environmental impact assessment 6032_17... · strejnu reservoirs (zejtun), habel l-abjad, zejtun,...

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Environmental Impact Assessment

Screening

(According to Schedule IB of S.L. 549.46)

PA file no.: PA 6032/17

Other reference: EA 00028/17 Project Title: The proposed distribution of second class water for public and industrial use from

Sant Antnin treatment plant (M'Scala) to Bulebel, Tas-Silg and Misrah Strenju reservoirs (Zejtun).

Location: Site at, Sant' Antnin Treatment Plant (M'Scala), to Bulebel, Tas-Silg and Misrah

Strejnu reservoirs (Zejtun), Habel L-Abjad, Zejtun, Malta Screening date: October 2017

1. Description of Proposal 1.1 Outline of project/development PA 6032/17 is a full development application which proposes the formation of a 5.2km distribution network of 350mm pipes to distribute highly polished water from the Sant’ Antnin Treatment Plant in Marsacala to be stored within three existing reservoirs located in Bulebel, Tas-Silġ and Misrah Strejnu, respectively. The piping will be mainly carried out through a trenchless system known as Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) that can penetrate long distances and only a small part of the distribution network will involve surface trench excavation. The proposed works involve the insertion of 350mm inner diameter high density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes into bores having a 450mm diameter formed by a reamer. HDD is a pipeline installation method that utilizes a drill rig to install a pipe without any necessary excavation. The drill rig is set up on the surface and launches from the ground and pushes a drill pipe through the ground to establish the parabolic route from one node to another. Each pipe will be welded to make the whole pipe system leak-proof. For the most part, HDD will only disturb the location where the excavation equipment is set up and the places where utilities need to be connected. This trenchless method will also avoid ground and ecological disturbance. Once the three reservoirs are replenished, the water will subsequently be supplied to various users mainly in the industrial and agricultural sectors. 1.2 Site description and related considerations The proposed distribution route passes under a number of land parcels and existing access routes such as roads and country lanes. Similarly, the surrounding land-use mainly comprises of agricultural land and sporadic development. The proposed distribution network lies Outside Development Zone, and the closest residential areas are Zejtun and Marsascala. The following aerial image and plans depict the route identified for the underground infrastructure:

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①

②

③

① Bulebel reservoir

② Misrah Srejnu reservoir

③ Tas-Silġ reservoir

Figure 1: 2016 aerial image showing distribution network of water from the Sant’ Antnin Treatment Plant to three existing reservoirs.

Source: 2016 Planning Authority GeoServer

Figure 2: HDD tunnel route

Sant’ Antnin Treatment Plant

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Figures 3 & 4: HDD distribution routes and section

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2. EIA-relevant history

2.1 Relevant EIA/screening criteria (citations refer to S.L. 549.46, except where otherwise specified):

Following screening, the proposed development was deemed to qualify for an EPS as per Schedule IA Category II Section 2.6.2.2. (i): Construction of an aqueduct or a main sewer not being a development falling within 2.6.1.2 over a distance of 5km or more and not utilising an existing right of way of the EIA Regulations, 2007 (S.L. 549.46) and thus the submission of a Project Description Statement (PDS) was required.

2.2 Version of documents used for screening:

1. ERA document dated 22

nd August 2017 (PA 06032/17/34a); and

2. Project Description Statement (PDS) dated 25th September 2017 (PA 06032/17/46a).

3. Screening Matrix

Issues to be considered

Relevant constraints, environmental considerations & potential impacts

Is any significant effect envisaged? Documentreference

1 Will construction, operation or decommissioning of the Project involve actions which will cause physical changes in the locality (topography, landuse, changes in water bodies, etc)?

Minimal. Most of the development shall be carried out through Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD), with the exception of node A to B (stretch of c. 300m within the grounds of Bulebel Industrial Zone) and node G to G1 (stretch of c. 230m off Triq Strejnu l/o Zejtun leading to Tas-Silg Reservoir) requiring top excavation. The bores will be created at a depth of approximately 1.5 metres below ground level (Doc. PA 6032/17/12D). Access to the pipeline will be through a manhole cover leading to separate underground pits under each node. As shown on the photos submitted with the PDS, the reamer will be placed on areas along the distribution route which are already disturbed and do not contain ecological features.

