Executive
summary
This Quarterly EM&A Report
presents the monitoring works conducted at Zone 2A and Zone 2B & 2C from 1 May
2022 to 31 July 2022.
The impact stage EM&A programme
for the Project includes air quality, noise, water quality, waste, landscape
and visual monitoring. The recommended environmental mitigation measures were
implemented on site and regular inspections were carried out to ensure that the
environmental conditions are acceptable.
The EM&A programme was
carried out by the ET in accordance with the EM&A Manual requirements. It
is concluded from the environmental monitoring and audit works that adequate
environmental mitigation measures have been implemented by the contractors
where appropriate in the reporting quarter.
Exceedance of Action and Limit Levels
There was no breach of Action or Limit Levels for Air Quality (1-hour
TSP and 24-hour TSP) and Construction Noise in the reporting quarter.
Implementation of Mitigation Measures
Construction phase weekly site
inspections were carried out to confirm the implementation measures undertaken
by the Contractors in the reporting quarter. The status of implementation of
mitigation measures during the reporting quarter is shown in Appendix C.
Landscape and visual impact inspections were conducted as part of
the above-mentioned weekly site inspections during the reporting quarter. No
adverse comment on landscape and visual aspects were made during these inspections.
Record of
Complaints
Seven environmental complaints were received during the reporting quarter.
Record of Notifications of Summons and Successful Prosecutions
No notifications of summons and successful prosecutions were recorded
in the reporting quarter.
1.1
Background
Apex Testing & Certification Limited (Apex) was commissioned to
undertake the Environmental Team (ET) services (including environmental
monitoring and audit (EM&A)) for the construction activities in Zone 2A,
consisting of Foundation, Excavation and Lateral Support Works for Integrated
Basement and Underground Road (Contract No.: GW/2020/05/073) ; and Zone 2B
& 2C consisting of Piling Works for Integrated Basement and Underground
Road (Contract No.: CC/2020/2B/088) at WKCD. The major construction works and
EM&A programme for Zone 2A and Zone 2B & 2C commenced on 3 October 2020
and 30 September 2021 respectively.
The overall works for the
WKCD fall under two separate categories of Designated Project (DP) of the
Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO), namely an “engineering
feasibility study of urban development projects with a study area covering more
than 20 ha or involving a total population of more than 100 000” (Item 1 of
Schedule 3) and “an underpass more than 100m in length under the built areas”
(Item A.9, Part I, Schedule 2). An Environmental Permit No. EP-453/2013/B (EP)
was issued with respect to the “Underpass Road and Austin Road Flyover Serving
the West Kowloon Cultural District” which specifically includes the
abovementioned category of DP under Item A.9, Part I, Schedule 2 of the EIAO.
The captioned projects include part of the abovementioned underpass road
located within the site boundary falls under this same category.
The purpose of the development in Zone
2A and Zone 2B & 2C is to reserve for Integrated Basement (IB) and
Underground Road (UR). The Zone 2A construction activities involve the
foundation, excavation and lateral support (ELS) works, road works, drainage
diversion works, and temporary car parking. The Zone 2B & 2C construction
activities involve the piling works.
The Quarterly EM&A Report is
prepared in accordance with the Clause 3.4 of the Environmental Permit No.
EP-453/2013/B. This Quarterly EM&A Report presents the monitoring works at Zone 2A and
Zone 2B & 2C from
1 May 2022 to 31
July 2022. The
purpose of this report is to summarise the findings in the EM&A of the
project over the reporting period.
The organisation chart and lines of
communication with respect to the on-site environmental management structure
together with the contact information of the key personnel are shown in Appendix A.
