hinnavaru
With an adequate health services being available from the Health Centre two pharmacies are being in privately operated selling necessary pharmaceutical products such as common medicine and other items.
To cater of the population 2 cafes are registered and in operation while 1 carpentry and tailor shops provides a source of income to few people of the island. In addition common to other islands of the country the informal sector such as tailors, short eats makers, play a minor major role towards the economy of the island.
5.6.5 Health
The number of health staff and the quality of healthcare can have a dramatic impact on the quality of life. Hinnavaru Health Centre is staffed with 2 expatriate doctors and 1 expatriate nurse along with 7 local nurses, 1 family health worker and 1 midwife. Additional Health workforce includes 2 pharmacists and 1 local medical worker indicating that adequate health facilities are available in
Hinnavaru.
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5.6.6 Education
While the nation has achieved near universal primary school enrollment, the quality of teaching and the level of education on offer differ considerably from island to island.
1%1%
17%
students studying in home island sudents studying in Male'
students studying in other islands students studying abroad
81%
Figure 5-13: Students of Hinnavaru
The Atoll Education Centre teaches up to Grade 12 is staffed by 82 teachers of which 46% are expatriates.
As Graph 3 illustrates, typical to other islands, even in Lhaviyani Hinnavaru a considerable number of students (17%) are studying away from the island in Male offering better education. In addition around some students (15) study in other islands other that Male’ and some (29) are studying abroad.
Additional education establishment in the island includes a pre‐school, a tuition class teaching up to
Grade 10, and school for teaching Quran..
5.6.7 Housing
Lhaviyani Hinnavaru has given out 715 plots of land for housing purposes out of which in 623 plots house have been constructed of which almost all houses appear in general having good housing condition built with cement brick /or coral and limestone replacing the thatch huts of the past. Also majority of these houses have boundary wall built round them. Records indicate that space for
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 58 EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru additional land is limited and only 25 plots of lands can be given out taking into consideration the existing land area
5.6.8 Entertainment
The growing consumerism in the rural population is very much in evidence in Lhaviyani
Hinnavaru as illustrated in graph 4. Entertainment facilities such radios and TV are very much part of the people of Lhaviyani Hinnavaru. It is estimated that for each 8 to 9 persons there is a TV and
DVD/VCD respectively. In addition for each 13, 18 and 37 persons there exists a radio, computer,
VCR/VCP respectively. Over the years satellite dishes, telephones and fax machines are also on the increase illustrating the link between Lhaviyani Hinnavaru and the rest of the world. The lack of alternative entertainment, the up‐linking of the national television and the increased hours of electricity, have all contributed to setting this trend.
5.6.9 Transportation
The sea transport fleet of the island includes 8 transport vessels known as sathari dhonis,1 boat, 8 launches, which serves to connect the island and the region as well as with Male’ thereby fulfilling trade and other economic activities. With tourist resorts located within a reachable distances launches are often used to take passengers who wish to travel by Air taxi from the resorts to Male’.
Land transport consists of 36 bicycles, 3 cycles, 1 ambulance and 3 pickups. Being a small islands land transport is not a necessary mode of transport. Nonetheless, bicycles are on in the increase with a bicycle for every 123 persons.
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Computer
Fax Machine
Satelite Dish
Telephone
Items Radio
DVD/VCD player
VCR/VCP
TV
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 Number of items
Figure 5-14: Communication and entertainment facilities in Lh. Hinnavaru
5.6.10 Water and Sanitation
Similar to other islands of the Maldives large investments has been made in Hinnavaru to upgrade the rainwater catchments and storage facilities. Rather than relying on the 76 community rainwater tanks many people have installed rain water tanks in their own compounds. In addition to the community water tanks 873 water tanks installed privately are used for drinking and cooking purpose.
The island office reports that the quality of ground water of Hinnavaru by its physical characteristic including salinity and smell is not suitable for drinking thereby indicating that over extraction or contamination of ground water has occurred. Water quality in Maldives varies from island to island.
The freshwater aquifer beneath the islands of Maldives is shallow with lens no more than a few meters thick formed by the percolation of rainwater through the porous sand and coral. Fresh water being lighter than saline water, the lens floats atop the saline water. The aquifer change in volume with season at the same time rise and fall with the tide. Increased extraction of groundwater exceeding natural recharge through rainfall and pollution from various human activities pollutes the water lens. Being a small island with inappropriate sewerage system leaking of waste water in the aquifer has deteriorated the situation.
The Drinking water Index outlined in the Vulnerability and Poverty Assessment of 2004 also reflects this situation. Drinking Water Index of Hinnavaru is 0.50 while the Lhaviyani atoll average is 0.53
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 60 EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru and the national average is 0.23 and all the atolls average is .33 indicating that access to fresh water worse off in Lhaviyani Hinnavaru than that of the country as whole. The 2 indicators used to measure the Drinking Water Index are shortage of water and no access to drinking water.
5.6.11 Sanitation
The existing sanitation system in Lhaviyani Hinnavaru is a gravity pipe system connected to the lagoon where effluent and waste water are discharged into the lagoon.
The system has been established before the Tsunami even far back as 1990 according to some people. Nonetheless the system is very rudimentary where technical planning and designing at the island level is poor.
With the establishment of the system each household contributed Rf5 for the maintenance and management of the system. The Island Development Committee employed an operator who is responsible for maintaining and managing the system. The operator is paid Rf 2500 from the money paid by the households. When there is a blockage of the main pipe the
Island Development Committee takes the responsibility of the cleaning the system. If the blockage is from the household side the household themselves takes the responsibility of cleaning.
As new houses came up near the beach direct pipe from the household to the lagoon were also established. If new houses want to connect the central pipe permission will be given by the Island
Office to connect. The Island Chief stated that on average once a week blockages are reported and this is more common during the rainy season. Also as many houses are lower than the street level the required steep gradient in laying the pipes have not been adhered resulting in overflowing frequently.
Overtime when blockages became more frequent the community stopped paying the monthly fee of
Rf 5, as a result the operator’s salary is being paid by the Island Development Committee through the Island Development Fund. At present majority of the houses are connected to the central lines discharging human waste and waste water into the lagoon According to the Tsunami Impact
Assessment Hinnavaru has substantial damage and since the Tsunami problems associated with the sewerage system are more severe with frequent blockages and overflowing.
Diarrhoea being a water borne disease the records of atoll was reviewed and is depicted in graph 5
From Jan 2006 to September 2007 and on average 16 cases recorded each month.
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80
70
60
50
40
30 Number of Cases of Number 20
10
0 Jul-06 Jul-07 Jan-06 Mar-06 Jan-07 Mar-07 May-06 Nov-06 May-07 Sep-06 Months
Figure 5-15: Diarrhoea cases in Hinnavaru
5.6.12 Harbour
Recent history of the harbour development of Hinnavaru dates back to 1990 when the government proposed a project of developing a harbour in the island with the community’s request. With the proposal the community responded with a plan of deepening the two locations of the islands so that the North and South ward of the island will have equal access to the harbour. This was mainly to prevent conflict and to create harmony among the 2 wards of the community. At the time rivalry between the wards was an issue that requires careful planning by the Island Administration
However over time the harbour within the northern ward of the island did not prove to be a good choice as nearby area was reclaimed to build and football ground. Today although few fishing vessels are anchored at this harbour the main harbour is within the South ward of the island.
Initially the size of this harbour is around 450ft X 150 ft and the maximum number of vessels that can be anchored is estimated around 12‐15.
During the Tsunami of 2004 damage to the harbour resulted in the getting financial assistance from the UNDP to repair the damage and later through the Kuwait Fund. In response the Island
Development Committee has requested to combine the financial assistance provided by the two sources to construct a suitable harbour within a location between the 2 wards which is adjacent to the existing harbour. This has the potential to provide the opportunity to expand the harbour in the future.
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6 Stakeholder Consultations
This project involves various stakeholders at different levels. From the initial project planning stage, stakeholder consultations have taken place at various levels. For this EIA, stakeholder consultations were undertaken with the client and the community extensively at various stages. During the consultations with the client, their plans and expectations were noted while at the same time, the community consultations were used as a mechanism to gather information for the proposed project.
As the project is implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water, the formal channel of communication is directly between the Ministry and the island community.
6.1 Consultation with MEEW and MWSA
The proponent for this project is Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water. Consultations were undertaken at various stages of the project. Initial consultations were conducted with the client in
October 2007 and January 2008. Discussions were focused on gathering preliminary data and information from the client before the field visit. The project consultants, Al Habshi Consultants outlined the study and the data collection methodologies that would be undertaken during the field visit. The client was also briefed about the environmental components and how the data would be collected. The client briefed about the present policies and construction practice of the government for sewerage projects.
A meeting was held by the EIA team on 5 May 2008 to discuss the findings and details of the EIA report. During these discussions with MWSA and MEEW, the Water Section stated its desire to be more involved in the EIA process for EIAs since EIA scope or TOR had previously not been discussed in detail with the Water Section or MWSA. Therefore, the TOR was discussed in the meeting and it was decided that some of the water quality parameters such as iron (in marine water) need not be considered. According to MWSA and MEEW (Water Section), only recently did the scope for sewerage projects get finalised in consultation with them. They believe that their involvement is critical at all stages of EIAs related to water and sanitation. The proponent (and
MWSA) stated that they would also review future EIA documents before final submission to ERC in order to improve the quality of EIAs related to water and sanitation. It was also stated by the
Environmental Consultants in this meeting that the proposed treatment facility would add extra burden to the community and entails excessive costs that outweigh the environmental benefits of the treatment process. However, MEEW stated that it was the policy of the government and treatment should be considered.
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6.1.1 List of persons consulted
Following are the names and designation of persons consulted from the Proponent and MWSA. Name Designation Office 1. Mr. Abdul Razzaq Idrees Deputy Minister MEEW 2. Ms. Shaheeda Adam Ibrahim Director General MEEW 3. Dr. Mohamed Ali Executive Director MWSA 4. Mr. Yazeed Ahmed Asst. Director MWSA
6.2 Consultations with the Project Consultants
As environmental consultants, Water Solutions also undertook consultations with the project engineering consultants, Mr. Mansoor Ali from AlHabshi Consulting Office, Kuwait and Mr.
Mohamed Rasheed Bari, UBI Technologies, Maldives to discuss environmental issues related to the project. However, adequate consultations were not undertaken during the finalisation of the design.
This may be because there were no major environmental concerns for the proposed project since existing environmental degradation in Hinnavaru is of greater scale than the environmental impacts that may be imposed by the project. If the project site conditions were of sensitive nature, more dedicated consultations on environmental aspects would have taken place.
6.3 Consultations with the local community
Comprehensive informal and formal consultations and discussions were held with the community through randomly discussing with the islanders, especially women and also by means of a formal community meeting. Generally, consultations were held to assess and identify the different socio‐ economical aspects of the project. The discussions were also used as a means to identify what the community considered as the most significant difficulties, constraints and what aspirations they have regarding the project. These consultations also helped to gather other information that were usually not documented in the island office such as health issues related to swimming in the lagoon.
