Submitted to: Holding Company for Water and Wastewater Environmental and Social Cornish El Nil, El-Sahel, Impact Assesment for Rural od E Rowd Farag Water Treatment Plant Cairo, Egypt Clusters under Phase 2 Tel: 20/ 24583591 – 24583596 of ISSIP II Fax: 20/ 24583884 Email: hcww@hcww.com.eg Sohag Governorate From: Final Report 12 El-Saleh Ayoub St., Zamalek, Cairo, Egypt 11211 Tel: + 20 2 27359078 – 2736 4818 July 2016 Fax: + 20 2 2736 5397 E-mail: genena@ecoconserv.com URL: http://www.ecoconserv.com Final Report Environmental and Social Impact Assesment for Rural Clusters under Phase 2 of ISSIP II July 2016 i List of Abbreviations AST Above ground storage tank BOD Biological Oxygen Demand CAA Competent administrative authority CDA Community development association COD Chemical oxygen demand CAAs Competent Administrative Authorities EEAA Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency EHS Environment, Health and Safety EIA Environmental Impact Assessment EMP Environmental Management Plan EMU Environmental Management Unit ESIA Environmental and Social Impact Assessment ESMP Environmental and Social Management Plan ESIAF Environmental And Social Impact Assessment Framework Study FM Force Main FS Feasibility Study HC House Connections HCWW Holding Company for Water and Wastewater IC Inspection Chamber IFC International Finance Corporation ISO International Standards Organization ISSIP Integrated Sanitation and Sewerage Infrastructure Project LGU Local Governmental Unit MoH Ministry of Health NGO Non-Governmental Organisations NOPWASD National Organization for Potable Water & Sanitary Drainage PAP Project Affected Party PM Particulate Matter PW Potable Water PS Pumping Station RSU Rural Sanitation Unit SBR Sequencing batch reactors TDS Total Dissolved Solids TKN Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen TOR Terms of References TSS Total Suspended Solids USEPA United States Environment protection Agency UST Underground storage tank WB World Bank WHO World Health Organization WWTP Wastewater Treatment Plant Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) ESIA for Phase 2 of ISSIP II ii TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION, APPROACH AND ........................................................................................ 1 METHODOLOGY .......................................................................................................................................................... 1 1 CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION, APPROACH AND METHODOLOGY ................................................... 2 1.1 BACKGROUND ......................................................................................................................................................... 2 1.2 ESIA OBJECTIVES AND PURPOSE OF THE REPORT ................................................................................ 3 1.3 REPORT STRUCTURE ........................................................................................................................................... 5 1.4 APPROACH AND METHODOLOGY .................................................................................................................. 5 1.4.1 Environmental Impact Assessment phase ................................................................................................5 1.4.1.1 General Methodology ............................................................................................................................................... 5 1.4.1.2 A. Probability of occurrence.................................................................................................................................. 6 1.4.1.3 B. Spatial scale ............................................................................................................................................................. 6 1.4.1.4 C. Temporal scale ....................................................................................................................................................... 6 1.4.1.5 D. Impact intensity..................................................................................................................................................... 7 1.4.1.6 Integrated Assessment of Impact ....................................................................................................................... 7 1.4.2 Social Impact Assessment Data Collection Methodology ...................................................................7 1.4.2.1 Analysis of collected data ....................................................................................................................................... 9 1.4.2.2 Study Sample .............................................................................................................................................................. 10 1.4.2.3 Constraints .................................................................................................................................................................. 11 2 CHAPTER 2 LEGAL FRAMEWORK .............................................................................................................. 1 2.1 NATIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK.................................................................. 1 2.2 SUMMARY OF THE NATIONAL LEGISLATION PERTINENT TO THE PROJECT............................ 4 2.2.1 Egyptian legislation related to social aspects ........................................................................................4 2.2.2 Egyptian legislation related to protection of Antiquities, archaeology and cultural heritage 4 2.2.3 Egyptian legislation related to environmental aspects ......................................................................4 2.3 INTERNATIONAL REQUIREMENTS ............................................................................................................... 5 2.4 INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS AND AGREEMENTS ......................................................................... 6 2.5 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF NATIONAL LEGISLATION RELATED TO SOCIAL ASPECTS ..... 7 2.6 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF NATIONAL LEGISLATION RELATED TO ARCHAEOLOGY AND CULTURAL HERITAGE......................................................................................................................................................... 10 2.7 DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND GAP ANALYSIS OF NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS AND WB REQUIREMENTS FOR KEY ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS .............................. 12 2.7.1 Air Quality .......................................................................................................................................................... 12 2.7.1.1 Regulations.................................................................................................................................................................. 12 2.7.1.2 Standards and limits ............................................................................................................................................... 12 2.7.2 Water Quality ................................................................................................................................................... 13 2.7.2.1 Regulations.................................................................................................................................................................. 13 2.7.2.2 Standards and Limits for the reuse of treated wastewater in irrigation of tree forests (Decree 44 of Year 2000) ................................................................................................................................................................ 15 2.7.2.3 Standards and Limits for the drains’ water quality prior to being transferred to fresh watercourses for agricultural purposes only ........................................................................................................................ 15 2.7.2.4 Standards and Limits for discharge of liquid industrial effluent into freshwater bodies ..... 16 2.7.3 Noise ..................................................................................................................................................................... 17 2.7.3.1 Regulations.................................................................................................................................................................. 17 2.7.3.2 Standards and Limits for Ambient Noise ...................................................................................................... 18 2.7.3.3 Standards and Limits for Noise Levels in the Work Environment ................................................... 19 CHAPTER 3 PROJECT DESCRIPTION ............................................................................................................. 20 Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) ESIA for Phase 2 of ISSIP II iii 3 CHAPTER 3 PROJECT DESCRIPTION ...................................................................................................... 21 3.1 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................................... 21 3.2 GRAVITY SEWERS AND HOUSE COLLECTION SYSTEM ...................................................................... 22 3.2.1 Location/Routing and Design .................................................................................................................... 22 3.2.2 Construction processes and resources used .......................................................................................... 22 3.2.3 Operational processes and resources used ........................................................................................... 23 3.3 PUMP STATIONS AND FORCE MAINS ......................................................................................................... 23 3.3.1 Location/Routing and Design specifications ....................................................................................... 23 3.3.2 Construction processes and resources used .......................................................................................... 33 3.3.3 Operational processes and resources used ........................................................................................... 33 3.4 WWTPS ..................................................................................................................................................................... 34 3.5 PIPELINE CROSSINGS AND CROSSING STRUCTURES .......................................................................... 37 3.5.1 Crossings identified in Tema Cluster ....................................................................................................... 37 3.5.2 Crossings identified in Sohag Cluster ...................................................................................................... 37 3.5.3 Crossings identified in Balyana Cluster .................................................................................................. 38 3.6 FIGURES ..................................................................................................................................................................... 0 CHAPTER 4 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL .............................................................................................. 10 BASELINE CONDITIONS ........................................................................................................................................ 10 4 CHAPTER 4 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL BASELINE CONDITIONS ....................................... 11 4.1 LOCATION: .............................................................................................................................................................. 11 3.4 CLIMATE .................................................................................................................................................................. 30 3.3 AIR QUALITY .............................................................................................................................................................. 31 4.5 NOISE........................................................................................................................................................................... 36 4.9 APPROACH TO SOCIAL BASELINE CHARACTERIZATION ...................................................................................... 48 4.9.1 Sohag Governorate ......................................................................................................................................... 48 3.9.4 Target Districts (Tema – Sohag - Balyana) .......................................................................................... 50 4.9.3 Target Villages ................................................................................................................................................. 52 4.9.3.1 Location ........................................................................................................................................................................ 52 4.9.3.2 Demographic profile ............................................................................................................................................... 53 3..4 ARCHOLOGICAL SITES: ..................................................................................................................................... 61 CHAPTER 5 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ........................................................................................................ 63 ASSESSMENT ............................................................................................................................................................. 63 5 CHAPTER 5 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT .......................................... 64 5.1 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................................... 64 5.2 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS DURING CONSTRUCTION AND DECOMMISSIONING PHASES 65 5.2.1 Noise Impacts ................................................................................................................................................... 65 5.2.1.1 Overview of construction activities related to noise generation ...................................................... 65 5.2.1.2 Point sources of noise emissions ...................................................................................................................... 65 5.2.1.3 Noise impact assessment methodology ........................................................................................................ 66 5.2.2 Air Quality Impacts ........................................................................................................................................ 71 5.2.2.1 Overview ...................................................................................................................................................................... 71 5.2.2.2 Air Quality Impact Significance ......................................................................................................................... 71 5.2.2.3 Mitigation and monitoring measures ............................................................................................................. 72 5.2.3 Soil and groundwater Impacts .................................................................................................................. 72 5.2.3.1 Overview ...................................................................................................................................................................... 72 5.2.3.2 Soil and groundwater Impact significance .................................................................................................. 73 5.2.3.3 Mitigation and monitoring measures ............................................................................................................. 73 5.2.4 Water Quality Impacts .................................................................................................................................. 74 Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) ESIA for Phase 2 of ISSIP II iv 5.2.4.1 Impact significance.................................................................................................................................................. 74 5.2.5 Flora and Fauna Impacts ............................................................................................................................. 75 5.2.5.1 Flora and Fauna Impact significance .............................................................................................................. 75 5.2.5.2 Mitigation and monitoring measures ............................................................................................................. 75 5.2.6 Occupational health and safety impacts ................................................................................................ 76 5.2.6.1 Overview ...................................................................................................................................................................... 76 5.2.6.2 Occupational health and safety impact significance ............................................................................... 76 5.2.6.3 Mitigation and monitoring measures ............................................................................................................. 77 5.2.7 Community Safety ........................................................................................................................................... 78 5.2.7.1 Potential impacts...................................................................................................................................................... 78 5.2.8 Visual impacts .................................................................................................................................................. 78 5.2.8.1 Visual Impact Significance ................................................................................................................................... 78 5.3 IMPACTS DUE TO ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES DURING THE CONSTRUCTION PHASE ............ 79 5.3.1 Impacts due to hazardous (H) and non-hazardous (NH) waste generation and handling of hazardous chemicals ....................................................................................................................................................... 79 5.3.1.1 Impact overview ....................................................................................................................................................... 79 5.3.1.2 Impact Significance of NH waste generation .............................................................................................. 80 5.3.1.3 Impact Significance of hazardous waste generation and handling .................................................. 81 5.3.1.4 Mitigation and monitoring measures ............................................................................................................. 82 5.3.1.5 Mitigation measures for non-hazardous wastes....................................................................................... 82 5.3.1.6 Monitoring measures for non-hazardous wastes..................................................................................... 82 5.3.1.7 Mitigation measures for hazardous wastes................................................................................................. 82 5.3.1.8 Monitoring measures for hazardous wastes generated ........................................................................ 83 5.3.2 Impacts related to the creation of on-site workers and staff office camps .............................. 83 5.4 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT DURING THE OPERATION OF THE WWTPS, PS, FM AND GRAVITY SEWERS ................................................................................................................................................. 84 5.4.1 Noise Impacts ................................................................................................................................................... 84 5.4.1.1 Overview of operation activities related to noise generation ............................................................ 84 5.4.1.2 Mitigation and monitoring measures ............................................................................................................. 85 5.4.2 Air emissions and Odor impacts ................................................................................................................ 85 5.4.2.1 Overview and Impact significance ................................................................................................................... 85 5.4.2.2 Mitigation and monitoring measures ............................................................................................................. 87 5.4.3 Soil and groundwater Impacts .................................................................................................................. 87 5.4.3.1 Overview and Impact significance ................................................................................................................... 87 5.4.4 Water Quality Impacts .................................................................................................................................. 88 5.4.4.1 Overview and Impact significance ................................................................................................................... 88 5.4.5 Flora and Fauna Impacts ............................................................................................................................. 89 5.4.5.1 Overview and Impact significance ................................................................................................................... 89 5.4.5.2 Mitigation and monitoring measures ............................................................................................................. 89 5.4.6 Occupational Health and Safety ................................................................................................................ 90 5.4.6.1 Overview and Impact significance ................................................................................................................... 90 5.4.6.2 Mitigation and monitoring measures ............................................................................................................. 91 5.4.7 Community Safety ........................................................................................................................................... 95 5.4.8 Visual impacts .................................................................................................................................................. 95 5.4.8.1 Overview and Impact significance ................................................................................................................... 95 5.5 IMPACTS DUE TO ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES/PROCESSES DURING THE OPERATION PHASE 96 5.5.1 Risks associated with disposal and/or reuse of final treated effluent ....................................... 96 5.5.1.1 Risk of soil and groundwater pollution as a result of irrigation using noncompliant effluent or over-irrigation of the timber forest...................................................................................................................................... 96 5.5.1.2 Mitigation and monitoring measures ............................................................................................................. 99 5.5.2 Environmental impacts due to Sludge management ..................................................................... 100 5.5.2.1 Overview ................................................................................................................................................................... 100 5.5.2.2 Impact Significance and evaluation .............................................................................................................. 101 5.5.2.3 Mitigation and monitoring measures .......................................................................................................... 103 5.5.3 Impacts due to handling and disposal of non-hazardous wastes ............................................. 105 Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) ESIA for Phase 2 of ISSIP II v 5.5.3.1 Impact significance and evaluation .............................................................................................................. 105 5.5.3.2 Mitigation and monitoring measures .......................................................................................................... 106 5.5.3.3 Mitigation measures for non-hazardous wastes.................................................................................... 106 5.5.3.4 Monitoring measures for non-hazardous wastes.................................................................................. 107 5.5.4 Impacts due to handling and disposal of hazardous substances and hazardous wastes 107 5.5.4.1 Impact evaluation due to handling of hazardous substances .......................................................... 107 5.6 SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACTS ........................................................................................................................ 111 5.6.1 Methodology .................................................................................................................................................. 111 CHAPTER 6 ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES .................................................................................................. 132 6.1 NO PROJECT ALTERATIVE ............................................................................................................................ 132 6.2 ALTERNATIVES OF PIPING MATERIALS ................................................................................................ 133 6.3 ALTERNATIVES FOR HOUSE CONNECTIONS ....................................................................................... 133 6.4 ALTERNATIVES TO THE UTILIZATION OF SLUDGE .......................................................................... 133 CHAPTER 7 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT PLAN ................................................... 136 7.1 OBJECTIVES OF THE ESMP ........................................................................................................................... 136 7.2 ESMP INSTITUTIONAL SET-UP ................................................................................................................... 136 7.3 ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES FOR IMPLEMENTATION AND SUPERVISION ..................... 137 7.4 GRIEVANCE AND HANDLING COMPLAINTS AND CONCERNS ...................................................... 140 7.4.1 Proposed Grievance Mechanism ............................................................................................................ 140 7.5 EMERGENCY PLAN ........................................................................................................................................... 143 7.6 DEVELOPMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL REGISTERS .......................................................................... 143 7.7 ESMP ESTIMATED BUDGET ......................................................................................................................... 143 7.7.1 Required Human Resources and Training ......................................................................................... 143 7.7.2 Management and Monitoring budget .................................................................................................. 145 7.8 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT AND MONITORING MATRICES ................ 146 CHAPTER 8 STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT AND CONSULTATION ACTIVITIES ............................. 172 8.1 CONSULTATION OBJECTIVES ................................................................................................................................ 172 8.2 CONSULTATION METHODOLOGY AND ACTIVITIES ............................................................................................ 173 8.3 STRENGTHS AND LIMITATION OF CONSULTATION ............................................................................................ 173 8.3.1 Strengths of the consultation .................................................................................................................. 173 8.3.2 Limitation of the consultation ................................................................................................................ 174 8.4 DEFINING STAKEHOLDERS.................................................................................................................................... 174 5.8 SUMMARY OF CONSULTATION ACTIVITIES .......................................................................................................... 176 8.5.1 Awareness raising activities by RSU in Sohag .................................................................................. 176 8.5.2 Stakeholders’ Interviews ........................................................................................................................... 177 8.5.3 Public consultation ...................................................................................................................................... 182 8.5.3.1 Participants profile............................................................................................................................................... 182 8.5.3.2 Geographic distribution ..................................................................................................................................... 184 8.5.3.3 Activities of the public Consultation ............................................................................................................ 