Water Quality Procedure | Water Quality | Water Procedure

                            Water Quality Procedure | Water Quality | Water Procedure

Water Quality 

Water Quality

Domestic Wastewater

•     Prohibit any open defecation and any washing, bathing, or urination in any water courses or springs;
•     Provide a sufficient number of toilets facilities (separate toilets for men and women, the typical standard is 1 toilet per 15 workers/ Persons) at each work site.  Regularly clean out these toilets and dispose of waste at the wastewater treatment facility described below;
•     Prohibit the discharge of any untreated wastewater to any receiving water body;
•     Provide a wastewater treatment facility (e.g., a package wastewater treatment plant) at each of the worker camps to treat domestic wastewater prior to discharge to receiving water.  The wastewater treatment facility will provide secondary treatment and ensure, through regular/frequent monitoring that the effluent meets the Nepali water quality standards and the WB EHS guidelines, whichever is stricter.

 

Industrial Stormwater Runoff

•     Batch Plants:

-          Concrete mixing shall take place on impermeable surfaces or compacted soil.

-          In case of spillage of the concrete mix, the area shall be cleaned immediately. The waste shall be collected and deposited in approved sites. It is prohibited to place these mixtures in water courses.

-          All stormwater runoff from the batching plant shall be directed to a stormwater pond to allow the settling of any suspended material and the pH tested to ensure it is between 6.5 – 8.5 pH units before discharge to a watercourse.

-          Unused cement bags shall be stored in a weather-proof area where it will not be impacted by rain. Used (empty) cement bags shall be collected and stored in weatherproof containers to prevent windblown cement dust and water contamination. The bags shall not be used for any other purpose and shall be disposed of on a regular basis in accordance with the Waste Management Plan.

-          All excess concrete shall be removed from the site on completion of concrete works and disposed of in accordance with the Waste Management Plan. Washing the excess concrete onto the ground or into watercourses is prohibited.

 

Potential Impacts

The following are the main operating activities that could potentially affect the quality and quantity of water resources:

•     Water consumption for cleaning operation house;
•     Domestic wastewater from employee’s activities; and
•     The demand for water for domestic purposes may put stress on local water supply capacity.

The potential impacts on water quality include:

•     Waste, emissions and discharge generation, disposal of waste from the Project's employees;
•     Pollution of water due to spillage of fuel, oil, chemicals, and/or hazardous materials generated from maintenance activities washed into surrounding natural streams/creeks;
•     Increased contaminants (trash, fuel, oil, etc.) washed into the water bodies due to runoff during rainy months; and
•     Increased concentration of nutrients, pesticides, and suspended sediments due to landscaping of the wind farm and operation house.

 

Water Supply

Water supply management shall comply with the following requirements:

Prohibition on Groundwater, Surface Water Abstraction

The Project Team including employees is not allowed to exploit any groundwater wells, surface water for individual use and/or the project’s operation.

Drinking and Domestic Water Supply

Drinking water can be purchased from a licensed drinking water supplier. Municipal water and/or harvested rainwater can be used for drinking purposes after being filtered with a RO machine and boiled for up to three (3) minutes;

EHS Manager shall ensure drinking water supply for the employees meeting National Drinking Water Quality Standards

Water Storage and Distribution

•     Drinking water supplies should not be located or stored in or close to the restroom. Bottled water shall be kept in cleaned containers (for small type e.g., <1 liter) and in roofed/ sheltered areas for larger type (e.g., 20 liters));
•     Drinking water bottles or drinking water containers are prohibited from being opened or uncovered;
•     Every supply of drinking water shall be conspicuously marked by an appropriate sign, where necessary, for reasons of health and safety;
•     An adequate supply of drinking water shall be provided for everybody working on site and must be readily accessible to all the workforce; and
•     Domestic water tanks shall be covered to prevent pollution and contamination. The maintenance of the water tank shall be ensured to comply with safety requirements, especially in terms of confined space safety management stated in the Occupational Health and Safety Management Plan – Operation Phase.

 

Monitoring

•     Prepare and implement a self-auditing program (including scope, frequency, and reporting regime) for the construction phase and operational phase.
•     Undertake annual third-party audits during the construction phase.

 

Reporting

 

•     Quarterly environmental reports shall be submitted to the relevant company director during the construction and operation phase.
•     Any non-compliance with this EMP should be documented, corrective action is taken and reported.
•     Records of monitoring and non-compliance shall be retained.
•     Records will be presented to the regulatory authorities as relevant