More details of the socio‐economic aspects have been presented in the “Socio‐economic” section of the report.
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 64 EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru
6.3.1 List of persons consulted
Following are the names and designation of persons consulted. Name Address Stakeholder Group 5. Abdulla Yoosuf Island Chief 6. Amir Zaki Assistant Island Chief 7. Muneera Ahmed Senior Walkie talkie operator 8. Yoosuf Abdulla Flavor HESPERUS (NGO) 9. Moosa Mohamed Everest NAAD (NGO) 10. Hasim Ali FANTASY (NGO) 11. Mohamed Abdulla Dhilbahaaruge FANTASY (NGO) 12. Zuhudha Fenfiyaazuge 13. Ibrahim Mohamed Gulbakaage 14. Zainab Gulshange 15. Fathimath Kaashimaage 16. Mariyam Fulhu Dhaahadhaage 17. Waheedha Naaz 18. Hawwa Manike Athagasdhoshuge 19. Mohamed Adam System Operator 20. Hussein Aboobakur Magubedhige Fishermen 21. Ali Ibrahim Jawaahirmaage 22. Mohamed Adam Samandharuge Trader, Boat Owner 23. Ahmed Adam Fehige Fishermen 24. Mohamed Ibrahim Lifesea Fishermen 25. Abdulla Yoosuf Island Development Committee 26. Ibrahim Abdulla Island Development Committee 27. Umar Adam Red Star Island Development Committee 28. Mohamed Ibrahim Rabeeu Island Development Committee 29. Yoosuf Ibrahim Island Development Committee 30. Amir Shakeel Ufaa Island Development Committee 31. Adam Hussein Green Ge Island Development Committee 32. Ahmed Aslam Hill Island Development Committee 33. Hamid Nazeem Ibarahim Bodufendaage Island Development Committee 34. Moosa Munazim Ibrahim Bodufendaage Island Development Committee 35. Hussein Aboobakuru Magubedhige Island Development Committee 36. Mohamed Adam Maridhaan Island Development Commitee
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 65 EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru
6.3.2 Perceptions of the Community
6.3.2.1 Existing System
The existing sanitation system in Hinnavaru is a gravity pipe system connected to the lagoon where effluent and waste water are discharged into the lagoon.
The system has been established before the Tsunami even far back as 1990 according to some people. Nonetheless the system is very rudimentary where technical planning and designing at the island level is poor.
With the establishment of the system each household contributed Rf5 for the maintenance and management of the system. The Island Development Committee employed an operator who is responsible for maintaining and managing the system. The operator is paid Rf 2500 from the money paid by the households. When there is a blockage of the main pipe the Island Development
Committee takes the responsibility of the cleaning the system. If the blockage is from the household side the household themselves takes the responsibility of cleaning.
As new houses came up near the beach direct pipe from the household to the lagoon were also established. If new houses want to connect the central pipe permission will be given by the Island
Office to connect. The Island Chief stated that on average once a week blockages are reported and this is more common during the rainy season. Also as many houses are lower than the street level the required steep gradient in laying the pipes have not been adhered resulting in overflowing frequently
Overtime when blockages became more frequent the community stopped paying the monthly fee of
Rf 5, as a result the operator’s salary is being paid by the Island Development Committee through the Island Development Fund. At present majority of the houses are connected to the central lines discharging human waste and waste water into the lagoon It is also known that after the Tsunami of December 2004, the problems are more severe with frequent blockages and overflowing.
Case 1
Hawwa, who is a mother of 5 children, lives in Roashaneege which is located nearer to the beach. The household consists of 7 members. Hawwa is employed in the Island Health Centre. Two years ago the only toilet in the house was connected to the neighbor’s pipe which directly goes to the lagoon. However frequent over flowing and blockages caused lot of hardships for both the household members. Hawwa’s neighbor takes the responsibility of cleaning and repairing the blockages. Over time the blockages and overflowing became
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 66 EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru more frequent and Hawwa’s neighbor disconnected the direct piping system connected to the lagoon and connected the pipe to the central piping system laid by the Island Office. This forced
Hawwa’s family also to do the same.
According the Hawwa they have to notify the Island Office before connecting to the central piping system.
Today the blockage are few compare to earlier days, nonetheless Hawwa hopes for a sewerage system that is appropriately designed with good maintenance and supervision. She expressed gratitude for Kuwait Fund for providing assistance to install a proper sewerage system in Hinnavaru.
The above case is a typical example of the problems confronting the community with regard to the existing system. Sometime households also have to pay a labourer around Rf100‐150 to clean the blockages which occur from the household side. In addition common problems associated with poor sanitation system are highlighted by all the respondents. Well water cannot be used for drinking or cooking due to foul smell and bad taste as well as change of colour of the water. In addition diarrhoea is reported as common.
6.3.2.2 Preferred option
The need for proper sanitation system is one of the priority areas for the community of Hinnavaru.
Table 1 highlights the communities view point In terms of determining the best option taking into consideration each community sanitation requirements and sustainable management of the system
Table 6-1: Summary of the finding regarding the installation of sanitation system- Lhaviyani Hinnavaru
Respondents Existing problems Causes Preferred system Additional remarks Island Development Frequent blockages Installation of the Generally a system Need more information Committee system without that is suitable for regarding the types of Over flowing proper engineering island environment, systems Non‐Governmental and technical cost effective, with Organizations Excessive expenses expertise. less problems Raising awareness for cleaning regarding the best Housewives In adequate Does not want to options and Diarrhoea maintenance of experience new management and Community management systems maintenance of the Members system Lack of finance to No space within the establish a proper household compound system for septic tanks
As highlighted in table 1 the majority of the people expressed a preference for a sewerage system that is best for Lhaviyani Hinnavaru environment. The ideal system should be easy to manage and cost effective to operate and maintain. Two major points were noted during the discussion which needs to be taken into consideration in deciding the type of system that need to installed. Firstly
Lhaviyani Hinnavaru being an island with limited space installation of septic tanks (required in
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 67 EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru small bore systems) within the housing plots are not possible. Gravity system does not require installing septic tanks within the household compound. Secondly community does not want to experience new systems such as the vacuum system where problems that may encounter after the project period might not be solved easily at the local level.
In general the community suggested that when the preliminary analysis are completed they would be eager to hear the details of each system for them to get a clearer picture of the best sanitation system that would be suitable for their island. They highlighted that the technical experts’ findings regarding the cost and benefits of each system in relation to their island environment are worth knowing and would help in creating awareness among the community in addition to determining the best system for the island.
6.3.2.3 Community Support and participation in terms of maintaining and
managing the system
During the focus group discussions the community members were asked about the willingness of the community to support and participate in terms of maintaining and managing the system. The response for this was generally positive. The respondents believe that each household would be willing to contribute and cited examples where at present each household is paying over Rf100 per month for cable TV. They emphasized that a suitable sewerage system is basic necessity and community will be willing to contribute to manage it. Moreover the existing sewerage system was initially planned and managed by taking a fee from the each household. Thus they emphasized that if a good system is in place the community will be willing to contribute and maintain the system.
6.3.3 Conclusion and Follow up Issues
In the past work has been carried out in Lhaviyani Hinnavaru for the provision of gravity sewerage system. The effectiveness of this work has been severely obstructed by poor planning and construction, poor supervision and maintenance. More will be achieved by moving forward starting with an appropriate system with organized planning. Review of the key points from the discussion reveal the community is confronted with blockages and overflows very frequently. The situation is worse during the rainy season.
The community emphasized that more information regarding the 3 options; gravity system, small bore system and vacuum system would be beneficial for the community. This will raise awareness
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 68 EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru of the community regarding their own sewerage system. According to the discussion the major points that need to be taken into consideration in deciding on the type of system to be installed are:
Lhaviyani Hinnavaru being an island with limited space installation of septic tanks (required in small bore systems) within the household compound is not possible Vacuum Systems are new in the Maldives and the respondents agreed that experiencing a new system is risky. Problems that may encounter after the project period may not have solution at the local level.
In addition many respondents inquired on a time line of events of the project from start to finish which need to followed up for subsequent meetings.
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7 Impacts and Mitigation measures
This section covers potential environmental impacts due to proposed sewerage system development in Hinnavaru, Lhaviyani Atoll. The section also describes the mitigation measures for each identified impact.
Analysis of environmental issues within the lifecycle of the project identifies the major issues and concerns that are likely to evolve over the life of a project. For the proposed project, these issues include location and design, construction of the sewers and longevity of the sewers and constructional and operational impacts of the sewerage system. The environmental aspects of the project would impact upon the following resources or elements of the environment.
• Groundwater – quality and quantity
• Coral reef areas around the outfall locations – marine biodiversity
• Marine and coastal water quality
• Lagoon and beaches – aesthetics
• Human health and well being
• Landuse – availability and constraints
• Social and economic development
The potential environmental impacts of various activities pertaining to project components during planning and construction phase of the proposed project components and appropriate mitigation measures are elaborated in the following sections.
7.1 Impact Identification
Impacts on the environment from various activities of the proposed development work
(constructional impacts) and operation of the sewerage system (operational impacts) have been identified through:
• A consultative process within the EIA team, the Proponent and affected communities
• Purpose‐built checklists for environmental evaluation of sewerage system development
projects
• Existing literature and reports on similar developments in small island environments and
other research data specific to the context of the Maldives
• Engineering specifications and preliminary design layouts available from the Inception
Report and final design reports
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• Baseline environmental conditions described in Chapter 4
• Consultants experience of projects of similar nature and of the areas in which the
developments will take place
Possible negative impacts on the environment have been considered in worst‐case scenario to recommend mitigation measures in the best possible ways so that these impacts would be minimized and perhaps eliminated in both constructional and operational phases.
Impacts on the environment were identified and described according to their location/attribute, extent (magnitude) and characteristics (such as short‐term or long term, direct or indirect, reversible or irreversible) and assessed in terms of their significance according to the following categories:
1. Negligible – the impact is too small to be of any significance;
2. Minor adverse – the impact is undesirable but accepted;
3. Moderate adverse – the impact give rise to some concern but is likely to be tolerable in
short‐term (e.g. construction phase) or will require a value judgement as to its acceptability;
4. Major adverse – the impact is large scale giving rise to great concern; it should be
considered unacceptable and requires significant change or halting of the project.
Since it is difficult to distinguish between direct impacts (i.e. resulting directly from a specific activity) and indirect impacts (i.e. induced by a series of ecological, social or economic knock on effects and bearing no apparent connection to any specific activity), such distinction has not been made. All possible impacts that may be related to project specific activities have been discussed.