184 Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) ESIA for Phase 2 of ISSIP II vi List of Tables Table ‎ 1-1 Scope of ISSIP II phase 2 ________________________________________________ 3 Table ‎ 1-2 ESIA report structure ___________________________________________________ 5 Table ‎ 1-3 Probability criterion adopted for the impact assessment __________________________ 6 Table ‎ 1-4 Spatial Scale criterion adopted for the impact assessment _________________________ 6 Table ‎ 1-5 Temporal Scale criterion adopted for the impact assessment ______________________ 6 Table ‎ 1-6 Impact intensity criterion adopted for the impact assessment ______________________ 7 Table ‎ 1-7 Impact intensity criterion adopted for the impact assessment ______________________ 7 Table ‎ 1-8 - Distribution of Sample across clusters _____________________________________ 10 Table ‎ 1-9 - Profile of the participants in FGDs _______________________________________ 10 Table ‎ 1-10 - Number of interviewed stakeholders _____________________________________ 10 Table ‎ 2-1 WB Safeguard Policies Status ______________________________________________ 5 Table ‎ 2-2 detailed description of the Egyptian legislation related to the social aspects ___________ 7 Table ‎ 2-3 Egyptian legislation related to Archaeology and cultural heritage __________________ 10 Table ‎ 3-1 Geographic scope of the ESIA and the project components _____________________ 21 Table ‎ 3-2 Distances between each PS and Residential areas (from border to border). __________ 33 Table ‎ 3-3 the design capacity of the existing WWTPs, current operational flow, and expected flow 34 Table ‎ 3-4 overview for the current status of the three timber forests _______________________ 35 Table ‎ 3-5 Crossings identified in Tema Cluster _______________________________________ 37 Table ‎ 3-6 Crossings identified in Sohag Cluster _______________________________________ 37 Table ‎ 3-7 Crossings identified in Balyana Cluster ______________________________________ 38 Table ‎ 4-1 Canals and drains within the project area ____________________________________ 18 Table ‎ 4-2 depth of groundwater and concentrations of soluble elements ___________________ 21 Table ‎ 4-3 GPS coordinates for samples locations _____________________________________ 25 Table ‎ 4-4 water samples analysis results Al Balyana Cluster ______________________________ 27 Table ‎ 4-5 water samples analysis results Tema Cluster __________________________________ 28 Table ‎ 4-6 water samples analysis results in Sohag Cluster ________________________________ 28 Table ‎ 4-7 the average of climate elements. ___________________________________________ 30 Table ‎ 4-8 8 hours average results (µg/m3)Al Halafy and Um Duma ________________________ 33 Table ‎ 4-9 8 hours average results (µg/m3) Al Mahameed Al Baharia village, Demno village and Al Mazalwa village _______________________________________________________________ 33 Table ‎ 4-10 8 hours average results (µg/m3) Al Samta village, Al Halfy village and Al Ghanimia village ___________________________________________________________________________ 33 Table ‎ 4-11 Ambient Noise Levels Readings Al Halafy and Um Duma ______________________ 36 Table ‎ 4-12 Ambient Noise Levels Readings Al Mahameed Al Baharia village, Demno village and Al Mazalwa village _______________________________________________________________ 37 Table ‎ 4-13 Ambient Noise Levels Readings Al Samta village, Al Halfy village and Al Ghanimia village ___________________________________________________________________________ 37 Table ‎ 4-14 - Labour Force at Sohag Governorate (Sohag Statistical Year Book, 2014) __________ 49 Table ‎ 4-15 - Proliferation rate of sewage services in Sohag governorate _____________________ 49 Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) ESIA for Phase 2 of ISSIP II vii Table ‎ 4-16 - Sewage Capacity at Sohag Governorate (Sohag Statistical Year Book, 2014)________ 49 Table ‎ 4-18 - Villages that have available sanitation systems at Sohag governorat ______________ 50 Table ‎ 4-18 - Population distribution at target districts __________________________________ 51 Table ‎ 4-19 - Healthcare facilities at target villages _____________________________________ 57 Table ‎ 4-21 - Access to potable water at target villages __________________________________ 57 Table ‎ 4-22 - subscription to electricity at target villages _________________________________ 58 Table ‎ 5-1 Distances between each component (PS and WWTP) and Residential area __________ 66 Table ‎ 5-2 Expected construction equipment and Sound Levels ___________________________ 67 Table ‎ 5-3 Thresholds for odour detection and recognition associated with wastewater _________ 86 Table ‎ 5-4 Treated effluent standards outlined in Law 93/1962 for reuse in irrigation ___________ 98 5-;- Egyptian and USEPA standards for land application of sludge __________________ 105 Table‎ Table ‎ 7-1 Environmental Management Plan during the construction phase _________________ 147 Table ‎ 7-2 Environnemental Monitoring Matrix during the construction phase_______________ 153 Table ‎ 7-3 Environmental Management Matrix during the operation phase _________________ 155 Table ‎ 7-4 Environmental Monitoring Matrix during the operation phase ___________________ 167 Table ‎ 7-5 Social Management plan__________________________ Error! Bookmark not defined. Table ‎ 7-6 Social Monitoring Plan _________________________________________________ 170 Table 8-1 Stakeholders identified during the consultation ______________________________ 174 List of Figures Figure ‎ 1-1 Methodology and Data collection tools ______________________________________ 8 Figure ‎ 2-1 EIA Procedure overview ________________________________________________ 3 Figure ‎ 3-1 Clusters covered during the Second phase of the ISSIP II Project in Sohag governorate _ 0 Figure ‎ 3-2 Aerial satellite maps showing the project components locations and onsite photo documentation for Tema, Sohag and Balyana clusters respectively __________________________ 1 Figure ‎ 3-3 Al Halaky PS Location, layout and closest receptors ____________________________ 2 Figure ‎ 3-4 Um Doma PS Location, layout and closest receptors ___________________________ 3 Figure ‎ 3-5 Al Muhamda PS Location, layout and closest receptors _________________________ 4 Figure ‎ 3-6 Dmno PS Location, layout and closest receptors ______________________________ 5 Figure ‎ 3-7 Al Mazalu PS Location, layout and closest receptors ____________________________ 6 Figure ‎ 3-8 Al Samta PS Location, layout and closest receptors _____________________________ 7 Figure ‎ 3-9 Al Halafy PS Location, layout and closest receptors ____________________________ 8 Figure ‎ 3-10 Nag‟ Ragh and Al Ghounamiya PS Location, layout and closest receptors __________ 9 Figure ‎ 4-1 Sohage governorate location ____________________________________________ 11 Figure ‎ 4-2 11 districts of Sohage governorate location and the three districts of the ESIA scope __ 12 Figure ‎ 4-3 location of the PS and the closest receptor in Al Halaky Village __________________ 13 Figure ‎ 4-4 Force main route from al Halaky Village to Um Duma _________________________ 13 Figure ‎ 4-5 location of the PS and the closest receptor in Um Duma Village__________________ 14 Figure ‎ 4-6 location of the PS and the closest receptor in Al Muhamda Al Bahriya Village _______ 14 Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) ESIA for Phase 2 of ISSIP II viii Figure ‎ 4-7 Force main crossing form Al Muhamda PS to Demno PS_______________________ 15 Figure ‎ 4-8 location of the PS and the closest receptor in Demno Village ____________________ 15 Figure ‎ 4-9 location of the PS and the closest receptor in Al Mazalu Village __________________ 15 Figure ‎ 4-10 location of the PS and the closest receptor in Al Samta Village __________________ 16 Figure ‎ 4-11 location of the PS and the closest receptor in Al Halafy Village __________________ 16 Figure ‎ 4-12 location of the PS and the closest receptor in Al Ghounamiya Village _____________ 17 Figure ‎ 4-13 Al Araya Canal ______________________________________________________ 18 Figure ‎ 4-14 Al Mazalu Canal (domestic waste thrown in the canal) ________________________ 19 Figure ‎ 4-15 Um El Toboul Canal storage branch (waste accumulated in the canal) ____________ 19 Figure ‎ 4-16 Kandeel Canal _______________________________________________________ 20 Figure ‎ 4-17 Koum Gharib Canal __________________________________________________ 20 Figure ‎ 4-18 Salts distribution for Sohage governorate __________________________________ 22 Figure ‎ 4-19contour map for groundwater levels_______________________________________ 23 Figure ‎ 4-20surface water quality monitoring activities __________________________________ 26 Figure ‎ 4-21 collecting groundwater samples __________________________________________ 26 Figure ‎ 4-22 Sulfur Dioxide annual average all over Egypt _______________________________ 31 Figure ‎ 4-23 Nitrogen Dioxide annual average all over Egypt _____________________________ 32 Figure ‎ 4-24 Particle Matter annual average all over Egypt _______________________________ 32 Figure ‎ 4-25 particulate 8 hours average results µg/m3 __________________________________ 34 Figure ‎ 4-26 NO2 8 hours average results µg/m3 ______________________________________ 34 Figure ‎ 4-27 SO2 8 hours average results µg/m3 ______________________________________ 35 Figure ‎ 4-28 CO daily average results µg/m3 _________________________________________ 35 Figure ‎ 4-29 noise levels in all locations _____________________________________________ 38 Figure ‎ 4-30 Some flora types _____________________________________________________ 39 Figure ‎ 4-31 flora types __________________________________________________________ 39 Figure ‎ 4-32Aquatic flora ________________________________________________________ 40 Figure ‎ 4-33Birds ______________________________________________________________ 41 Figure ‎ 4-34 Mammals __________________________________________________________ 41 Figure ‎ 4-35 Reptiles ____________________________________________________________ 42 Figure ‎ 4-36Amphibians _________________________________________________________ 42 Figure ‎ 4-37 Sohag geological map _________________________________________________ 44 Figure ‎ 4-38cross hydrological section in Sohag _______________________________________ 45 Figure ‎ 4-39 classification of Egypt according to seismic hazard ___________________________ 47 Figure ‎ 4-40 - Administrative Division of Sohag Governorate ____________________________ 48 Figure ‎ 4-41 - Percentage of provision of sewage services at district level (Sohag Water Company) _ 51 Figure ‎ 4-42 – Administrative Map of Awlad Azaz LGU ________________________________ 52 Figure ‎ 4-43 - Administrative map of Um Doma LGU __________________________________ 52 Figure ‎ 4-44 - Types of houses at target villages _______________________________________ 54 Figure ‎ 4-45 - Width of the main roads at villages ______________________________________ 54 Figure ‎ 4-46 - Width of streets at villages ____________________________________________ 55 Figure ‎ 7-1 Proposed Environmental Management Set-up ______________________________ 139 Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) ESIA for Phase 2 of ISSIP II ix Figure ‎ 8-2 - Preliminary sessions held by the SWC with the land owners at Al Balyana district at LGU in Beni Hamil – Sept. 2015 _____________________________________________________ 176 Figure ‎ 8-3 - Awareness raising session at Nagaa Queez (ISSIP-II phase I - target village)_______ 177 Figure ‎ 8-4 - Head of Beni Hemil LGU ____________________________________________ 180 Figure ‎ 8-5 - Head of Um Doma LGU _____________________________________________ 180 Figure ‎ 8-6 - Head of Tema District _______________________________________________ 180 Figure ‎ 8-7 - Land owner at Ghonaymiah PS plot _____________________________________ 180 Figure ‎ 8-8 - Community leaders at Um Doma _______________________________________ 180 Figure ‎ 8-9 - Dmno Omda - Mr. Gamal ____________________________________________ 180 Figure ‎ 8-10 - LGU of Awad Azaz ________________________________________________ 181 Figure ‎ 8-11 - Mrs. Nawal - CDA at Al Mahamda Al Bahareya ___________________________ 181 Figure ‎ 8-12 - Meeting at Mazalou youth center ______________________________________ 181 Figure ‎ 8-13 - CDA at Al Mahamda Al Bahareya _____________________________________ 181 Figure ‎ 8-14 - Meeting at Omda house at Al Mazalu ___________________________________ 181 Figure ‎ 8-15 - Meeting at Omda of Al Mazalu ________________________________________ 181 Figure ‎ 8-16 - Advertisement at Gomhourya newspaper ________________________________ 182 Figure ‎ 8-17 - Advertisement at Tema LGU _________________________________________ 182 Figure ‎ 8-18 - Advertisement at target villages ________________________________________ 182 Figure ‎ 8-19 - Distribution of Participants by Gender __________________________________ 183 ANNEXES ANNEX 1 STUDY TEAM– to be annexed ANNEX 2 TECHNICAL DRAWINGS AND MAPS FOR EACH VILLAGE ANNEX 3 BASELINE MEASUREMENTS ANNEX 4 PUBLIC CONSULTATION LISTS OF PARTICIPANTS ANNEX 5 CSC REPORT TEMPLATES ANNEX 6 WATER QUALITY MONITORING DATA ANNEX 7 AVAILABLE LAND ALLOCATION DOCUMENTS Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) ESIA for Phase 2 of ISSIP II x INSERT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) ESIA for Phase 2 of ISSIP II xi CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION, APPROACH AND METHODOLOGY Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 1 ESIA for Phase 2 of ISSIP II- Sohag 1 CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION, APPROACH AND METHODOLOGY 1.1 BACKGROUND While fresh drinking water is now regularly supplied to rural regions across Egypt, appropriate sanitation services do not have the same coverage. Wastewater services systems have been implemented in most cities and towns, however, small rural villages have been largely overlooked. This is because their remote locations and small populations make sanitation infrastructure especially costly for the government. Households in rural villages collect their sewage in cesspits and then evacuate the collected sewage into waterways or empty lands. The lack of sanitation in rural households is causing severe health, hygiene and environmental concerns. Sewage cesspits often leak into the surrounding environment and groundwater creating a significant health hazard, especially in areas where people rely on groundwater for drinking. In addition, the sewage discharged into watercourses has contributed to a noticeable degradation of freshwater resources, especially in Lower Egypt and the Nile Delta region. The increased in organic and pathogenic contamination poses a risk to soil and crops. In response to this situation the Government of Egypt (GoE) has initiated an ambitious plan for providing sanitation services to rural areas in the country. According to the updated National Rural Sanitation Strategy, the government aims to expand coverage of sanitation services to all villages in Egypt by the year 2030. In January 2009, the HCWW, with support from the World Bank (WB), launched the Integrated Sanitation and Sewerage Infrastructure Project (ISSIP). The purpose of the project is to extend basic sanitation services to rural areas and reduce pollution in irrigation and drainage canals to improve surface water quality and combat related health hazards. Based on the size of the population being served – two main types of sanitation systems can be provided:  For settlements with more than 5000 inhabitants, a centralized system will be installed whereby sewage collection networks will be connected to a nearby Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP)  For settlements with less than 5000 inhabitants and do not have a nearby WWTP,a decentralized system that discharges into a simple treatment facility will be installed. The first phase of ISSIP targeted unserved villages in the governorates of Gharbeya, Beheira and Kafr EI Sheikh. Centralized sanitation systems were implemented in about 222 villages and decentralized systems in about 120 villages .In order to widen the coverage areas of the ISSIP and to increase number of beneficiaries, the HCWW created a second phase known as ISSIP II in which the geographic coverage of the project was extended to Menoufeya and Sharkeya Governorates in Lower Egypt and Assuit and Sohag Governorates in Upper Egypt. ISSIP II has been further divided into two phases so far. Under the first phase of ISSIP II the project area encompassed  The villages of Al Nawawra, Al Etmania and Wadi Al Sheih in the Badari District of Assuit Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 2 ESIA for Phase 2 of ISSIP II- Sohag  the villages ofBeit Dawood, Al Kuraan, Nagaa Kweez, and Nagaa Maklad in the Gerga District of Sohag In the second (and current) phase of ISSIP II the project area encompasses: Table ‎ 1-1 Scope of ISSIP II phase 2 Governorate Markaz Village Al Muhamda Al Bahriya Sohag Dmno Al Mazalu Nag‟ Ragh Sohag Al Ghounamiya Balyana Al Samta Al Halafy Um Duma Tema Al Halaky Refa Deir Refa Assuit Al Zawya Assuit Shutb Musha Bedary Al Nawamis An ESIAF for ISSIP II project was conducted in January 2011, which included all the components of ISSIP II project. EcoConServ has been commissioned by the HCWW to complete the required ESIAsfor the activities included in the second phase of ISSIP II. This report presents the findings for Sohag governorate. 1.2 ESIA OBJECTIVES AND PURPOSE OF THE REPORT Assessment of the environmental and social impacts is a prerequisite for implementing developmental projects both by the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA) and the WB. Accordingly this study has been prepared for performing an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA), following Terms of Reference (ToRs) prepared by HCWW, aiming at providing a detailed analysis of the anticipated environmental and social safeguard issues associated with the current phase of the second phase of ISSIP II; and to develop an environmental management and monitoring plan to be implemented during the construction and operation of the project. According to the EIA guidelines and procedures manual published by the Ministry of Environment – EEAA January 2009 (amended in October 2010), the ISSIP II project falls under Category B projects. This ESIA report has been compiled as part of the EIA process in accordance with Egyptian environmental Law number 4 for the year 1994 amended by law number 9 for the year 2009 and Law 105 for the year 2015. It has taken into account the environmental regulations and requirements of funding institutions including the WB safeguard policies. The ESIA report will be submitted to the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA) after review and acceptance from HCWW in order to seek the national environmental approval for the proposed Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 3 ESIA for Phase 2 of ISSIP II- Sohag project. The report includes the identification and evaluation of the potential environmental impacts due to the construction and operation of different components of the project. It also includes proposed mitigation and monitoring measures to control/minimize the effects of the identified negative impacts. In general, the objectives of the ESIA study were to:  identify the various elements that may affect human health and safety as well as have an impact on different ecosystems;  describe the environmental and social baseline conditions of the communities hosting the project in order to measure the severity of impacts related to it;  highlight and review the legislations under which the project will be implemented;  determine the social and environmental impacts in a quantitative manner whenever possible taking into account different projects activities at various stages (planning, construction, operation and decommissioning) and their impact on environmental and social issues;  compare the identified social and environmental impacts, against relevant local and international regulations and standards. This includes the WB safeguard policies;  propose, analyze and select the most appropriate alternatives based upon the analysis and evaluation of environmental and social concerns;  prepare the environmental and social management plan (ESMP) to mitigate adverse impacts (social and environmental). The ESMP includes performance indicators and monitoring requirements for the impacts in accordance with relevant environmental and social laws and regulations.  Develop a monitoring program in order to identify; 1) any unexpected cases which may appear during the project‟s implementation; and 2) the effectiveness of the identified mitigation measures during implementation;  assess the capacity of the implementing bodies to apply the proposed social and environmental management and monitoring plans, as well as make recommendations for a capacity building program in case of identified gaps in the capacities of the implementing bodies with regards to social and environmental procedures;  analyze the stakeholders in order to investigate the possibility of community engagement during the implementation phase of the project.  consult and disseminate the project data at an early stage as well as after the completion of the ESIA study. Results from the early consultation meetings were taken into consideration in the ESIA study. Vulnerable groups were taken into consideration such as women, children, elderly, poor, minorities, and any other group that has seen to be vulnerable to social or environmental impacts. These groups are less capable of having access to decision makers within the community. The findings included in this ESIA study will provide decision makers with the needed information in order to minimize the unfavorable impacts and develop the best compensation strategy, if needed. Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 4 ESIA for Phase 2 of ISSIP II- Sohag 1.3 REPORT STRUCTURE The structure of this ESIA report is as shown in the Table below: Table ‎ 1-2 ESIA report structure Chapter Contents Contains a brief description of the proposed activity Chapter 1 Introduction, approach and an outline of the report structure. Outlines the and methodology approach to the ESIA study and summarizes the process undertaken for the project to date. Outlines the legislative, policy and administrative Chapter 2
Regulatory Framework requirements applicable to the proposed development. Includes a detailed description of the proposed Chapter 3
 Project Description activities. Chapter 4
Environmental and Describes the environmental and social baseline Social Baseline conditions in the project region. Describes and assesses the potential environmental and socio-economic impacts of the proposed project Chapter5Environmental and on different receptors and describes relevant Social Impact assessment mitigation measures. Cumulative impacts are also qualitatively assessed. Chapter 6 Analysis of Alternatives Describes and assesses the project alternatives Chapter7Environmental and Describes the identified mitigation measures in the Social Management Plan environmental management and monitoring plan Chapter 8 Public Consultations Describes the public consultation activities 1.4 APPROACH AND METHODOLOGY The ESIA is a systematic process where the potential negative and positive impacts of the project on the bio-physical and socio-economic environment are identified, assessed and – if avoidance is not feasible -mitigated. The following sections include the methodologies that were adopted by the Consultant during the different stages of the ESIA process. 1.4.1 Environmental Impact Assessment phase 1.4.1.1 General Methodology The methodology that the Consultant used for the impact assessment was a semi-quantitative process, based on scores. The overall score for the significance of the impacts was evaluated taking into accounts the following four factors: A. Probability of occurrence B. Spatial scale C. Temporal scale D. Intensity of the impact (which also considers the sensitivity of the receptors) Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 5 ESIA for Phase 2 of ISSIP II- Sohag 1.4.1.2 A. Probability of occurrence Three probability levels were used as shown in the Table below Table ‎ 1-3 Probability criterion adopted for the impact assessment Probability score Criterion 1 High and very high probability of occurrence, 75-100% confidence that the impact will take place 0.5 Medium probability of occurrence, 25-75% confidence that the impact will take place 0.25 Low probability of occurrence, less than 25% confidence that the impact will take place 1.4.1.3 B. Spatial scale Table 1-4shows the different scores adopted by the Consultant in order to quantify the impact based on its area of influence. Table ‎ 1-4 Spatial Scale criterion adopted for the impact assessment Score Criterion 1 (Site) Impact area is up to 1 km2 2 (Limited) Impact area is up to 10 km2 3 (Area) Impact area is up to 100 km2 4 (Regional) Impact area exceeds 100 km2 1.4.1.4 C. Temporal scale Table 1-5 shows the different scores adopted by the Consultant in order to quantify the impact based on the expected duration of the impact of concern. Table ‎ 1-5 Temporal Scale criterion adopted for the impact assessment Score Criterion 1 (Short-Term) Impact duration up to 3 months 2 (Medium-Term) Impact duration from 3 months to 1 year 3 (Long-Term) Impact duration from 1 to 3 years 4 (Permanent) Impact duration for more than 3 years Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 6 ESIA for Phase 2 of ISSIP II- Sohag 1.4.1.5 D. Impact intensity Table 1-6 shows the different categories for the expected impact intensity and the scoring criteria. The sensitivity of the receptor is taken into account when determining the relative intensity. Table ‎ 1-6 Impact intensity criterion adopted for the impact assessment Score Criterion 1 (Negligible) Environmental changes are within the existing limits of natural variations 2 (low) Environmental changes exceed the existing limits of natural variations. Natural environment is completely self-recoverable. 3 (Medium) Environmental changes exceed the existing limits of natural variations and result in damage to the separate environmental components. Natural environment remains self-recoverable. 4 (High) Environmental changes result in significant disturbance to particular environmental components and ecosystems. Certain environmental components lose self-recovering ability. 1.4.1.6 Integrated Assessment of Impact The overall assessment (i.e.score) for the impact of concern will be the multiplication result of the B. Spatial score, C. Temporal score, and D. Intensity score. The overall score will determine the category of severity (i.e. impact significance) based on the score range it falls into. Table 7 shows the upper and lower limits of each impact significance category, assuming a probability of occurrence of 1 (A. Probability score). Table ‎ 1-7 Impact intensity criterion adopted for the impact assessment Impact Parameters Overall Spatial Temporal Impact Probability Score Score Impact Scale Scale intensity of range Significance occurrence Site Short-term Negligible 1 1 1-8 Minor [1] [1] [1] Limited medium- Low 1 8 [2] term [2] [2] Area Long-term Medium 1 27 9-27 Moderate [3] [3] [3] Regional permanent High 1 64 28-64 Major [4] [4] [4] 1.4.2 Social Impact Assessment Data Collection Methodology EcoConServ has adopted a multistage analysis strategy, several data collection methods and tools were applied using the Participatory Rapid Appraisal approach. This approach ensures that local community groups participated to the study. Data was collected in coordination with relevant stakeholders including local administration units (district and village levels) and the local NGO‟s. A number of qualitative data collection tools were applied to ensure different community groups participated to the study. The consultant has also reviewed relevant secondary data sources such as: studies, reports and previous literature. The research team has conducted several field visits to assess the baseline conditions. The applied methodology in the social impact assessment can be summarized as follows: Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 7 ESIA for Phase 2 of ISSIP II- Sohag Source of information Secondary data Primary Data Secondary resources Observations Quantitative tools Qualitative review: and site visits 1- Structured tools 1- Legislatives 1- observation questionnaires 1- FGDs 2-National sheets with Potential beneficiaries 2- In-depth reports 2- Site visit interviews 3- Websites and checklist internet Figure ‎ 1-1 Methodology and Data collection tools A. Secondary data: The consultant has reviewed previous studies, reports, data sources and information available on the internet, in addition to data provided by HCWW, such as the ESIAF for ISSIP project as well as the ESIAs for the first phase of ISSIP II. The consultant has also reviewed several data sources such as: the Human Development Report 2010, Sohag Statistical Year Book 2014, the Annual Statistical Yearbook, the 2006 National Census data, and the Description of Egypt by information in addition to statistical data available at the district and village information centers. B. Primary data: Primary data was collected using different methods such as in depth interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs). Primary data sources are an important source for information that the consultant has used to provide deep understanding of the surrounding community as well as identify potential impacts related to the project. C. Field Observation and Transect Walks: The project team carried out the transect walks and observations in all districts of the project area (8 target villages at Sohag governorate). Field observation is considered a data collection tool to support the findings at the current stage. Transect walks were done, in coordination with the local community leaders and informants, surveying different villages streets, buildings, sanitations facilities in homes. Observations recorded and integrated on the relevant sections in addition to documentation using photos. Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 8 ESIA for Phase 2 of ISSIP II- Sohag D. Public Consultation: Finally a public hearing session was carried out at one of the target villages. The results are presented in details in Chapter 8. E. Stakeholder‟s Analysis: Stakeholder‟s analysis is one of the tools that helped the consultant identify relevant groups of stakeholders and their interest in the project as which may facilitate different project activities. Stakeholder‟s analysis is an important tool at the initial stages of the project which might contribute to define and mitigate several negative impacts at an early stage. Stakeholder‟s can help enhance the social benefits related to the project at the local community level. Stakeholders group Roles HCWW Is the owner of the project, the main government authority concerned with supervising the project activities and implementation of the project. Sohag Water Company Is the local stakeholder responsible for implementation of the project at Sohag villages. The company is also responsible for grievance mechanism during construction and operation EEAA Is the authority responsible for approving the ESIA study as part of the implementation requirements. EEAA regional office in Environment department is responsible for of approving the Assuit ESIA (form B), as well as monitoring the implementation of ESMP. Local Governmental Units Are responsible for providing and financing infrastructure at main and satellite villages services at local areas. They are also able to coordinate among different development projects and initiatives. Natural leaders at the local The main stakeholders, they have the experience and the community knowledge and they have a strong impact on the local community especially at rural areas. Beneficiaries (community Are the main beneficiaries from the project, may be subject to members, schools, some positive/negative impacts. They play a significant role in government authorities) project success and sustainability. NGO‟s Participating in providing sanitation services or loans from donor bodies to serve the community Evacuation service Are the main group which will be affected as a result of the providers, and current project, they will lose their job opportunities. sanitation services 1.4.2.1 Analysis of collected data Data from the interviews and data sheets was carefully recorded. The consultant has reviewed the raw data for concluding experiences / sentences / lessons learnt to be added to the qualitative analysis of the data. Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 9 ESIA for Phase 2 of ISSIP II- Sohag 1.4.2.2 Study Sample The study sample is distributed as follows: Table 1-8 - Distribution of Sample across A. The consultant has conducted 30 FGD sessions clusters distributed across the different target districts and villages, District Number of total number of participants is 190 persons. FGD sessions The consultant ensured to represent the different Sohag Cluster 12 community target groups. FGD is a qualitative tool that is meant to have an insight of the views of the participants Tema Cluster 8 towards the project. The following table (Table ‎1-9) presents Balyana Cluster 10 the profile of the participants in the conducted FGDs: Total 30 Table ‎ 1-9 - Profile of the participants in FGDs Variable Frequency Percentage Male 108 56.8 Gender Female 82 43.1 Total 190 100.0 20-30 years 34 17.8 30-45 years 62 32.6 Age 45-60 years 66 34.7 Above 60 years 28 14.7 Total 190 100.00 Illiterate 38 20.0 Basic &Vocational 37 19.4 Education education College Technical 75 39.4 University 40 21.0 Total 190 100 B. In depth interviews with stakeholders The consultant has conducted 38 interviews with relevant stakeholders at different levels; the following tablepresents the distribution of stakeholders according to their relevance: Table ‎ 1-10 - Number of interviewed stakeholders Stakeholder type Number of interviewed persons Sohag Water Company 9 Executive authorities at Sohag governorate 3 District Authorities 9 Local Government Units at village levels 8 NGOs 5 Local community leaders 4 Total 38 Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 10 ESIA for Phase 2 of ISSIP II- Sohag 1.4.2.3 Constraints A. Time constraints Time constraints were an important factor that prevents using supportive quantitative tool for gathering information. As the deep views were strongly recommended, qualitative information was gathered. This problem was overcome by widening the scope and number of data gathering through the FGDs and in-depth interviews. B. Women Participation Women participation in public sessions was difficult due to cultural issues in rural areas of upper Egypt (women cannot travel alone from a district to another or to move to other places to participate in public events, they are not used to participate in public activities, lack of interest, it is not accepted for a women to participate in such activities without having a permission of the head of the house and in his presence, and lack of awareness of women on their roles in the development process in general). All of the previously mentioned reasons reduced the participation of women in the public consultation especially old women and illiterates. However, to ensure that rural women and vulnerable people‟s voices were heard, FGDs and in- depth interviews with women were carried out in participants homes, in some cases in the presence of the head of the house (husband, brother, or son). When the head of the house was not present it was not easy to convince women to talk about their problems in relation to sanitation. Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 11 ESIA for Phase 2 of ISSIP II- Sohag CHAPTER 2 LEGAL FRAMEWORK Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 0 ESIA for Phase 2 of ISSIP II- Sohag 2 CHAPTER 2 LEGAL FRAMEWORK This Chapter describes the legal and administrative framework for the proposed project. It lists the national laws and international requirements pertinent to the project. Following an overview of the requirements of international institutions and international conventions, the requirements of Egyptian legislation are compared with those of the WB Environmental and Social Policy, and presented in a tabular form of gap analysis. 2.1 NATIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK The following is a description of the different national authorities and institutions of relevance to this project. The Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA) is an authorized state body regulating environmental management issues. Egyptian laws identify three main roles of the EEAA:  It has a regulatory and coordinating role in most activities, as well as an executive role restricted to the management of natural protectorates and pilot projects.  The agency is responsible for formulating the environmental management (EM) policy framework, setting the required action plans to protect the environment and following-up their execution in coordination with Competent Administrative Authorities (CAAs).  EEAA is responsible for the review and approval of the environmental impact assessment studies as for new projects/expansions undertaken. The Environmental Management Unit (EMU) at the governorate and district level is responsible for the environmental performance of all projects/facilities within the governorates premises. The governorate has established EMUs at both the governorate and city/district level. The EMUs are responsible for the protection of the environment within the governorate boundaries and thus are mandated to undertake both environmental planning and operation-oriented activities. The EMU is mandated to:  Follow-up on the environmental performance of the projects within the governorate during both construction and operations to ensure the project abides by laws and regulations as well as mitigation measures included in its EIA approval. Investigate any environmental complaints filed against projects within the governorate  The EMUs are affiliated administratively to the governorate yet technically to EEAA. The EMUs submit monthly reports to EEAA with their achievements and inspection results.  The governorate has a solid waste management unit at the governorate and district level. The units are responsible for the supervision of solid waste management contracts. Law 4/1994 stipulates that applications for a license from an individual, company, organization or authority, subject to certain conditions, require an assessment of the likely environmental impacts. The Competent Administrative Authorities (CAAs) are the entities responsible for issuing licenses for project construction and operation. The EIA is considered one of the requirements of licensing. The CAAs are thus responsible for receiving the EIA studies, check the information included in the documents concerning the location, suitability of the location to the project activity and ensure that the activity does not contradict with the surrounding activities and that the location does not contradict with the ministerial decrees related to the activity. The CAA forwards the documents to EEAA for review. They are the main interface with the project proponents in the EIA system. The CAA is mandated to: Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 1 ESIA for Phase 2 of ISSIP II- Sohag  Provide technical assistance to Project Proponents  Ensure the approval of the Project Site  Receive EIA Documents and forward it to EEAA  Follow-up the implementation of the EIA requirements during post construction field investigation (before the operation license) Figure 2.1 demonstrates the process procedures. After submission of an ESIA for review, the EEAA may request revisions in the ESIA report within 30 days, including additional mitigation measures, before issuing the approval of the report. In case of disapproval, HCWW will have the right to issue an appeal within 30 days from its receipt of the EEAA‟s decision. It should be noted that once the ESIA has been approved, the ESMP as will be presented in the report, will be considered an integral part of the project; and the HCWW will be legally responsible for the implementation of that plan, depending on their involvement in the construction or operation process. It is therefore worth mentioning that the HCWWmust ensure that all mitigation measures and environmental requirements described in the ESMP will be clearly referred to in the tender documents for the construction works, the construction contracts, and have been respected. HCWW will follow-up on the construction contractor to ensure that the ESMP is adequately implemented in the construction phase. On October 2015, law 105 for the year 2015 was issued to amend Law 4 and law 9. The recently issued law addresses may aspects pertinent to coal usage in cement sector and power generation, as well as Imposes administrative fees for reviewing the EIA study by EEAA before issuing the approval. Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 2 ESIA for Phase 2 of ISSIP II- Sohag Figure ‎ 2-1 EIA Procedure overview Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 3 ESIA for Phase 2 of ISSIP II- Sohag 2.2 SUMMARY OF THE NATIONAL LEGISLATION PERTINENT TO THE PROJECT The legislations listed below and described in more details in the following sections represent the national legislation pertinent to the project: 2.2.1 Egyptian legislation related to social aspects  EEAA guidelines related to the Public Consultation; Guidelines of Principles and Procedures for “Environmental Impact Assessment” 2nd Edition January 2009 - Paragraph 6.4.3 Requirements for Public Consultation - Paragraph 6.4.3.1 Scope of Public Consultation - Paragraph 6.4.3.2 Methodology of Public Consultation - Paragraph 6.4.3.3 Documentation of the Consultation Results - Paragraph 7 Requirement and Scope of the Public Disclosure  Land acquisition and involuntary resettlement (The project will not result in resettlement activities.) - Law 94/2003 on the National Council for Human Rights (NCHR) - The Constitution (1971, amended in year 1980) - The Constitution (2014, articles 33 and 35) - Law 10/1990 on property expropriation for public benefit and its amendments by law number 1/2015. - Other laws governing expropriation  Protection of human rights  Unified structure Law No 119 of year 2008  Presidential Decree No. 135 of year 2004 related to the esablishment of WWHC 2.2.2 Egyptian legislation related to protection of Antiquities, archaeology and cultural heritage  Law 117/1983 2.2.3 Egyptian legislation related to environmental aspects  Law 4 for Year 1994 for the environmental protection , amended by Law 9/2009 and law 105 for the year 2015  Executive Regulation(ER) No 338 for Year 1995 and the amended regulation No 1741 for Year 2005, amended with ministerial decree No 1095/2011, ministerial decree No 710/2012, and ministerial decree No 964/2015  Law No 93 for Year 1962 for discharge on the public sewer network and protection and treatment of wastewater wastes and safe discard methods of the treatment by products, amended with Decree No 44 for Year 2000.  Law No 48 for Year 1982 for the protection of the Nile river , agricultural drains, ponds and aquifer from pollution , and the ER amended with Decree No 92 for Year 2013.  Law No 12 for Year 2003 for the protection, occupational health and safety for the workers, which is amending Law 137 for Year 1981 and its executive decrees.  Law No 102 for Year 1983 for natural habitats.  Law No 38 for Year 1968 for the public cleanliness, which is amended by Law No 31 for Year 1976. Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 4 ESIA for Phase 2 of ISSIP II- Sohag  Guidelines of Principles and Procedures for “Environmental Impact Assessment” 2nd Edition EEAA, January 2009 and its amended Lists in October 2010. 2.3 INTERNATIONAL REQUIREMENTS International funding agencies, such as the WB require that the projects they finance to be in compliance with both the country‟s national standards as well as their own environmental and social policies. Therefore, in addition to the national regulations, the project aims at complying with the WB safeguard policies and guidelines. The policies help to ensure the environmental and social soundness and sustainability of investment projects. They also support integration of environmental and social aspects of projects into the decision-making process. In addition, the policies promote environmentally sustainable development by supporting the protection, conservation, maintenance, and rehabilitation of natural habitats. The ISSIP II project in Sohag Governorate is classified as category B project by EEAA, which requires mandatory Environmental Impact Assessment as it may have moderate implications on the environment. The project is classified as Category B according to the WB classification criteria. The WB has identified ten environmental and social safeguard policies that should be considered in its financed projects. The objective of these policies is to prevent and mitigate undue harm to people and their environment in the development process. WB Safeguards policy and their applicability to the ISSIP II project are described in the Table below: 2-1 WB Safeguard Policies Status Table ‎ Safeguard Policy Triggered Justifications (Yes/NO) Environmental Yes The project is classified as Category B. Assessment A comprehensive analysis of the negative impacts and (OP/BP 4.01) mitigation measures is described in the following chapters. Natural Habitats No The Sites is assessed as rural areas, with no endangered (OP/BP 4.04) species and low density of wildlife. Forests (OP/BP No The Sites is assessed as rural areas, with no endangered 4.36) species and low density of wildlife. Pest No The proposed project will not involve purchasing or using Management Pesticides. (OP 4.09) Physical Cultural No The ESIA for the proposed project identifies no sites of Resources cultural or religious significance to local communities. In (OP/BP 4.11) addition, chance finds procedures will be included Indigenous No No indigenous people are present in project areas. Peoples (OP/BP 4.10) Involuntary No The project will not result in resettlement activities. Resettlement (OP/BP 4.12) An RPF has been prepared for the project in 2011 to be readily available as guidelines in case OP4.12 is triggered. However after the project design was completed and the process of obtaining land took place it was clear that OP4.12 will not be triggered since the lands acquired for the Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 5 ESIA for Phase 2 of ISSIP II- Sohag Safeguard Policy Triggered Justifications (Yes/NO) eight PSs in Al Mahamda el Bahrya and Al Samata are state owned lands. Plots in Dmno and Al Mazalu were allocated by a donation while the 4 remaining plots at Um Doma, Al Halaky, Al Halafy and Ghounaimaih were purchased by a willing buyer – willing seller scheme (Detailed description of land original ownership , land acquisition and land approvals are presented in Chapter 3 - Section 3.6, and detailed assessment and due diligence of land acquisition are presented in Chapter 5 – Section 5.6.8) Safety of Dams No Not relevant to the proposed project (OP/BP 4.37) Projects on No Not relevant to the proposed project International Waterways (OP/BP7.50) Projects in No Not relevant to the proposed project Disputed Areas (OP/BP 7.60) The WBG General EHS guidelines have been considered during the course of the study. These Guidelines contain the performance levels and measures that are normally acceptable to WB and are generally considered to be achievable in new facilities at reasonable costs by existing technology. Also the General EHS Guidelines cover four areas of international good practice, these are:  Environmental;  Occupational Health & Safety (OHS);  Community Health & Safety (CHS); and  Construction and Decommissioning. According to the WBG EHS Guidelines for wastewater and ambient water quality, the quality of wastewater effluent should comply with national or local standards for sanitary wastewater discharges. Accordingly, the main benchmarks for the wastewater effluent quality for the ISSIP II, phase I project are the national standards which will be presented later in the following sections. 2.4 INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS AND AGREEMENTS Egypt has signed and ratified a number of international conventions that commit the country to conservation of environmental resources. The following is a list of the key conventions:  International Plant Protection Convention (Rome 1951)  African convention on the conservation of nature and natural resources (Algeria 1968)  UNESCO Convention for the protection of the world cultural and natural heritage (Paris, 16 November 1972)  Convention on International Trade In Endangered Species Of Wild Fauna And Flora (CITES) (Washington 1973) Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 6 ESIA for Phase 2 of ISSIP II- Sohag  Basel Convention on the control of trans-boundary movements of hazardous wastes and their disposal (1989)  United Nations framework convention on climate change (New York 1992). The convention covers measures to control greenhouse gas emissions from different sources including transportation.  United Nations Framework Convention on climate change and Kyoto Protocol (Kyoto 1997)  Convention on biological diversity (Rio de Janeiro 1992), which covers the Conservation of habitats, animal and plant species, and intraspecific diversity.  Convention for the protection of the ozone layer (Vienna 1985)  Convention for the prevention and control of occupational hazards caused by carcinogenic substances and agents (Geneva 1974)  Convention for the protection of workers against occupational hazards in the working environment due to air pollution, noise and vibration (Geneva 1977).  ILO core labor standards: core labor standards are to be adhered to/reached during the project implementation. Egypt has been a member state of the ILO since 1936, and has ratified 64 conventions that regulate the labor standards and work conditions. In 1988, Egypt has ratified the Occupational Safety and Health Convention of 1979 (No 152). 2.5 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF NATIONAL LEGISLATION RELATED TO SOCIAL ASPECTS Table below presents a more detailed description of the Egyptian legislation related to the social aspects Table ‎ 2-2 detailed description of the Egyptian legislation related to the social aspects Title of legislation Summary and how this legislation applies to this project Year EEAA ESIA guidelines related to the Public Consultation Based on Law Consultation of the community people and concerned 1994 number 4/1994 on parties with the needed information about the project. All Environmental stakeholders should be invited. Paragraph 6.4.3 of Law Protection 4/1994 on Environmental Protection provides detailed information on the scope of public consultation, methodology and documentation Paragraph 6.4.3 Requirements for Public Consultation in the EEAA ESIA Guidelines1  Paragraph 6.4.3.1 Scope of Public Consultation  Paragraph 6.4.3.2 Methodology of Public Consultation  Paragraph 6.4.3.3 Documentation of the Consultation Results  Paragraph 7 Requirement and Scope of the Public Disclosure 1EEAA (2009) Guidelines and Foundations for the Procedures of ESIA.Arabic publication, second edition. Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 7 ESIA for Phase 2 of ISSIP II- Sohag Land acquisition and involuntary resettlement (The project will not result in resettlement activities) On Property Expropriation for Public Benefit. It Law 10/1990 describes acquisition procedures as follows: 1990 And its 1. Expropriation procedures start with the declaration amendments by of public benefit based on the relevant presidential law 1/2015 decree. The decree includes a memorandum explaining the project including a complete plan for the project and expected construction (Law 59/1979 & Law 3/1982 provided that the Prime Minister issues the decree); 2. The decree and the accompanying memorandum must be published in the official newspapers; • A copy of the decree should be published at the main offices of the relevant local Government unit. This law has specified, through Article 6, the composition of the valuation committee. The committee is formed at the Governorate level, and is composed of a representative from the relevant Ministry‟s Surveying Body (as President), a representative of the Agricultural Directorate, a representative of the Housing and Utilities Directorate, and a representative of the Real Estate Taxes Directorate in the Governorate. The compensation shall be estimated according to the prevailing market prices at the time of the issuance of the Decree for Expropriation. Amendments in 2015 has specified the period allowed for submitting a grievance to be 15 days and allowed additional 30 days to submit all relevant documents Law 577/54, which was later amended by Law 252/60 and Law 577/1954 Law 13/162, and establishes the provisions pertaining to the 1954 expropriation of real estate property for public benefit and improvement. Law No. 27 of 1956, which stipulates the provisions for Law 27/ 1956 expropriation of districts for re-planning, upgrading, and 1956 improvement, and the amended and comprehensive Law No.10 of 1990 on the Expropriation of Real estate for Public Interest. The first article of Law No. 27 of 1956 allows for the expropriation of districts for their improvement, upgrading, re-planning, and reconstruction. Article 24 of Law 577/54 also stipulates that in case only partial expropriation of real estate property is required, and the remaining un-expropriated part will not be of benefit to the owner; the owner shall be given the right to submit a request within 30 days (beginning from the date of final Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 8 ESIA for Phase 2 of ISSIP II- Sohag disclosure of the list of the expropriated property) for the purchase of the entire area. It should be noted, that the new law has not restricted the right to request the purchase of the remaining un- expropriated portion of real estate regardless whether it is a building or land. Articles 802-805 recognize private ownership right. Civil code  Article 802 states that the owner, pursuant to the Law, 1948 131/1948 has the sole right of using and/or disposing his property.  Article 803 defines what is meant by land property  Article 805 states that no one may be deprived of his property except in cases prescribed by Law and would take place with an equitable compensation. Protection of communities Human Rights Laws The Law on Establishing the National Council for Human Law no. 94/2003 Rights (NCHR) aims to promote, ensure respect, set values, 2003 raise awareness and ensure observance of human rights. At the forefront of these rights and freedoms are the right to life and security of individuals, freedom of belief and expression, the right to private property, the right to resort to courts of law, and the right to fair investigation and trial when charged with an offence. This Constitution came into force after a public referendum on 11 September 1971 and was amended on 22 May 1980 to introduce the Shoura Council and the press. Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 9 ESIA for Phase 2 of ISSIP II- Sohag 2.6 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF NATIONAL LEGISLATION RELATED TO ARCHAEOLOGY AND CULTURAL HERITAGE 2-3 Egyptian legislation related to Archaeology and cultural heritage Table ‎ Laws and regulations related to archaeology Definition of monuments Article 1 defines a monument as a building or movable property produced by different civilizations or by art, sciences and literature and religions from prehistoric era and during successive historical eras until a hundred years ago or historical buildings. Article 2 states that any building or movable property that has an historical, scientific, religious, artistic or literary value could be considered as a monument whenever the national interest of the country impose its conservation and maintenance without adherence to the time limit contained in the preceding Article no.1 Article 5 of the law states that the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) is the competent authority responsible for antiquities in Egypt Construction license Article 20 states that licenses of construction in archaeological sites or land are not permitted, and it is prohibited to make any installations or landfills or digging channels or constructing roads or agricultural land or for public benefits in the archaeological sites or land within its approved border lines. Law 117/1983 Also, Article 20 states that a buffer zone around the monument or the site is defined as three kilometres in the uninhabited areas or any distance determined by the SCA to achieve environmental protection of the monument in other areas (article 20-Ch.1).The provisions of this article (20) apply on land which appears to the SCA - based on conducted studies – that there is a probable existence of monuments in the subsoil. The provisions of this article are also applied on desert and areas where quarrying work is licensed. Article 22 states that: licenses of construction in the immediate vicinity of archaeological sites within populated areas could be delivered by the competent authority, after the approval of SCA. The competent authority must state in the license; the conditions which the SCA emphasizes to guarantee that the building does not have a negative visual impact on the monument and its direct buffer zone that protects the archaeological and historical surroundings. The SCA has to pronounce its verdict on the license demand within 60 days of the date of submission. Otherwise, the elapsing of this period is regarded as a decision of refusal. During Construction Article 23 states that the SCA should take the necessary steps to expropriate land that is found in or kept in place and registered according Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 10 ESIA for Phase 2 of ISSIP II- Sohag Laws and regulations related to archaeology to the roles of this Law. (Article 23- Ch.1). [These roles are defined in the second chapter of the Law 117 – articles 26-30]. Article 24 states that everyone who finds by chance the part or parts of a fixed monument in its place must promptly inform the nearest administrative authority within forty-eight hours Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 11 ESIA for Phase 2 of ISSIP II- Sohag 2.7 DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND GAP ANALYSIS OF NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS AND WB REQUIREMENTS FOR KEY ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS Whenever there is a discrepancy between national requirements and international requirements, the most strict requirements shall be adopted 2.7.1 Air Quality 2.7.1.1 Regulations Issue Requirements of Egyptian legislation Requirements of WB Reference Inflections Reference Inflections Article 34 of Law 4/1994 Standards for Ensure the amended by law 9/2009, ambient air OP 4.01 environmental 105/2015 and Article 34 quality sustainability of of its Executive WBG investment projects Air Quality Regulation (ERs), and GENERAL EHS Decree 710/2012 Annex GUIDELINES Air Emissions and 5 of the ERs ambient air quality (Section 1.1, WHO Ambient Air Quality Guidelines) 2.7.1.2 Standards and limits Issue Requirements of Egyptian Requirements of WB legislations (µg/m3) (µg/m3) Ambient air Ambient air pollutants Ambient air pollutants parameters threshold threshold (Egyptian ) According to WHO Exposure period 1 hr 8 24 1 1 hr 8 24 1 hr hr year hr hr year Carbon monoxide 30 10 N/ N/A N/ N/A N/ N/A CO µg/m3 A A A Sulfur dioxide SO2 350 N/A 150 60 N/ N/A 125 N/A µg/m3 A Nitrogen oxides 300 N/A 150 60 200 N/A N/ 40 NOx µg/m3 A Particulates PM10 N/A N/A 150 70 N/ N/A 150 70 µg/m3 A Particulates PM2.5 N/A N/A 80 50 N/ N/A 75 35 µg/m3 A TSP µg/m3 N/A N/A 230 125 N/ N/A N/ N/A A A Ozone 180 120 N/ N/A N/ 160 N/ N/A A A A All parameters are in (µg/m3) unless otherwise noted. N/A = not applicable; Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 12 ESIA for Phase 2 of ISSIP II- Sohag 2.7.2 Water Quality 2.7.2.1 Regulations Issue Requirements of Egyptian legislations Requirements of WB Reference Inflections Reference Inflections Article 51, The Standards for Ensure the Executive Ambient water quality OP 4.01 environmental Regulations of sustainability of Law 48 for the investment projects year 1982 amended with Ministerial Decree 402 / 2009 Article 52, The Maximum limits for WBG Discharges of process Executive discharging processed GENERAL wastewater, sanitary Regulations of liquid industrial EHS wastewater, wastewater Law 48 for the wastes into freshwater GUIDELINES from utility operations or year 1982 bodies and Table 1.3.1 storm water to surface amended with groundwater water should not result Ministerial reservoirs in contaminant Decree 402 / concentrations in excess Water Quality 2009 of local ambient water quality criteria Ministerial Controlling the WBG Discharges of industrial Decree No. discharge of GENERAL wastewater, sanitary 44/2000 wastewater into the EHS wastewater into public or amending Law sewage system and GUIDELINES private wastewater 93/1962 public network, treatment systems should meet the pretreatment and monitoring requirements of the sewer treatment system into which it discharges. Ministerial Standards for reuse of Decree No. treated wastewater in 44/2000 irrigation of tree amending Law forests 93/1962 Ministerial It encompasses this Decree No. statement: 44/2000 “Wastewater amending Law discharge licenses 93/1962 must be acquired Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 13 ESIA for Phase 2 of ISSIP II- Sohag Issue Requirements of Egyptian legislations Requirements of WB from the concerned authorities during the construction and operation phase” Law 38/1967 Concerning and its executive cleanliness and regulations sanitation and also (decree regulates the 134/1968) collection, transportation, storage and disposal of solid waste. Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 14 ESIA for Phase 2 of ISSIP II- Sohag 2.7.2.2 Standards and Limits for the reuse of treated wastewater in irrigation of tree forests (Decree 44 of Year 2000) Reuse of treated water in Reuse of treated water in Parameter irrigation of some edible irrigation of timber forest crops BOD5 (ppm) 40 300 COD (ppm) 80 600 TSS (ppm) 40 350 O&G (ppm) 10 NI Nematodes (no. of cells or eggs/ 1 5 Liter) Fecal coliform (MPN/100 ml) 1,000 NI TDS (ppm) 2,000 2,500 Sodium Absorption Ratio (SAR) % 20 25 Chlorides (ppm) 300 350 Boron (ppm) 3 5 Cadmium (ppm) 0.01 0.05 Lead (ppm) 5 10 Copper (ppm) 0.2 NI Nickel (ppm) 0.2 NI Zinc (ppm) 2 NI Arsenic (ppm) NI NI Chromium (ppm) NI NI Molid betrays (only green fodders) 0.01 NI (ppm) Manganese (ppm) 0.2 0.2 Iron (ppm) 5 NI Cobalt (ppm) 0.05 NI 2.7.2.3 Standards and Limits for the drains‟ water quality prior to being transferred to fresh watercourses for agricultural purposes only According to Article 51 of the ER of Law 48/1982 amended by Decree 402/2009 Standards&Limits (mg/l) Parameter TotaldisolvedsolidsTSS 0111≤ Temperature Maximum difference of 3°C as compared with the receiving watercourse Dissolved Oxygen 5≥ pH min 5.5 andmax5.5 BOD ≤30 Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 15 ESIA for Phase 2 of ISSIP II- Sohag COD ≤50 TotalNitrogen (TN) 15 TotalP (TP) 3 Oil&Grease ≤3 Mercury ≤0.001 Fe ≤3 Mn ≤2 Cu ≤1 Zn ≤2 Phenol ≤0.05 As ≤0.01 Cd ≤0.03 Cr ≤0.05 Free Cyanide ≤0.01 Pb ≤0.1 Ni 0.1 Se 1.10 Coliform 011 cm3 5111 2.7.2.4 Standards and Limits for discharge of liquid industrial effluent into freshwater bodies And this according to Article 52 of the ER for Law 48/1982 amended by Decree 402/2009 Parameter Standards and Limits (mg/l) Temperature Does not exceed the temperature of the receiving receptor by more than 3 pH 6-9 BOD 60 COD 80 Dissolved Oxygen ≥4 Oil & Grease 10 Total Dissolved Solids Does not exceed 2000 Total Suspended Solids 50 H2S 1 Free Cianides 0.1 Total P NH3 TN Phenol 1.15 Mercury 1.10 Pb 1.0 Cd 1.110 Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 16 ESIA for Phase 2 of ISSIP II- Sohag Parameter Standards and Limits (mg/l) 1.15 Se 1.0 Cr 1.0 Cu 1.5 Ni 1.5 Zn 2 Fe 0.5 Total Coliform 5111 (100cm3) 2.7.3 Noise 2.7.3.1 Regulations (Egyptian requirements ) (WB requirements) Article Inflections Reference Inflections Article 42 of Law Maximum Ensure the 4/1994 amended by law allowable limits OP 4.01 environmental 9/2009 and Article44 of for ambient sustainability of ERs (amended by noise intensity investment projects Decree 1095/2011 amended by Decree Maximum 710/2012). exposure duration WBG Presents Noise Level Noise GENERAL EHS Guidelines GUIDELINES Table 1.7.1 Identify maximum Table 2.3.1 increase in background noise levels at the nearest receptor location off-site. Presents noise limits for different working environments Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 17 ESIA for Phase 2 of ISSIP II- Sohag 2.7.3.2 Standards and Limits for Ambient Noise Egyptian Law 4 Requirements Requirements of WB (Table 1.7.1 of the WBG General EHS Guidelines) Permissible limit One hour LAeq for noise (dBA) intensity decibel DAY Receptor Day Night NIGHT 7 a.m. time time TYPE OF AREA 10 p.m. to 10 07:00 – 22:00 - to 7 a.m. p.m. 20:00 07:00 Sensitive Areas ( schools- Residential; hospitals- public parks- rural areas) 50 40 Institutional; 55 45 educational Residential areas in with limited Industrial; traffic and public services are 55 45 70 70 Noise commercial available Residential areas in the city where 60 50 commercial activities are available Residential areas located adjacent to roads which width is less than 12m, and workshops or 65 55 commercial or entertainments activities are found Areas located adjacent to roads which width is 12m or more, or 70 60 light industrial areas. Industrial areas (heavy industries) 70 70 Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 18 ESIA for Phase 2 of ISSIP II- Sohag 2.7.3.3 Standards and Limits for Noise Levels in the Work Environment Egyptian Law 4 Requirements Requirements of WB (Table 2.3.1 of the WBG General EHS Guidelines) Maximum Permissible Noise Equivalent Maximum [Level Equivalent To Decibel (A)] Location level LAmax TYPE OF PLACE AND ACTIVITY At The Beginning Of 2014 /activity LAeq,8h ,fast Work place with up to 8 hour shifts Heavy Industry (no demand or and aiming to limit noise hazards on 85 85 dB(A) 110 dB(A) oral communication) sense of hearing* Noise Light industry(decreasing 50-65 Hospitals, clinics, public offices, etc 80 110 dB(A) demand for oral communication) dB(A) Administrative offices – control rooms Open offices, control rooms, 45-50 65 N/A service counters or similar dB(A) Work rooms for computers, typwriters Individual offices (no disturbing 40-45 70 N/A or similar equipment noise) dB(A) Work rooms for activities requiring 30-35 60 Hospitals 40 dB(A) routine mental concentration dB(A) *: If the measured noise at the workplace increased over the maximum allowable limit by 3 dBA, the exposure period shall be reduced to half of the exposure period. In addition, wearing proper ear muffs is a must. Noise level at any time at the work place shall not exceed 135 dBA Noise shall be measured inside working environment in LAeq unit in accordance with ISO 9612/ ISO 1996 or Egyptian standards Depending on the activity as demonstrated in the above table. Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 19 ESIA for Phase 2 of ISSIP II- Sohag CHAPTER 3 PROJECT DESCRIPTION Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 20 ESIA for Phase 2 of ISSIP II- Sohag 3 CHAPTER 3 PROJECT DESCRIPTION 3.1 INTRODUCTION2 The main objectives and the need for the phase 2 in ISSIP II are presented in Chapter 1. In this Chapter, the location/routing, design specifications and construction activities and operational parameters for the different components of the current phase of ISSIP II project in Sohag governorate will be addressed. The current (second) phase of the ISSIP II Project in Sohag governorate will involve providing sewerage collection and treatment services for three distinct village clusters within the districts or Marakez of Sohag, Balyana and Tema. The current phase will involve construction of eight new pumping stations PSs, in addition to the sewage network and force main at the targeted villages. The following Table shows the cluster covered under the second phase. Table ‎ 3-1 Geographic scope of the ESIA and the project components Wastewater # of Pumping Governorate Markaz Village Treatment Plant stations (PS) WWTP Al Muhamda Al 1 Bahriya Existing Sohag West Sohag Dmno 1 WWTP Al Mazalu 1 Nag‟ Ragh Sohag 1 Al Ghounamiya Existing Balyana Balyana Al Samta 1 WWTP Al Halafy 1 Um Duma 1 Existing Tema Tema Al Halaky 1 WWTP Sewage is collected in each village in the cluster through a network of gravity sewers which ends at the main pump station (PS). The collected sewage is pumped through the force-mains (FMs) - pressurized pipeline - directly to the existing WWTPs in each district which are located in desert areas. Figure 3-1 and 3-2 show an overview of the project at each district. The capacities of existing WWTPs are sufficient to receive the generated wastewater from the three clusters as detailed below in Table 3-2. In conclusion, the increase in the input flow to the existing plants is technically feasible, however, due to the contribution of the ISSIP II phase II interventions in the increase in the input flow to the plant, the impacts resulting from the operation of the WWTPs have been included in this study and will be presented in details in Chapter 5. The environmental treated wastewater quality monitoring data of Sohag West and Tema WWTP are included in Annex 6. It should be noted that the effluent quality monitoring data for 5 consecutive months were entirely in compliance with the Egyptian Legislation for wastewater effluent reuse in irrigation of Timber forests. The third WWTP in Balyana is under 2In order to allow for a smooth navigation of this chapter, the Figures have been compiled following the end of the text. Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 21 ESIA for Phase 2 of ISSIP II- Sohag commissioning and startup phase by the National Organization for Potable and Sanitary Drainage NOPSD which is responsible for constructing WWTPs in Egypt In 2017, the total population that will be served in the nine villages is around 50,000 capita; 10,000 in Tema cluster, 20,000 in Sohag cluster, and 20,000 in Balyana cluster. The project will be operated by Sohag Water and Wastewater Company. This chapter includes therefore a detailed description of the following: 1. Location/routing, design, construction and operational parameters of the gravity sewers and house connections in each of the covered villages; the gravity sewers is a shallow system placed under the roads. 2. Location/routing, design, construction and operational parameters of the PSs and FMs in each of the covered villages.. 3. Canals‟ and roads‟ Pipeline crossings and design details of the crossing structures The aim of the information included in this chapter is to serve as the basis for impact identification during construction, operation and decommissioning phases (as will be described in Chapter 5). It also serves as the basis (in addition to the baseline conditions described in Chapter 4) to the analysis of alternatives described in Chapter 6. Please note: the project description presented in this chapter is primarily based on the Feasibility Studies (FS) as well as data and surveying maps provided and prepared by the Holding Company for Water and Wastewater. 3.2 GRAVITY SEWERS AND HOUSE COLLECTION SYSTEM 3.2.1 Location/Routing and Design The gravity sewers and house collection system represent the first component of the sewage collection and treatment network. This is a network of pipelines, which connects individual houses to transfer the raw sewage to the village‟s PS. From there the FMs will transfer the collected amount to the next village and/or to the central WWTP. Annex 2 shows the network of gravity sewers designed for the following villages respectively:  Al Halaky  Um Duma  Al Muhamda Al Bahriya  Dmno  Al Mazalu  Al Samta  Al Halafy  Al Ghounamiya and Nag‟ Ragh 3.2.2 Construction processes and resources used The construction activities of the gravity sewers will involve digging, pipeline placement, pipeline connection welding, and then surfacing. The construction site will be mainly within the road network. Sensitive receptors along the route have been identified and will be presented in details in Chapter 4 (Baseline conditions) and Chapter 5 (Impact Assessment). It is expected that during construction, the following activities will take place: - Spoil storage and transport/disposal of excess materials. - Storage of the raw materials such as pipelines, Portland cement, sand, and gravel. Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 22 ESIA for Phase 2 of ISSIP II- Sohag - Concrete mixing and pouring; water will be added to the cement sand gravel mix. - Steel reinforcement storage, welding, and bending. - Wood will be used to mold the concrete during the civic works. 3.2.3 Operational processes and resources used The operation of the gravity sewers involves the movement of sewage by gravity under its own weight starting at the individual houses and ending at the PSs. Regular Maintenance activities are expected for the manholes in order to prevent blocking and in order to increase the efficiency of the gravity sewers. 3.3 PUMP STATIONS AND FORCE MAINS 3.3.1 Location/Routing and Design specifications The project will involve the construction and operation of eight PSs. Locations of the PSs arepresented in Table 3-1. The area of land needed for the different PS sites will be around 400 m2/each site in average. The exact area and layout depends on the area of land available. Figures 3.10 to 3.17 show the site layout of the PS in the following villages, respectively:  Al Halaky  Al Mazalu  Um Duma  Al Samta  Al Muhamda Al Bahriya  Al Halafy  Dmno  Al Ghounamiya and Nag‟ Ragh As observed in Figures 3-3 to 3-10, each PS site comprises of the following components: o The inlet pipeline with a diameter of 400mm, which introduces the collected wastewater from the villages‟ houses. o The wet well for the pump station where the inlet sewage is discharged and pumped into the PS. The wet well is equipped with three pumps (including one standby) and a basket screen to protect the pumps and prevent solids and refuse flowing with sewage water to entering the pump sump. o The FM‟s line output. The FM pipe has a diameter of 250mm, which heads to the following village within the cluster of concern. o Flow measuring devices; o The site also comprises of a generator unit supplied with a fuel storage tank, a guard room and a warehouse, and is surrounded with a fence of a height of 2.3m above ground. o The site comprises of a monorail crane to serve the pumps and a rotary crane for lifting the screen. o To eliminate odor propagation from PSs, PSs are equipped with a settling chamber to reduce the velocity of the liquid entering the PS to match the network flow velocity, if the PS is connected to another PS. The following Table illustrates distances between each PS and Residential areas (from border to border). Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 23 ESIA for Phase 2 of ISSIP II- Sohag Table ‎ 3-2 Distances between each PS and Residential areas (from border to border). Distance between Closest Governorate Markaz Village residential area and PS (m) Al Muhamda Al 10 Bahriya Sohag Dmno 150 Al Mazalu 25 Nag‟ Ragh 10 Sohag Al Ghounamiya Balyana Al Samta 10 Al Halafy 5 Um Duma 10 Tema Al Halaky 225 3.3.2 Construction processes and resources used The construction activities of the PSs will involve conventional activities related to the construction of reinforced concrete components. The activities will involve digging down to the foundation level, construction of needed isolated footings, and construction of the main cesspit, guard room warehouse and fence. The activities will also involve the installment of pipelines and pumps, special pieces and valves, connection welding, and completing all the electrical work needed. The construction activities will be located within the allocated site. Sensitive receptors around the PS site have been identified and will be presented in details in Chapters 4 and 5. It is therefore expected that during the construction of the PS, the following activities will take place: - Storage of the raw materials such as pipelines (maximum 6 layers high separated by timber blocks) , pumps, masonry, Portland cement sacks, sand, and gravel, wood plates (to mold the concrete and for the windows and door frames), fuel and water. - Concrete mixing and pouring; water will be added to the cement- sand -gravel mix - Steel reinforcement storage, welding, and bending - Spoil storage and transport/disposal of excess spoil. 3.3.3 Operational processes and resources used The operation of the PS involves the operation of two pumps (in addition to one stand-by) in order to pump the collected wastewater. The pumps have the following specifications: o Discharge will be 30 l/s o Total head required will be 28m o Maximum rpm of 1500 o Pump casing made of grey cast iron o Pump motor will be squirrel cage, induction type with IP-68 enclosure o Velocity at suction opening of the pump shall not exceed 4m/sec Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 33 ESIA for Phase 2 of ISSIP II- Sohag 3.4 WWTPs The collected sewage will be sent to the existing WWTPs in Tema, Sohag and Balyana which is located in a desert area (Figure 3.13). Kindly refer to Annex 2 for Gravity sewer network, Force main route for each cluster. The three existing WWTPs are operating with secondary treatment systems. Generated effluent is used for irrigating timber forests in both Tema and Sohag West WWTPs. The third WWTP in Balyana is under commissioning and startup phase by the National Organization for Potable and Sanitary Drainage NOPSD which is responsible for constructing WWTPs in Egypt. After validating the construction integrity and confirming that the WWTP is in a safe, reliable and operational condition for Sohag Water and Wastewater Company satisfaction, the plant will be handed over to Sohag Wastewater Company for operation. The treated effluent generated from Balyana WWTP will be used for irrigating timber forests located close to the plant. It is expected that the plant will be handed over to Sohag Waste Water Company for operation in 4 months. The design capacity of the existing WWTPs, current operational flow, and expected flow is demonstrated in the following table. Table ‎ 3-3 the design capacity of the existing WWTPs, current operational flow, and expected flow is demonstrated in the following table. Anticipated flow WWTPs Current (m3/day) for the Served Design Operational Village following years3 WWTP Cities/ Capacity Flow villages 7102 7102 7102 (m3/day) (m3/day) Al Halaky :94 <:6 46; Um Duma ;89 487 488 Tema 35,000 6,400 Tema Total 1,080 1,361 1,487 Al Muhamda 9<9 7996 7;6< Sohag- Al Bahriya West Tunis- Dmno ;88 494 89< 50,000 38,000 Sohag Sheikh Al Mazalu <9; 9<; 769; Makram Total 2,246 3,092 3,497 Al Samta 1289 1748 1963 Anticipated Al Halafy 571 772 871 Balyana flow from Al (Under Balyana 35,000 Balyana Ghounamiya 452 704 795 preliminary village is and Nag‟ Ragh handover) (8000) Total 2,312 3,224 3,629 before 2017 The following table provides an overview for the current status of the three timber forests. 3According to the technical feasibility study, anticipated flow was estimated based on the design parameters, number of household, and clusters population Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 34 ESIA for Phase 2 of ISSIP II- Sohag Table ‎ 3-4 overview for the current status of the three timber forests Allocated Cultivated Cultivated Land for Irrigation Area under Tree Species WWTP area Timber System preparation4 Planted (Feddan) forest (Feddan) Surface Eucalyptus. Tema 550 120 150 irrigation Sesbania Khaya, Surface Casuarina, West Sohag 776 6665 100 irrigation Eucalyptus, Sesbania Balyana Khaya, (Under Surface Casuarina, 1000 0 400 preliminary irrigation Eucalyptus, handover) Sesbania Water requirement for irrigation is depending on several factors including climate, tree age, tree size, citrus species and irrigation system. As reported by Sohag Water and Wastewater Company the Average water consumption for timber forests in Sohag governorate is around 60 m3/day/feddan for surface irrigation system. In alignment with the reported average, the consultant visited the timber forests in Sohag governorate aiming at identifying the forests current status, in February 2016. During the visit, the following observations were recorded:  Ponding and odors were not observed.  The main tree species in the forest is Sesbania which has the highest water requirement comparing to the other species. Overall, environmental or health problems were not observed during the consultant's visit. In alignment with the national rural sanitation strategy, it is planned that all villages will be served with sanitary wastewater infrastructure in 2030. Therefore the HCWW is planning to upgrade Tema and Sohag WWTPs to improve the treated effluent quality to comply with the national requirements for discharging treated wastewater to surface water drains. The main reasons for the upgrade in both WWTPs (Tema and Sohag) are:  The current allocated land for the timber forest will not be able to accommodate treated effluent generated from the WWTPs after they reach the maximum capacity after connecting all villages in each cluster.  Strategic National directions for water reuse Therefore, it is concluded that the current cultivated area and the area under preparation for each timber forest will be able accommodate the current effluent annual increase, as well as the effluent generated from connecting ISSIP II phase II villages in Tema and Sohag clusters in 2030. 4 Preparation of cultivated Area: include installing of irrigation network, and seedbed preparation. As reported by Sohag Water and Wastewater Company the area under preparation will be ready before January 2017. 5 Reported by Sohag Water and Wastewater Company Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 35 ESIA for Phase 2 of ISSIP II- Sohag Timber Forest in Tema Cluster As demonstrated in Table 3-4, in Tema cluster Sohag Water and Wastewater Company is working on expanding the current cultivated area by 150 Feddan to accommodate the current effluent increase in addition to ISSIP II phase II villages in Tema cluster 6 . The area under preparation will be ready to receive the treated effluent before January 2017. It is concluded that the current cultivated area in addition to the 150 Feddan expansions will be able to accommodate the treated effluent. Timber Forest in Sohag Cluster As demonstrated in Table 3-4, in Sohag cluster Sohag Water and Wastewater Company is working on expanding the current cultivated area by 100 Feddan to accommodate the current effluent increase. The area under preparation will be ready to receive the treated effluent before January 2017. It is concluded that the current cultivated area in addition to the 100 Feddan expansions will be able to accommodate the treated effluent. Timber Forest in Balyana Cluster In Balyana cluster, the area allocated for the Timber forest is able to accommodate the treated effluent generated from the plant in 2030 when the plant is operating at the design capacity. Therefore, The under preparation 400 feddan water requirements will be satisfied by the generated treated effluent and its annual increase. It should be mentioned also that environmental and social impacts assessment studies of upgrading both WWTPs will be conducted in accordance with the national requirements before implementation both upgrades. To date, no sludge has been extracted from the stabilization ponds in both Tema and Balyana WWTPs. In order for the sludge to reach amounts large enough to be extracted, it might take up minimum five years of operation. Sludge treatment and handling procedures in both plants will be similar to the procedures followed in Sohag West WWTP. The generated sludge from Sohag West WWTP is around 4 ton /day. Sludge generated from different sources (grit, primary sludge, and secondary sludge) in the WWTP is stabilized and pumped to the drying beds which are located in the WWTP vicinity. Afterwards, sludge samples are collected and analyzed by the plant laboratory department to assess sludge compliance with the national requirements for using sludge as soil fertilizers as well as obtain the approval of the Ministry of Agriculture before being sold in auctions or disposed of in the nearest non- hazardous waste landfill/dumpsite. If the results show that the sludge possess hazardous characteristics, the sludge shall be sent for disposal in Nasreya Hazardous Waste Treatment and Disposal Centre in Alexandria. Other plausible alternatives include the use as Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) in cement factories (i.e. Assiut Cement) as will be discussed in more details in Chapter 5. 6 The original allocated area for the timber forest in Tema is 550 feddans. Some of these areas are occupied by illegal squatters. There is no need to clear these areas now since only 150 feddans are used and are sufficient for the receiving the effluents. In case more land will need to be cleared in the future, a resettlement action plan (RAP) must be prepared to ensure any displaced persons will receive adequate compensation for their relocation. Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 36 ESIA for Phase 2 of ISSIP II- Sohag 3.5 PIPELINE CROSSINGS AND CROSSING STRUCTURES The following main crossings have been identified in each cluster: Kindly refer to Annex 2 for detailed design of crossings. 3.5.1 Crossings identified in Tema Cluster Table ‎ 3-5 Crossings identified in Tema Cluster Construction Village No. Crossing Type Location Type Network Al Halaky 1 Under Covered Canal Open and Cut crossing Network 1 Under Qandeel Canal Open and Cut crossing Um Doma Forcemain Under Um Doma 1 Open and Cut crossing Drainage 3.5.2 Crossings identified in Sohag Cluster Table ‎ 3-6 Crossings identified in Sohag Cluster Construction Village No. Crossing Type Location Type Network Demno 1 Under Covered Canal Open and Cut crossing Al- Forcemain 1 Under Canal and Road Open and Cut Mahamda crossing 1 Network Under Canal Open and Cut 2 crossing Under Canal Open and Cut Al- Mazalwa 1 Under Canal Open and Cut Forcemain 2 crossing Under Road Open and Cut Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 37 ESIA for Phase 2 of ISSIP II- Sohag 3.5.3 Crossings identified in Balyana Cluster Table ‎ 3-7 Crossings identified in Balyana Cluster Construction Village No. Crossing Type Location Type Network Under Om Al-Tobol 1 Open and Cut crossing Canal Al-Samata Forcemain Under Om Al-Tobol 2 Open and Cut crossing Canal Under Abdel Sameaa 1 Open and Cut Canal Network 2 Under Special Canal Open and Cut crossing Under Abdel Sameaa Al-Halafy 3 Open and Cut Canal Under Abdel Sameaa 1 Open and Cut Forcemain Canal crossing Under Abdel Sameaa 2 Open and Cut feed Canal Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 38 ESIA for Phase 2 of ISSIP II- Sohag 3.6 FIGURES Figure 3-1Clusters covered during the Second phase of the ISSIP II Project in Sohag governorate and their components Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 0 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag 2 1 1 2 3 4 3 4 5 6 5 6 7 7 8 8 9 10 9 10 11 11 Figure ‎ 3-2 Aerial satellite maps showing the project components locations and onsite photo documentation for Tema, Sohag and Balyana clusters respectively Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag 1 Figure ‎ 3-3 Al Halaky PS Location, layout and closest receptors Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag 2 3-4 Um Doma PS Location, layout and closest receptors Figure ‎ Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag 3 3-5 Al Muhamda PS Location, layout and closest receptors Figure ‎ Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag 4 3-6 Dmno PS Location, layout and closest receptors Figure ‎ Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag 5 3-7 Al Mazalu PS Location, layout and closest receptors Figure ‎ Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag 6 Figure ‎ 3-8 Al Samta PS Location, layout and closest receptors Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag 7 Figure ‎ 3-9 Al Halafy PS Location, layout and closest receptors Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag 8 Figure ‎ 3-10 Nag’ Ragh and Al Ghounamiya PS Location, layout and closest receptors Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag 9 CHAPTER 4 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL BASELINE CONDITIONS Holding Company for Water and Waste Water (HCWW) 10 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag 4 CHAPTER 4 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL BASELINE CONDITIONS 4.1 LOCATION: Sohag Governorate is one of Upper Egypt governorate which is located on a narrow strip of land on both sides of the River Nile with length of 110 kilometers. The total gross area of Sohag governorate is 11,022 Km2 and the governorate capital is Sohag city which is after 467 kilometers south of Cairo. The north of it is Assuit governorate, the south is Qena governorate, while EL Baher El Ahmar governorate in the eastern side and El Wady EL Gadied governorate in the western side. The location of Sohag governorate illustrated in figure 4-1. Figure ‎ 4-1 Sohag governorate location Source: Geology.com Holding Company for Water and Waste Water (HCWW) 11 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag The project area in Sohag includes three distinct village clusters within the districts or Marakez of Sohag, Balyana and Tema as demonstrated in the following figures. Figure ‎ 4-2 11 districts of Sohage governorate location and the three districts of the ESIA scope Specific location at each village is presented in the following subsections. Kindly refer to Annex 02 for drawings and maps Holding Company for Water and Waste Water (HCWW) 12 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag 4.1.1 Al Halaky Village A pump station will be installed in Al Halaky Village direct to the road; figure 4-3 shows the location of the PS and the closest receptor. Al Halaky Village ISSIP II Al Halaky Primary School 200 m Figure ‎ 4-3 location of the PS and the closest receptor in Al Halaky Village The PS will be installed in an agricultural area. The closest potential receptor is Al Halaky Primary school which is located 200 m north east of the PS proposed location. The force main from Al Halaky PS to Um Doma PS, as illustrated in figure 3-1, will be installed within the existing road to reach Koum Gharib canal. After 2 Km in parallel with Koum Gharib canal, the force main will cross the canal to reach Um Duma Village as illustrated in the following figure. Existing road Koum Gharib Canal Figure ‎ 4-4 Force main route from al Halaky Village to Um Duma Holding Company for Water and Waste Water (HCWW) 13 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag 4.1.2 Um Duma Village The PS will be installed in an agricultural area. The closest potential receptor is residential buildings which are located 10 m east of the PS proposed location. The force main from Al Um Doma PS to Tema WWTP, as illustrated in figure 3-1, will be installed within the existing roads to reach Tema WWTP. Picture direction PS and location Residential Buildings 10 m Figure ‎ 4-5 location of the PS and the closest receptor in Um Duma Village 4.1.3 Al Muhamda Al Bahriya Village The PS will be installed within a residential area in a state owned land. The PS proposed location is positioned within 1500 m2 land area that was used as a dump site as illustrated in the following figure. The closest potential receptor is residential buildings which are located 10 m south east of the PS proposed location. Picture direction and location Old Dump site 10 m Residential Buildings Figure ‎4-6 location of the PS and the closest receptor in Al Muhamda Al Bahriya Village Holding Company for Water and Waste Water (HCWW) 14 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag The force main from Al Muhamda PS to Demno PS, as illustrated in figure 3-1, will be installed within the existing roads. After 500m from Al Mahamda PS the force main will cross Al Araya Canal before reaching Demno PS. Naga Hamadi Canal Al Araya Canal Figure ‎ 4-7 Force main crossing form Al Muhamda PS to Demno PS 4.1.4 Demon Village The PS will be installed within an agricultural area close to a mosque. The closest potential receptor is residential buildings which are located 150 m east of the PS proposed location. Mosque Figure ‎ 4-8 location of the PS and the closest receptor in Demno Village 4.1.5 Al Mazalu Village The PS will be installed within an agricultural in the village. The closest potential receptor is residential buildings which are located 25 m south of the PS proposed location. 25 m Residential Buildings Al Mazalu Canal Figure ‎ 4-9 location of the PS and the closest receptor in Al Mazalu Village Starting form Al Mazalu PS the Force main will be installed in parallel to Al Mazalu canal within the existing road up till arriving at Sohag West WWTP. The distance between Al Mazalu PS and Sohag WWTP is around 3 Km. Holding Company for Water and Waste Water (HCWW) 15 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag 4.1.6 Al Samta Village The PS will be installed within a residential area in a state owned land. The closest potential receptor is residential buildings which are located 10 m south and north of the PS proposed location. 10 m Residential FM Road Buildings Figure ‎ 4-10 location of the PS and the closest receptor in Al Samta Village From Al Samta, the force main will cross Um El Toboul Canal to reach the existing PS in Balyana City which is located 2 Km north of Al Samta. 4.1.7 Al Halafy Village A PS will be installed within an agricultural area. The closest potential receptor is a residential building which is located 5 m south of the PS proposed location. 5m House Figure ‎ 4-11 location of the PS and the closest receptor in Al Halafy Village Starting form Al Halafy PS the Force main will be installed within the existing road up till Al Al Ghounamiya PS. The distance between Al Halafy PS and Al Ghounamiya PS is around 3 Km. Holding Company for Water and Waste Water (HCWW) 16 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag 4.1.8 Al Ghounamiya Village and Nag’ Ragh A PS will be installed within an agricultural area. The closest potential receptor is a residential building and a sheep yard which are located 5 and 10 m east and west of the PS proposed location respectively. Road FM Sheep Yard Figure ‎ 4-12 location of the PS and the closest receptor in Al Ghounamiya Village Starting form Al Ghounamiya PS the Force main will be installed within the existing road up to reach Balyana WWTP. The distance between Al Ghounamiya PS and Balyana WWTP is around 3 Km. 4.1.9 Unserved villages along the force main. Routing of the force main as shown in Annex 2 is avoiding unserved village in the three clusters to the extent possible. Only in Tema Cluster, the force main connecting Um duma village to the WWTP will pass very close to Nag‟ Al Arab village but will not enter the village. 4.2 Hydrology 4.2.1 The surface water: River Nile and Canals: River Nile, the irrigation canals and drains represent the main water resources. Sohag receives water supply from the River Nile, through the main irrigation canals, which are Nagaa Hamadi el Gharbya and Nagaa Hamadi el Sharkeya. These two canals extend with a length about 130 to 150 kms respectively; they are fed directly from the Nile at Nagaa Hamadi barrages. There are several other irrigation channels west of the Nile, which are fed from Nagaa Hamadi el Ghariba canal. These canals are El Balina, El Kasra, El Gergawya and El Tahtaweya, with lengths as follows: 60, 50, 45, and 60 kms. In addition to this, there are a number of small irrigation channels, canals and drains distributed along the cultivated areas. Irrigation canals and drains at Sohag over an area about 85 km2 about 2023 fedans. The amount of surface water that runs through the main irrigation canals at Sohag is 1950000 m 3. These amounts vary across months; the highest flow is between June and August, where the amount of water reaches up to 250000 m3. Holding Company for Water and Waste Water (HCWW) 17 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag Drains: The main drains at Sohag governorate are: the main drain in Sohag city and the main drain in Tahta, Akhmiem drain, el Balina drain and other small drains. The drain network passes from north to south parallel to the main irrigation channels. Some canals and drains in Sohag are contaminated with pollutants from direct disposal of untreated sewage in some areas, agricultural drainage waters that contain massive concentrations of pesticides and fertilizers, in addition to dead animals, garbage and domestic wastewater. Canals and drains in the vicinity of the project include: The following table illustrates canals and drains that are in direct contact with the project various components. Table ‎ 4-1 Canals and drains within the project area Distance in parallel Governorate Markaz Village canal/drain to the canal/drain (Km) Al Muhamda Al Al Araya crossing Bahriya Sohag Dmno - - Al Mazalu Al Mazalu 3 Nag‟ Ragh Sohag - - Al Ghounamiya Balyana Al Samta Um El Toboul 2/and crossing Al Halafy - Um Duma Kandeel crossing Tema Al Halaky Koum Gharib. 