During the reporting period,
construction works at Zone 2A undertaken include:
Zone 2A-1
● ELS
(Stage 1) – Grouting / Pipe Pile Works
–
King Post & Erection of Steel Column for
Working Platform
–
Stage 2 Grouting
● Pumping
Test
–
Installation of Pump Wells
Zone 2A-2
● ELS (Stage 1) – Grouting / Pipe Pile Works
–
King Post & Erection of Steel Column for
Working Platform
–
Pipe Pile Construction
–
Stage 2 Grouting
● Pumping Test
–
Installation of Pump Wells
–
Pumping Test
During the reporting period, construction works
at Zone 2B & 2C undertaken include:
KD01 (Stage 1-1), KD03 (Stage 3-1)
● Bored Pile Works
– RCD
Drilling, Airlifting, Cage Installation & Concreting and Excavation
KD02 (Stage 5-1)
● Bored Pile Works
– Airlifting,
Cage Installation & Concreting
KD04 (Stage 4-1)
●
Bored
Pile Works
– RCD
Drilling and Excavation
KD05 (Section 1), KD06 (Section 2)
●
Predrilling
●
Bored
Pile Works
– RCD
Drilling, Airlifting, Cage Installation & Concreting and Excavation
KD07 (Section
3)
●
Predrilling
●
Trial
Pile Works
– Airlifting,
Cage Installation & Concreting
●
Bored
Pile Works
– RCD
Drilling, Airlifting, Cage Installation & Concreting and Excavation
KD08 (Section 4)
●
Bored
Pile Works
– RCD
Drilling, Airlifting, Cage Installation & Concreting and Excavation
●
Socketed
Steel H Piling
KD09 (Section 5)
●
Predrilling
●
Bored
Pile Works
– RCD
Drilling, Airlifting, Cage Installation & Concreting and Excavation
●
Socketed
Steel H Piling
The Construction Works Programme of the
Project is provided in Appendix B. A
layout plan of the Project is provided in Figure 1.
In accordance with the EM&A Manual,
environmental parameters including air quality, noise, landscape and visual have
been monitored. The specific parameters, monitoring frequency and the
respective Action and Limit Levels are given in Table 2.1. Locations of the monitoring stations are provided in Figure 1.
Table 2.1: Summary
of Impact EM&A Requirements
|
Parameters
|
Descriptions
|
Locations
|
Frequencies
|
Action
Level
|
Limit
Level
|
|
Air Quality
|
24-Hour TSP
|
AM3 - The Victoria Towers Tower 1
|
At
least once every 6 days
|
152.4 μg/m3
|
260
μg/m3
|
|
1-Hour TSP
|
AM3 - The Victoria Towers Tower 1
|
At
least 3 times every 6 days
|
280.4 μg/m3
|
500
μg/m3
|
|
24-Hour
TSP
|
AM4
- Canton Road Government Primary School
|
At
least once every 6 days
|
152.6 μg/m3
|
260
μg/m3
|
|
1-Hour
TSP
|
AM4
- Canton Road Government Primary School
|
At
least 3 times every 6 days
|
278.5 μg/m3
|
500
μg/m3
|
|
24-Hour
TSP
|
AM5
- Topside Developments at West Kowloon Terminus Site
|
At
least once every 6 days
|
141.1 μg/m3
|
260
μg/m3
|
|
1-Hour
TSP
|
AM5
- Topside Developments at West Kowloon Terminus Site
|
At
least 3 times every 6 days
|
275.4 μg/m3
|
500
μg/m3
|
|
Noise
|
Leq,
30 minutes
|
NM2 - The Arch, Sun Tower
|
Weekly
|
When one documented complaint is received
from any one of the sensitive receivers
|
75
dB(A)
|
|
Leq,
30 minutes
|
NM3 - The Victoria Towers Tower 1
|
Weekly
|
When one documented complaint is received
from any one of the sensitive receivers
|
75
dB(A)
|
|
Leq,
30 minutes
|
NM4 - Canton Road Government Primary
School
|
Weekly
|
When one documented complaint is received
from any one of the sensitive receivers
|
70/65
dB(A)^
|
|
Leq,
30 minutes
|
NM5 -Development next to Austin Station
|
Weekly
|
When one documented complaint is received
from any one of the sensitive receivers
|
75
dB(A)
|
|
Landscape & Visual
|
Monitor implementation of proposed
mitigation measures during the construction stage
|
As described in Table 9.1 and 9.2 of the
EM&A Manual
|
Bi-weekly
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Note:
^70 dB(A) for schools
and 65 dB(A) during school examination periods.