7.2 Identifying Mitigation Measures
Where an impact identified can be mitigated, mitigation measures are identified and discussed along with the identification of the impact. For existing environmental concerns or impacts, mitigation measures have not been identified. The mitigation measures proposed will help to alleviate environmental problems before they occur. Mitigation measures are important because if identified impacts are significant and/or important, it would be necessary to identify and implement mitigation measures. Mitigation measures are selected to reduce or eliminate the severity of any predicted adverse environmental effects and improve the overall environmental performance and acceptability of the project. Where mitigation is deemed appropriate, the proponent should strive to act upon effects, in the following order of priority, to:
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1. Eliminate or avoid adverse effects, where reasonably achievable.
2. Reduce adverse effects to the lowest reasonably achievable level.
3. Regulate adverse effects to an acceptable level, or to an acceptable time period.
4. Create other beneficial effects to partially or fully substitute for, or counter‐balance, adverse
effects.
7.2.1 Mitigation Options
Possible mitigation options include:
• Design alterations (e.g., different locations for sewage outfalls, etc.)
• Work method alterations (e.g. changes in construction scheduling)
• Provision of environmental protection and health and safety equipment (e.g., provision of
first aid or noise mufflers, pollution abatement equipment)
• Changes in management practices (e.g., contractor’s awareness on environmental issues,
keeping work areas clean, public awareness)
• Changes in operation (e.g. operational procedures, specific responsibilities for clean up and
maintenance).
7.3 Existing Environmental Concerns
7.3.1 Natural hazard vulnerability
Maldives is not in a hurricane or seismically active region. Therefore, there is no threat of hurricanes or seismic activity such as volcanoes. However, seismic activities have increased in the near vicinity of the Maldives recently, with a recent earthquake in Pakistan killing about 50,000 people.
There is no record of tsunami emanating as a result of earthquake or landslides in the South Asia region. However, tsunamis in the Indian Ocean as far as Indonesia could have devastating impacts on the Maldives mainly due to its low‐lying nature. Therefore, the December 2004 Tsunami has been a warning that has raised concerns and need for re‐designing for such events. Hinnavaru is one of the islands that had been affected by the 2004 Tsunami.
Storm surges during southwestern and northeastern halha and corresponding wave scour and subsequent beach erosion during storms is a major cause for concern in the Maldives, which may threaten coastal structures and coastal works such as sewage outfalls.
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 72 EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru
7.3.2 Existing solid waste disposal impacts
It is evident that like many other inhabited islands of the Maldives, solidwaste is dumped on or close to the beach in Hinnavaru. However, a waste management center has been designated on the island, which has not been in operation due to lack of infrastructure to run the site. Hence, solid waste is dumped all around the island on its periphery, which gets washed away during high tide causing pollution of the pristine marine water around the island. This helps in the buildup of nutrients in the nearshore environment causing extensive growth of seagrass around the island. The water quality of the lagoon surrounding Hinnavaru has been degraded to the extent that the poor quality is visible to the eye and cannot be used for swimming or bathing.
7.3.3 Existing sewage disposal impacts
The existing sewerage system has been in operation for over a decade and has helped to improve the quality of the freshwater lens in the island. However, there is influx of saltwater through outfall pipes during high tide, which causes saltwater to mix with the freshwater lens in some areas.
Measures have been taken to minimize this.
The existing sewerage system disposes sewage effluent into the nearshore environment on the foreshore or immediate lagoon. This adds to the pollution load of the lagoon caused by inappropriate waste disposal. This practice has to stop in order that the lagoon waters return to normal. Table 7 ‐1 outlines the impacts of existing sewage disposal practices.
Table 7-1: Existing sewage disposal systems and their impacts
Type of system(s)* Gravity pipes disposing to lagoon via catchpits System Performance Poor, with frequent cleaning in some or many areas Groundwater impact Groundwater pollution from faecal matter is controlled
Marine environmental Lagoon waters are polluted impact High levels of faecal matter in lagoon water Health impacts Bathing in lagoon water causes rashes and other skin conditions Others High level of community participation Frequent maintenance required for the system
7.4 Constructional Impacts
Construction is often a stage where the environmental impacts are underestimated, but in fact is very real and can be damaging. As construction requires lot of processes that typically impact the location by bringing about physical modifications, environmental impacts are felt almost in every aspect. Very often if these impacts are not mitigated, they may result in more significant long term
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 73 EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru environmental problems which may be more difficult to rectify. The purpose of this section therefore is to summarize the measures that can be undertaken during the construction stage to mitigate the impact on environment during the construction stage. These recommendations may seem exhaustive; nevertheless they must be followed if impacts are to be mitigated. In most instances, these recommendations only require little effort which only needs to be considered during construction stage. These measures reflect the general aspects of the construction phase that involves both land and marine based development activities.
7.4.1 Civil works
7.4.1.1 Impacts
The undertaking of the proposed sewerage network development on Hinnavaru involves multiple tasks and use of machinery and other construction processes that will have its related impacts on the environment. The impact from civil works in the construction phase will have some degree of direct shot‐term impacts on the island’s terrestrial and marine environment. These impacts will result from the following activities.
• Excavation and laying of the outfall of the sewerage network
• Possible dewatering for pipe laying and construction of manholes and pump stations
• Possibility of sedimentation from excavated soil in case of rain
• Excavating on the reef for laying part of the outfall including removal of large coral
boulders.
• Noise impacts during construction period.
Most of these activities are considered to have minor adverse environmental impacts. Impacts of constructional noise would not be considerable and the possibility of sedimentation from excavated soil is also inconsiderable given the topography of Hinnavaru. There will also be negligible impact on the flora and fauna of the island as there are no significant species. Excavation of trenches to lay the sewers/pipes is also considered to have minor, short term impact on the groundwater aquifer and does not require detailed analysis. However, the impacts of dewatering and excavation in the lagoon and reef flat would have moderate negative impacts and are discussed in detail.
Dewatering to lay the sewers and construct manholes, lift stations and pump stations
During the construction stage, excavation will occur to lay the sewer networks. However, in some areas, especially where the main sewer lines are laid, the pipes will be laid below the groundwater aquifer. Hence, the project will involve some dewatering of groundwater for laying of the sewer
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 74 EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru networks. An estimation of the numbers of sewer lines requiring dewatering and the possible extent of dewatering indicates that roughly 20% of the sewer laying works would require dewatering. The impacts of dewatering to lay the pipes and construct manholes in these sections would be felt on the groundwater aquifer. However, the impact will be small since dewatering will occur in sections as described in the mitigation section.
The pump stations have been located on the periphery of the island in the 50m boundary which is not considered to fall into the areal extent of the fresh groundwater lens of the island. Also, these locations are at a considerable distance from neighbouring household wells. Therefore, the impacts of small scale dewatering for the construction of manholes, lift stations and pump stations would be inconsiderable and would not influence the neighbouring wells. The impact would also be short‐ term allowing the aquifer to return to “normal” after rainfall.
Excavating reef areas at outfall locations
At the proposed outfall location, about 200m of seagrass cover would be excavated to lay the pipe.
This is not considered to have negative impact on the coastal environment or the water quality of the lagoon although there would be some short term siltation during the installation. However, no excavation would be done on the reef flat, where the pipe would be anchored using concrete blocks.
The outfall pipe runs along about 70m of the reef flat. The outfall extends to about 7m below the surface from the reef edge. There may be removal of few corals on the reef flat, slope and edge during the anchoring of the pipeline in these areas. This impact is considered to be minimal given that the corals removed would be transplanted in the same area.
7.4.1.2 Mitigation Measures
General construction impact management
The following measures to minimize general impacts of construction will help to reduce or mitigate the impacts.
• During the construction stage all activities should be properly supervised to ensure that
construction is according to the required specification or standards and that no threat or
damage to the environment other than that at the specific location occurs.
• Appropriate waste handling, transportation and disposal methods for all waste generated
during the construction works including parts of the existing system should be
implemented to ensure that construction wastes do not pollute the environment.
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• Ensure that no leaks and accidental spillages of oil occur from vehicles and that they are
maintained adequately.
• Careful control should be exercised to ensure that no materials and machinery fuels enter
the marine environment and cause contamination
Specific measures to mitigate dewatering and excavation impacts
The following measures will help to reduce or mitigate the specific impacts related to dewatering to lay the pipes and construction of manholes and pump stations as well as reduce impacts related to excavation of the reef flat.
• No dewatering would be done for making good pipes joints underwater. In such
circumstances, underwater fusion of pipes may be considered or pipes may be jointed ex‐
situ.
• Dewatering would be undertaken only for the construction of manholes, lift stations and
final pumping station, where necessary. In these areas, work may be restricted to low tides,
etc. so that less dewatering would be required.
• Outfall pipe would be buried only in the lagoon areas in order to protect the pipes from
vessel and anchor damage. The reef section would be anchored to the seabed, thereby
minimizing damage to coral.
• Anchors would be placed on the reef areas by using manual methods and machinery would
not be used on the reef areas.
7.5 Operational Impacts
7.5.1 Groundwater
7.5.1.1 Impacts
The proposed sewerage system does not have additional benefits to the groundwater aquifer given that the present system minimizes the faecal contamination of the aquifer in the same way as the proposed system except potential leakage from catchpits which corrode due to poor construction.
There would not be such corrosion in the case of the proposed system since construction material and workmanship would be carefully supervised by project engineers to ensure that sulphur resistant cement and other appropriate materials are used. The potential to cause increased salinization of the groundwater aquifer due to increased flushing as a result of improved sanitation facilities would also be similar to the existing system. However, this is not necessarily a direct result of the sewerage system but a cumulative impact caused due to increasing population and human
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 76 EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru needs and quality or standard of life. These two impacts are discussed in more detail in the following sections.
Improved quality of the groundwater lens
The groundwater aquifer of Hinnavaru has had little direct impact of sewage due to the existing sewerage system. However, there is a possibility that the proposed system would further mitigate the potential for contamination due to leaking catchpits. The proposed system will have improved materials and construction standards that would ensure that sulphuric compounds produced in the sewage would not cause the catchpits and manholes to corrode. In Malé, corroded or damaged catchpits has been the main cause for groundwater contamination resulting in increased levels of hydrogen suphide (sewer gas) in the groundwater aquifer. This gas has taken away lives including one death and few cases of poisoning in the late 90s and a recent incident in which five lives have been claimed. Therefore, further improvements to the system and subsequent positive impacts on groundwater quality expected from the proposed system would eliminate the potential for such incidents in the future.
Potential to aggravate the rate of salinisation of the groundwater aquifer
The most severe impact of a comprehensive sewerage system on the island is increased abstraction of groundwater from the aquifer. This will cause greater salinisation of the groundwater lens due to increased flushing. When the population of Hinnavaru increases and the water demand of the population increases, this impact would be exacerbated by the fact that the sustainable yield per capita is lower than the net water demand per capita. However, as mentioned earlier, this impact is not directly related to the sewerage system but adds to the stress on the aquifer of increasing population and water demand. It has been seen in many islands, including larger islands such as L.