2 /and crossing The following figures show the canals and drains in the table above. Figure ‎ 4-13 Al Araya Canal Holding Company for Water and Waste Water (HCWW) 18 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag Figure ‎ 4-14 Al Mazalu Canal (domestic waste thrown in the canal) Figure ‎ 4-15 Um El Toboul Canal storage branch (waste accumulated in the canal) Holding Company for Water and Waste Water (HCWW) 19 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag Figure ‎ 4-16 Kandeel Canal Figure ‎ 4-17 Koum Gharib Canal Holding Company for Water and Waste Water (HCWW) 20 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag 4.2.2 Ground water Sohag can be divided into four areas based on the availability of ground water, its amounts and quality as follows: Table ‎ 4-2 depth of groundwater and concentrations of soluble elements The depth to The distance to the The area ground water TDS river surface First area Close to the river 3:8 m <500 m The second area <500 m 8:20 m 500:1000ppm The third area <1000 m 20:40 m >1500 ppm The fourth area >1000 m No ground water - Holding Company for Water and Waste Water (HCWW) 21 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag Figure ‎ 4-18 Salts distribution for Sohage governorate Holding Company for Water and Waste Water (HCWW) 22 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag Figure ‎ 4-19contour map for groundwater levels Holding Company for Water and Waste Water (HCWW) 23 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag 4.2.3 Water Quality Surface Water Quality based on the State of Environment reports: The Ministry of Environment regularly issues the State of the Environment report. The latest published report was in 2011, but it did not include indicators about the surface water quality at canals and drains. The report only includes data about the river Nile at Sohag governorate. The included villages are located far away from the river, which makes the causal impact non-significant. Groundwater quality based on the data included in the Environmental Description for Sohag governorate: Usually groundwater quality at the Nile valley is characterized by increased quantity and is suitable for irrigation and domestic purposes. The percentage of Total dissolved solids (TDS) ranges between 260 to 1280 ppm. Water salinity increases at the open parts of the groundwater aquifer. This happens as a result of the filtration of rock formation during the water flow from the semi closed aquifer to the open aquifer. There is a hydraulic relation between surface water at the Nile and main irrigation channels from one side and the groundwater aquifer from the other side. Nile acts as the main source for discharging water from the aquifer while the irrigation canals represent the renewing source. According to the data described in table (4-2), all the villages, excluding Al Samta, under the project scope are laying in the fourth classified area. Ground water depth vary from 20 meter in Al Mahamda village to very deep ground water level in Um Duma village. .Wastewater quality based on the self-monitoring data conducted by Sohag RSU The wastewater quality data of the existing WWTPs are included in Annex 6. It should be noted that the effluent quality monitoring data for 5 consecutive months were entirely in compliance with the Egyptian Legislation for wastewater effluent reuse in irrigation of Timber forests. In this regard, it should be also mentioned that according to the national legislation, primary treated wastewater effluent quality is the threshold for irrigating timer forests tree species. Hence all the WWTPs are operating with secondary treatment systems, the effluent is of quality higher than that defined in the law. Water Quality based on the monitoring activities conducted by the research team: A- Water Quality Criteria: When gathering ambient water quality samples, it is crucial that samples be collected in a consistent and proper manner with the appropriate equipment, so the analytical results or field measurements will reflect the environmental conditions at the time of sampling. One field trip was carried out to Sohage governorate to collect water samples from the three disticts. Samples were collected from Hand pumps as an indicator for the ground water and also from some canals as surface water. The sample points were identified according to the maps to cover all the villages under studies so four hand pump and two surface water samples expressing the water quality for ISSIP II phase II villages. Samples were collected to have a baseline data before starting the construction of the project, also to have an idea for the future changes (improvement or deterioration). B-Water Quality Sampling Methodology: The planning and sampling methodology are confined to the monitoring of natural bodies of fresh water (surface water). Methods are determined by a number of factors: the type of material being sampled (ground or surface water) sediment sample; the type of sampler (grab, composite or integrated); the quality parameter being analyzed which in turn Holding Company for Water and Waste Water (HCWW) 24 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag determines the kind of container; the amount of sample; whether the sample is analyzed in situ or sent back to a laboratory and the method of preservation. C-Parameters measured in-situ Specific variable tested in the field; this completed by using a hand-held meter field instrument. Specific variables also are tested in a laboratory environment with the correct equipment. Parameters that measured immediately were Temperature, and pH D-Parameters measured in laboratory Laboratories analysis can provide additional parameters to be analyzed. Generally, these analysis includes what are demand as a conventional parameters nutrients (such as different form of nitrogen and phosphorus), oxygen budget (COD, and BOD), cations and anions (such as sodium, potassium, sulfates, chloride, ….. etc), and metals (such as iron, copper, lead, ……etc.) also some bacteriological analysis (total and fecal coliforms) done for the hand pump samples.. In this project, samples were collected from groundwater (House hand pumps) as for drinking water and from the canals up and downstream the pumping station. Some photos were taken for the sampling locations to deal with any observations that could be useful for the work. The GPS coordinates for samples locations are shown in the following table. Table ‎4-3 GPS coordinates for samples locations 7 # Location Sample type N coordinates E coordinates AA1 Um Duma village Ground 26°49'44.2" 31°22'26.3" water AA2 Al Mahameed Al Baharia Surface 26°33'41.6" 31°40'351.8" water Koum Gharib Canal AA3 Al Mazalwa village Surface 26°32'16.2" 31°40'12.5" water Al Mazawa Canal AA4 Al Samta village Ground 26°11'57.5" 32°0'24.9" water AA5 Al Halfy village Ground 26°9'49.8" 31°59'37.9" water AA6 Al Ghanimia village Ground 26°9 49.8 31 59 37.9 water E-Sample Collection and Analysis Water samples collected and analyzed done by team from the National Research Center for surface and ground water by means of hand pumps and canals. All data analyzed are summarized in the following table for each site and it is illustrated in annex 3. The following two figures show samples collection activities for surface water and groundwater. 7 The following numbers (AA1 - 6) are representing the respective location in the following figures Holding Company for Water and Waste Water (HCWW) 25 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag Figure ‎ 4-20 surface water quality monitoring activities Figure ‎ 4-21 collecting groundwater samples Holding Company for Water and Waste Water (HCWW) 26 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag D-The Analysis results: Table 4-4, 4-5, and 4-6 show the analysis results of the samples in each district. Table ‎ 4-4 water samples analysis results Al Balyana Cluster Parameters Unit Al Samta Ghunaimyiah Al Halafi pH - 7.6 7.7 7.8 Electric conductivity (EC) µS 973 2697 530 O Temperature C 16 16 16 Total dissolved solids mg/L 563 1683 305 Total suspended solids mg/L ND 22.5 ND Chemical oxygen demand mg O2/L 12.5 6 7 (COD) Biological oxygen demand mg O2/L 7 4 4.5 (BOD) Total alkalinity as CaCO3 mg/L 170 644 210 Biocarbonateas CaCO3 mg/L 170 644 210 Carbonate as CaCO3 mg/L ND ND ND Hydroxide as CaCO3 mg /L ND ND ND -/ Chloride mg Cl L 18 330 16 Sulfate mg SO4/L 40 277.5 23 Ammonia mg NH4+/L 0.7 0.5 0.6 -/ Nitrate mg NO3 L 4.01 ND 5.1 Sodium mg Na/L 95 50 650 Potassium mg K/L 3 2.5 7 Lead mg Pb/L < 0.01 < 0.01 < 0.01 Arsenic mg As/L < 0.01 < 0.01 < 0.01 Copper mg Cu/L < 0.01 < 0.01 < 0.01 Nickel mg Ni/L < 0.01 < 0.01 < 0.01 Zinc mg Zn/L < 0.01 < 0.01 < 0.01 Iron mg Fe/L 0.05 < 0.01 < 0.01 Total Heavy Metals mg /L 64 < 0.01 < 0.01 Calcium Mg Ca/L 27 104 15 Magnesium mg Mg/L UN 45 8 MPN/100 Total coliform UN UN UN ml MPN/100 Fecal coliform UN UN UN ml MPN/100 Shigella UN UN UN ml MPN/100 Salmonella UN UN UN ml ND: Not detected Holding Company for Water and Waste Water (HCWW) 27 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag Table ‎ 4-5 water samples analysis results Tema Cluster Parameters Unit Um Duma pH - 7.8 Electric conductivity (EC) µS 689 Temperature O C 16.1 Total dissolved solids mg/L 422 Total suspended solids mg/L ND Chemical oxygen demand (COD) mg O2/L 13 Biological oxygen demand (BOD) mg O2/L 8.5 Total alkalinity mg/L 136 Biocarbonate mg/L 136 Carbonate mg/L ND Hydroxide mg/L ND Chloride mg/L 14 Sulfate mg SO4/L 26 Ammonia mg NH4+/L 0.8 Nitrate mg NO3-/L ND Sodium Mg Na/L 55 Potassium mg K/L 4.5 Lead mg Pb/L < 0.01 Arsenic mg As/L < 0.01 Copper mg Cu/L < 0.01 Nickel mg Ni/L < 0.01 Zinc mg Zn/L < 0.01 Iron mg Fe/L 0.2 Calcium mg Ca/L 32 Magnesium mg Ca/L 12 Total coliform MPN/100 UN ml Fecal coliform MPN/100 UN ml Shigella MPN/100 UN ml Salmonella MPN/100 UN ml ND: Not detected Table ‎ 4-6 water samples analysis results in Sohag Cluster Parameters Unit Al Mahameed Al Mazalwa pH - 7.5 7.7 Electric conductivity (EC) µS 722 374 Holding Company for Water and Waste Water (HCWW) 28 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag Parameters Unit Al Mahameed Al Mazalwa Temperature O C 16 16 Total dissolved solids mg/L 347 175 Total suspended solids mg/L ND ND Chemical oxygen demand (COD) mg O2/L 5 18 Biological oxygen demand mg O2/L 3 12 (BOD) Total alkalinity mg/L 88 96 Biocarbonate mg/L 88 96 Carbonate mg/L ND ND Hydroxide mg/L ND ND Chloride mg/L 16 18 Sulfate mg SO4/L 34 28 Ammonia mg NH4+/L 0.7 0.6 Nitrate mg NO3-/L ND ND Sodium Mg Na/L 65 45 Potassium mg K/L 3 4.5 Lead mg Pb/L < 0.01 < 0.01 Arsenic mg As/L < 0.01 < 0.01 Copper mg Cu/L < 0.01 < 0.01 Nickel mg Ni/L < 0.01 < 0.01 Zinc mg Zn/L < 0.01 < 0.01 Iron mg Fe/L < 0.01 0.07 Calcium mg Ca/L < 0.01 36 Magnesium mg Ca/L 26 16 Total coliform MPN/100 ml 7 Fecal coliform MPN/100 ml UN UN Shigella MPN/100 ml UN UN Salmonella MPN/100 ml UN UN ND: Not detected G- Findings and Recommendations: The groundwater and surface water quality at the project sites are impacted by the absence of the public sewage network; consequently the domestic wastewater is directed to septic tanks with the possibility of leakage to impact the ground water and surface water. Recommendations 1. Sampling continuing at the same locations. 2. Comparison between data and standard laws: such Law 48 for year 1982 Ministry of Irrigation and Water Resources, Law 4 for year 1994 Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA), and Law no. 458 year 2007 Ministry of Health. 3. Supervise evolution of water quality by time according to the project. Holding Company for Water and Waste Water (HCWW) 29 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag 4.3 CLIMATE The year is divided into two seasons in terms of climate conditions: winter - cold starting from November till April, and summer - hot starting from May till October. There is a large difference of temperature between the area and the Upper parts of Egypt, as a result of the strong variation in the ground surface levels. The temperature can increase in summer during day time the 60 oC, sometimes temperature decreases during winter to reach below zero. The lowest recorded temperature is -2 oC in February, while the highest recorded degree is 45 during the month of June, the hottest month of the year. The weather at Upper Egypt is characterized by Desert weather. The annual amount of rainfall is one mm equivalent to 0.4 inch, but varies. Sometimes reaching 2 mms are recorded and sometimes reaching 6 mm of rain in some years, during short periods of strong rainfall during winter. Some other years are dry with no rainfall. Average humidity percentage is about 60%, and decreases during winter to less than 30%.Climate has an impact on the potential for development, sometimes there is a need for cooling or heating systems during different times of the year. It also has an impact on health as it also determines the levels of some health infections. Based on the Atlas of Egypt climate and data related to climate in Egypt between 1968 and 1996, and statistical analysis the following table was developed. Table ‎ 4-7 the average of climate elements. minimum Average evaporation annual monthly monthly Average daily rainfall, Averages mean daily minimum temperature, (Evapo-transpiration), Relative Humidity, % AverageMaximum temperature, ◦C. temperature, ◦C. temperature, ◦C. temperature, ◦C. rainfall, mm. maximum mm/day. Average Average Average Average mm. ◦C. Jan. 9.1 18.8 13.7 5.4 24.2 60.2 8.8 5.6 5 Feb. 9.9 20.4 14.9 6 27.8 56.1 4.2 2.3 5.1 March 11.8 23.5 17.3 7.6 32.6 52.6 5.7 3.6 6 April 14.8 28.3 21.3 10.6 38.6 47 2.1 1.7 6 May 17.8 32 24.6 14 40.6 46.4 1.7 1.4 6.5 June 20.2 34.7 27.4 17.9 41 49 0.7 0.7 6.5 July 22 34.5 27.8 19.9 38.7 58.1 0 0 6.5 Aug. 21.7 34.1 27.6 20.3 38.1 61.1 0 0 6.5 Sept. 20.7 32.7 26.2 18 37.7 60 0.2 0.2 6.1 Oct. 18.2 29.8 23.6 14.9 35.4 59.4 2.9 2.8 5.7 Nov. 14.1 24.7 19.1 9.7 30.2 62.2 7.9 5.8 5.6 Dec. 10.5 20.2 15 6.5 25.7 61 6.2 4.2 5.4 Source: the Egyptian Meteorological Authority,97 Holding Company for Water and Waste Water (HCWW) 30 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag 4.4 Air Quality Sohag is characterized by rural climate devoid from pollutants; the area is mainly an agriculture area with scarce industrialization activities. The field team has conducted a survey for the different areas to measure air quality at each PS location to represent all the locations. Selection of the PS location was based on the analysis of the available data and information before conducting the field work. Among the most important negative observation was the foul odors at some streets, as a result of the septic tanks especially during evacuation, in addition to some emissions from burning waste at open areas. Air Quality data from the National Monitoring Network: The National Monitoring Network employs 87 air monitoring stations for recording ambient air pollutants across Egypt. Only 15 stations exist in Upper Egypt: one in Assuit and one in Nagaa Hamadi. The latest State of the Environment report issued in 2012, including data collected in 2011, indicates the following: Sulfur Dioxide: Sulfur Dioxide pollutants decreased from 60 microgram/m3 in 1999 to 15 microgram/m3 in 2011. The following figure 4-20 highlights the annual average all over Egypt. Figure ‎ 4-22 Sulfur Dioxide annual average all over Egypt Nitrogen Dioxide: Air quality in Egypt suffers from the increasing concentrations of NO2, which increased from 45 micrograms/m3 in 1999 to 60 micrograms/m3 in 2011 as indicated in figure 4-21 Holding Company for Water and Waste Water (HCWW) 31 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag Figure ‎ 4-23 Nitrogen Dioxide annual average all over Egypt Particle Matter: PM concentrations exceeded the permissible limits, the average annual concentrations decreased from 190 microgram/m3 in 1999 to 140 microgram /m3 in 2011, as noted in figure 4-22. Figure ‎ 4-24 Particle Matter annual average all over Egypt Holding Company for Water and Waste Water (HCWW) 32 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag Air Quality monitoring conducted by the research team: Although data collected from the National Monitoring Network that the air quality is not good in general, but the areas where the project will be established are rural areas free from sources of air pollution. This was noted from the air quality of the collected sample by the field team. The measured elements include: SO2, NOx, CO, TSP, and PM 10. The results show that the air is free from the gaseous pollutants and the dust level is within the ambient air quality standard limits as presented in the following table. Air quality measurements were conducted at each PS location. Table ‎ 4-8 8 hours average results (µg/m3)Al Halafy and Um Duma Day TSP PM10 NO2 SO2 CO (mg/m3) Al Halafy 120 78 10.28 22.68 1.65 Um Duma 118 55 12.24 6.55 1.57 Guideline 230 150 150 150 10 Table ‎4-9 8 hours average results (µg/m3) Al Mahameed Al Baharia village, Demno village and Al Mazalwa village Day TSP PM10 NO2 SO2 CO (mg/m3) Al Mahameed Al 105 89 12.91 14.83 3.59 Baharia village Demno village 98 73 13.48 7.38 1.1 Al Mazalwa village 136 91 13.18 12.46 1.64 Guideline 230 150 150 150 10 Table ‎4-10 8 hours average results (µg/m3) Al Samta village, Al Halfy village and Al Ghanimia village Day TSP PM10 NO2 SO2 CO (mg/m3) Al Samta village 145 82 38.36 11.49 2.18 Al Halfy village 98 77 16.73 14.11 2.96 Al Ghanimia village 90 69 8.24 9.29 1.94 Guideline 230 150 150 150 10 Air Quality results Analysis In general there are two main factors affecting the ambient air concentration of a certain pollutant emitted from a certain source or sources in a selected area:  The intensity of the emissions (e.g. concentration and flow rate) from the source or sources.  The uncontrollable atmospheric dispersion conditions which include but not limited to (wind speed, wind direction, temperature, humidity, rain fall, atmospheric turbulence, solar radiation intensity and atmospheric pressure). Holding Company for Water and Waste Water (HCWW) 33 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag Other than the emissions generated from vehicles, there are very few sources of air pollutants present in the proposed project. All the recorded rests showed compliance with the national and international guidelines for ambient air quality. Moreover most of the data recorded were way below the national guidelines which indicates that the ambient air quality in the project areas is very. This can be attributed to the absence of any major industrial sources. 230 210 National Guideline 190 T.S.P 170 150 145 National Guideline 136 PM10 130 120 118 105 TSP 110 98 98 89 91 90 PM10 90 78 82 77 73 69 70 55 50 30 10 -10 AA1 AA2 AA3 AA4 AA5 AA6 AA7 AA8 4-25 particulate 8 hours average results µg/m3 Figure ‎ NO2 150 140 130 120 110 100 90 80 70 NO2 60 50 38.36 40 30 12.91 13.48 13.18 16.73 20 10.28 12.24 8.24 10 0 AA1 AA2 AA3 AA4 AA5 AA6 AA7 AA8 4-26 NO2 8 hours average results µg/m3 Figure ‎ Holding Company for Water and Waste Water (HCWW) 34 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag SO2 150 140 130 120 110 100 90 80 70 SO2 60 50 40 30 22.68 20 14.83 12.46 11.49 14.11 6.55 7.38 9.29 10 0 AA1 AA2 AA3 AA4 AA5 AA6 AA7 AA8 4-27 SO2 8 hours average results µg/m3 Figure ‎ CO (mg/m3) 10 9 8 7 6 5 CO (mg/m3) 4 3.59 2.96 3 2.18 1.94 2 1.65 1.57 1.64 1.1 1 0 AA1 AA2 AA3 AA4 AA5 AA6 AA7 AA8 4-28 CO daily average results µg/m3 Figure ‎ Holding Company for Water and Waste Water (HCWW) 35 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag Particulate measurements (TSP and PM10): Concerning the T.S.P measurements the maximum concentration during the measurements was 145 µ g/m3 recorded in AA6 however the minimum concentration recorded was 90 µg/m3 recoded in AA8.Moreover the PM10 maximum concentration during the measurement was 91 µg/m3 recorded in AA5 however the minimum concentration recorded was 55 µg/ recoded in AA2.All the results were complying with law 4/1994 for Environment protection and its amendments. Gaseous air pollutants: Concerning the nitrogen dioxide measurements the maximum concentration during the measurement was 38 µ g/m3 in AA6 however the minimum concentration recorded was 8 µg/m3 in AA8. Sulphur dioxide measurement the maximum concentration during the measurement was 22.6 µ g/m3 in AA1 however the minimum concentration recorded was 6.5 µ g/m3AA2. Carbon monoxide measurement the maximum concentration during the measurement was 3.5 µ g/m3 in AA3, however the minimum concentration recorded was 1.1 µ g/m3in AA4. All the measurements for the gaseous pollutants were complying with the maximum allowable limits according to law 4/1994 for Environment protection and its amendments by law No.9/2009 and the executive regulation issued in 1995 and its amendments no. 710 in 2012 and April 2015. 4.5 Noise The area where the project will be constructed is characterized as a residential area surrounded by agriculture land. During the monitoring and evaluation of the site where the pump station and the sewage network will be constructed, it was noted that the main sources for noise are the movement of cars and operation of water pumps. Environmental measurements show the high level of noise, as explained in the following tables. Table ‎4-11 Ambient Noise Levels Readings Al Halafy and Um Duma Location Sound Level Equivalent & Percentile Recordings Permissible Limits in dBA for 24 Hours LAeq (dBA) LAeq LA10 LA50 LA90 LA95 LCpeak National International Al Halafy 42.79 41.58 31.58 25.04 23.63 108.85 65 70 Um 46.12 44.43 37.99 33.89 32.81 118.63 65 70 Duma Holding Company for Water and Waste Water (HCWW) 36 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag Table ‎4-12 Ambient Noise Levels Readings Al Mahameed Al Baharia village, Demno village and Al Mazalwa village Location Sound Level Equivalent & Percentile Recordings Permissible Limits in dBA for 24 Hours LAeq (dBA) LAeq LA10 LA50 LA90 LA95 LCpeak National International Al 57.9 52.54 41.9 36.13 34.77 93.7 65 70 Mahameed Al Baharia Demno 53.12 56.87 47.47 39.7 37.8 104.96 65 70 Al 48.41 52.43 44.67 32.05 29 103.86 65 70 Mazalwa village Table ‎4-13 Ambient Noise Levels Readings Al Samta village, Al Halfy village and Al Ghanimia village Location Sound Level Equivalent & Percentile Recordings Permissible Limits in dBA for 24 Hours LAeq (dBA) LAeq LA10 LA50 LA90 LA95 LCpeak National International Al Samta 57.96 49.06 34.62 28.4 27.83 121.52 65 70 Al Halfy 47.63 49.52 46.19 43.44 42.69 90.67 65 70 Al 52.37 54.45 47.8 42.44 41.07 106.93 65 70 Ghanimia The results of ambient noise measurements were compared to the national and international permissible limits. As for the group of measurement locations near the proposed project site (AA1 to AA8). Noise measurements at all locations are presented in the following table. Holding Company for Water and Waste Water (HCWW) 37 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag LAeq 80 70 60 50 40 LAeq 30 20 10 0 AA1 AA2 AA3 AA4 AA5 AA6 AA7 AA8 Figure ‎ 4-29 noise levels in all locations Kindly refer to Annex 3 Environmental Baseline measurements. Holding Company for Water and Waste Water (HCWW) 38 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag 4.6 Flora The plants in agriculture lands, Bank of the roads, bank of the canals and bank of drains are habite a wide range of habitats. In Sohage governorate area includes a clay agriculture land with cultivated crops of the typical cash crops grown in the Egyptian agricultural areas. Corn, Cotton, maize, wheat, clover and beans are the common crops grown at different seasons in the agricultural land. The land in Sohage is fertile characterized by high yields. The bio-diversity of the plants stems from the different crops grown during the different agricultural cycles. Three main groups of flora are found in Sohage according to their life span are perennials, biennials and annuals. regarding commercial importance species no commercially important species are known within the project area. On the basis of plant longevity, the flora present at the Nile Valley is composed of 4 biennials, 99 perennials and 122 annuals. Corn wheat Figure ‎ 4-30Some flora types The perennial species ranges from fruticose or suffruticose to herbaceous. Four biennial species are Apium graveolens, Melilotus albus, Chenopodium ambrosroides and Spergularia salina. The perennials flora include Actheorhiza bulbosa, Alhagi graecorum, Asparagus stipulars, Aster squamatus, Astraglus fruticosus, Atractylis carduus and others. suffruticose Melilotus albus Figure ‎ 4-31 flora types Holding Company for Water and Waste Water (HCWW) 39 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag The annuals flora include; Adonis dentate, Abutilon theophrasti, Amaranthus graecizans, Amaranthus hypochondriacus, Aumi majus, Anthemis borumuelleri and others. In the desert extend of the governorate there are five common plant species were recorded in the sand flat formation habitat at the area of investigation which covers the surroundings of the Project areas. These species were; Chenopodium album, Anabasis rticulate and Tamarix nilotica. Aquatic flora: The dominant species of the aquatic canal banks in the Nile Valley includes: Phragmites australis, Cynodon dactylon, Imperata cylindrica, Typha domindensis, Arthrocnemum macrostachyu, Inula crithmoides, Juncus acutus, Zygophylum aegypticum, Frankenia hirsuta, Echinops spinoslssimus and Alhagi maurorum. Phragmites australis Cynodon dactylon Figure ‎ 4-32Aquatic flora 4.7 Fauna: Because of thousands of years of intensive human activities, the modern Nile Valley and Delta have been converted to a man-made ecosystem. Animals now inhabiting the region are those that are able to tolerate human activities or those that can avoid contact with the human. The intensive cultivation and widespread use of agrochemicals have contaminated the region adversely affecting many of the native animals. Birds: The characteristic birds in governorate include Egretta alba alba (common), Egretta ibis ibis (rare), Corvus corone saradoniux (common), Streptopelia scnegalenis aegyptiaca (common) and Fringilla montifringilla (common). Holding Company for Water and Waste Water (HCWW) 40 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag Egretta ibis ibis Figure ‎ 4-33Birds Mammals: Forty mammalian species are known in the Nile Valley at the present time (Anon, 1993).Rodents are the most common in the project areas inhabiting the cultivated fields. The most common species are Rattus rattus, Rattus norvegicus, Mus musculus, Acomys cahirinus cahirinus, Arvicanthis niloticus, Gerbillus gerbillus gerbillus and Gerbillus andersoni andersoni. Insectivora were represented by Crocidura nana and Hemiechinus auritus aegyptius. Rhinopoma hardwickei arabium,Taphozous perforatus, Taphozous nudiventris, Otonycteris hemprichi, Tadarida aegyptiaca were the dominant Chiroptera (Bats) species. Carnivora were represented by Vulpes vulpes and Mustela nivalis. Perissodactyla was represented by Equussp. gerbillus Crocidura Figure ‎ 4-34 Mammals Reptiles: 34 species of reptiles were recorded in the Nile Valley and Delta (Anon, 1993). Common reptiles at the project area include Trapelus mutabilis, Tarentola annularis annularis, Mesalina guttulata, canthodactylus boskianu Hemidactylus turcicus, Chalcides ocelltus, Coluber florulentus, Natrix tessellate, Psammophis sibilans, Telescopus shara, Varanus niloticus, Mabya quinquetaeniata and Naja haje. These reptiles live at both vegetation and desert environments within the governorate area. Holding Company for Water and Waste Water (HCWW) 41 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag Tarentola annularis Trapelus mutabilis Figure ‎ 4-35 Reptiles Aquatic fauna: Amphibians: In the Nile Valley there are four species of amphibians are known.Characteristic amphibians include Rana ridibunda, B. viridis, Ptychadena mascareniensis and Bufo regularis. Bufo regularis Ptychadena mascareniensis Figure ‎ 4-36Amphibians Habitats found within the Project area are common and widely spread across Egypt. The recorded flora and fauna are common in Nile Valley and Delta. Much of the habitats in the study area have been degraded by human activities. No rare or endangered plants and animals were found. In conclusion; no endangered species have been identified within the project areas. 