Indicators for Monitoring China Hai Basin Integrated Water and Environment Management Project

Transcription

1 s for Monitoring China Hai Basin Integrated Water and Environment Management Project This case study is based on following sources: GEF Hai Basin Project Office (2003); World Bank (2003); World Bank (2008). Project: Hai Basin Integrated Water and Environment Management Project Date: 2003 Sector: Water Project Overview The objective of this project is to form an integrated approach to water resource management and pollution control in the Hai River Basin with the intent to improve the environment in the Bohai Sea area. This will include reducing the pollution of the Bohai Bay and reversing the trend of water quality deterioration and overuse of surface and groundwater resources from the basin. As approximately half of the wastewater pollution in the Hai River Basin comes from small and medium-sized cities, the project will also aim to resolve the issue of wastewater pollution and pollution from such communities within the project area. The project aims to improve the water environment in the Hai River Basin. To achieve this goal: Demonstration projects will be undertaken and studied in order to inform the development of environmental management plans. Personnel will be trained in carrying out a pollution source control plan, wastewater recycling and water saving in irrigation agriculture. An integrated management system for water resources and the aquatic environment adapted to the specific circumstances of the project areas will be developed. Key performance indicators Decrease water pollution Reduce groundwater overdraft Reduced pollution loading to Bohai Sea from coastal countries Formulated Integrated Water and Environmental Management Plans Produce Strategic studies at central and Hai Basin levels Carry out demonstration projects Formulate strategic action plans for Zhangweian sub-basin and Hai River Basin Establish river research data management system Give technical support to Tianjin coastal wastewater management Tonnes of reduction Rate of water table lowering reduced Ten plans developed in total for pilot countries Seven studies to be produced Four projects to be carried out Action Plans Data management system Technical support provided 1

2 Methods used in scoping and assessment of impacts For this project, a mixed methods approach was taken, and the assessment focused on the natural and ecological environments. This includes examining how wastewater treatment and recycling and scientific management of surface water and groundwater resources impact soil conservation, forestry and vegetation and the ecological environment of wetlands. The assessment involved four main components: assessments of the current situations of water resources and environmental quality in the project areas, an assessment of the environmental impact of the implementation of the project and conclusions and suggestions to move forward. In order to carry out these assessments, four main activities were carried out: Determine the scale, assessment criteria, standards to be adopted, scope, project contents and the environmental protection objectives. Investigate and assess the natural geographical, hydrological and meteorological characteristics as well as the socioeconomic status of the population in the project areas. Assess the environmental status of the surface and groundwater. Assess the environmental problems in the project area prior to construction and project implementation impacts. Assessing and Monitoring Water Resource Use Baseline assessment of the water resources in the project areas Total water supply (not including wastewater) in the basin: groundwater, surface water and diverted water from Yellow River, slightly salty and sea water Amount water m 3 Volume of water used in urban areas Amount water m 3 Volume of water used in rural areas Amount water m 3 Volume industry-used water: agricultural irrigation, forestry, animal husbandry, fisheries Exploitation/utilization ratio for water resources Amount water m 3 Amount water used/total water available Monitoring the balance of water resources in the project areas This will include the establishment of a Water Knowledge Management System for the Hai Basin as well as an Evapotranspiration Management system. Evapotranspiration is essential for surface energy balance and water balance in the ecosystem. By estimating the Evapotranspiration Management system within the ecosystem helps to determine ecosystem productivity and water balance as well as guide agriculture water use. This project uses a method called the Eddy Covariance which measures the exchange of water vapor, energy and carbon dioxide between the earth s surface and the atmosphere (Ziwei, Shaomin, Minggang, n.d). Through the project, long-term monitoring sites were set up in the Hai River Basin. Three sites were chosen for testing based on their unique geographies and agriculture production; mountain (orchards, maize/bare soil), plains (maize/winter wheat, cotton) and suburbs (maize/winter wheat, vegetables and fruit). 2