Gan, L. Fonadhoo and even FuahMulah, where there are no sewerage systems, that the main contributor to groundwater salinisation is the use of pumps and high pumping rates. With high pumping rates and increasing population, the groundwater lens is becoming more saline in addition to the deterioration in chemical and biological quality. Therefore, it can safely be argued that an increase in salinisation of the groundwater lens would become apparent in most of the islands, whether a sewerage system exists or not. Even in places where the sewerage system pumps all water out to the lagoon such as K. Gulhi, Lh. Hinnavaru and Lh. Naifaru, there is no data to suggest that the groundwater has become more saline due to the sewerage system. Some of these islands have groundwater of a quality similar to other similar islands where there is no sewerage system.
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It has been observed that freshwater exists in pockets. Where the drawn down effect is high, due to the size of pumps and rate of pumping, there is a tendency for the water lens to become more saline at the location where the drawdown is greater. According to the Ghyben‐Hertzberg principle for every feet of groundwater drawn from the surface of the water lens, salt water from below the lens pushes the water lens or the freshwater‐seawater transition zone by 40feet (Freeze and Cherry,
1979), thereby making the freshwater at a particular location more saline than other areas. This draw down or lowering of the water table at the point of abstraction, sometimes referred to as the “coning effect” for the freshwater lens, can only be avoided with the use of appropriate technology such as skimming wells and infiltration galleries. High rates of pumping are the main contributor to salinisation. This is the case in many islands, where the aquifer has become salty, even when there is no sewerage system. Therefore, as long as pumps continue to be used for groundwater abstraction, groundwater would become saline and no amount of recharge would guarantee a freshwater aquifer.
At present, salinisation of the water lens also occurs as a result of low gradients which aid seawater entering the system at high tide. However, the proposed sewer outfall is not expected to cause such backflow during high tide. Even if it does, the saltwater will not enter the groundwater aquifer unless it backflows from the pump station sump.
7.5.1.2 Mitigation Measures
The main environmental impact would be the potential for increased abstraction of the groundwater. This would enhance the potential for salinisation of the aquifer. Therefore, island sewerage systems development should go hand in hand or integrated with water resource management planning. Population planning would also be an integral part.
The main factors in determining the potential for salinisation of the water lens and how they can be effectively controlled would be:
• Construction controls. Construction material and workmanship would be carefully
supervised by project engineers to ensure that sulphur resistant cement and other
appropriate materials are used.
• The use of pumps and flush tanks. Pumping has already been evidently causing severe
salinisation of the groundwater aquifer in many islands of Maldives. Awareness is low on
these issues. Therefore, creating awareness would play an important role in reducing water
use. Cistern flush is common place but more people are going for dual flush tanks. So,
increasing awareness on dual flush systems and other water conservation measures need to
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 78 EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru
be considered in order to mitigate the impact of salinisation of the groundwater lens.
Flushing volumes can be reduced by placing bricks, etc. in the cistern or by promoting dual
flush units. Even more important is controlling the size of pumps in household wells. If
pumps were to be used, skimming wells which will draw water from a larger area than a
single point would also help to alleviate the problem of salinisation. Such technologies need
to be tried in all islands of the Maldives for sustainability of the groundwater aquifer.
• Safe or sustainable yield vs population. Ensuring population does not outgrow safe or
sustainable rates of groundwater abstraction is important. The safe yield for Hinnavaru has
been determined based on assumptions of recharge from rainfall and freshwater lens area
given by Falkland (2001). The estimates for different population sizes for Hinnavaru are
given in Figure 5 ‐10. Note that the sustainable yield varies with the size of the population.
The estimates show that for Hinnavaru, the current population can sustainably draw a daily
volume of 21 litres per person on average. The best estimates for Hinnavaru gives a
sustainable yield of 215m3/day for the current population. This yields a per capita daily safe
yield of about 50 litres. This is assuming skimming wells or similar techniques/technologies
were adopted.
7.5.2 Lagoon and seawater quality
7.5.2.1 Impacts
Marine water quality is not likely to be impacted from wastewater from the current population or even the predicted population as wastewater will be disposed in to the deep sea beyond the reef at a location that is considered to have strong currents moving parallel to the island and not towards the island most of the time. Considering the large dilution potential in combination with the effect from saltwater, most pathogens and nutrients will be dispersed and diluted, though one might assume long term impact, but not with huge impacts on the marine biota. Given that there will be secondary treatment for the sewage effluent that would be disposed at the proposed outfall, the impact would be almost negligible.
There will be positive impact on the lagoon water quality since multiple existing outfalls around the island would be removed and effluent disposal to nearshore environment would not occur.
Therefore, marine water quality in the lagoon areas, especially in those locations where the outfall pipes of the existing gravity system are placed, would improve substantially, which can be verified by appropriate long term monitoring. Such improvement paves way for subsequent seagrass removal and management of lagoon waters, which is important for Hinnavaru.
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7.5.2.2 Mitigation Measures
No detailed studies of the currents or modelling of the fate of effluent plume has been done since sewage treatment is considered for this project. Therefore, it is important that proposed secondary treatment process is kept operational at all times. If treatment were to be abandoned at any stage, more detailed assessment of the currents and deeper disposal of raw effluent may have to be considered.
In order to avoid conflicting scenarios with any cumulative impacts of solid waste management, it is important that solid waste is managed properly and its impact on the island’s shore and lagoon are minimized. Only then, would it be possible to directly associate any negative impacts on the environment with the sewerage system.
7.5.3 Coral Reef and Marine Biodiversity
7.5.3.1 Impacts
Discharges of sewage to the marine environment have the potential to cause:
• Eutrophication of coastal waters due to chronic inputs of nutrients and organic matter;
• Impacts associated with the accumulation of toxicants such as heavy metals in marine
organisms and sediments;
• Changes to the species composition of marine communities to higher abundances of species
that are tolerant to pollution; and
• Long‐term degradation of sensitive environments such as coral communities and seagrass
meadows by chronic exposure to sewage effluent.
The environmental impacts of sewage disposal on coral reefs depending on several factors including the quantity and characteristics of the effluent, level of pollutants, duration and timing of the peak discharges, diffusion efficiency of the outfalls, depth and location of outfalls, the oceanographic and hydrological conditions and the tolerance of marine organisms.
In the Maldives, there are very few studies that have attempted to collate information on the status of the coral reefs and response of reef fauna to sewage discharges. A study by Binnie Black and
Veatch showed detrimental impacts of high sedimentation on coral growth and survival. However, the general concentration levels of total suspended solids in municipal sewage discharges have been found to be much below the levels that are generally considered to be lethal for corals. Studies carried out in the Maldives have also shown that:
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• Generally, the amount of nutrients that might lead to eutrophication was found to be very
low in coastal waters
• No effect on the level of temperature, salinity or dissolved oxygen were recorded
• In many outfall locations in Male, the currents were quite strong that sewage concentrations
were found to be diluted quickly and were not seen to affect general quality of the receiving
waters
• In Hinnavaru and Naifaru studies have indicated that nearshore outfalls can cause
nearshore bathing waters to get dirty in colour and increased nutrient levels thereby
promoting seagrass.
Pastorak and Bilyard (1985) had indicated that although a wide range of impacts from sewage on coral reefs have been reported, little or no impact has been observed in well flushed waters, as is the case in the proposed design for Hinnavaru.
Human population pressures and resultant developments are the greatest threat to coral ecosystems. Studies have concluded that eutrophication and sedimentation from effluent outflows are one of the most damaging anthropogenic activities to coral reefs and reef fisheries (Brown and
Ogden, 1993). Effluent outflows from waste treatment plants or septic tanks generally increase the level of sediment and nutrients around its outlet and in shallow reef areas sewage outflows can diminish light penetration and increase algal growth; inevitably leading to coral bleaching and death (Brown and Ogden, 1993). In Maldives, fishermen have noticed a decline in the abundance of coral reef fishes and have also noticed a dramatic increase in algal growth amongst shallow reef areas. Many have attributed these changes to environmental degradation. As previously discussed however, in most of the densely populated islands, sea outfall have been installed using on gravity flow capability, consequently, the short outfall pipes have been located near the shoreline and shallower reef beds (Marine Research Centre, 2003).
However, this is not the case for the proposed system in Hinnavaru. The outfall location has been considered to be in a well flushed channel, where strong currents would exist during both monsoons. The proposed secondary treatment of sewage effluent further minimizes the impact of effluent disposed at the proposed location.
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7.5.3.2 Mitigation Measures
Minimising effluent disposal impacts
Based on the United Nations Environment Program the level of impact from sewage pollution on coral reefs is directly related to the level of treatment before discharge and the natural flushing by tides and currents upon discharge (UNEP 2002). Only deep‐sloped outfalls can adequately disperse and dilute treated effluent via underwater currents. In Hawaii for example, secondary‐tertiary treated sewage displayed no impact on the surrounding coral reef ecosystem because the outlet is at a depth of 35 feet (Dollar and Grigg, 2003).
Similarly, the proposed system in Hinnavaru would dispose at similar depths and also have a very high level of dilution due to hydrodynamic conditions prevailing at the outfall location. Therefore, the impact of sewage on the reefs or water quality at the outfall location would be almost negligible.
Even if the sewage were disposed without treatment, the proposed depth and location is practical for the current or projected population of Hinnavaru to counteract the effects of outfall pipes on coral reef habitat in Hinnavaru. It is not anticipated that marine water quality or the reef is to be significantly impacted from the discharge of untreated wastewater due to the oceans large dilution potential in combination with the effect from saltwater. In this environment most pathogens and nutrients will be dispersed and diluted and the resulting impacts on the marine biota should be negligible and limited to the environment in the immediate vicinity of the outfall.
The other mitigation measures are similar to those given in the previous subheading.
7.5.4 Socio‐ Economic Impacts
The social implications of the proposed sewerage systems have been considered by assessing the projects direct and indirect benefits to the society. The social impacts include improvement of environmental health, increase in property values and additional gain in ecotourism potential. In summary, the social implications of this project are both real and perceived and are discussed below. Following are the potential benefits and other issues outlined by the communities with regard to the new sanitation project that is planned to be implemented
7.5.4.1 Solution to existing problems
One of the potential benefits looked forward by the whole community is a solution to the existing problems that they are experiencing with the current system. In Hinnavaru the existing problems as
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 82 EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru outlined earlier includes overflow of the toilets due to backflow at high tide and excessive expenses for cleaning and repairing. In addition contamination of the water is believed to be the cause of diarrhoea and other water borne diseases. All of the respondents are aware of these existing problems and many believe the biggest relief of establishing a suitable sewerage system would be the end of all the existing problems they are encountering at present.
7.5.4.2 Less expensive
It is expensive at the household level to hire workers to clean and repair the overflowing junction.
The expenses range from Rf200 to Rf2000 and are as frequent as once a month. For some people of the island it is difficult and cannot afford to pay. So the whole community is looking forward for the new system which they believe would be less expensive and hassle free to maintain at the household level.