No

No impacts are envisaged given that the proposed infrastructure is to be concentrated below ground level.

PDS pgs. 2, 5-10.

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2 Will construction or operation of the Project use natural resources such as land, water, materials or energy, especially any resources which are non-renewable or in short supply?

No the project does not entail the use of natural resources but will make use of energy.

No

No impact is envisaged.

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3 Will the Project involve use, storage, transport, handling or production of substances or materials or energy, especially any resources which could be harmful to human health or the environment or raise concerns about actual or perceived risks to human health?

Yes. The drilling phase might result in the generation of dust. Emissions from operational traffic in connection with general maintenance of the pipeline are also expected.

No

No significant impacts are envisaged given that dust, during drilling, is expected to be minimal and the amount of excavation required is not considerable. No impacts from operational traffic are expected.

PDS pg. 2

4 Will the Project produce solid wastes during construction, operation or decommissioning?

Yes. The project will generate inert waste during the construction phase.

No

No significant impacts are envisaged in terms of solid waste generation. Excavation waste produced during reaming and drilling operations can be managed in accordance with the Waste Regulations, 2011 (Legal Notice 106 of 2007, S.L.549.45 and Legal Notice 184 of 2011 as amended (S.L.549.63) and through conditions imposed in the Environmental Registration.

PDS pg. 3

5 Will the project release pollutants or any hazardous, toxic

Reply to question 3 refers. No

Reply to question 3 refers.

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or noxious substances to air?

6 Will the Project cause noise and vibration or release of light, heat, energy or electromagnetic radiation?

Yes, noise and vibration are expected during the construction phase and this is limited to the extent of the distribution route.

No

No. Noise pollution will be reduced to a bare minimum, since the majority of the boring will be distant from any residential units. Thus, no significant impacts are envisaged during drilling and installation. No significant emissions of light, heat, energy or electromagnetic radiation are envisaged either.

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7 Will the Project lead to risks of contamination of land or water from releases of pollutants onto the ground or into surface waters, groundwater, coastal waters or the sea?

No. The site does not fall within any ground water safeguard zones. During construction, there are potential risks of oil leaks and accidental spillages from construction vehicles.

No

No significant impacts are envisaged in terms of contamination to water bodies, albeit these are also expected to be of negligible significance as the whole pipe

system will be leak proof.

PDS pg. 2

8 Will there be any risk of accidents during construction or operation of the Project which could affect human health or the environment?

Yes, risk of an accident during construction. Same risks as per other construction works.

No

No such impact is not considered significant for EIA purposes.

PDS pgs. 3-6

9 Will the Project result in social changes for example, in demography, traditional lifestyles, employment?

No, noting the location of proposed interventions below ground, no such impacts are envisaged.

No

No significant impacts are envisaged.

PDS Pg.2

10 Are there any such factors which should be considered such as the consequential

No such factors were identified.

No


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development which could lead to environmental effects or the potential for cumulative impacts with other existing or planned activities in the locality?

11 Are there any areas on or around the location which are protected under international or national or local legislation for their ecological, landscape, cultural or other value, which could be affected by the project?

Yes. The water distribution network does not fall within or in the vicinity of any protected nature site. However, in terms of cultural heritage, the network passes close by a buffer zone designated for the ‘Tas-Silg’ archaeological site (GN 829/98).

No

No. The node that will pass in the vicinity of the buffer zone, designated to protect the higher level of protection will not impinge on the cultural heritage value of the site.

PDS pg. 12

12 Are there any areas on or around the location which are important or sensitive for reasons of their ecology e.g. wetlands, watercourses or other water bodies, the coastal zone, mountains, forests or woodlands, which could be affected by the project?

Reply to question 11 refers. No


PDS pg. 12

13 Are there any areas on or around the location which are used by

Question 11 refers. No


PDS pg. 12

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protected, important or sensitive species of fauna or flora e.g. for breeding, nesting, foraging, resting, over wintering, migration, which could be affected by the project?

14 Are there any inland, coastal, marine or underground waters on or around the location which could be affected by the project?

No. None that are known of. No


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15 Are there any areas or features of high landscape or scenic value on or around the location which could be effected by the project?

No impacts on visual amenity and landscape features are envisaged given that the interventions will be mostly confined to below ground level.