4.8 GEOLOGY There are almost no surface features in the Valley, they have been cleared as the land is used for irrigation. Except for the roads and residential areas, all the areas of the valley are used for agriculture and irrigation purposes. The outskirts of the valley at the eastern and western sides of the Nile are characterized by sharp elevations linking the valley with the surrounding hills. The fluvial plain represents the area that has been used for cultivation for thousands of years. This area represents the base for growth in the governorate. There are other areas that have been urbanized in the desert and the hills, with slight slope from north to south, it decreases about 20 meters across the governorate. The type of land is sedimentary and can be described as limestone plateau with sloping edges formed during the Eocene era and a Nile canal. Holding Company for Water and Waste Water (HCWW) 42 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag Each of the Eastern and Western plateau in Sohag is composed of carbon rock formations. The height of the eastern hill reaches about 300 meters above sea level, the western plateau reaches about 250 meters above sea level. Plains of Nile silt are located on both sides of the river and occupy the area between the cultivated land and the edges of the limestone plateau. These areas occupy areas that can be traced to after the Eocene era. The heights of these surfaces range between 65 to 90 meters above sea level, the plains are cut by some valleys from the top of the limestone plateau towards the Nile. 15 valleys are located at the eastern side, which are used by the population for agriculture purposes depending on ground water such as Awlad Salama valley, Salamony valley and Kasab valley. Modern Nile silt plains represent the cultivated areas located beside the Nile and cut by irrigation canals and drains parallel to the Nile. The river Nile occupies the eastern side of the valley at Sohag. Calcareous sediments were formed across extended time periods that have witnessed different changes in sea level and different dispositional environments. The Nile was formed during high Miocene Era (the most recent of the era), and started to cut the canal that was lower than sea level. Later during the low Pliocene Era (the oldest of the era), this canal was filled with sediments resulting from the change in sea level and were carried by valleys that end at the Red Sea heights. By the late Pliocene era the Nile canal as well as the old canals were filled with sediments, which represent the current groundwater aquifer in the area known as “Qena sands”. The lower sector consists of sand gradients, the upper part consists of modern silt deposits carried by the Nile flood. The upper layer formed of silt and sediments represent the cultivated area known as “Old agriculture areas”. The Geology of the area is among the important aspects related to land use. The following figures represent Sohag geological map, and cross section for Sohag Hydrology. Holding Company for Water and Waste Water (HCWW) 43 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag Figure ‎ 4-37 Sohag geological map (TEGPC and CONOCO 1987) Holding Company for Water and Waste Water (HCWW) 44 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag Figure ‎ 4-38cross hydrological section in Sohag (RIGW 1990) Holding Company for Water and Waste Water (HCWW) 45 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag Seismic hazards: Figure 4-39 shows seismic Hazard, indicating that Egypt is located at the low risk areas (five categories) which represents a good opportunity for development. Yet it must be taken into consideration that the construction of the stations and the pipeline network must be conducted in compliance with the civil engineering codes. The codes take into consideration calculating the impacts related to seismic hazards on the station and network, in order to avoid any impacts caused by strong earth movements leading to leakage of sewage water and pollution to the groundwater aquifer. Holding Company for Water and Waste Water (HCWW) 46 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag . Figure ‎ 4-39 classification of Egypt according to seismic hazard Source: www.who-eatlas.org Holding Company for Water and Waste Water (HCWW) 47 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag 4.9 Approach to Social Baseline Characterization In this section the consultant will use a three level approach to describe the socio-economic characteristics of the project target areas. The approach will describe the target areas on the level of the governorates, then districts and finally the villages’ level. The following structure presents the levels that will be explained: 1. Sohag Governorate Level 2. District level a. Sohag District b. Tema District c. Balyana District 3. Village level a. Sohag cluster villages: Al Muhamda Al Bahriya, Dmno, Al Mazalu b. Tema cluster villages: Um Duma, Al Halaky c. Balyana cluster villages: Al Ghounamiya (Nag’ Ragh), Al Samta, Al Halafy 4.9.1 Sohag Governorate Overview Sohag is one of the governorates of Upper Egypt Region. The total area of Sohag Tema District governorate is 11022 km2. Sohag is divided into 11 Markaz, 11 cities and 3 districts, which includes 51 affiliated Local Government Units (Description of Egypt by information, 2010). The district has a total Sohag District of 270 villages and 1788 Kafr and Ezbas. Sohag governorate is located between Assuit governorate to the north, Red Sea governorate to the East, New Valley governorate to the west and Qena governorate to the South. The total population of Sohag governorate is about 4 million inhabitants (Egypt Description by Information, 2010). The Balyna District percentage of urban population at the governorate is 21.4% while the natural population increase is about 19.8 per thousand inhabitants. The labor force in Sohag (15+) is estimated Figure 4-40 - Administrative Division of Sohag Governorate at 27.6% of the population (Egypt Human Development Report, 2010). In general, the unemployment rate in urban areas is higher than in rural areas and about 42.1% of the labor force are working in agriculture. Holding Company for Water and Waste Water (HCWW) 48 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag Table ‎ 4-14 - Labour Force at Sohag Governorate (Sohag Statistical Year Book, 2014) Total Labour Number of Number of Unemployment Force employed unemployed rate Total 61811 11542 50269 8 population - Sewage conditions at Sohag governorate Sohag is among the governorates that fall behind in sanitation coverage. Cesspits and septic tanks represent the common method for sanitation in addition to a group of the population that discharge directly to the surface or ground water. About 1.1 million persons are connected to the sewage network, which represents 22.1% of the population in Sohag (Sohag Water Company, 2014). The following table (Table ‎ 4-15) shows the sewage service coverage in Sohag governorates: Table ‎ 4-15 - Proliferation rate of sewage services in Sohag governorate Connected to Sewage Not connected to sewage service service Number of cities 8 3 Number of villages 11 270 Number of Nag‟a 3 1544 The total capacity of the sewage network in Sohag governorate is illustrated in the following table (Table ‎ 4-16): Table ‎ 4-16 - Sewage Capacity at Sohag Governorate (Sohag Statistical Year Book, 2014) Sewage service total Urban areas 3612.501 daily capacity at Rural areas 972.05 Sohag governorate Total 4584.551 (thousand m3/day) The existing sanitation system in Sohag at uncovered areas relies on mainly cesspits (Tranches) for households and septic tanks for governmental buildings, which are regularly evacuated by tankers and disposed at any nearby drains. The disposed wastewater may be discharge to the desert in case of nearby villages. Another practice is to be discharged to existing nearby sewerage network. The current sanitation method that mainly depends on septic tanks has several adverse impacts such as leakage to the surrounding groundwater. In several cases the population resorts to constructing deeper septic tanks to minimize the high cost of evacuation process. This practice increases the underground water table level and causes direct pollution. Given that the underground water represents the main source of drinking water at most of the villages which further inflates the pollution problem. Three wastewater treatment plants exist within the three studied districts of the governorate of Sohag. Two of them under preliminary hand over in districts; El Balyana and Tama and the others are operational. The following table (Table ‎ 4-17) summarizes the villages that already have available sanitation systems and are not within the studies villages that will be covered under ISSIP-2 project Holding Company for Water and Waste Water (HCWW) 49 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag Table ‎ 4-17 - Villages that have available sanitation systems at Sohag governorate (Source: ESIAF report) District Villages Available Remarks infrastructure Sohag Tunis Sohag Sewerage network Operational Idfa Arabet Abo Dahab El Kawamel Bahary Tama Preliminary Hand Over El Hasana Under Construction El Rayanaia Under Construction El Moalak Under Construction Tema Sewerage network El Mowatein Under Construction El Hadeka Under Construction El Hasamda Under Construction Nazlet Abd Allah Under Construction EL Tahrir Under Construction Balyana Operational Balyana Bardis Sewerage network Under Construction Beni Hemil Under Construction Tahta Operational Shattura Under Construction Tahta Sewerage network El Sawalem Under Construction Kom Badr Under Construction Gerga Operational Gerga Sewerage network Beit Khallaf Under Construction 4.9.2 Target Districts (Tema – Sohag - Balyana) This section highlights the main socio-economic features of the target districts: - Administrative division The project will be implemented in three clusters that spread across three districts, as follows: - Sohag district: consists of one city, 13 local government units, 32 villages and 163 ezbas. - District: consists of one city, 4 local government units, 29 villages and 251 ezbas. - Tema district: consists of one city, 5 local government units, 34 villages and 113 ezbas. - Population Sohag district has the highest urban population 31.9%, while both Tema and Balyana have lower percentage among the urban population 22.4% and 11.9% respectively. The following table (the table below presents the distribution of urban and rural population among target districts: Holding Company for Water and Waste Water (HCWW) 50 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag Table ‎ 4-18 - Population distribution at target districts (Sohag governorate statistical year book, 2014) District Rural/Urban Population Number of Males Females Total households Sohag Urban 108747 112084 220831 52830 Rural 239908 232167 472075 100656 Total 348655 344251 692906 153486 Tema Urban 41240 38277 79517 17749 Rural 155439 142434 297873 61671 Total 196679 180711 377390 79420 Urban 28178 27623 55801 12291 Rural 192542 205178 397720 90391 Total 220720 232801 453521 102682 - Provision of Sewage coverage Districts of Sohag, Akmem and Tahta are among the districts that have the highest connection rates to the sewage services (Sohag Water Company, 2014). The following figure shows the detailed distribution of connection rate per district: Percentage of the population connected to sewage services at District level Connected Not connected 120 100 100 100 100 88 79 87 79 73 63 66 68 80 60 27 37 34 32 40 12 21 13 21 20 0 0 0 0 Figure ‎ 4-41 - Percentage of provision of sewage services at district level (Sohag Water Company) Holding Company for Water and Waste Water (HCWW) 51 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag 4.9.3 Target Villages This section highlights the main socio- economic profile of the target villages: 4.9.3.1 Location A. Sohag cluster villages The three target villages (Al Muhamda Al Bahriya – Dmno - Al Mazalu) are affiliated to Awlad Azaz Local Government Unit. Awlad Azaz is located about 7 kms at the west of Sohag city. It is surrounded by mountains at the west, Edfa village from the north, Nag Hamadi drain from the south and Nag Figure 4-42 – Administrative Map of Awlad Azaz LGU Hamadi canal from the East. Historic sites: Awlad Azaz village: Anba Shnouda Monastery (White Monastery) B. Tema cluster villages The two target villages: Um Doma and Al Halaky are affiliated to Um Doma Local government Unit. Figure 4-43 - Administrative map of Um Doma LGU Holding Company for Water and Waste Water (HCWW) 52 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag C. Balyana cluster villages The three target villages (Al Ghounamiya, Al Samta and Al Halafy) are affiliated to Beni Hemil Local Government Unit. Beni Hemil is located at the South of Balyana district and is surrounded by Awlad Elio, Orabet Abidos villages and Balyana city from the north, the desert areas from the west, River Nile from the east and Qena governorate from the south. 4.9.3.2 Demographic profile The following section describes the main socio-economic characteristics of the target villages (Data from Information centers at LGU and District Councils): 1. Area District Villages Total Area Cultivated area Housing areas in (km2) in feddans feddans Sohag Al Muhamda Al 1.89 307.5 145 Bahriya Dmno 1.86 418.12 26 Al Mazalu 2.40 334.9 238 Tema Um Duma 8.93 1980 120 Al Halaky 2.13 230 21 Balyana Al Ghounamiya 3 661 44 (Nag‟ Ragh) Al Samta 4.2 706 340 Al Halafy 4.3 857 51 2. Population District Villages Males Females Total Populat Num Percentag Number Percenta ion ber e ge 2014 Sohag Al Muhamda Al 4672 4116 8788 Bahriya 53.16 46.84 Dmno 3657 3427 7083 51.63 48.38 Al Mazalu 3829 3535 7364 52.00 48.00 Tema Um Duma 8218 7285 15503 53.01 46.99 Al Halaky 3206 2806 6012 53.33 46.67 Balyana Al Ghounamiya 3949 4276 8224 (Nag‟ Ragh) 48.02 51.99 Al Samta 12276 12975 25251 48.62 51.38 Al Halafy 6266 6813 13079 47.91 52.09 Holding Company for Water and Waste Water (HCWW) 53 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag 3. Education District Villages Number of enrolled Number of Poverty students (Primary – enrolled students rate preparatory - Azhar) (illiteracy classes) Sohag Al Muhamda Al Bahriya 1619 153 39.15 Dmno 811 - 46.15 Al Mazalu 1327 8 43.08 Tema Um Duma 2949 78 58.16 Al Halaky 752 - 61.07 Balyana Al Ghounamiya (Nag‟ 1514 29 39.56 Ragh) Al Samta 4124 30 49.84 Al Halafy 1514 43 45.97 4. Housing and living conditions Most residents at the target villages live in extended family houses which include more than one family, with an average of 6 rooms per house. Most dwellings are privately owned by the residents and well served by electricity, potable water but not served by sanitation facilities. Based on the field visits, it was noted that most of areas are mainly cultivated areas interspersed with some residential areas. There were various types of buildings at the Figure 4-44 - Types of houses at target villages residential area, most of the houses are built with red brick and some are built with clay. Most of the houses were built informally; there is no clear planning activity for the village. Informal construction has increased substantially in the last 5 years leading to expansion of the urban areas. The type of building was almost similar; the main material used for building was red brick. The levels of building varied between Figure 4-45 - Width of the main roads at villages two to three floors at the maximum. Holding Company for Water and Waste Water (HCWW) 54 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag Most of the villages have very narrow streets. The width of roads varied between 3 to 20 meters, which indicates that there may be limited disruption to traffic during the construction activities. Most of the roads are paved but not paved with Asphalt. The notes from the researchers indicate that the width of the main roads at the villages is between 8-12 meters, while width of the small roads did not exceed three meters at Figure 4-46 - Width of streets at villages some areas. 5. Sewage and sanitation Sanitation infrastructure, at target villages requires substantial upgrading at both the community and household levels. Improvements are needed in sanitation facilities in schools, health centers, mosques, and household latrines. The most common form of sanitation used by population in the project area, is the unlined pit latrine located inside the house as well as cesspits and septic tanks. More than 90% of the interviewed community members during the field work were dissatisfied with the current sanitation services at their area. Results from the FGDs show that the community members consider that the current sanitation system has several adverse impacts, which can be summarized in the following: - Burdens related to evacuation and maintenance of septic tanks: Families from the sample indicated that the evacuation and maintenance of the septic tanks represents a heavy burden as they have to call the evacuation cars and wait for them. As well as bare the negative impacts related to cleaning of the septic tanks with spread of odors and insects. Respondents also noted the difficulty of contacting the evacuation cars (especially public ones). They had to wait for a long period up to a week or two until the car arrives. In this case they have to call private cars which are more expensive. In several cases most of these private cars do not evacuate the discharged water at the public sewerage network but rather evacuate either to canals or remote areas which causes negative environmental impacts. Some houses at narrow streets suffer more that the evacuation cars cannot reach their houses. The have to use manual cart to evacuate the septic tank. It has to be noted that another factor that inflates the negative impacts is that some households in order to avoid these negative impacts resort to digging deeper tanks which has more adverse impacts on contamination of the underground water table. Holding Company for Water and Waste Water (HCWW) 55 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag - Increased financial burden especially for poorer groups and female headed families: Respondents noted that the cost of evacuation of septic tanks ranges between 120 LE/ month to 250 LE/month. (50 to 60 LE each time) The cost of maintenance of the septic tanks ranges also between 500 LE to 1500 LE, which represents a huge financial burden to some families. - Spread of diseases especially among children: Respondents indicated that the sewage conditions have some negative impacts on the health conditions causing the spread of several diseases such as gastrointestinal problems and kidney failures. Respondents also noted to the spread of skin diseases in the target villages. - Spread of foul odours: This impact is specific to women and children since they are the groups that spend most times at home. Female respondents mentioned that the odours have a strong negative impact on them psychologically. - Increase in the groundwater level: The current sanitation methodology has an impact on increasing the ground water level which has several negative impacts on the foundations of the houses. Respondents from the sample were worried about the foundations of their houses which represents a risk to their investment in building the houses. - Spread of insects and stray animals: Respondents indicated that they have to be very cautious about disposing of wastes at the surrounding areas. The spread of waste combined with the leakage from the septic tanks causes spread of insects and rodents. Families are aware of health risks related to these negative impacts. - Environmental risks: Related to discharge of evacuated water in surface waterways and cultivated areas. The sample indicated that in several cases the evacuation car disposes of the water to the surrounding canals which causes more pollution. - Impacts on the mobility and traffic: The spread of sewage overflows at the target villages limits the mobility of pedestrians especially among women and special need groups. - Pollution caused by disposal of polluted water at the streets: Families indicated that the main method of disposing of used water after cleaning or cooking is to spread it at the streets. This leads to several adverse impacts. It has been noted through the field investigations that there is an important informal group working in the area of sewage disposal. They are involved in emptying the septic tanks and the collected sewage effluents, which is usually done under the least hygienic conditions. This group lives in very poor conditions in regard to hygiene, education, nutrition, and health. They are usually exposed to many physical and health hazards due to their direct contact with sewage. Holding Company for Water and Waste Water (HCWW) 56 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag 6. Health conditions It was noted from the data provided by the information centers at the target villages the availability of several healthcare services at the villages, although data from the interviews and the FGDs show that most of the offered services lack adequate staffing or lack necessary medicines. The following table (Table ‎ 4-19) shows the available healthcare services at the villages: Table ‎ 4-19 - Healthcare facilities at target villages Service Al Dmno Al Um Al Al Al Al Muhamd Mazalu Duma Halaky Ghouna Samta Halafy a Al miya Bahriya Public - - - - - - - - Hospital Public - - - - - - - - Clinic Health 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 office Health unit 1 1 1 - - 1 1 1 Emergency 1 - - - Mother and 1 1 1 1 1 child center Family 1 1 1 1 1 At the Health units planning center Private - - - - - - 3 1 clinic Pharmacy 1 1 1 4 3 6 9 4 7. Infrastructure services Access to potable water Although all of the villages are connected through the public network provided by the water company, villagers also noted that they provide their needs from artesian water as well by using water pumps especially during water disruptions. The following presents the rates of access to potable water: Table ‎ 4-20 - Access to potable water at target villages District Villages Water Treatment Number of Subscribers stations (households) Sohag Al Muhamda Al Bahriya Not operating 2429 Dmno 1 994 Al Mazalu - 1209 Tema Um Duma Under construction 1965 Al Halaky Under construction 823 Balyana Al Ghounamiya (Nag‟ Ragh) Artesian 1407 Al Samta Artesian 3409 Al Halafy Artesian 1426 Holding Company for Water and Waste Water (HCWW) 57 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag Access to electricity Access to electricity in the project area in general is high with a rate of 99% (EHDR, 2010). This is primarily due to the government's efforts to improve the living conditions of the public. Even rural areas have access to electricity regardless of their formality and legality. The following table (Table ‎ 4-21 - subscription to electricity at target villages) presents subscription rates to electricity service at target villages: Table ‎ 4-21 - subscription to electricity at target villages Number of Subscribers District Villages Number of Substations (households) Al Muhamda Al Bahriya 10 1200 Sohag Dmno 8 1170 Al Mazalu 9 1290 Tema Um Duma 27 3608 Al Halaky 5 1100 Al Ghounamiya (Nag‟ Ragh) 13 1923 Balyana Al Samta 10 4940 Al Halafy 14 2490 8. Social concerns Awareness about ISSIP – 2 Project Respondents during the FGDs indicated that they are aware of “We‟ve been hearing this for the ISSIP – 2 project. Most of the respondents have heard that more than five years .. No action a sewage project will be implemented in the surrounding areas. yet”.. A male participant at FGD at Al Halafy village Some participants were reluctant that their villages will not be included in the project. They also pointed out that they have been hearing about a sanitation project long time that they became doubtful it will be implemented. Respondents also noted that some sanitation projects have started but that construction has stopped for one reason or another. Hence they pointed to the importance to ensure that the construction would be fully accomplished. Holding Company for Water and Waste Water (HCWW) 58 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag Respondents at Sohag cluster indicated that the LGU has conducted several awareness sessions about the project (it is important to note that the LGU has led the community efforts to donate the land to the project in both Dmno and Al Mazalu villages). “This will be the happiest news Community ever .. Something for the future members of my kids”.. A female expressed participant at FGD at Al Halaky their high village interest in the project. They were willing to support the project in different forms such as tolerating the construction activities or providing support to the contractor. It was noticed that traditional ties between neighbors and extended family members are strong, as demonstrated by patterns of sharing and mutual assistance, particularly in rural areas. This tradition will contribute to the provision of labor required for excavation and connection works. Holding Company for Water and Waste Water (HCWW) 59 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag Willingness to pay Since sanitation represents one of the main priorities the population requested at the project area, respondents indicated that they are willing to participate in the project in case. Participants in the FGDs or the public consultation expressed their will to pay for the improvement of sanitation. They indicated that they are willing to pay a similar amount to what their pay for evacuation of septic tanks. Respondents indicated that the maximum that can be paid is 1500 LE for the household connections. They also asked to installment schemes as this is too much to pay at one time. Most families were willing to pay about 200-300 LE without being strongly burdened. Role of the Local NGOs The community members also noted their lack of trust for the existing NGO‟s. They noted that they do not do actual services to the community. Local NGOs are various in their nature, some are very small with limited capacities others have a religious nature. It is important for the RSU to select efficient NGOs to work with. It is important to avoid NGOs that have some interests and are not considered trust worthy to the community. In many cases NGOs are considered only a means to deliver financial aid to poor families and to provide religious lessons. It may be more efficient to propose capacity building activities for the local NGOs on water related issues in order for them to be more trusted on these issues from the community. NGOs when capacitated can play an important role in the grievance procedure or in providing loans for poor families for the household connections 9. Vulnerable groups Vulnerable groups are those groups who might be more susceptible to impacts as a result of the project due to the high rates poverty and social exclusion. These groups include women heads of households, disabled persons and youth as well are currently categorized as vulnerable groups. Sohag is considered the poorest governorate in Egypt as indicated in the HDR for 2010. The percentage of poverty reaches 47.5% of the population including 18.5% living in extreme poverty. Female headed families represent 4% of the sample. Groups with the lowest incomes (less than 1000 L.E a month) represent 47% of the sample. Extreme poverty is considered persons living under 500 L.E a month (extreme poverty level indicated to less than one dollar a day) 18% of the sample. The analysis of vulnerability that might occur due to the project implementation, it might be summarized as follow: Vulnerability due to deprivation of the project: In general any poor person who cannot have access to the sanitation network due to defects inside the house or streets or lack of financial resources will be considered as vulnerable group as they will not benefit from the project. Vulnerability due to accidents: Those poor marginalized groups that will suffer due to accidents are considered as vulnerable, particularly, in case of not being able to get proper treatment. Holding Company for Water and Waste Water (HCWW) 60 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag 4.10 ARCHOLOGICAL SITES: Sohag is characterized by different tourist attractions, the most important are: the tombs of kings from first and second dynasties, Abydos temple (the main Osiris temple), Seti first temple (the only covered temple in Egypt), and Gabal Haridy that includes several tombs from first and second dynasties, as well as Akhmem monuments, as follows: 1. Sohag Area: A. Atrabies area: it is located about 7 kms west of It represents an area of archeological remains covering more than 30 feddans. It includes a temple dated to the Era of Ptolemy nine and late Ptolmey ten area. As well as tombs carved in the mountain. B. Hagrsa tombs: located about 8 kms at the western area of the Nile south of Sohag city. Includes several tombs carved in the mountain, with remains from paintings dated to the fourth dynasty. 2. Akhmem area: Akhmem was the capital of the ninth province in Upper Egypt until the end of the Roman era, It was considered one of the most important provinces at Upper Egypt. God Min (lord of fertility, growth and desert) was worshiped in the area. A. Ramses second temple at Akhmem: Contains statues from different eras. The most famous is the statue of Princess Merritt Amon, which was discovered in 1981 and is the largest statue for a wife in Pharaonic history. It is made of bright limestone with a height of 12 meters and weighs 31 tons. The temple includes e statues of Ramses II and a statue of Romanian beheaded suspected to be for Venus the goddess of love and beauty. The temple includes columns, walls and 4 wells with the water backing to the Roman era. A colossal statue of Ramses II was discovered in 1991, sitting on the throne a few meters away from Merritt Amon extending down the area of Muslim graves. Excavations were not completed due to the presence of the rest of the statue under the graves. B. Hawawish tombs: is located at the Eastern Mountain about 10 kms away of Sohag. It is considered the main tombs area dated back to the old dynasty. It is considered by historians as the largest tombs area carved in the mountain. It includes two tomb areas containing 800 tombs with beautiful colourful paintings. C. Salamony tombs: It consists of a large tomb area with tombs dating back to the old dynasty, most of tombs are dated to the late Greco-roman era. Some tombs are still having colourful painted walls. At the top of the mountain is located a small temple. 3. Abydos Area: Located about 60 kms of Sohag west el Belina area, it includes monuments from the Pharaonic era, it was related to the myth of Isis and Osiris and includes the following monuments: 4. Seti First Temple: Was built by King Seti First and his son Ramses the second, the temple includes a list of Egypt‟s famous kings starting by King Mena until Seti First. Holding Company for Water and Waste Water (HCWW) 61 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag 5. Osirion Temple: Located behind Seti first temple, and is considered the symbol tomb for Osiris. It includes a funeral passage coloured walls and extracts from the book of dead. 6. Ramsis the Second Temple: Located north of Seti first temple and was constructed at the beginning of Ramsis II reign. The temple is built from limestone, the columns built from sandstone and door frames from red, black and gray granites. The shrine built of marble and is characterized by precise patterns and bright colors. Engraved on its external walls are details of the Battle of Kadesh, which took place between the Egyptians and the Hittites. 7. Kom El Soltan: Remains of clay bricks dated back to the medium dynasty. 8. Shonet el Zebib: Located to the north west of Ramses II temple, was used as houses for tomb keepers. 9. Om El Agab: Contains the tombs of kings of the First, Second and Third dynasties but were stolen and are mostly covered in sand. 10. Zoser terrace: Is considered part of Tiba province, was built by king Zoser from clay, and is considered the first model of a Pyramid and is located about 15 kms north of Abydos west of Beit Khalaf at Gerga. Holding Company for Water and Waste Water (HCWW) 62 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag CHAPTER 5 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT 63 Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag 5 CHAPTER 5 ENVIRONMENTAL and SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT 5.1 INTRODUCTION The Consultant has assessed the environmental impacts of the different components of the ISSIP II phase II project in Sohag governorate during both the construction and operation phases. The project‟s components covered in the ESIA assessment include: 1. House connections and gravity sewers; 2. PSs including all sub-components; 3. FMs; and 4. Existing WWTPs (The reason to include the existing WWTPs into the ESIA study is the expected increase in the amount of wastewater received as compared with the current situation as discussed in chapter 3) The construction and operation of some/all of the components of the project listed above will also create additional activities/processes such as: 1. Solid hazardous and non-hazardous waste generation during both construction and operation phases. 2. Liquid waste generation during construction and treated effluent discharge during operation. 3. Sludge generation, handling, storage and disposal/reuse, during operation of the existing WWTPs. 4. Development of on-site workers/staff workshops, offices and housing units during construction. The consultant has assessed the impacts due to the construction and operation of the main four components listed above, in addition to those resulting from the aforementioned additional four activities/processes. The key receptors which the Consultant has considered include 1) air (air quality and ambient noise); 2) Soil (soil quality, erosion, landscape); 3) water (water quality and resource consumption); 4)Biological environment (Flora and Fauna); 5)Human environment (Occupational health & safety, Community safety, Visual impacts, Cultural heritage and Archaeology impacts, traffic impacts and the Socio-economic and Health impacts) . The environmental impact assessment methodology that the consultant has adopted is presented in details in Chapter 1. This encompasses of a semi-quantitative assessment that considers the following:  Probability of the impacts  Spatial and temporal scale  Intensity of the impacts (which encompasses the sensitivity of receptors, pathway of influence and the reversibility nature of the impact) 64 Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag 5.2 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS DURING CONSTRUCTION AND DECOMMISSIONING PHASES 5.2.1 Noise Impacts 5.2.1.1 Overview of construction activities related to noise generation As described in Chapter 3, the construction/installation of the different components of the project (FMs, PSs, gravity sewers and house connections) will include the activities listed below:  Preparation and leveling of the land.  Excavation works to the required depth for the trenches needed to install the gravity sewers and FMs and also for some of the components of the PSs such as the sumps and reactors. It should be noted that most of the upper soil layer of the selected roads are composed of compacted silt-clay or sand and that the gravity sewers is a shallow system and will be installed in the middle of the roads. During excavation, there is a low probability that the contractor might encounter groundwater. The groundwater level in the project‟s area of influence varies between 20 and 40m.  