2754 EMP Oxidation Ponds in Eheke Settlement Oshana Region.Pdf

TABLE OF CONTENTS NO. SECTION PAGE 1 INTRODUCTION 3 1.1 Introduction 4 1.2 Objectives 4 1.3 Relevant Listed Activities and Legislation 4 1.4 Methodology 5 1.5 The Applicant 6 1.6 The Environmental Assessment Practitioner 7 2 GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT EHEKE VILLAGE AND OXIDATION PONDS 9 2.1 Location and Population of Eheke 9 2.2 Description of Eheke Oxidation Ponds 10 3. GENERAL ENVIRONMENTAL DESCRIPTION 15 3.1 Socio-Economic Environment 15 3.1.1 Staff structure 15 3.1.2 Infrastructure on Site 15 3.1.3 Site Economic Activities 15 3.1.4 Adjacent Development 15 3.2 Biophysical Environment 15 3.2.1 Climate 15 3.2.2 Hydrogeology and Hydrology 18 3.2.3 Flora and Fauna 20 3.2.4 State of the On-Site Environment 20 4. POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACTS 21 4.1 General Considerations 21 4.2 Impact Criteria and Classification 21 4.3 Operation Phase-Related Impacts 22 4.3.1 Socio‐Economic Impacts 22 4.3.2 Environmental Impacts 23 5 EHEKE OXIDATION PONDS MANAGEMENT PLAN 25 5.1 General Responsibilities of the Oshana Regional Council and Eheke Settlement Office 25 5.2 Proposed Mitigation Measures to be Performed 26 6. CONCLUSION 29 7. REFERENCES 29 LIST OF FIGURES FIGURE PAGE Figure 1 - Eheke settlement is approximately 15km west of Ondangwa 9 Figure 2 – Aerial view of Eheke settlement and oxidation ponds 9 Figure 3 – Configuration of the oxidation ponds 11 Figure 4 – Security fence around the perimeter of the oxidation ponds with trees to be trimmed 12 Figure 5 - Worn out warning sign that should be replaced 12 Figure 6 – Wastewater in anaerobic ponds– some vegetation to be removed 13 Figure 7 – Inlet structure, vegetation to be removed 13 Figure 8– Slow flow into the evaporation pond – some vegetation to be removed 14 Figure 9 – Average annual rainfall 16 Figure 10 – Average annual temperature 17 Figure 11 – Groundwater basins and rock types 18 Figure 12 – Rivers, basins, pans and lakes 19 Figure 13 – Important plant species 20 LIST OF TABLES TABLE PAGE Table 1 – Relevant legislation, policies and guidelines 4 Table 2 - Criteria and Classification of Impacts 21 Table 3 - Eheke Oxidation Ponds Impacts Evaluation – Operational Phase 24 Table 4 – EMP Mitigation Measures 26 2 | P a g e EHEKE EXISTING OXIDATION PONDS EMP 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 Introduction In a letter dated 15 April 2016, the Environmental Commissioner of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism notified the Oshana Regional Council that the existing oxidation ponds in Eheke settlement require an environmental clearance certificate. On 20 March 2021, the Oshana Regional Council appointed Consulting Services Africa to update the Environmental Management Plan and assist the Oshana Regional Council in applying for the renewal of the environmental clearance certificate. In addition to this updated EMP being required for the renewal of the environmental clearance certificate, it is also needed by the Oshana Regional Council and Eheke settlement office to provide guidance on proper management of the oxidation ponds. 1.2 Objectives This Environmental Management Plan (EMP) is a basic tool for reducing the magnitude of potential impacts of the Eheke oxidation ponds. It will also be used to measure compliance by the Oshana Regional Council and Eheke settlement. In the future, this EMP will incorporate any conditions of the authorisation set by the Environmental Commissioner regarding operations and maintenance. The objectives of this EMP are to: • Promote sustainable development by encouraging conservation and mitigation of negative significant impacts to the natural and social environments. • Identify laws, regulations and standards that are applicable to the environmental management of the oxidation ponds. • Identify actions and procedures to be taken by the Oshana Regional Council and Eheke settlement office staff to prevent or minimise negative impacts to the natural and social environments and ensure compliance with this EMP. 3 | P a g e EHEKE EXISTING OXIDATION PONDS EMP 1.3 Relevant Listed Activities and Legislation In Government Notice No. 29 of 2012, List of Activities that May Not Be Undertaken Without an Environmental Clearance Certificate: Environmental Management Act, 2007, the Eheke oxidation ponds constitute the following listed activities: i. 2.1 - The construction of facilities for waste sites, treatment of waste and disposal of waste. ii. 2.3 - The import, processing, use and recycling, temporary storage, transit or export of waste. iii. 8.6 - Construction of industrial and domestic wastewater treatment plants and related pipeline systems. iv. 9.2 - Any process or activity which requires a permit, license or other form of authorisation, or the modification of or changes to