No


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16 Are there any routes or facilities on or around the location which are used by the public for access to recreation or other facilities, which could be affected by the project?

No such areas are known of. No


PDS pg. 5

17 Are there any transport routes on or around the location which are susceptible to congestion or which cause

No. The routes surrounding the site are not main roads. According to the information provided in the PDS, traffic deviation is only required near the Bulebel reservoir once works commence.

No

No given the temporary nature of the works associated with the water distribution infrastructure, no significant impacts are envisaged. Furthermore, traffic will not be diverted on the surrounding environment.

PDS pg. 5

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environmental problems, which could be affected by the project?

18 Is the project in a location where it is likely to be highly visible to many people?

No the proposal is located below ground.

No

No visual impact is envisaged.

PDS pg. 2

19 Are there any areas or features of historic or cultural importance on or around the location which could be affected by the project?

No. Node ‘I’ leading to the Tas-Silg reservoir will pass close to the buffer zone designated for the ‘Tas-Silg’ archaeological site which lies circa 300m from the nearest point of the distribution network.

No

No. Reply to question 11 refers.

PDS pg. 4

20 Is the project located in a previously undeveloped area where there will be loss of greenfield land?

No. The water distribution infrastructure will be sited underground.

No


PDS pg.2

21 Are there existing land uses on or around the location e.g. homes, gardens, other private property, industry, commerce, recreation, public open space, community facilities, agriculture, forestry, tourism, mining or quarrying which could be affected by the project?

Yes the area is predominantly agricultural. However, no impacts are envisaged on the agricultural land as the works will be limited to below soil level and soil will be reinstated if displacement is necessary.

No

No impacts on land-uses are envisaged.

PDS pg. 6

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22 Are there any plans for future land uses on or around the location which could be affected by the project?

No. None that are known of. No


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23 Are there any areas on or around the location which are densely populated or built up, which could be affected by the project?

No the proposed distribution network will not affect any residential areas given its underground location. With respect to the areas that will be affected by trenching, the node marked as ‘A’- ‘B’ on the submitted drawings will be within the confines of Bulebel industrial area and the node ‘G’-‘G1’ is ODZ and along a country road. With respect to the latter, the PDS states that there is the option of conducting the works within the identified stretches also using the HDD technology.

No

No significant impacts are envisaged given that most works will be confined underground. Should there be any impacts associated with the construction phase, these not likely to be significant.

PDS pgs. 5-10

24 Are there any areas on or around the location which are occupied by sensitive land uses e.g. hospitals, schools, places of worship, community facilities which could be affected by the project?

No such areas are known of. Also see response to Question 23.

No


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25 Are there any areas on or around the location which contain important, high quality or scarce

None that are known of. No


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resources e.g. groundwater, surface waters, forestry, agriculture, fisheries, tourism, minerals, which could be affected by the project?

26 Are there any areas on or around the location which have already subject to pollution or environmental damage e.g. where existing legal environmental standards are exceeded, which could be affected by the project?

No such areas are known of. No


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27 Is the project location susceptible to earthquakes, or subsidence, landslides, erosion, flooding or extreme or adverse climatic conditions e.g. temperature inversions, fogs, severe winds, which could cause the project to present environmental problems?

No. The likelihood of such extreme events in the area can be considered as minimal.

No


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4. EIA Screening Conclusion and recommended way forward 4.1 EIA screening conclusion

The above detailed EIA screening did not outline any significant negative impacts of the proposal to the point of warranting an EIA, as long as various mitigation measures are duly incorporated through the mainstream development consent mechanism and mitigated by means of conditions and specifications (e.g. approved documents) in the development permit. In this regard, the proposal does not require the submission of an Environmental Planning Statement (EPS), and qualifies for the exemption process as per Regulation 3(8) of the EIA Regulations (S.L. 549.46). The applicant is expected to send the exemption request accordingly in order for this process to be initiated. 4.2 Screening disclaimer The above screening results, the ensuing conclusions and recommendations are without prejudice to any required changes or updates should the development proposal be eventually modified or should the information/assumptions provided turn out to be incorrect. Any deviations of the proposal from this submission would need to be re-assessed and the merits of this screening would need to be re-opened.

environmental impact assessment 6032_17... · strejnu reservoirs (zejtun), habel l-abjad, zejtun,...

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