7.5.4.3 Healthy population
All the participants of the meeting unanimously agreed that the sewerage system will improve the island’s standard of living as they believe the system will reduce the number of diarrhoea cases and resolve the troubles caused as a result of the frequent overflow of wastewater drains. At present diarrhoea is common in the community. Reduced health risks such as skin rashes and diarrhoea associated with contact or ingestion of polluted water will significantly improve the environmental health status of the island with social implications. Generally poor communities are more vulnerable to the effects of environmental contamination as they tend to use, or are forced by circumstances to use. The lagoon in Hinnavaru is seldom used for recreation, and groundwater is used for washing, and food preparation. With the improved sewerage system proposed, restoration of marine water quality and recreational amenity of the lagoon is expected to take place.
7.5.4.4 Strengthening social cohesion and employment opportunities
Implementation of the sewerage system involves lot of activities and work by the community. Such opportunities of working together will strengthen the community spirit and confidence of the community strengthening social cohesion. The whole community is looking forward for the start of the project.
During the operational stage, there will also be job opportunities for local residents as staffing will be required for operation and maintenance once the system is in place. These new job opportunities will stimulate the economy and mobilize potential residents who are unemployed. Once the system
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 83 EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru is developed, the job opportunities created will also increase knowledge and capacity of staff on water and wastewater, thus increasing their economic potential elsewhere.
7.5.4.5 Willingness to pay
In order to understand the community willingness to contribute in maintaining the sanitation system questions were asked on amount than they can contribute on a household basis. All were very positive with variations in their response and none of them opposed to the idea of fee being implemented as they believe that it is up to them to sustain the system.
While some people estimated an amount between MRF 50 to MRF 100 to be fair, most people stated that they could not estimate an adequate price until the system becomes operational and analyze the actual cost of running the system. But all of them declared that they will pay whatever price the
Island Development Committee decides.
Operation and maintenance charges would be decided by the Government in consultation with the people once the system is in place. Given that households were willing to pay 50 to 100 Rufiyaa a month for improved sewerage system, it is estimated that the nearly 650 households existing in
Hinnavaru are willing to pay a minimum of Rf32,500 a month, which is adequate to operate and maintain the system on a regular basis. This is assuming that all households would pay, which would rarely be the case. Even though the willingness to pay survey indicated that there was willingness to pay for sanitation/sewerage system, it often happens that such willingness would cease once the system is in operation. The willingness to pay shown here is an indication of people’s desire to have an improved sewerage system. Based on the experience in Malé and the other 7 islands where sewerage systems have been installed, levying operation and maintenance charges for sanitation is not easy and almost impossible. In Malé, the charge for sewerage is integrated into the charge for water, as a hidden cost. In other islands, a fee of about Rf5‐15 is levied as a charge for sanitation, where a charge for sanitation cannot be taken as a hidden cost since there is no charge for water. Hence, it is not possible to depict impacts on household disposable income based on such vague scenarios and since the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water is working towards finding a suitable option for the operation and maintenance of utilities in the country, this impact has not been considered in detail in the EIA.
Mitigation Measures for non‐payment for sewerage services
As indicated earlier, levying charges for sewerage services is difficult, and so is penalizing because disconnecting sewerage service is difficult. A disconnection to a sewerage service would mean
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 84 EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru provision of several public toilets within easy reach. It may be assumed that over 70% of the households would not pay for sanitation directly but it has to come through indirect taxation. Since sanitation is often regarded as a public service that has to be financed through indirect taxation by the government or municipalities (island communities), discussing measures to cover those who cannot pay and measures to deal with those who would not pay would not be sensible.
7.6 Uncertainties in Impact Prediction
Environmental impact prediction involves a certain degree of uncertainty as the natural and anthropogenic impacts can vary from place to place due to even slight differences in ecological, geomorphological or social conditions in a particular place. There is also no long term data and information regarding the particular site under consideration, which makes it difficult to predict impacts. However, the level of uncertainty, in the case of Hinnavaru may be expected to be low due to the experience of similar projects in similar settings in the Maldives. Nevertheless, it is important to consider that there will be uncertainties and to undertake voluntary monitoring as described in the monitoring programme given in the EIA report.
Summary of Environmental and Social Impacts
Table 7 ‐2: Impact potential of each key component of the proposed sewerage development
Activity and Impact Type of impact Component Affected Impact Significance Dewatering for construction of manholes, lift Direct Groundwater MOD stations and pump stations Short term No leakage to groundwater due to improved Direct Groundwater POS design, construction materials and works Long term Site clearance and excavation and disposal of Cumulative Vegetation MIN construction waste and debris Short term Construction of outfalls (excavation) Direct Lagoon ecosystems MIN Discharge of treated wastewater effluent to the Cumulative Marine environment MIN ocean Increased abstraction of groundwater for Cumulative Groundwater MOD flushing Long term Improved public health Direct Social environment POS Long term Generate employment Direct and indirect Social POS Long term KEY: POS = Positive or No Impact MOD = Moderate Adverse Impact MIN = Minor Adverse Impact MAJ = Major Adverse Impact
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8 Alternatives
This section looks at alternative ways of undertaking the proposed project. There are two basic options: (1) leave the problem as it is (no project option), or (2) take measures to resolve the problem
(undertake the project options). If the project were to continue, it would be necessary to take economic, ecological and social aspects of the project into consideration and ensure that these concerns exist within a delicate balance. Neither the economic benefits nor the social and ecological concerns can be avoided. Therefore, it is important to consider all options and ensure that the best available option(s) is/are chosen to solve the issues/problems.
8.1 No project option
It should be noted that the “no project” option cannot be excluded without proper evaluation. In this report this alternative was considered as the baseline against which to evaluate the other options. The no project option takes the following into consideration:
• Existing groundwater contamination and pollution of the nearshore environment will be
allowed to continue
• Existing health and other socio‐economic impacts of the project will remain and continue to
worsen
• Existing public frustration will continue to worsen and may lead to political unrest
The main advantages and disadvantages of the no‐project option are given in Table 8 ‐1.
Table 8-1: Advantages and disadvantages of the no project option
Strategy Advantages Disadvantages Allow further groundwater • Costs related to improving the • Burden of diseases may contamination and pollution of situation may be avoided in the increase nearshore environment short term • Long term socio-political problems may arise • Greater long term costs • An important water resource will eventually be lost and alternatives sources sought Try to improve the situation by • Reduction in groundwater • Will not address current providing appropriate guidelines salinisation rate concerns adequately (soft interventions such as • Short term costs may be avoided minimize use of pumps, subsidies for maintenance, etc.) • Pollution of nearshore environment may not be a short term issue
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8.2 Alternative Sewerage Systems
For the islands of the Maldives, it is preferable to adopt simple and environmentally sound technologies that require minimum maintenance. Therefore, the following options which may be adopted for Hinnavaru have been selected after careful consideration of socio‐economic, technical and environmental aspects. As per MWSA’s Design Criteria, there are certain elements that would be considered common, whatever the system is employed. For instance, even if treatment plant is considered, an overflow pipe for raw sewage/wastewater shall be provided, with outfall discharging to offshore, high current location outside the reef edge using submersible pumps located or housed in a pumping station. So, alternatives for the outfall or overflow pipe would not be discussed.
There are three main alternative considerations, that is alternatives for sewage conveyance (sewer line), alternatives for sewage treatment and alternatives for final disposal. The basic alternatives for each, which have been tried or are under trial in the Maldives are discussed in the following subheadings.
8.2.1 Sewage collection
There are three different options for the collection or conveyance of sewage in a sewer network.
These are the gravity system, pressure system and the vacuum system. Of these options, the most practicable option for the Maldives due to several advantages as enlisted in Table 8 ‐2 is the vacuum system. However, the vacuum system has not so far been implemented in the Maldives except in
Landaagiraavaru Resort in Baa Atoll. Four more vacuum systems are proposed to be tried under tsunami assistance from UNICEF. These are currently under implementation. As a result, vacuum system has not been considered for Hinnavaru.
8.2.1.1 Gravity system
The existing system in Hinnavaru is a gravity flow sewerage system. Gravity sewers convey the sewage with the help of gravity and without the use of pumps or mechanical pressure systems. The advantage of gravity system is that there would not be a need for electrical components. However, adequate gradients in sewer network has to be met, as a result of which trenching or excavation for laying pipes would be deep and outfalls would be quite short and several outfalls have to be used.
Gravity systems are often referred to as small bore sewerage systems.
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8.2.1.2 Pressure system
A pressure system is a gravity flow system up to a certain depth, after which lifting stations are used to pump the wastewater to a final pumping station that pumps the final effluent from all lift stations directly to an offshore location at the proposed outfall. In this system, the collection system is designed to minimize the multiple outfalls with small bore sewers or gravity sewers. These systems are often referred to as conventional sewerage systems.
8.2.1.3 Vacuum system
A vacuum system conveys sewage and wastewater by sucking the wastewater by creating a vacuum inside the system. In a vacuum system, five or six homes can be connected to one interface valve unit. The vacuum pipeline conveys the sewage to the ejector pump station that creates the vacuum and delivers the influent to the pumping station or treatment works. The ejector pump stations would be similar to lifting stations in the proposed pressure system.
8.2.2 Sewage treatment
8.2.2.1 Individual septic tanks
The existing system in Hinnavaru is a gravity flow sewerage system with catchpits at the household level, which the households find difficult to clean or maintain regularly. Therefore, an improvement to the existing system with septic tanks in place of catchpits would dramatically reduce the frequency of cleaning and maintenance. However, individual septic tanks are not appropriate for
Hinnavaru due to lack of space in house plots. Therefore, this system has not been considered. Also, individual septic tanks would drastically increase the cost of the project. Furthermore, the use of septic tanks improves the quality of the effluent disposed via existing multiple outfalls, however, does not minimize the number of outfalls nor does it help to increase the length of the outfalls. Also, the problem of backflow during high tide would remain to be a cause for concern.
Advantages and disadvantages that have been identified include:
• May recharge groundwater but deteriorate groundwater quality since septic tanks only
remove less than 50% of the BOD.
• High cost of septic tank and soakage pit and land availability need to be checked.
• Requires sludge removal by house holders.
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8.2.2.2 Communal septic tanks
Communal septic tanks work on the same principle as individual septic tanks. However, communal septic tanks require more single space than individual septic tanks. Therefore, communal septic tanks may also not be suitable for Hinnavaru given the lack of space.
8.2.2.3 Packaged treatment plants
Packaged treatment plants capable of secondary treatment to reduce BOD and nutrients to acceptable limits have been used in several resorts. However, these are small treatment units, which are costly. Some of the systems proposed under tsunami assistance have been designed with packaged treatment plants, mainly activated sludge treatment systems. The vacuum systems proposed under UNICEF assistance for four islands considers such treatment plants. Project for Th.
Vilufushi considered a RBC (Rotating Biological Contactors) unit as the treatment system.