existing facilities for any process or activity which requires an amendment of an existing permit, licensee or authorisation or which requires a new permit, license or authorisation in terms of a law governing the generation or release of emissions, pollution, effluent or waste. The environmental impacts associated with the operations of the Eheke oxidation ponds are required to be managed in compliance with the EIA Regulations published in Government Notice No. 30 of 2012 read with Section 27 of the Environmental Management Act. There is also other legislation, policies and guidelines that need to be adhered to when operating oxidation ponds. See Table 1 below, which is not exhaustive. Table 1. Relevant legislation, policies and guidelines Title of legislation, Implications for Eheke oxidation ponds policy or guideline The Namibian The Constitution clearly indicates that the state shall actively promote and Constitution of 1990 maintain the welfare of the people by adopting policies aimed at management of ecosystems, essential ecological processes and biological diversity of Namibia for the benefit of all Namibians, both present and future. Water Resources This Act protects all water resources in Namibia. The Act also laid down Management Act No. conditions to ensure that proper wastewater treatment is provided, including 24 of 2004 requirement for wastewater discharge permit from the Directorate of Water Affairs. Environmental The Policy seeks to ensure that the environmental consequences of Assessment Policy of development projects and policies are considered, understood and 4 | P a g e EHEKE EXISTING OXIDATION PONDS EMP Namibia (1995) incorporated into the planning process, and that the term ENVIRONMENT is broadly interpreted to include biophysical, social, economic, cultural, historical and political components. Environmental The Act provides a list of projects requiring an Environmental assessment. It Management Act No. 7 aims to promote the sustainable management of the environment and the of 2007 use of natural resources and to provide for a process of assessment and control of activities which may have significant effects on the environment. Public Health Act, No. This Act makes provision for the prevention and control of infectious 36 of 1919 and diseases and epidemics. It also regulates sanitation, food and public water Amendments and supplies. Regulations Hazardous Substances The Ordinance applies to the manufacture, sale, use, disposal and dumping Ordinance No. 14 of of hazardous substances, as well as their import and export. Its primary 1974 purpose is to prevent hazardous substances from causing injury, ill-health or the death of human beings. Pollution Control and The Bill promotes sustainable development and the establishment of the Waste Management Pollution Control and Waste Management Unit: to prevent and regulate the Bill of 1999 discharge of pollutants to the air, water and land; to make provision for the establishment of an appropriate framework for integrated pollution prevention and control; to regulate noise, dust and odour pollution; to establish a system of waste planning and management; and to enable Namibia to comply with its obligations under international law in this regard. National Waste This policy is focusing specifically on Waste Management and use of various Management Policy, technologies waste treatment and disposal to minimize health risks. It is also 2010 geared to have a unified waste management system country wide. This policy provides the necessary guidance on the processes related to waste management in the MOHSS, wider Namibia health and social welfare sectors, and other relevant stakeholders. It is taking into consideration the process of integrated waste management from generation to final disposal. This practice also focus on medical, household, mining, agricultural, and construction waste. Pond System, Code of This manual addresses treatment of wastewater by means of pond systems. Practice: General It includes design information and strives to present information that may be Guidelines Volume 2, helpful to owners and operators of pond systems, individuals performing 2008 compliance inspections, sampling and writing or assessing technical reports on which permit conditions are based. 1.4 Methodology The input required to prepare this EMP was obtained by the following means: • A site inspection performed by CSA staff; • Meetings and discussions with Oshana Regional Council • Review of desktop literature; • Previous experience with the preparation of EMPs for wastewater treatment ponds; 5 | P a g e EHEKE EXISTING OXIDATION PONDS EMP • Consultations with registered professional engineers regarding operation and maintenance practices. Aspects of the oxidation ponds that could impact the surrounding environment directly or indirectly were

Load more