3 The primary indicators that the ET management system monitored were: Air temperature humidity Wind speed/direction Infrared temperature Net radiation Soil heat flux Soil temperature Soil moisture Precipitation Air pressure While there is no specific standard that must be met, these indicators help to set guidelines for limits on how much water can safely be extracted from the water basin at any given time. By monitoring ET in the river basin, the local administration can help limit the amount of groundwater overdraft occurring, especially in dry seasons where water sources are not quickly replenished. Assessing and Monitoring Water Quality Baseline assessment of environmental quality in the project areas Wastewater discharge volume running into the Hai River Basin Municipal sewage discharge volume running into the Hai River Basin Percentage of rivers meeting Class III of Surface Water Environmental Quality Standards (GB ) Volume in tonnes Volume in tonnes Standard categories based on pollutant levels: ammonia, nitrogen, potassium permanganate index, volatile phenol and biochemical oxygen demand The demonstration projects include: Polluted water body remediation project in the Zhangweixin River. Wastewater emission control in the Zangweinan sub-canal basin. Study report on sufficient management of water authority and permission of digging wells in the Hebei province. Study on the technical system of sufficient use of water in agriculture and actual watersaving technologies in Beijing city. In assessing the impacts of these projects, noise pollution during the project implementation period, air pollution, effects on surface and groundwater quality, effects on loss of soil and water, temporary effects on region ecology, potential effects on land occupancy and possible effects on cultural resources will all be taken into consideration. 3

4 Assessment of the environmental impact of the implementation of the project s contents Type of Impact Impact Severity Details Wastewater, waste gas and solid waste produced during the construction phase Minimal Most construction is manual, so minimal wastewater and gas will be produced. Solid waste will be managed and removed from the site as per regulations. Noise pollution Minimal Most projects located far away from residential areas. Effect on surface and groundwater quality Effects on loss of water and soil Temporary effects on regional ecology Effects on Environmental Hygiene Medium Medium/high minimal minimal Surface water monitored through: flowrate, turbidity, sediment concentration. Ditch and canal construction may cause soil erosion, damage soil and plants, destroy landscape in soil and rock quarry areas. Increase in suspended solids and sediment deposits in rivers due to construction will decrease water quality, Fluctuation in water quality may effect local animal populations causing temporary emigration. Local plant species may also be temporarily affected by water fluctuation. Accumulation of stagnant water in quarries and pits may cause mosquito and other pest problems. These areas must be backfilled or designed to drain easily. Monitoring The Integrated Water and Environmental Management Action Plan will evaluate the quality and quantity of surface and groundwater conditions, establish targets objectives for improvement of water management quantity and quality, including defining the monitoring indicators and monitoring and evaluation requirements for tracking improvements, preparing the plants for reaching targets using a year horizon. Within this, monitoring sites, parameters and targets will be set. These will include baseline surveys/inventories of surface and groundwater quantity and quality conditions, uses and trends and establish specific objectives, timelines and indicators for IWEMPs and demonstration project implementation during the life of the overall project and beyond. Standards adopted include: Surface Water Environmental Quality Standards (GB ) Integrated Wastewater Discharge Standards (GB ) Groundwater Quality Standards (GB/T ) National Soil Quality Standards (GB ) Soil Environmental Quality Standards (GB ) Irrigation Canal Systems Design Standards (SDJ-78) Beijing Municipal Water Pollutants Discharge Standards (Issued by the Beijing City People's Government on October 15, 1985) 4

5 References GEF Hai Basin Project Office (2003). Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report on the GEF Hai Basin Project. Retrieved from World Bank. (2003). Updated Project Information Document: China Hai Basin Integrated Water and Environment Management Project. Retrieved from World Bank. (2008). Improving coastal water quality through basin management: China s Hai Basin Integrated Water and Environment Management Project. Retrieved from /Rendered/PDF/multi0page.pdf /Rendered/PDF/multi0page.pdf Source: EIA Online Learning Platform - International Institute for Sustainable Development 5