8.2.2.4 Reed beds or leaching fields
Furthermore, treatment beds or filtration beds have been tried in the Maldives in Kulhudhuffushi under the Regional Development Project Phase I in 2003 as a pilot project, the results of which were not so promising. Later in 2006, a project in Isdhoo‐Kalaidhoo by the Japanese Government also considered reed beds, which had yet to be evaluated. The system in Isdhoo‐Kalaidhoo is also quite expensive that further consideration would be given for replicating the system elsewhere in the
Maldives. These system are also suitable for larger islands like Isdhoo‐Kalaidhoo due to space requirements and not for Hinnavaru where there would be space constraints for such a system.
8.2.2.5 Natural treatment
Most of the treatment units discussed above treat sewage by natural means, by allowing aerobic or anaerobic bacteria to decompose the sewage thereby reducing its BOD. However, these systems require confined spaces which are hard to be found in the small islands of the Maldives. So, given the small population of almost every island in the Maldives except Malé and that only residential wastewater effluent would be discharged, it has been shown that if the effluent was disposed directly into the abundant sea, it would provide adequate mixing, dilution and treatment. However, according to MEEW (Water Section), this cannot be considered. That is the current thinking of the
Ministry as well as the Maldives Water and Sanitation Authority. Therefore, this system is not considered as the preferred alternative although the Consultant’s believe that Hinnavaru would not require sewage treatment if the wastewater from the current population can be disposed at an
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 89 EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru appropriate location and depth as determined by appropriate modelling studies. In fact, it has been shown that for a population less than 10,000 adequate dilution would be provided even under worst case scenario if untreated wastewater were to be disposed off in an appropriate location (Johnson et al, 2007; WS and LHI, 2006). However, MEEW (Water Section) is of the opinion that treatment shall be considered as long as monitoring of those projects that dispose raw sewage have not been able to demonstrate positive results.
8.2.3 Disposal
There are three basic mechanisms considered for wastewater disposal in the Maldives. They are: (1) disposal to ground, (2) disposal to lagoon, and (3) disposal to sea. Disposal to ground and lagoon can only be considered if secondary level of treatment can be provided. However, disposal to sea at appropriate locations may be considered even without treatment if it can be demonstrated that adequate mixing and dilution would be achieved at the given location.
8.2.3.1 Disposal to Ground
This is the common practice in the Maldives due to its cost‐effectiveness. In most islands, poorly constructed septic tanks or solid separation chambers are directly connected to an infiltration bed made of coral rubble. Some people have two or more chambers in their septic tank system.
However, the level of treatment provided by such septic tanks is not adequate for disposing the effluent to the ground. Due to the superficial nature of the groundwater lens, the water lens gets easily contaminated with faecal coliforms, nitrates and phosphates mainly.
Recently, the vacuum systems proposed by UNICEF do not have any marine outfalls but treated effluent is proposed to be used for gardening and discharged into ground for groundwater recharge. The EIA for Ungoofaaru specifically states that there would not be much benefit from the proposed recharge but it would increase the nutrient levels of the groundwater thereby making it smelly and making people to refrain from using it (Water Solutions 2007).
8.2.3.2 Disposal to lagoon
In islands, where small gravity flow systems have been designed for reasons of cost‐effectiveness, disposal has been primarily via lagoon outfalls. The first few sewerage systems constructed in places such as Naifaru, Hinnavaru, Thulhaadhoo, Kandholhudhoo, Komandoo, Gulhi and
Thinadhoo in the past have failed to achieve the objectives primarily because wastewater effluent is disposed to lagoon or nearshore environment. However, some of these systems with septic tanks
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 90 EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru have been seen to be working effectively in some places such as Gulhi. Yet, according to the island chief of Gulhi, during a site visit under a previous project, they have made requests to the government to provide pumping stations and pump the effluent away from the clear lagoon areas purely for aesthetic reasons.
8.2.3.3 Disposal to sea
Disposal to sea has been considered by the Government as the most practicable method of disposal.
For this reason, emergency by‐pass outfalls have been proposed for all systems (with or without treatment) under the Design Criteria prepared by MWSA. Disposal to sea means disposal to an appropriate location off the reef edge and at a suitable depth that mixing and dilution ensures that sewage is diluted before it reaches the surface and also does not directly dispose onto the seabed or reef. Disposal to sea is naturally a suitable option due to its dilution potential and its characteristics such as adequate flow and salinity which ensure that faecal coliforms would not survive for longer periods and distances as in groundwater and lagoon water. However, disposal to sea would be more expensive than disposal to ground or lagoon, yet have clear long term benefits that would over‐ride the cost implications. Disposal to sea has economic advantages over other treatment options too.
8.3 Preferred Alternative Sewerage System
The preferred alternative is the vacuum system with sea outfalls. Since vacuum system is considered as the preferred alternative, some details of the vacuum system is considered below.
Figure 8-1 : Schematic diagram of the Vacuum System (Source: Roevac Manual)
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While the system has been well tested in many parts of the world the system is new to the inhabited islands of Maldives. While this in itself is not a problem, the fact that it has not been used on the inhabited islands, it does not provide any case studies for comparison with other systems.
The problems that have been put forward include greater maintenance costs, resources and importance for an O&M programme – if this is a comparison between the gravity system and the vacuum system then this is probably true, however as the vacuum system conveys the solid matter as well as the liquid then the gravity system should include the septic tank cost of a team to manage desludging and disposal. The costs of fuel, spares maintenance costs of running a tractor and vacuum pump and tank need to be included. It may be more expensive to operate a team dedicated to sludge removal and disposal rather than a centralized system where a skilled team of utilities workers are based who manage the sewage treatment, island power generation, and water supplies.
The other potential problem that has been identified is that if the vacuum system was introduced on few islands it would be only be required for those islands for spares and technical know‐how.
Table 8-2: Comparison of pressure system (gravity system with pumps) and vacuum system
Gravity System with pumps Vacuum System The island being flat where depth is limited due to The vacuum system allows shallow trenching to be high water table would require lift pumps and lift used resulting in substantial excavation cost savings stations and reduced installation time.
The island has high water table and excavation will The vacuum system on the island will minimize expensive, time consuming and will require dewatering and eliminate the need for trench trenching stabilization to avoid trenches from stabilization collapsing on the workers or destabilizing houses
The wide and deep trenches required for the gravity Small diameter mains allow for shallow and narrow systems will play havoc with the roads and narrow trenching thereby minimizing construction time and lanes on the islands environment disturbances
With gravity systems it is possible for exfiltration to With a vacuum system – infiltration can occur if a occur with contamination of the fresh water lens. It main pipe is broken and this will be detected. is also possible for infiltration to occur which can Exfiltration does not occur due to the nature of the lead to over loading at the treatment plant. To detect system. where exfiltration or infiltration is occurring is almost impossible to detect.
Unforeseen obstructions such as rocks can cause The vacuum system can easily be laid around an expensive rerouting of pipes obstruction
200 up to 400 mm diameter concrete pipe and 90 up to 200 mm diameter PVC or HDPE vacuum vitrified clay pipe sewer main are typical with sewer mains are typical. The cost of installing material and heavy transport costs and unit labor vacuum piping is much lower than gravity pipes. costs
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8.4 Alternative Locations
The location of the pumping stations and proposed treatment plant, which is on the northeast end of
Hinnavaru, is the most convenient location for establishing the treatment and disposal works because the landuse plan has considered this location for such services based on year‐round wind data; this location provides adequate distance from the outfall; the outfall location has shore‐parallel currents during both monsoons generally carrying the effluent away from the island; and there would not be any further reclamation at this end of the island according to the landuse plan.
However, other alternative locations have been considered and these are shown in the figure below.
1
Lee of the island during SW monsoon
2
Lee of the island during NE monsoon 3
1 Designated location 2 Optional location shown by IDC/Island Office 3 Third alternative location
Figure 8-2: Different locations considered for pumping station and outfalls in Hinnavaru
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 93 EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru
Each of the locations shown above are appropriate in terms of outfall conditions for treated effluent.
However, alternatives 2 and 3 have the pumping stations (and treatment plant) near smell sensitive locations and are also in the lee of the island island during NE monsoon and such that winds will carry smell towards the island during the SW monsoon. However, none of these issues would arise with the proposed location 1. Therefore, locations 2 and 3 are considered inappropriate in terms of nuisance to residential and public areas in the vicinity.
8.4.1 Other Alternatives
8.4.1.1 Greywater separation
A system which separates grey and black water is also suitable and will enable some recharging of the groundwater (mainly during the dry period) if grey water is recycled back in to the aquifer.
However, such a system will require additional reticulation system for grey water separation and ultimate discharge. Although grey water is relatively free from contaminants, it has several harmful substances such as phosphates from soap and detergents. These chemicals can be harmful if they are allowed to enter water bodies. Therefore though grey water disposal is an option, it has also to be treated to some stage prior to disposal. These factors make it unattractive as such a system will increase the capital costs of the project. Furthermore, maintenance is also going to be a significant challenge. Last but not least, the limited space available in the island will be a limiting factor for a complex system.
It is often believed that greywater recharge would help improve groundwater, however, the fact is that greywater recharge would contribute very little to slow down salinisation of the groundwater aquifer and would not be economically feasible given the cost implications of greywater recycling.
In fact, the Maldives receives well over 2000mm of rainfall, which would be more than sufficient to recharge the aquifer. Yet, the aquifer, similar to a rainwater tank, has its maximum capacity limits and cannot overgrow the impact imposed by high rates of abstraction. It has been shown that the rate of groundwater pumping is the main factor contributing to salinisation of the lens. Therefore, sustainable rates of pumping can only ensure sustainable management of the aquifer, as has been discussed earlier.
It has been observed from data collected even in the late 90s for Malé that the freshwater aquifer is of good quality in areas where the abstraction is small and quite saline in areas where there is high abstraction. Even wells in the vicinity of a well with freshwater may have more brackish water.
Therefore, it is known that freshwater exists in pockets. Where the drawn down effect is high, due
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 94 EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru to the size of pumps and rate of pumping, there is a tendency for the water lens to become more saline at the location where the drawdown is greater. According to the Ghyben‐Hertzberg principle for every feet of groundwater drawn from the surface of the water lens, salt water from below the lens pushes the water lens or the freshwater‐seawater transition zone by 40feet (Freeze and Cherry,
1979), thereby making the freshwater at a particular location more saline than other areas. This draw down or lowering of the water table at the point of abstraction, sometimes referred to as the “coning effect” for the freshwater lens, can only be avoided with the use of appropriate technology such as skimming wells and infiltration galleries. High rates of pumping are the main contributor to salinisation. This is the case in many islands, where the aquifer has become salty, even when there is no sewerage system. Therefore, as long as pumps continue to be used for groundwater abstraction, no amount of recharge would guarantee a freshwater aquifer.