Trench preparation following excavation including leveling, constructing the pipe foundation, and welding/connecting the pipes.  Installation of manholes and catch basins for rainwater collection.  Construction of Reinforced concrete elements and other civil works.  Installation of cranes, steel bridges, pumps and other electrical equipment. 5.2.1.2 Point sources of noise emissions Various mechanical/electrical equipment will be needed during the construction activities described in the previous section. These include bulldozers, trucks, pavers, and other equipment. The operation of this equipment is the main potential source of noise emissions during the construction and decommissioning phases. The vulnerable groups who are susceptible to the construction noise are the following: - Onsite Workers; who are the most exposed to the highest noise levels generated from different construction activities due to their proximity to the noise sources. - Neighboring communities and other sensitive receptors (such as students at schools and other educational institutes, patients at village health units, etc.). The following Table illustrates distances between each component (PS, and WWTP) and residential areas (from border to border). 65 Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag Table ‎ 5-1 Distances between each component (PS and WWTP) and Residential area (from border to border). Markaz Component Distance between Closest residential area and the component (m) Sohag Al Muhamda Al 10 Bahriya PS Dmno PS 150 Al Mazalu PS 25 Sohag West WWTP 1,000 Balyana Nag‟ Ragh PS 10 Al Ghounamiya PS Al Samta PS 10 Al Halafy PS 5 Balyana PS 1,500 Tema Um Duma PS 10 Al Halaky PS 225 Tema WWTP 1,700 There are sensitive receptors which were identified during the site visits close to the proposed locations of the PSs are presented in Figures 4-3 to 4-12. 5.2.1.3 Noise impact assessment methodology Tools and equipment that will be utilized during the construction phase are not selected yet; however these were identified based on the Consultant‟s experience and data collected by the Consultant from other similar projects. Table 5.2 includes a list of this construction equipment and their expected noise levels (Society of Automotive Engineers SAE). The equipment was categorized based on the different activities expected during the construction phase of the ISSIP II project. 66 Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag Table ‎ 5-2 Expected construction equipment and Sound Levels Equipment Sound Level at operation in dB(A) (20 feet from the equipment) Average Range Activity 1 - Earth Moving Front End Loader 88 85-91 Back Hoe 86.5 79-89 Bull Dozer 96 89-103 Roller 90 79-93 Grader <85 Truck 96 89-103 Paver* 101 100-102 Activity 2 – Concrete mixing: Concrete Mixer <85 Concrete Pump* < 85 Activity 3 – pipe installation Crane* 100 97-102 Derrick <85 Power Units: Generators <85 Compressors <85 Other Equipment: Poker Vibrator 94.5 87-98 Compressed Air Blower 104 Power Saw 88.5 78-95 It is expected that each of the three presented activities in Table 5.2 will take place in a different time frame. The Consultant has assumed that the noise emitted from each of the expected activities could be further increased due the noise emitted from power generators, air compressors, etc and has assumed that a 95 dB at source would be representable of such interactions. The noise propagation from source has been modeled according to ISO 9613-2 and the significance of the noise impacts, when considering the sensitivity and proximity of the different receptors is described in the following section. 67 Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag 5.2.1.4 Noise Impact Significance Construction of Al Halaky’s PS It was clear from the site visits that the receptor (Al Halaky primary School) is located around 200m northeast of the proposed site for the PS. According to the modeling results, the level of noise generated during the different construction activities which will reach the boundaries of the nearest building will not exceed 50dB which is equal to the threshold identified according to the national legal requirements (55 dB according to WBG EHS guidelines). The potential generated noise will therefore mainly affect the workers on site and might have an impact on Al Halaky primary School. The impact should be therefore considered of Moderate significance, and it should be fully controlled by applying proper health and safety procedures and communication with the school management as detailed in the following Sections. Construction of Um Duma’s PSs The nearest receptor to Um Duma’s PSs proposed location is around 10m away and would be affected by levels of noise ranging between 65 and 70 dB. These are the highest noise level that the nearest receptor to the site may be subjected to. The noise will be of intermittent nature and the intensity will drop down as the center of noise emissions moves away from the receptor. The construction of the whole site is not expected to exceed a 12 months period. Based on that, the noise impacts due to the construction of Um Duma’s PSs should be considered of Moderate significance. Construction of Al Muhamda Al Bahriya’s PS The nearest residential building is located 10 m away from the proposed site for Al Muhamda Al Bahriya‟s PS. The level of noise generated during the different construction activities which will reach the boundaries of the nearest residential building will be in the range of 60 dB. This is the highest noise level that the nearest receptor may be subjected to. It will be of intermittent nature and the intensity will drop down as the center of noise emissions moves away from the receptor. Also the current noise baseline measurement in Al Muhamda Al Bahriya‟s PS location is close to 60 dB. The construction of the whole site is not expected to exceed a 12 months period. Based on that, the noise impacts due to the construction of Al Muhamda Al Bahriya’s PS should be considered of Moderate significance. It worth mentioning that a mosque is located 5 meter north east of the site, therefore construction activities shall be minimized during prayers times(10 minutes/2 times/day). Construction of Demon’s PS It was clear from the site visits that the residential area in Demno Village is located around 150m east of the proposed site forthe PS. According to the modeling results, the level of noise generated during the different construction activities which will reach the boundaries of the residential building will not exceed 50 dB. The potential generated noise will therefore mainly affect the workers on site and might have an impact on the mosque which is located 5 meter east of the site, therefore construction activities shall be minimized during prayers times (10 minutes/2 times/day). The impact should be therefore considered of Minor significance. Construction of Al Mazalu’s PS The nearest receptor to Al Mazalu’s PS proposed location is around 25 m south and would be affected by levels of noise ranging between 55 and 60 dB. These are the highest noise level that the nearest receptor to the site may be subjected to. The noise will be of intermittent nature and the intensity will drop down as the center of noise emissions moves away from the receptor. The construction of the whole site is not expected to exceed a 12 months period. Based on that, the 68 Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag noise impacts due to the construction of Al Mazalu’s PSs should be considered of Moderate significance. Construction of Al Samta’a PS The nearest residential buildings are located 10 m south and north from the proposed site forAl Samta‟s PS. The level of noise generated during the different construction activities which will reach the boundaries of the nearest residential building will be in the range of 65-70 dB.This is the highest noise level that the nearest receptor may be subjected to. It will be of intermittent nature and the intensity will drop down as the center of noise emissions moves away from the receptor. The construction of the whole site is not expected to exceed a 12 months period. Based on that, the noise impacts due to the construction of Al Samta’s should be considered of Moderate significance. Construction of Al Halafy’s PSs The nearest receptor to Al Halafy’s PSs proposed location is around 5m south east and would be affected by levels of noise ranging between 70 and 75 dB. These are the highest noise level that the nearest receptor to the site may be subjected to. The noise will be of intermittent nature and the intensity will drop down as the center of noise emissions moves away from the receptor. The construction of the whole site is not expected to exceed a 12 months period. Based on that, the noise impacts due to the construction of Al Halafy’s PSs should be considered of Moderate significance. Construction of Al Ghounamiya’s PS The nearest receptor to Al Ghounamiya’s PS proposed location is around 10 m northeast and would be affected by levels of noise ranging between 65-70 dB. These are the highest noise level that the nearest receptor to the site may be subjected to. The noise will be of intermittent nature and the intensity will drop down as the center of noise emissions moves away from the receptor. The construction of the whole site is not expected to exceed a 12 months period. Based on that, the noise impacts due to the construction of Al Ghounamiya’s PS should be considered of Moderate significance. Construction of gravity sewers and FMs in the three clusters It is expected that the noise generated during the construction of gravity sewers would exceed the allowable 50dB because the construction activities are actually being performed in the middle of the roads opposing the houses (<10m distance) and other receptors (i.e. schools). However, the construction activities for the gravity sewers are expected to last for a short period of time in front of each house and/or school. This impact should be considered of Moderate significance due to the potential high noise levels. The activities involved in the installation of the FMs are similar to those of the gravity sewers and should also be considered of Moderate significance. The Table below shows the results of the evaluation of the construction noise impacts of the main project‟s components (PSs, Gravity sewers and FMs) 69 Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag Impact parameters Impact Probability Temporal Spatial Intensity P*(A)*(B)*(C) of Scale Scale Overall Score Occurrence (A) (B) (C) (P) Noise Impacts due to the construction of Gravity sewers and FM 1 1 3 3 9 PS – Al Halaky 1 3 1 3 9 PS – Um Duma 1 3 1 3 9 PS – Al Muhamda Al Bahriya 1 3 1 3 9 PS – Dmno 1 3 1 1 3 PS – Al Mazalu 1 3 1 3 9 PS – Al Samta 1 3 1 3 9 PS – Al Halafy 1 3 1 3 9 PS – Al Ghounamiya 1 3 1 3 9 5.2.1.4 Mitigation and monitoring measures Mitigation measures On site Construction noise shall be mitigated to ensure a safe work environment by implementing an on-site occupational health and safety plan, which considers national and international requirements. The plan shall include the following measures:  Ear muffs/protective hearing equipment shall be made available to all workers in noise critical areas  Training on how and when to use protective hearing equipment shall be conducted as part of the workers‟ induction sessions.  Place visually clear instructions in areas where noise emissions are significant. Other mitigation measures to reduce the noise impacts off-site - at the nearest sensitive receptors – include the following:  Optimize the use of noisy construction equipment and turn off any equipment if not in use.  Regular maintenance of all equipment and vehicles  Stop all construction activities during the night  Communicate the construction schedule with neighboring communities and sensitive receptors  Siting permanent facilities (ie. Generators) away from residential areas  Implement a complaints handling system Monitoring measures  Measuring the ambient noise level in noise critical areas (on site), using a portable noise meter. Additional measures would include measurements at the nearest sensitive receptors figures 4-3 to 4-12.  Investigate noise complaints from workers and neighboring communities in the affected locations. 70 Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag 5.2.2 Air Quality Impacts 5.2.2.1 Overview Besides the noise generated during the construction of the different components of the project as described in Section 5.2.1. Air quality at both the construction site and at the nearest receptors could be affected due to the following: - dust emissions - Exhaust of power generators and vehicles transferring the raw materials and/or those disposing the excavated soil and construction waste. - Exhaust of construction equipment The following air pollutants are foreseeable for most of the construction activities: - Fugitive dust emissions ( PM10, PM2.5) - NOx and SOx - CO in case of old motors 5.2.2.2 Air Quality Impact Significance During the construction of gravity sewers and FMs, dust emissions will negatively impact ambient air quality. This is particularly significant during the excavation activities required for installing the gravity sewers and FMs. These activities will be in close proximity to the houses as indicated before (less than 10m away). The impact will be therefore disturbing, however, it is of a temporary nature– digging activities are expected to last from one to two days in front of each house. The problem of dust emissions might arise from the storage of spoil until being lifted and transferred to the designated disposal sites. Exhaust of trucks or equipment will have negligible or very low impact, since using those trucks and equipment will be intermittent and expected to be only during the day. The air quality impacts due to the construction of gravity sewers and FMs should be considered of Minor significance During the construction of the PSs, excavation activities will be mainly limited to the site , which will have a lower impact as compared to the excavation required during the construction of gravity sewers and FMs. The construction of the PSs will last around 9-12 months. During this period, trucks bringing raw materials and those transferring spoil and construction waste will be moving to and out of the site on a regular basis, thus affecting the receptors exposed to the roads leading to the different PS sites. However, this impact will be of temporary and intermittent nature. The air quality impacts due to the construction of the PSs should be also considered of Minor significance. The Table below shows the evaluation of the air quality impacts. 71 Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag Impact parameters Impact Probability Temporal Spatial Intensity P*(A)*(B)*(C) of Scale Scale Overall Score Occurrence (A) (B) (C) (P) Air Quality Impacts due to the construction of Gravity sewers 1 1 2 3 6 and FM PSs 1 2 1 3 6 5.2.2.3 Mitigation and monitoring measures Mitigation measures Implement a construction site management plan including the following measures:  Store construction materials in pre-identified storage areas.  Cover friable materials during storage.  Wet the network of unpaved roads on site. The use of water should be restricted to extremely active areas.  Regulation of speed to a suitable speed (20 kmh) for all vehicles entering the village‟s boundaries.  Implement preventive maintenance program for vehicles and equipment working on site and promptly repair vehicles with visible exhaust fume. Monitoring Measures  Investigate dust complaints from workers and residents of affected villages  Measure HC, CO and opacity for construction machinery using a gas analyzer  Visual inspection of vehicles and equipment operating along the gravity sewer and FM route or entering the site of the PS 5.2.3 Soil and groundwater Impacts 5.2.3.1 Overview Typical construction activities may result in soil and groundwater contamination due to the following:  Uncontrolled disposal of hazardous liquids such as spent oils, paints, or any other chemicals/additives used in concrete making and finishing works.  Leaching of solid wastes which are randomly disposed of. Potential impacts on soil other than contamination include:  Soil erosion  Loss of resources if the excavated soil is not segregated and reused as an alternative to transport and use of additional materials from outside the site. 72 Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag 5.2.3.2 Soil and groundwater Impact significance During the construction of gravity sewers and FMs The top soil layers will be excavated. Groundwater might be encountered but the probability is low because the depth to groundwater ranges between 20 and 40m. Normally the excavated soil will be filled back in the trench thus minimizing the level of disturbance and/or the loss of some soil amounts as waste. The quality of the soil and groundwater will also be affected considering the large spatial context of the gravity sewers and FMs network, if special controls related to waste management were not taken into accounts. In general the soil and groundwater impacts during the construction of the gravity sewers and FMs should be considered of Moderate significance and will be controlled by applying the mitigation measures related to waste management and by maximizing the reuse of the excavated soil. During the construction of the PSs Similar to the construction of the gravity sewers and FMs but only limited to the PS sites, the impacts related to the soil and groundwater quality and loss of resources will take place during the excavation works needed for the construction of some components of the PSs. In general the soil impacts during the construction of the PSs should be considered of Minor significance and will be controlled by applying the mitigation measures related to waste management and by maximizing the reuse of the excavated soil. Impact parameters Impact Probability Temporal Spatial Intensity P*(A)*(B)*(C) of Scale Scale Overall Score Occurrence (A) (B) (C) (P) Soil and groundwater Impacts due to the construction of Gravity sewers 1 1 3 3 9 and FM PSs 1 1 2 3 6 5.2.3.3 Mitigation and monitoring measures Mitigation measures  Design and construct an impermeable protective base layer underlying areas with potential hazardous liquids storage or use  Implement a site construction management plan including segregation and reuse options of excavated soil. 73 Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag Monitoring measures  Document the amount of soil disposed of, and the amount of soil brought to the site. 5.2.4 Water Quality Impacts 5.2.4.1 Impact significance During the construction of gravity sewers and FMs The planned routing for the gravity sewers and FMs will involve several crossings under some canals and drains as previously presented in Chapter 3 (Section 3.5), and Chapter 4. Dumping any of the excavated soil and/or construction wastes in the water stream will have a negative impact on the flow as well as the quality of the water. The Water Quality impacts during the construction of the gravity sewers and FMs should be considered of Moderate significance and will be controlled by applying the mitigation measures related to waste management which will be presented in the current chapter (Section 5.3.1) During the construction of the PSs No impacts are foreseen during the construction of the PSs. But there is a potential risk of polluting Al Mazalu canal during the construction of Al Mazalu‟s PS. The water Quality impact during the construction of Al Mazalu‟s PS should therefore be considered of Moderate significance. The impact will be controlled if mitigation measures related to waste management have been taken into account. Impact parameters Impact Probability Temporal Spatial Intensity P*(A)*(B)*(C) of Scale Scale Overall Score Occurrence (A) (B) (C) (P) Soil and groundwater Impacts due to the construction of Gravity sewers 1 2 3 3 18 and FM Al Mazalu‟s PS 1 2 2 3 12 Other PSs N/A 74 Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag 5.2.5 Flora and Fauna Impacts 5.2.5.1 Overview The Consultant has conducted baseline surveys in order to assess the presence and distribution of ecologically sensitive species and habitats along the proposed project‟s sites. Consequently, it was concluded that no endangered faunal or floral species have been recorded at the project‟s areas as similarly recorded in the conduced ESIA framework for ISSIP II project and ESIA for ISSIP II phase1 ESIA in Sohag governorate. All recorded species are under the “Least Concern” category. 5.2.5.1 Flora and Fauna Impact significance Fauna related impacts Although some faunal species of mammals, birds, reptiles and insects exist at the project‟s area, faunal impacts are not likely to be significant given the small scale of the development relative to the extent of similar intact habitats in the area. The evaluation of the impacts on fauna is illustrated in the Table below, and should be considered negative with MINOR significance yet this impact can be reduced/eliminated if appropriate mitigation measures are implemented. Flora related Impacts The flora existing in the proposed sites for the PS, as mentioned above , do not belong to the endangered species category. So the impact of the project‟s construction on the floral species should be considered on MINOR significance. Impact parameters Impact Probability Temporal Spatial Intensity P*(A)*(B)*(C) of Scale Scale Overall Score Occurrence (A) (B) (C) (P) Flora and Fauna impacts Gravity 1 1 3 2 6 sewers and FM and PSs 5.2.5.2 Mitigation and monitoring measures No specific mitigation and monitoring measures are needed, they are included under other impacts 75 Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag 5.2.6 Occupational health and safety impacts 5.2.6.1 Overview Construction sites are considered the most potentially hazardous and accident-prone parts of any working environment. Excessive exposure to these construction site hazards exposes workers to injury and possible death. To prevent this, contractors should be aware of all possible dangers that can be encountered during normal business operations. According to the safety and health standards every employee shall have sound knowledge of their susceptibility to harm or injury in the workplace. 5.2.6.2 Occupational health and safety impact significance Listed below are the main six construction site hazards identified by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), all of which will be encountered during the construction of the different components of the ISSIP II project. 1- Excavation and Trenching – OSHA has recognized excavation and trenching as the most hazardous construction site operation. 2- Falls – Falling from scaffolding over six feet or a fixed ladder over twenty feet is the most dangerous and common construction site hazard. The usual cause of this incident is slipping, tripping and using unstable ladders. There are many reasons for fall hazards and to eliminate such risks, employers must have a fall protection program as part of any overall workplace safety and health program. 3- Stairways and Ladder – According to OSHA‟s construction safety and health standards, stairways and ladders are important sources of injuries and fatalities among construction workers. 4- Scaffolding –The most potential risk of scaffolding is due to moving scaffold components; scaffold failure related to damage to its components; loss of the load; being struck by suspended materials; electrical shock; and improper set-up. Construction workers who assemble and dismantle scaffolding and work platforms at construction sites face the risk of serious injuries due to falls. 5- Use of Heavy Construction Equipment –The main causes of such accidents include: ground workers struck when a vehicle is backing up or changing direction; equipment rollovers that injure the operator; mechanics run over when brakes are not properly set; and ground workers crushed by falling equipment from backhoes, buckets, and other moving construction vehicles. 6- Electrical Hazards - Electricity is one of the greatest hazards to workers on site. Power line workers, electricians and electrical engineers work continuously work with electricity can face exposure to this hazard on a daily basis. Due to the high probability of occurrence and the high risk involved, the occupational safety and health impacts during the construction of the PSs and gravity sewers and FMs should be considered of MAJOR significance. The impacts will be controlled to a large extent by applying the mitigation measures listed below. 76 Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag 5.2.6.3 Mitigation and monitoring measures Mitigation measures The Contractor shall adopt an Occupational Health and safety plan during the construction phase. According to OSHA standards the main mitigations measures to prevent common construction hazards are: • Workers must follow safety standards and use protective equipment to minimize hazards while trenching and excavating • Workers should be trained to identify and evaluate fall hazards and be fully aware of how to control exposure to such risks as well as know how to use fall protection equipment properly. • Workers must comply with OSHA‟s general rule for the safe use of ladders and stairways • The scaffolding hazard shall be addressed as stated by OSHA standards. They give specific requirements for the maximum load, when to use scaffolding, bracing systems and the use of guardrails. • To prevent Heavy Construction Equipment risk, workers should follow all construction safety guidelines necessary to eliminate the exposure to such injuries and accidents • The best way to prevent the Electrical hazard is for the workers to be at a safe working distance away from the power lines. Other precautionary measures include guarding and insulating of the vehicle from which they might work. This would help prevent electrical hazards from injuring them while working. The Occupational Health and safety plan shall also include the Egyptian Labor law No. 12 for 2003 and the international construction standards requirements, including , but not limited to , the following measures:  Identification of hazard sources to workers  Eliminating the sources of hazards  Workers must be trained to recognize potential hazards, use proper work practices and procedures, recognize adverse health effects, understand the physical signs and reactions related to exposures, and are familiar with appropriate emergency evacuation procedures. They must also be trained to how to use the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).  Inspection and testing of all equipment and machines  Appointing an Accident Prevention Officer at the site, to take protective measures to prevent accidents  Designation of restricted areas, such as construction sites  Preparation of an emergency response plan  Provision of necessary rescue equipment  Elaboration and management of a safety guarantee plan  Provision of appropriate and sufficient first aid equipment Monitoring measures  Regular reporting of any accidents, as well as records and reports on health, safety and welfare of workers 77 Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag  Continuous monitoring of all hazardous events.  Regular inspection of workers against pathogenic agents and provision of immunization when needed 5.2.7 Community Safety 5.2.7.1 Potential impacts  Excavation and Trenching is recognized as the most hazardous operation during the construction phase for the surrounding community, because most of the excavation will be performed in narrow streets which increase the probability of members of community falling into the trenches. The slurry/mud waste generated from the excavation would slip the passengers, the solid wastes generated would trip them. All these events increase the probability of falling and increase the danger of excavations operations. Excavation and trenching could also affect the structural integrity of the village‟s houses, since many are old and weak.  Electrical shock- Electricity is one of the greatest hazards to people passing by the construction site. Power cords will be used which may cause electrical shock if not well maintained and/or they were left hang out freely. Mitigation measures  To prevent Excavation and Trenching accidents and injuries, both the contractors and workers must follow safety standards and use protective equipment to minimize hazards while trenching and excavating. The sides of the trenches should be strengthened by wood or aluminum reinforcement sheets installed on both sides of the excavated trench, in critical areas (adjacent to existing houses and near canals and drains).  Using fences and warning signs during the construction phase  Using protective barriers and safe walkways  Appointing of an officer on site, to take protective measures to prevent accidents and/or to respond to accidents.  Provision of appropriate and sufficient of first aid equipment on site 5.2.8 Visual impacts 5.2.8.1 Visual Impact Significance During the construction of gravity sewers and FMs Only temporary visual impacts will be caused during the construction of the gravity sewers and force mains, resulting mainly form the over ground storage of excavated soil and raw materials (i.e. pipes, pipe connections, cement sacks, concrete mixers, construction wastes, etc). However, due to the short period of exposure and reversibility nature of this impact, it should be considered of MINOR significance. During the construction of the PSs During the construction of the PSs, the project would gradually change the aesthetics and landscape of the areas where the PSs will be constructed. However, the impact will be relatively fine as compared with adjacent buildings to the proposed sites. The Visual impacts due to the 78 Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag construction of the PSs should be considered of MINOR significance. No mitigation measures are foreseen, expect constructing an interim fence around the site in order to improve the aesthetics as well as reducing other environmental impacts until the construction of the designed concrete fence. 