The EM&A programme
for the Project require 5 air monitoring stations and 5 noise quality
monitoring stations located closest to the Project area. With regard to the
monitoring activities at M+ Museum and the Lyric Complex, three monitoring
stations had been considered, including AM1, AM2 for air monitoring, and NM1
for noise monitoring. In the context of the construction activities in Zone 2A
and Zone 2B & 2C, all other monitoring locations including AM3, AM4, and
AM5 for air monitoring; and NM2, NM3, NM4 and NM5 for noise monitoring, have
been taken into account. However, access to all these originally designated
monitoring stations was declined. Therefore, alternative monitoring stations
was identified and proposed.
With regard to air monitoring, alternative
monitoring locations (AM3A, AM4A, and AM5A) were identified at ground floor at
the Northeast corner of West Kowloon Station’s station box, at ground floor at
the Southeast corner of West Kowloon Station’s station box, and at ground floor
at the North of West Kowloon Station’s station box respectively. AM3A, AM4A,
and AM5A were set in same direction to the area of major construction site
activities in Zone 2A0. These alternative air monitoring locations (AM3A, AM4A,
and AM5A) were approved by EPD on 29 September 2020.
For noise monitoring, alternative noise monitoring
location (NM2A) was identified at the ground floor in front of The Arch - Sun
Tower, which is at the same location as stated in the EM&A Manual for
consistency. This alternative noise monitoring location was approved by EPD on
29 September 2020. Other alternative noise monitoring locations (NM3A, NM4A,
and NM5A) were identified at the ground floor in front of the Xiqu Centre, at the ground floor next to Tsim Sha Tsui Fire Station, and
at the Pedestrian road (ground floor) outside West Kowloon Station
respectively. NM3A, NM4A and NM5A were set closer to the construction site
boundary with more direct line sight to the major site activities and higher
exposure to the construction noise with no disturbance to the premises’
occupants during noise monitoring activities. These alternative noise
monitoring locations (NM3A, NM4A, and NM5A) were approved by EPD on 29
September 2020.
Therefore, 3 air quality monitoring stations and 4
noise impact monitoring station were confirmed for the impact monitoring for
construction activities in Zone 2A and Zone 2B & 2C.
2.2
Environmental Mitigation Measures
Environmental mitigation measures have been recommended in the
EM&A Manual. Summary of implementation status of the environmental
mitigation measures is provided in Appendix C.
In accordance with the EM&A Manual, impact
monitoring has been conducted in the reporting quarter. Meteorological data for
the reporting quarter have been extracted from Hong Kong Observatory and
presented in Appendix D.
Monitoring data with graphical presentation for the reporting quarter are shown
in Appendix E.
A summary on the monitoring results are presented in Table 3.1.
Table 3.1: Summary
of Monitoring Data
|
Parameter
|
Monitoring Location
|
Minimum
|
Maximum
|
Average
|
|
Air Quality
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
hour
TSP
|
AM3A
|
31
|
64
|
47
|
|
1
hour
TSP
|
AM4A
|
31
|
68
|
47
|
|
1
hour
TSP
|
AM5A
|
33
|
67
|
47
|
|
24
hour
TSP
|
AM3A
|
32
|
60
|
45
|
|
24
hour
TSP
|
AM4A
|
31
|
62
|
45
|
|
24
hour
TSP
|
AM5A
|
35
|
68
|
46
|
|
Construction Noise
|
|
|
|
|
|
Leq(30min)
|
NM2A
|
60
|
62
|
62
|
|
Leq(30min)
|
NM3A
|
60
|
65
|
65
|
|
Leq(30min)
|
NM4A
|
60
|
64
|
64
|
|
Leq(30min)
|
NM5A
|
63
|
65
|
64
|
Summary of the exceedances in the reporting
quarter is tabulated in Table 3.2.