In addition to the use of pumps, it has been observed in Dhidhdhoo that tidal influence also disturbs the groundwater lens. Houses in the areas most severely subject to storm surges have very brackish groundwater. Some of these houses, therefore, have tried and tested a technology that draws groundwater at a near‐sustainable rate. This technology, which may be referred to as skimming wells, has been considered in the EIA report as a mitigation measure to overcome the impacts of salinisation of the groundwater lens.
It is not necessarily true that the interval of rainfall (frequency) is important in considering the recharge potential of precipitation. However, the amount of rainfall (intensity) is more important.
According to the USGCRP team (Carter et al 2001), “the size of the groundwater lens is directly related to the size of the island… (and) also related to the normal amount and type of precipitation
(e.g., heavy downpours recharge lenses, while light rain generally does not)”. Therefore, the type of rainfall that occurs in the Maldives with high intensity‐high duration‐low frequency rainfall is useful for the development of groundwater lenses in low‐lying islands. It is also important to note that the aquifer (like a rainwater tank) has its own capacity and not every drop of rainwater will percolate to contribute to the freshwater lens. This argument also supports the belief held by the consultants that aquifer recharge is not easily possible by grey water recharge.
8.4.1.2 Deep disposal wells
There is also an appropriate technology that can be applied to reduce risks of marine pollution. This method involves the disposal of effluent in to deep disposal wells in to the salt water strata, below the upper fresh water zone. The well is designed and constructed so as to isolate the upper zone
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 95 EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru from any risk of contamination from the effluent being disposed of. The depth of well is approximately likely to be 20 to 40 meter, depending on the hydro‐geological situation.
The benefits of disposing sewage effluent to the lower zone are a much‐reduced environmental impact and health risk because of the following.
• Dispersion and dilution in to a large body of underground water that is very unlikely to
come in to contact with man or the near shore environment
• Possibility of anaerobic treatment taking place over a significant period of travel time,
killing off most of the dangerous contaminants and substantial gentrification before the
water flows to the open sea
• In islands with large reef systems, the construction of the outfall may require damage to the
reef and sometime blasting of hard coral. In such instances, deep disposal wells may be
extremely practical though the initial investment may be higher.
• Outfalls may be aesthetically unappealing
• Likelihood that if the groundwater does flow to the open sea, then the depths encountered
probably mean that it would not enter the open sea until far out from land. This will mean
that elevated nutrient levels caused by disposal of sewage to near shore environment will
not occur, preventing the marine damage that is evident from the existing systems.
The well can be located at the edge of the island where fresh groundwater is unlikely to exist, and reducing risks even further as the groundwater flow will always be from the centre of the island towards the sea. However, this technology has yet to be tested in the Maldives and has, therefore, not been considered appropriate for Hinnavaru.
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9 Environmental Monitoring
9.1 Introduction
Hinnavaru does not have an island‐specific monitoring programme. Therefore, it is recommended that the Island Development Committee or the Island Office initiate an integrated, island‐wide environmental monitoring programme. There are several benefits in such a programme including:
• Impacts on the island of different projects ongoing including solid waste management,
water supply, harbour and sewerage projects can be undertaken in a coordinated manner
• Since all projects impact upon the same environmental resources and aspects, the
cumulative impacts of all projects combined is better understood
• A holistics approach to environmental management can be adopted
• Cost of monitoring would be reduced and more parameters can be monitored.
Therefore, it would be interesting to undertake such an integrated monitoring programme. In that case, the following environmental components would be useful to monitor.
• Ground water of the island to monitor the impact of grey water and leakages
• Coral reef monitoring for reef health and marine biodiversity around the outfall and a
control point
• Surface water around the outfall and other locations to monitor improvements in sea water
quality especially the lagoon
• Socio‐economic aspects
In case of adopting a project‐specific monitoring programme, it is perhaps only useful to monitor groundwater and surface water quality at designated locations. This report discusses the monitoring requirements specifically for these parameters. However, monitoring requirements for other parameters such as reef and socio‐economic aspects are also included for reference in case an island‐ wide monitoring programme were to be considered.
The proposed monitoring programme shall be undertaken by environmental consultants during the construction period. The monitoring programme shall continue for a period of at least 5 years in order to understand the impacts and benefits of the system. Annual monitoring reports
(summarizing the findings from the annual monitoring) need to be submitted to the Ministry of
Environment, Energy and Water (MEEW) at the end of each year including monitoring records and field inspections during the construction phase.
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It is important that information and experience gained through the monitoring activities are fed back into the EIA evaluation and analysis system to improve the quality of future assessment studies.
9.2 Monitoring Requirements
9.2.1 Coral Reef Monitoring
Table 7‐1 shows the coral reef monitoring programme recommended for short and long‐term evaluation of the reef system and ambient marine environment. Depending on the logistics available some of the elements in the above matrix can be omitted, however, it is strongly recommended that these methods are included in the monitoring programme.
Table 9-1: Coral reef system monitoring programme matrix
Methods Frequency of Monitoring Purpose Ambient Environmental Parameters Twice every month during Important to the ‘health’ of living to include Temperature, Salinity, construction phase; once every marine resources, reefs and fish Turbidity/light penetration, Currents three months thereafter populations and other benthos Manta Tow Technique Once every year or following a Broad scale qualitative and Semi‐ significant natural event e.g. quantitative assessment of general coral bleaching, COT status of the reef system / coral and infestation, storm damage etc. other benthic recruitment Line Intercept Transect Once every 6 months Quantitative assessment of spatial patterns of coral and other benthic cover Water quality test Once every three months Quantitative assessment of Nitrogen and Phosphorous contents, chlorophyll A and other parameters such as total and faecal coliform and streptococci counts
Research in the Caribbean and in the Great Barrier Reef of Australia has established the critical levels of nitrogen and phosphorous which must not be exceeded if reefs are to remain healthy without being overgrown by weedy algae (Lapointe et al., 1992, 1993, Bell, 1992).These concentrations are:
• Nitrogen: 0.014 ppm N or 0.040 ppm NO3
• Phosphorous 0.003 ppm P or 0.007 ppm PO4
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9.2.2 Water Quality Monitoring Table 9-2: Monitoring water quality
Impact Area Data sought Min. Frequency Purpose Groundwater pH, E‐Conductivity, TDS, total Every three months To ensure effectiveness and faecal coliforms, nitrates, initially, then every of the proposed systems nitrites, BOD and phosphorus, six months To base groundwater H2S gas protection measures
System performance Inspect and report leaks in Once a year To ensure appropriate sewerage system performance Lagoon pH, E‐Conductivity, TDS, total Every three months To ensure effectiveness and faecal coliforms, nitrates, initially, then every of the proposed systems BOD and phosphorus six months Sea outfall/marine pH, E‐Conductivity, TDS, total Every three months To ensure effectiveness and faecal coliforms, nitrates, initially, then every of the proposed systems nitrites, BOD, phosphorus and six months chlorophyll‐A
9.2.3 Monitoring dewatering impacts
The water quality and water levels of selected houses would be monitored just before, during and after the project to understand the changes due to dewatering. The parameters to be monitored from each well would be pH, E‐Conductivity, total and faecal coliforms, nitrates and tidal water level variations. This impact specific monitoring will be undertaken only during the period of the impact.
9.2.4 Socio‐ Economic Aspects
One of the key aspects of sustainable sanitation is the contribution that a proper sewerage system makes towards overall health of the population and community development. Therefore, such systems must be able to demonstrate their contribution towards social and community development through economic contributions and awareness creation.
A healthy environment should in turn mean opportunities for improved health and community development for the residents of Hinnavaru. Another key indicator of system sustainability will be the community’s capacity to maintain and operate the system without undue financial or mental stress. A monitoring protocol to review costs associated with operation and maintenance of the system should be a component of the operating manual. In the first year following the implementation of the system, resident concerns should be promptly addressed, noted and resolved. A survey of residents to assess and track their level of satisfaction with system should also be undertaken following the first year of system operation, so that issues might be addressed before they become serious.
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Table 9-3: Indicators for monitoring of socio-economic aspects of the project
DIRECT IMPACT INDICATORS
Indicator Assessment question Source of information
1. Access to water What are the changes occurring Island office records regarding the access to safe water? Focus Group No of households using different Discussion types of water by purpose
E.g. Households using ground water for cooking / drinking/ washing/ bathing/ agricultural purposes. Households using purified water for drinking/washing/bathing/agricultural purpose 2. Incidence of water borne diseases What are the changes occurring Atoll hospital records Diarrhoea regarding the incidence of water borne Focus group disease? Typhoid discussions Cholera 3.Employment Are jobs and income earning Record in the island Number of direct employment opportunities created due to the office created due to the project project?
4. System performance and satisfaction, e.g. how does the present system compared with previous system, how satisfied are people with the new system on a given scale (Likert)
9.3 Recommended Monitoring Programme
Outlined here are minimum project specific monitoring requirements that should be considered.
This monitoring programme for the proposed project includes at least three monthly monitoring and covers the three stages of the project implementation.
Stage 1: Immediately before starting works
Stage 2: During civil works
Stage 3: Operational stage for two years
The monitoring needs of each stage are discussed in detail below:
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Stage 1
• Groundwater quality for pH, Conductivity, TDS, DO, nitrates, phosphates, faecal and total
coliforms (to be sampled and tested prior to project implementation)
• Marine water quality – BOD, faecal coliforms, dissolved oxygen and chlorophyll A (to be
sampled and tested prior to project implementation)
• Public expectations (covered in this EIA)
Stage 2
• Groundwater quality for pH, Conductivity, TDS, DO, nitrates, phosphates, faecal and total
coliforms
• Marine water quality – BOD, faecal coliforms, dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll A
• Public complaints and issues raised
Stage 3
• Groundwater quality for pH, Conductivity, TDS, DO, nitrates, phosphates, faecal and total
coliforms
• Marine water quality – BOD, faecal coliforms, dissolved oxygen and chlorophyll A
• Public satisfaction/dissatisfaction of the system
For water quality monitoring, site conditions during monitoring such as smelly groundwater, rainy day or outfall within 5m of sampling location must be identified. Sampling conditions including sampling depth, time and GPS location shall be provided.
9.4 Cost of monitoring
The following table outlines a cost estimate for the monitoring assuming the monitoring will be undertaken by environmental consultants and most of the parameters would be tested in‐situ.
Table 9-4: Costs of the proposed monitoring programme
No Details Unit cost (MRF) Total (MRF) 1 Transport cost 15,000.00 120,000.00 2 Field allowance for 2 staffs for 2 days 1,000.00 8,000.00 3 Accommodation for 2 staffs for 2 days 300.00 2,400.00 4 Food for 2 staffs for 2 days 200.00 1,600.00 5 Monitoring equipment hire 2,570.00 20,560.00 Total 152,560.00
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The frequency of monitoring during construction would be every three months and every six months during the first two years. A total of 8 monitoring trips would have to be undertaken.
Alternatively, samples can be taken by designated person (such as the sewerage system operators) and sent to Malé for testing at the Public Health Laboratory. The costs of this would be much less compared to the costs given above. However, this would be quite impractical as the community may not have a particular need to assess the water quality. However, the Environment Research
Center and the project consultants who have an obligation to measure the accuracy of the impacts assessed as well as monitor the environmental benefits of the proposed project would have several reasons to undertake adequate monitoring. This is why the commitment of the Proponent to undertake monitoring has been made mandatory under the EIA Regulations. Hence, the commitment statement from the proponent is based on the estimates given in Table 9 ‐4.
9.5 Monitoring Report
A detailed environmental monitoring report is required to be compiled and submitted to the
Environment Research Center of the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water yearly based on the data collected for monitoring the parameters included in the monitoring programme given in this report. ERC may submit the report to the relevant Government agencies in order to demonstrate compliance of the Proponent.
The report will include details of the site, strategy of data collection and analysis, quality control measures, sampling frequency and monitoring analysis and details of methodologies and protocols followed. In addition to this more frequent reporting of environmental monitoring will be communicated among the environmental consultant, project proponent, the contractors and supervisors to ensure possible negative impacts are mitigated appropriately during and after the project works.
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10 Declaration of the consultants
This EIA has been prepared according to the EIA Regulations 2007, issued by the Ministry of
Environment, Energy and Water. The EIA was carried out by a multidisciplinary consulting team representing Water Solutions, Maldives and Al Habshi Consulting Office, Kuwait.
We certify that the statements in this Environmental Impact Assessment study are true, complete and correct to the best of our knowledge and our abilities.
Name: Abdul Aleem (EIA 09/07)
Signature:
Date:
Name: Ahmed Jameel (EIA 07/07)
Signature:
Date:
Name: Ahmed Zahid (EIA 08/07)
Signature:
Date:
Name: Hassan Shah (EIAT 02/07)
Signature:
Date:
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 103 EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru
11 Sources of Information
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eutrophication: The Belize Barrier Reef, Proceedings of the 7th International Symposium on Coral
Reefs, p. 317‐328, Guam
Beswick, R. (2000). Water Supply and Sanitation, A Strategy and Plan for the Republic of Maldives, Parts 1
& 2, Ministry of Health, Republic of Maldives.
Brown, B. E. and J. C. Ogden (2003). Coral bleaching. Scientific American 268:64‐70.
Brown, et al (1990), Effects on the degradation of local fisheries in the Maldives. Final Report to Overseas
Development Administration.
Brown, et al (1990), Effects on the degradation of local fisheries in the Maldives, Final Report to Overseas
Development Administration.
Carter, L. M., et al (2001), Potential Consequences of Climate Variability and Change for the US
Affiliated Islands of the Pacific and Caribbean, pp. 315‐349 in The Potential Consequences of Climate
Variability and Change: Foundation Report, Report by the National Assessment Synthesis Team
for the US Global Change Research Program, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK,
620pp., 2001Allison W R. (1996). Snorkeler damage to reef corals in the Maldive Islands, Coral
Reefs 15: 215‐218
Clark, S., Akester, S. and Naeem, H. (1999). Conservation and Sustainable Use of Coral Reefs: Status of
Coral Reef Communities in North Male’ Atoll, Maldives; Recovery Following a Severe Bleaching Event in
1998, MacAlister Elliot and Partners Ltd.
English, S., Wilkinson, C. and Baker, V. (1997). Survey Manual for Tropical Marine Resources (2nd
edition), Australian Institute of Marine Science
Falkland, A. (2001), Report on Integrated Water Resources Management and Sustainable Sanitation for 4
Islands, Maldives, Maldives Water and Sanitation Authority, Maldives
Freeze, R.A., and Cherry, J.A. (1979), Groundwater, Englewood Cliffs, N.J., Prentice‐Hall Inc., 604 pp
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, GBRMPA (2005), Sewage discharge policy March 2005,
Sewage discharges from marine outfalls to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
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GWP consultants (2005), Water Resources Tsunami Impact Assessment and Sustainable Water Sector
Recovery Strategies, September 2005
GWP consultants (2006), Final Report on Water Resources Assessments in Addu Atoll and Sustainable
Water Supply and Sanitation Strategies, Maldives
Johnson, et al (2007), Environmental Impact Assessment for the proposed sewerage system in
Kulhuduhuffushi, Haa Dhaalu Atoll, Asian Development Bank
Kenchington, R.A., The Republic of Maldives, pp 184‐204. Managing Marine Environment, Taylor and
Francis New York Inc. (1990)
Marine Research Centre (2003), Socio‐economic assessment and monitoring ofcoral reef resources at
Vaavu atoll, Maldives. Ministry of Fisheries, Agriculture and Marine Resources. Global Coral
Reef Monitoring Network‐South Asia Region. Retrieved on: November 31, 2005 from website
http://ioc.unesco.org/gcrmn/MRC%20socioeconomic%20study.pdf
Ministry of Environment and Construction (2004), State of the Environment 2004, Maldives
MWSA (2006), General Guideline for Domestic Wastewater Disposal, Maldives Water & Sanitation
Authority
MWSA (2007), Design Criteria for sewerage systems, MWSA, Maldives
NDC, Pakistan and MWSC, Maldives (2003), Final Report on Development of Water Supply and
Sewerage System in Atolls, Maldives
P. Bell, 1992, Eutrophication and coral reefs: some examples in the Great Barrier Reef lagoon, Water
Research 26: 553‐568
Roe D, Dalal‐Clayton & Hughes, R (1995), A Directory of Impact Assessment Guidelines, IIED, Russell
Press, Nottingham, UK
Terrados et.al. (1998). Changes in the community structure and biomass of seagrass communities
along gradients of siltation in SE Asia, Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Science 46, 757‐68.
The United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (2005), Admiralty Tide Tables – Indian Ocean and South
China Sea, Vol3 (NP203)
USACE (1999), Small wastewater systems, USACE, Washington
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 105 EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru
Water Solutions (2006a), EIA for the Sewerage System in Gan, Laamu Atoll, IFRC, Maldives
Water Solutions (2006b), EIA for the Sewerage System in Guraidhoo, Kaafu Atoll, IFRC, Maldives
Water Solutions (2006c), EIA for the Sewerage System in Kudahuvadhoo, Dhaalu Atoll, IFRC, Maldives
Water Solutions (2006d), EIA for the Sewerage System in Maafushi, Kaafu Atoll, IFRC, Maldives
Water Solutions (2007), EIA for the sewerage system in R. Ungoofaaru, UNICEF, Maldives
Waterhouse, J. and Johnson, J. (2002), Sewage Discharges in the Great Barrier Reef Region.
WS and LHI (2006), Environmental Impact Assessment for the development of sewerage system in HA.
Dhidhdhoo, MEEW, Maldives
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 106 EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru
Appendix 1: Terms of Reference
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 107
EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru
Appendix 3: CV’s of unregistered consultants
Aminath Latheefa
Education
− Masters in Sustainable Development, The University of Staffordshire (Sep 2005, UK) − Masters of Applied Science in Natural Resource Management, The University of James Cook (2002 – 2004 , Australia ,Townsville) − Bachelor of Business major in Economics, The University of Edith Cowan ( Jan 1994 – 1996 Dec, Perth Western, Australia ) − Diploma In Statistics, The Institute of Indian Statistical (1987–1988, Calcutta, India )
Professional Training
− Certificate in Damage and loss Estimation for Risk Management 2005 Thailand, Bangkok (5 days) − Certificate in Public Management: course on National Economic Management (Malaysia 1999) 12days − Certificate in General Statistics (Tokyo, Japan 1989-1990) 6 months − Certificate on Extension Methodology and the Socio – Economic aspects of small – scale fisheries (Bangkok , Thailand 1985) 2 month
Projects Undertaken September 2007 Socio economic Assessment towards the establishment of sewerage system in Ga Vilingili, Gdh Gadhdhoo and Gdh Dhaandhoo (prepared for Riyan Design Pvt Ltd in collaboration with Cardno, Australia), January 2007 Social Impact Assessment of establishing sewerage system in Ugoofaaru Island in Lhaviyani Atoll (prepared for Water Solutions Pvt Ltd), January 2007 Social Impact Assessment of establishing a sewerage system in Manadhoo in Lhaviyani Atoll (prepared for Water Solutions Pvt Ltd), December 2006 Social Impact Assessment of Naridhoo (Water Solutions Pvt Ltd), September 2006 Social Impact Assessment of Post Tsunmai Reconstruction of Vilufushi Island in Lhaviyani Atoll (prepared for Boskalis International, Netherlands), July 2005 Benefit Monitoring and Evaluation (BME) of the Regional Development Project, Phase 1 (prepared for Ministry of Planning and Development), Latheefa. A. Dec 2003 A review of Addu Atolls fishery, Marine Research Bulletin, Marine Research Centre, Male Maldives, May 2003. Southern Atolls Development Project Evaluation prepared for Ministry of Finance and Treasury, January 2003.Evaluation of the Regional Seminars on Reproductive health held for sport Managers of R, K, AU and M atoll under the advocacy program of “Population and Reproductive Health Advocacy Aimed at Influential Groups” project implemented by the Ministry of Atolls Administration. (Prepared for the AXE private limited), Maniku. M.H., Faiz, M. Zahir, H & Latheefa. (2000)A, Study on the Feasibility of Establishing Sustainable Income Generating Activities by the Production and Marketing of Local Products, -Southern Atolls Development Project (prepared for the for the Ministry of Atolls Administration), Maniku. M.H., Faiz, M. Zahir, H & Latheefa.(2000).A, Study on the Feasibility of Establishing Sustainable Income Generating Activities by the Production and Marketing of Handicraft Items , -Southern Atolls Development Project (prepared for the for the Ministry of Atolls Administration), Maniku. M.H., Faiz, M. Zahir, H & Latheefa.(2000).A, Study on the Feasibility of Establishing Health Services, -Southern Atolls Development Project. (prepared for the Ministry of Atolls Administration), Latheefa. A., Uphadhaya, S. (1999) Tourism Expenditure Survey 1997 Research Paper prepared under the National Accounts Project of the Ministry of Planning and Development, Latheefa. (1997) Koodoo Cold Store Impact Survey, Ministry of Fisheries, Agriculture and Marine Resources, Latheefa, A.(1997) Fisheries Management System. Ministry of Fisheries Agriculture and Marine Resources. Paper presented to the BOBP Workshop on Precautionary Approach to Fisheries Management, Medan Indonesia February 1997 Hashim. A., Latheefa, A. Parry, G., (1994) Koodoo Cold Store Baseline Survey. Ministry of Fisheries Agriculture and Marine Resources Naeem. A. Latheefa. A (1994) Bio-socio-economic assessment of Fish Aggregating Devices in the tuna fishery of the Maldives. Ministry of Fishery, Agriculture and Marine Resources.
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 110 EIA for the Development of Sewerage System at Lh. Hinnavaru
Appendix 4: Drawings
Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water 2008 111