Table 3.2: Summary
of Exceedances
|
Monitoring
Station
|
Parameter
|
No. of Exceedance
|
Action Taken
|
|
Action
Level
|
Limit
Level
|
|
Air
Quality
|
|
|
|
|
|
AM3A
|
1
hour TSP
|
0
|
0
|
N/A
|
|
24
hour TSP
|
0
|
0
|
N/A
|
|
AM4A
|
1
hour TSP
|
0
|
0
|
N/A
|
|
24
hour TSP
|
0
|
0
|
N/A
|
|
AM5A
|
1
hour TSP
|
0
|
0
|
N/A
|
|
24
hour TSP
|
0
|
0
|
N/A
|
|
Construction
Noise
|
|
|
|
|
|
NM2A
|
Leq(30min)
|
0
|
0
|
N/A
|
|
NM3A
|
Leq(30min)
|
0
|
0
|
N/A
|
|
NM4A
|
Leq(30min)
|
0
|
0
|
N/A
|
|
NM5A
|
Leq(30min)
|
0
|
0
|
N/A
|
All 1-hour TSP monitoring was conducted as scheduled in the
reporting quarter. No Action/ Limit Level exceedance of 1-hour TSP for Air
Quality was recorded.
All 24-hour TSP monitoring was conducted as scheduled in the
reporting quarter. No Action/ Limit Level exceedance of 24-hour TSP for Air
Quality was recorded.
All construction noise monitoring was
conducted as scheduled in the reporting quarter. No Action/ Limit Level exceedance of Noise
was recorded in the reporting quarter.
All landscape and visual impact inspections were conducted as
scheduled in the reporting quarter. No adverse comment on landscape and visual
aspects were recorded.
As advised by the Contractor, 156.88
tonnes, 694.25 tonnes of
inert C&D material were disposed of as public fill to Tseung
Kwan O Area 137 Public Fill,
and Tuen Mun Area 38 respectively in the reporting quarter, while 25.64 tonnes of general refuse were
disposed of at SENT landfill. 0.0
tonne of metals, 0.0 tonne of paper/cardboard packaging, 0.0 tonne of plastic
and 0.0 tonne of timber were collected by recycling contractors in the
reporting quarter. 0.0 tonne of inert C&D materials were reused on site. 0.0
tonne of fill materials were imported for use at site and 0.0 tonne of inert
C&D materials was reused in other projects. 0.0 tonne of inert C&D
materials was disposed to sorting facility and 0.0 tonne of chemical
wastes was collected by licensed contractors in the reporting quarter.
As
advised by the Zone 2B & 2C Contractor, 29543.96 tonnes and 16647.81 tonnes
of inert C&D material were disposed of at Tuen Mun Area 38
and Tseung Kwan O Area 137 Public Fill in the
reporting quarter, while 46.58 tonnes of general refuse were
disposed of at SENT landfill. 0.0 tonne of metals, 0.0 tonne of
paper/cardboard packaging, 0.0 tonne of plastics and 0.0 tonne of timber was
collected by recycling contractors in the reporting quarter. 9706.37 tonnes of
inert C&D material were reused on site. 0.0 tonne of inert C&D material
was imported for reuse at site and 39982.35 tonne of inert C&D material
were reused in other projects. 0.0 tonne of inert C&D material was disposed
to sorting facility and 0.0 tonne of chemical waste was collected by licensed
contractors in the reporting
quarter.
The actual amounts of different
types of waste generated by the activities of construction works at Zone 2A and
Zone 2B & 2C in the reporting quarter are shown in Appendix F.
There was no breach of Action or Limit Levels for Air Quality (1-hour
TSP and 24-hour TSP) and Construction Noise in the reporting quarter.
Seven
complaints were received in the reporting quarter. Three complaints in June and
four complaints in July. No notifications of summons
and successful prosecutions were received in the reporting quarter.
On 27 June 2022, EPD has received a complaint regarding muddy water
discharge at WKCD construction site and the complaint was referred by EPD on
the same day. The complainant (a resident of the Harbourside) claimed that
water from WKCD construction site was observed to be continuously discharged
into the sea. Investigation revealed that no construction work was undertaken
by WKCD Zone 2A site and no abnormalities were found at the seafront of
Victoria Harbour on Zone 2A site on 27 June 2022. Besides, no water and site
runoff discharge was observed on Zone 2B & 2C site
on 27 June 2022. In addition, existing mitigation measures have been properly
maintained on site. Thereby, the complaint might not attributable to Zone 2
sites. Nonetheless, the Contractor is recommended to strictly maintain good
site practices to avoid water pollution to the waterbody of Victoria Harbour.
On 29 June 2022, EPD has received a complaint from a district councilor regarding polluted water discharge at WKCD
construction site. The complaint was referred by EPD on the same day. According
to the video taken by the complainant (a resident of Kowloon Station), the
complainant claimed that white bubble discharge was observed which contaminated
the harbour at around 6:48am. Investigation revealed that no construction work
was undertaken by WKCD Zone 2 sites on 29 June 2022. Moreover, as from the
video provided by the complainant, the location of discharge was outside WKCD
Zone 2 sites boundary. Thereby, the complaint might not attributable to Zone 2
sites. Nonetheless, the Contractor is recommended to strictly maintain good
site practices to avoid water pollution to the waterbody of Victoria Harbour.
On 30 June 2022, EPD has received a follow-up complaint from a district councilor regarding polluted water discharge at WKCD
construction site. The complaint was referred by EPD on the same day. The
complainant (a resident of Kowloon Station) claimed that white bubble discharge
was observed at 6:40am and he also claimed that some white bubble even floated
to the sea near the Harbour City. The complainant had also provided videos
demonstrating the concerned water pollution. Investigation revealed that no
construction work was undertaken by WKCD Zone 2 sites on 30 June 2022.
Moreover, as from the video provided by the complainant, the location of
discharge was outside WKCD Zone 2 sites boundary. Thereby, the complaint might
not attributable to Zone 2 sites. Nonetheless, the Contractor is recommended to
strictly maintain good site practices to avoid water pollution to the waterbody
of Victoria Harbour.
On 15 July 2022, WKCDA has received a complaint referred by the EPD
regarding construction dust pollution generated from WKCD construction site. On
15 July 2022, the complainant claimed that air pollution arose from a large
construction site nearby the Museum Drive, so that the sand scratched the glass
of the vehicles when the residents from The Arch were driving by. The
complainant also mentioned that the construction site consisted of a joint
venture of various engineering companies. According to the description provided
by the complainant, the concerned air pollution issue on 15 July 2022 was not
related to WKCD Zone 2A site. However, some sand on the nearby public road
might be possibly related to Zone 2B & 2C site activities. Thereby, the
concerned sand on the public road might be attributable to Zone 2B & 2C
site activities. In response, prompt actions have been taken by the Contractor
to clean the public road and strengthen the dust control measures on site. In
the meantime, existing mitigation measures (dust suppression measures, regular
cleaning on the public road, wheel washing facility) have been implemented and
properly maintained on Zone 2B & 2C site to avoid nuisance to the public.
Dust monitoring is also regularly conducted at the site boundary with no
exceedance. Nonetheless, the Contractors are recommended to maintain good
practice on site, and strengthen the implementation of dust control measures to
reduce impacts to the nearby neighbors.
On 22 July 2022, WKCDA has received a complaint referred by the EPD
regarding polluted water discharge from WKCD construction site to the public
road. The complainant claimed that "地盤污水流出街 圓方溜冰場對出柯士甸道西西九文化區地盤" (Polluted water flowed out to the street from the WKCD construction site which located at the opposite side to
the Element ice rink.). Investigation at Zone 2A site revealed that the concerned
location was not within the site boundary of Zone 2A site. Thereby, the
complaint might not be attributable to the Zone 2A site. Nevertheless, the
Contractor is recommended to strengthen water pollution mitigation measures on
site to reduce impacts to the public. Investigation at
Zone 2B & 2C site revealed that the concerned water might possibly due
to the water runoff from the vehicles after wheel washing when leaving the
captioned site vehicular gate. The Contractor has been reminded to strengthen
public road cleaning to minimise impacts to the public.
On 26 July 2022, the EPD has received a complaint from a public
regarding polluted water discharge at WKCD construction site and referred the
case on the same day. The complainant claimed that "投訴在藝術公園隔離地盤於下午排放污水" (Polluted water discharged from the construction site next
to the Art Park in the afternoon). Investigation at Zone 2A site revealed that
the concerned location was not within the site boundary of Zone 2A site.
Thereby, the complaint might not be attributable to the Zone 2A site.
Nevertheless, the Contractor is recommended to strictly maintain good site
practices to avoid polluted water flowing into the nearby waterbody. Investigation at Zone 2B & 2C site revealed
that the complaint might not be attributable to WKCD Zone 2B &
2C site. However, the Contractor has been reminded to strictly implement
and maintain good site practices to avoid water pollution to the nearby
waterbody.
On 26 July 2022, the EPD has also received a complaint from a public
regarding polluted water discharge at WKCD construction site and referred the
case on the same day. The complainant claimed that " M+ 藝術館旁邊的地盤非法排放污水" (Illegal discharge of polluted water from the construction site
next to the M+ museum). Investigation at Zone 2A site revealed that the concerned location was
not within the site boundary of Zone 2A site. Thereby, the complaint might not
be attributable to the Zone 2A site. Nevertheless, the Contractor is
recommended to strictly maintain good site practices to avoid polluted water
flowing into the waterbody of Victoria Harbour.
Investigation at Zone 2B & 2C site revealed that the complaint might not be
attributable to WKCD Zone 2B & 2C site. However, the Contractor has been
reminded to strictly implement and maintain good site practices to avoid water
pollution to the nearby waterbody.
The cumulative statistics
on complaints, notifications of summons and successful prosecutions were
provided in Appendix G.
Based on the observations made during site audits and landscape
inspections, and construction dust and noise monitoring results, no
non-compliances and exceedances of air quality and construction noise were
recorded in the reporting quarter.
Reviewing the implementation of the recommended mitigation measures
in the EM&A Manual, it was observed that they were effective and efficient
in controlling the potential impacts due to construction of the project during
the reporting period. Review of the effectiveness and efficiency of the
EM&A programme will continue, and recommendations will be provided to
remediate any potential impacts due to the project and to improve the EM&A
programme if deficiencies of the existing EM&A programme are identified.
The EM&A programme as recommended in the EM&A Manual has
been undertaken since the construction works of Zone 2A and Zone 2B & 2C
commenced on 3
October 2020 and 30
September 2021 respectively.
Monitoring of air quality and noise with respect to the Project is
underway. In particular, the 1-hour TSP, 24-hour TSP and noise level (as Leq, 30 minutes) under monitoring have been checked against
established Action and Limit Levels. There was no breach of Action and Limit Levels
for Air Quality (1-hour TSP and 24-hour TSP) and Construction Noise in this
reporting quarter.
Seven complaints were
received in the reporting quarter. No notifications
of summons and successful prosecutions were received during the reporting
quarter.
Weekly
construction phase site inspections and bi-weekly landscape and visual impact
inspections were conducted during the reporting quarter as required. It was
observed that the Contractor had implemented all possible and feasible
mitigation measures to mitigate the potential environmental impacts during
construction phase works.