5.3 IMPACTS DUE TO ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES/PROCESSES DURING THE CONSTRUCTION PHASE 5.3.1 Impacts due to hazardous (H) and non-hazardous (NH) waste generation and handling of hazardous chemicals 5.3.1.1 Impact overview This section presents an evaluation of the environmental impacts due to H and NH waste generation during the construction phase. The following are the types of wastes expected to be generated on site during the construction of the PSs and also during excavation and installation activities for the gravity sewers and FMs Non Hazardous wastes  Food residuals  Paper, plastics, and glass  Concrete, bricks  Steel, metals  Wood  Excavated soil  Water collected during dewatering activities (potentially contaminated with sewage)  Old cesspit content  Sewage and waste resulting from on-site workers‟  Empty Sacks Hazardous wastes  Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE)  Empty chemical containers  Spent chemicals and oils 79 Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag 5.3.1.2 Impact Significance of NH waste generation The NH wastes generated on site during the construction phase normally have a high recycling potential. If not recycled they would be sent to landfills or randomly dumped and burned, which would be a loss of natural resources. Random dumping and accumulation of wastes on or around the site would cause a negative visual impact to workers as well as users of the surrounding areas. It could also block the roads, increase the rate of accidents. Accumulated wastes may be burned, a practice commonly found in Egypt, which could emit toxic emissions especially if plastic substances were among the waste streams. Accumulation and/or uncontrolled disposal of organic wastes (food residuals) would also result in potential impacts on the health and hygiene of both general public and on-site workers by attracting vermin to the site such as birds, rodents or insects which can act as disease vectors. This will result in spread of disease, and disruption of the natural ecosystem. Odor may also be generated following long periods of accumulation due to the decomposition of some organic wastes, which will be an annoyance to both general public and on-site workers. Leaching to soil may occur in areas where accumulated waste is in direct contact with the soil. This would lead to a direct impact on the groundwater quality. Liquid wastes may be encountered during the evacuation of existing cesspits, also construction site sewage will need to be evacuated. This waste will be of non-hazardous nature but will have to be properly disposed of in order to prevent potential contamination to soil, groundwater and surface water. In addition to the generated NH waste, Al Mahamda Al Baharia‟s PS location is part of a 1500 m2 land which was used as a dump site. Before excavation accumulated waste should be sent to the closest landfill. The evaluation of impacts due to non-hazardous waste generation during the construction phase is illustrated in the Table below. Some impacts are considered of Moderate significance, mainly due to the proximity of receptors. The impact of NH waste generation is expected to be fully controlled by implementing the mitigation and monitoring measures listed in the following section. Evaluation of impacts due to non-hazardous waste generation Impact parameters Impact Probability Temporal Spatial Intensity P*(A)*(B)*(C) of Scale Scale Overall Score Occurrence (P) (C) (A) (B) Non-hazardous Waste generation Loss of natural 1 3 1 1 3 resources Health impacts 1 3 2 2 12 Soil and 1 3 1 2 6 groundwater Surface water 1 3 1 2 6 Occupational 1 3 1 1 3 health and safety Air quality due to 0.5 3 1 2 3 80 Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag open burn Visual Impacts 1 3 1 3 9 5.3.1.3 Impact Significance of hazardous waste generation and handling of hazardous substances Hazardous wastes may also be generated during the construction phase as listed in Section 5.3.1.1. The storage and disposal of these waste streams have to be carefully performed as to abide by the existing legal framework (Chapter 2). In addition to that, these hazardous wastes if not handled, stored and disposed of according to engineering best practice would have major and irreversible effect as follows:  Mishandling and uncontrolled disposal of hazardous liquid and solid wastes would have major health impacts for on-site workers, inhabitants in the project‟s area of influence, people who get in contact with waste during transportation and disposal, and flora and fauna exposed to such wastes.  Uncontrolled disposal of hazardous wastes, in particular in liquid form, would cause soil contamination through direct contact or leaching.  There is a high possibility that uncontrolled disposal of hazardous wastes may affect the groundwater quality, through extended leaching.  Air quality could also be affected since uncontrolled dumping of hazardous and non- hazardous materials would result in most of the cases to open burning and potential release of toxic emissions. The impacts listed above are evaluated as presented in the Table below. Most of the impacts should be considered of Moderate significance and will be fully controlled by implementing the mitigation and monitoring measures listed in the following section. Evaluation of impacts due to hazardous waste generation Impact parameters Impact Probability Temporal Spatial Intensity P*(A)*(B)*(C) of Scale Scale Overall Score Occurrence (P) (A) (B) (C) Hazardous Waste generation Loss of natural 1 3 1 1 3 resources Health impacts 1 3 2 4 24 Soil and 1 3 1 3 9 groundwater Surface water 1 3 1 3 9 Occupational health 1 3 1 4 12 and safety Air quality due to 1 3 1 4 12 open burning Visual Impacts 1 3 1 3 9 81 Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag 5.3.1.4 Mitigation and monitoring measures A waste management plan complying with international best practice and relevant Egyptian regulations and covering all types of construction waste (hazardous and non-hazardous) shall be developed and implemented by the construction contractors and made applicable to all sub- contractors. This plan shall define exact procedures and locations for waste management and disposal. The waste management plans should also refer to health and safety procedures, and emergency procedures for containing and managing accidental spillages. 5.3.1.5 Mitigation measures for non-hazardous wastes  Implement a segregation system based on compatibility of different waste streams during each phase of project implementation  Specify an area/containers for non-hazardous wastes which accommodate for the generated segregated streams  Dispose of non-recycled wastes in the nearest landfill ( including waste generated from clearing Al Mahamda Al Baharia PS location); the location of which needs to be confirmed at the beginning of the construction phase.  Register the amounts of disposed of wastes and keep waste disposal and transportation receipts/manifests, to be ready for review by the PIU/HCWW. For liquid wastes (dewatered liquid during excavation), if water encountered during excavations;  Evacuation of closed/demolished household cesspits and construction site sewage to the nearest existing WWTP in consultation with and after getting approval of RSU/PIU  Estimate of dewatered liquid volume during the digging works  Collect and analyze samples of the dewatered liquid  Arrange for disposal by tankers in the nearest existing WWTP in consultation with and after getting approval of the CSC and RSU/PIU 5.3.1.6 Monitoring measures for non-hazardous wastes  Regular inspection of the waste storage area (for PS‟s and WWTPs‟ sites)  Regular inspection of the site(s) in general to identify random disposal of waste materials, specifically during the installation of gravity sewers and FMs.  Regular inspection of the waste disposal manifests. 5.3.1.7 Mitigation measures for hazardous wastes a) General measures  All types of hazardous waste can only be transported by licensed hazardous waste service providers and disposed of in licensed landfill. Both, the service providers and disposal sites have to be identified at the beginning of construction works. At the time of producing this study, the nearest (only) hazardous waste disposal site is the Nasreya Centre in Alexandria.  The different types of hazardous wastes should not be mixed.  Spent mineral oils shall be collected, stored in sealed containers and recycled using a licensed company which also has to be identified by the contractor 82 Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag b) Adopting an Identification system for hazardous wastes generated on site The Contractor shall be able to identify the different potential hazardous wastes. Identification shall be performed according to the Egyptian hazardous waste classification system by the contractor‟s in-house staff or with the aid of an independent waste management consultant appointed by the contractor. c) Storage and Management of the waste accumulation area The waste storage area for hazardous wastes could be integrated with the general waste storage area but shall be fenced, secured with limited admission and shaded from rain and sun heat/light.:  It is recommended that the maximum period for storing hazardous waste is 270 days from the start date of accumulation of waste.  The storage area must have a water supply  A hazardous waste label that has a “Hazardous Waste” mark on it must be placed on the container while still at the generation point. d) Emergency Response For the purpose of first response, when a hazardous substance release is first discovered or witnessed, the individual of concern who had to be previously trained would initiate an emergency response sequence by notifying the proper authorities of the release. The individual will take no further action beyond self-evacuation and notification. The aim of the response at this level is limited to protect nearby persons, property, or the environment from the effects of the release. No trials are performed at this stage to actually stop the release. This level of response includes;  actions to contain the release from a safe distance  prevent its spreading  evacuation 5.3.1.8 Monitoring measures for hazardous wastes generated  Regular inspection of the hazardous waste storage area  The spent oil containers are inspected monthly for leaks or any other form of damage and are kept in good condition.  Regular inspection of the site to identify randomly dumped hazardous waste materials.  Inspection of HW disposal receipts and manifests. 5.3.2 Impacts related to the creation of on-site workers and staff office camps The majority of the workforce will be sourced from local communities and will live locally. No on-site camps will be therefore required except individual accommodation for the guards at the different project‟s sites. Some management offices will be located at the PS sites in addition to other interim sewage and potable facilities which will be constructed. Potential impacts include soil, groundwater and health impacts due to unsuitable waste and sewage management, which should be considered of MINOR significance due to the expected low amounts. Waste management mitigation measures identified under Section 5.3.1 should be sufficient to fully control this impact. 83 Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag 5.4 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT DURING THE OPERATION OF THE WWTPs, PS, FM and GRAVITY SEWERS 5.4.1 Noise Impacts 5.4.1.1 Overview of operation activities related to noise generation With regards to both the expected noise generated during operation and the proximity of sensitive receptors (which was presented in details in Section 5.2.1), the most critical component of the ISSIP II project in Sohag with regards to noise impacts during the operation phase will be the operation of the PSs. Two motors will be operating in each PS, submersible in wet well. Their specifications are as follows: - Speed (r.p.m) will not exceed 1500rpm - The pump motor shall be of squirrel cage induction type with IP-68 enclosure - Required head (28m) and working range (22-31m) - Expected discharge is 30 L/s Based on the specifications listed above, the expected noise level could be estimated at 75dB at source. The noise propagation from source has been modeled according to ISO 9613-2 and the significance of the noise impacts, when considering the sensitivity and proximity of the different receptors is described in the following section. Given the fact that the 8 PSs layout is similar and the pumps will be submersible in wet well, it was concluded that noise outside the fence that is surrounding the PS building will not exceed 40 dB. Therefore the impact is considered minor in all PS locations; however special attention should be given to the PSs that are located within 10 m from residential area as indicated in Table 5-1. Operation of gravity sewers and FMs No foreseen impacts during normal operation. The Table below shows the results of the evaluation of the operation noise impacts of the main project‟s components (WWTP, and PSs) Impact parameters Impact Probability Temporal Spatial Intensity P*(A)*(B)*(C) of Scale Scale Overall Score Occurrence (A) (B) (C) (P) Noise Impacts due to the operation of Gravity sewers 1 1 1 1 N/A and FM PSs 1 4 1 1 4 WWTP 1 4 1 3 12 84 Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag 5.4.1.2 Mitigation and monitoring measures Mitigation measures Off site:  Cultivate and maintain a tree belt around the site where feasible  Implement a complaints system to investigate any noise complaints from neighboring communities. On site noise emissions control during operation shall be achieved by implementing an occupational health and safety plan, which considers national and international requirements. This to ensure a safe work environment and to ensure that on-site noise levels stay within the allowable limits. The plan shall include the following measures:  Ear muffs/protective hearing equipment shall be made available to all workers in noise critical areas  Training on how and when to use protective hearing equipment shall be conducted as part of the workers‟ induction sessions.  Place visually clear instructions in areas where noise emissions are significant.  Regular maintenance of all equipment Monitoring measures  Measuring the ambient noise level in noise critical areas, using a portable noise meter and at the nearest sensitive receptors as previously indicated in Chapter 4.  Investigate noise complaints from workers and neighboring communities in the affected location 5.4.2 Air emissions and Odor impacts 5.4.2.1 Overview and Impact significance The only source of air emissions within the PSs and WWTP sites will be the stand-by diesel generators. The impacts of such emissions are considered to be of Minor Significance as the generators will be only turned on during power cut-offs. The compliance of generators emissions with Law 4/1994 standards will be sufficient to safeguard against unacceptable air emissions impacts to the surrounding areas. It should be noted that noise generated during the operation of standby generators have been neglected because it will of an interim nature and the dominant sound level will be that of the pumping sets – please refer to Section 5.4.1 for the operational noise impact assessment. Within the WWTPs, odors are expected to be generated near the inlet open channels and screens; oxidation ponds, and sludge storage areas. It was found that odor generated from WWTPs could be one of the main problems facing the operation of the WWTPs as identified by neighboring communities and populations8. Odors are the products of decomposition of organic matter. The main constituent of these odors is hydrogen sulphide (H2S) due to its relatively high 8Sniffer. 2008. Human Health and the Environmental Impacts of Using Sewage Sludge on Forestry and for Restoration of Derelict Land. 85 Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag concentration in wastewater. Table 5.2 indicates the concentration of different chemicals found in wastewater and sludge and their detection threshold by people. Table ‎ 5-3 Thresholds for odour detection and recognition associated with wastewater9 Odorous compound Detection threshold Recognition threshold (ppm volume) (ppm volume) Ammonia 17 37 Chlorine 0.08 0.314 Dimethyl Sulphide 0.001 0.001 Diphenyl Sulphide 0.0001 0.0021 Ethyl Mercaptan 0.0003 0.001 Hydrogen Suphide <0.0002110 0.00047 Indole 0.0001 - Methyl Amine 4.7 - Methyl Mercaptan 0.0005 0.001 Skatole 0.001 0.019 It has been established that such odors are a cause of direct irritation and can also be a health threat through toxicological routes. Irritation could evolve in to psychological stress after prolonged exposure which could lead to loss of appetite, reduced water consumption, impaired respiration, nausea and vomiting. Socioeconomic impacts, which will be discussed in more detail, associated with places of offensive odors have the ability to lower the living standards of the communities, affecting people‟s dignity and value of life. However, we should not neglect the fact that there is a biological difference from one person to another which allows each person to react to such odors differently. This is why impacts associated with odors are sometimes subjective. Not to mention the level of tolerance that some people develop over time. This is of particular interest to workers at the pump stations and WWTPs which will naturally acquire high odor tolerance. In the vicinity of the existing WWTPs, there are no nearby sensitive receptors. Closest residential clusters are located more than 1,700 m east of the Tema WWTP, 1,000 m north east Sohag West WWTP, and 1,500 m northeast of Balyana WWTP. It is not therefore expected that the nearest villagers (considering the current situation) will be affected by odor generated, which will result from the increase in the capacity of the plant due to the implementation of Phase 2 of the ISSIP II project. The impact on such receptors should be considered of MINOR significance. Impacts due to unpleasant odors within the site have a high probability of occurring. It is a permanent impact of any WWTP as long as it is in operation. Odors will be limited to the plant area; hence the spatial impact is moderate. The intensity will also be moderate since any changes due to odor emissions are reversible and the affected receptors will be self-recoverable. The overall impact assessment indicates that the intensity of odors within the site taking into account all conditions, will be of Moderate significance. 9Tchobanoglous, G. and Franklin L. B. 1991.Wastewater Engineering, Treatment, Disposal and Reuse, Third Edition, McGraw-Hill, Inc. 10The WHO guidelines for detection of H2S is 0.2-2 µg/m3 (about 0.0002 to 0.002 ppm)), for recognition is 0.6-6 µg/m3 (about 0.0006-0.006 ppm) while the guideline value to protect against substantial annoyance is 7 µg/m3 (about 0.007 ppm) 86 Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag Odor generated form the operation of the PSs are expected to be minimal and the impact should be considered of Minor Significance, however special attention should be given to the PSs that are located close to the residential areas. During the operation of gravity sewers and force mains, no odour impacts are expected except in the case of any leakage. This should be temporary and immediate repair shall be implemented. The impact should therefore be considered of Minor significance. 5.4.2.2 Mitigation and monitoring measures Mitigation measures 1. Maintain efficient performance of treatment efficiency in the three WWTPs 2. Establish close communication with the neighboring areas, establish a complaints handling system and assign a staff member in each WWTP to receive odor complaints. This could be done through posters and the distribution of brochures that illustrate the right to complain, and the contacts information of the responsible staff, and the RSU officer assigned to supervise the plant. 3. Supplied standby generators to PSs and WWTPs should be checked with suppliers for their emission standards. Monitoring measures 1. Record odor complaints received from neighboring areas. The record should include name of the person who has made the complaint, time of complaint, GPS location of the affected area, time and duration of unacceptable odor. Complaints records should be reported in monthly reports. The RSU should analyze odor complaints on monthly basis and document how each complaint was confronted 2. Measure CO, SO2, total hydrocarbons (HC) and NOx annually using onsite gas analyzer. 5.4.3 Soil and groundwater Impacts 5.4.3.1 Overview and Impact significance Operation of gravity sewers and FMs Potential impacts on soil and groundwater during the operation phase may arise from any leak developing in the system. The impact should be considered of Moderate significance with respect to gravity sewers and Force mains (the impact is more critical with respect to FMs due to the higher pressure and the higher rate of contaminant migration to the surrounding soil and groundwater. The contact with the surrounding soil in all cases will be direct. The probability of the impact occurrence will depend on the quality assurance during the construction works and the impact‟s duration will depend on the response time to the leak until the repair works start. 87 Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag Operation of the WWTP and PSs Potential impacts on soil and groundwater during the operation of the WWTP and PSs will also arise from potential leaks. However, these should be considered of Minor Significance because of the following: All the units of the WWTP and PSs are constructed over a sealed concrete base layer which prevents direct contact with the underneath soil and allow for repair time. Tanks and ponds are all sealed. The leaks will be mostly visible as compared with potential leaks in the gravity sewers and force mains which will be hidden underground. Other potential impacts on soil and groundwater are due to waste generation, sludge management and also due to Effluent use in irrigation of the timber forest . Mitigation measures  Implement a leak detection plan Monitoring measures  Regular inspection of all components of PSs and WWTP for any potential leaks  Regular inspection of water quantity in the timber forest 5.4.4 Water Quality Impacts 5.4.4.1 Overview and Impact significance During the operation of gravity sewers and FMs Impacts on water quality might arise from potential leaks in the canal/drain crossing areas. Potential receptors included in Table 4-1. This will directly affect the surface water quality. The impact should be temporary until repair action are implemented and will have low probability of occurrence. The impact should be considered of Moderate significance During the operation of the existing WWTPs and new PSs The key impact on the surface water during the operation of the WWTP will result from the reuse of the treated effluent in irrigation and also related to sludge management ((both will be covered in details in the following sections). Other than these, no impacts on the surface water quality would be expected during the operation of the WWTP. Also, no impacts are expected during the operation of the PSs except for the operation of Al Mazalu‟s PS. The reason is that it is located opposite to Al Mazalu canal and there is a contamination potential if wastes are being dumped in these water resources. The impact should therefore be considered of Moderate significance but it is reduced to Minor, because of the small spatial scale. The impact will be fully controlled if mitigation measures related to waste management are being implemented. 88 Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag Impact parameters Impact Probability Temporal Spatial Intensity P*(A)*(B)*(C) of Scale Scale Overall Score Occurrence (A) (B) (C) (P) Soil and groundwater Impacts due to the construction of Gravity 0.5 4 3 3 18 sewers and FM PS Mazalu 0.5 4 1 3 6 WWTPs N/A 5.4.5 Flora and Fauna Impacts 5.4.5.1 Overview and Impact significance Although some faunal species of mammals, birds, reptiles and insects exist at the project‟s area, faunal impacts are not likely to be significant given the small scale of the development relative to the extent of similar intact habitats in the area. The evaluation of the impacts on fauna is illustrated in the Table below, and should be considered negative with MINOR significance yet this impact can be reduced/eliminated if appropriate mitigation measures are implemented. Flora Impact significance The flora existing in the proposed sites for the PSs , as mentioned above , do not belong to the endangered species category. So the impact of the project‟s operation on the floral species should be considered on MINOR significance. It should be noted that significant potential impacts would occur due to sludge management and/or treated effluent reuse (both impacts will be evaluated in the following sections). Impact parameters Impact Probability Temporal Spatial Intensity P*(A)*(B)*(C) of Scale Scale Overall Score Occurrence (A) (B) (C) (P) Flora and Fauna impacts 1 4 2 1 8 5.4.5.2 Mitigation and monitoring measures No specific mitigation and monitoring measures are required 89 Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag 5.4.6 Occupational Health and Safety 5.4.6.1 Overview and Impact significance Workers are often exposed to dangerous conditions during tank opening and venting; manual pumping and stripping; breaking or dismantling components and piping; and pressure washing, mucking, and scaling. A dangerous atmosphere may expose workers to the risk of death, incapacitation, injury, chronic or acute illness, or impaired ability to escape unaided from a confined or enclosed space. When working on the maintenance of sewage systems, special attention should be given to good hygiene practices, proper use of personal protective equipment and safe confined space entry procedures. The workers may be exposed to the known and unknown dangers of handling treated or untreated sewage and gray water tanks during pipelines, equipment and tank opening, entry, cleaning and related operations. Related components/operations include: piping, aeration, vacuuming, settling, treatment tanks and apparatus, sewage-contaminated water tanks or waste oil tanks, bilges, or sumps, and valves, pumps, grinders, macerators and other contaminated equipment. Hazard identification attributed to the operation and maintenance of gravity sewers and force mains network Atmospheric hazards Atmospheric hazards include oxygen-deficiency and flammable or toxic gases such as methane and hydrogen sulfide. Methane gas is colorless, odorless and tasteless, but is highly flammable and is considered an asphyxiant. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is also colorless and flammable, but it is highly odorous and extremely toxic to humans. At approximately 100–150 ppm of H2S, the olfactory nerve is paralyzed after a few breaths. Within a very short time, the sense of smell disappears, giving a false sense that the harmful gas has gone away. These gases are detectable only using proper instruments. Physical hazards Physical hazards include slips, trips, and falls on slippery and sloping surfaces; limited access and egress; corroded ladder rungs; and obstructions by piping and other structures. There is also the risk of receiving punctures and cuts from sharp edges and/or may wall collapses. Biological hazards Biological hazards include pathogens (e.g., viruses, bacteria, protozoa, parasitic worms, fungi) and other infectious microorganisms that can cause illnesses such as hepatitis, typhoid fever, dysentery and cholera. Inhaling or ingesting contaminated mists may result in serious illnesses. Hazard identification attributed to the operation and maintenance of WWTPs and PSs Mechanical hazards Mechanical hazards include energized equipment; rotating machinery; and waste stream leaks. Before any servicing is performed where energization or startup is adopted, all energy sources must be identified and isolated, and the machinery, equipment, or system rendered inoperative. 90 Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag Chemical hazards Chemical hazards include exposure to ammonium compounds, formaldehyde, chlorine products, sodium hydroxide, odorous compounds, sodium hydroxide, odor-control and sewage- biodegrading enzymes, sanitizers, biocides, cleaning agents, pharmaceutical drugs, hormones and heavy metals. No chemicals are/currently used in the three wastewater treatment plant in Sohag, as it adopts the oxidation ponds technology. But, It worth mentioning that the treatment technology in Sohag West WWTP and Tema WWTP will be upgraded from Secondary to Advanced treatment in alignment with the national strategy for rural sanitation. Physical hazards Physical hazards include slips, trips, and falls on slippery and sloping surfaces; limited access and egress; corroded ladder rungs; and obstructions by piping and other structures. There is also the risk of receiving punctures and cuts from sharp edges and/or may wall collapses. Due to the potential severity of the occupational health and safety accidents, the impacts should be considered of Major significance. They should be controlled to a large extent by the implementation of the mitigation measures listed below. 5.4.6.2 Mitigation and monitoring measures Mitigation measures The project‟s operator shall implement an occupational health and safety plan , which shall include, but not be limited to, the following measures; 1-Immunization Ensure routine vaccinations for workers for influenza, tetanus, and Hepatitis “A” (according to Consultations with the institute‟s physicians). 2- Safe Practices and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) associated with pipeline network maintenance activities During maintenance activities, liquid contact with exposed skin shall be avoided, by using full- body impervious suits in addition with using rubber boots, gloves, hard hats and eye protection. Using the Respirator instrument is based on an evaluation of respiratory hazards in the workplace and other relevant workplace and user factors. During cleaning operations performed outside the pipelines and man halls, where the atmosphere is not Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health, the worker(s) wears supplied-air or air-purifying respirator with organic vapor HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Arresting cartridge). A first-aid kit must be readily available on site (where the maintenance occurred); an eyewash and flushing station, neutralizing solutions, cleaning equipment, and emergency medical services. All the workers exposed to the last mentioned hazards must have the suitable and effective PPE, since for example the filters after certain duration time can become blocked or saturated. 91 Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag The PO must implement an administrative system, which enables workers to replace damaged PPE with new PPE. 3- Safe Practices and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) associated with the operation of the WWTPs It is recommended to avoid liquid contact with skin, by using a full-body impervious suits (especially in maintenance) in addition with using rubber boots, gloves, hard hats and eye protection. Using the Respirator instrument is based on an evaluation of respiratory hazards in the workplace and other relevant workplace and user factors, however, during entry and /or cleaning inside the confined spaces as large sewage tank, it is recommended that workers wear full-face, supplied-air respirators with an escape pack. During cleaning operations performed outside the ponds and/or pipelines, where the atmosphere is not Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health, the worker(s) shall use of supplied-air or air- purifying respirator with organic vapor HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Arresting cartridge) is important. In the case of working in confined spaces the team (inside and outside) must have extra flashlights and two-way radios readied for communication. A first-aid kit must be readily available; an eyewash and flushing station, neutralizing solutions, cleaning equipment, and emergency medical services. Also, PPE should be selected in commensuration with the hazard and risk proposed in the workplace as provided in the following Table. Table ‎ 5-4 Summary of Recommended Personal Protective Equipment According to Hazard11 Objective Workplace Suggested PPE Hazards Eye and face protection Flying particles, molten metal, Safety Glasses with side-shields, liquid chemicals, gases or vapors, protective shades, etc light radiation Head protection Falling objects, inadequate height Plastic Helmets with top and side clearance, and overhead power impact protection. cord Hearing protection Noise, ultra-sound. Hearing protectors (ear plugs or ear muffs). Foot protection Falling or rolling objects, pointed Safety shoes and boots for objects. Corrosive or hot liquids. protection against moving & falling objects, liquids and chemicals. Hand protection Hazardous materials, cuts or Gloves made of rubber or lacerations, vibrations, extreme synthetic materials (Neoprene), temperatures leather, steel, insulating materials, etc. Respiratory protection Dust, fogs, fumes, mists, gases, Facemasks with appropriate 11 WB General EHS guideline, April, 2007 92 Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag Objective Workplace Suggested PPE Hazards smokes, vapors filters for dust removal and air purification (chemicals, mists, vapors and gases). Single or multi-gas personal monitors, if available. Oxygen deficiency Portable or supplied air (fixed lines). On-site rescue equipment. Body/leg protection Extreme temperatures, hazardous Insulating clothing, body suits, materials, biological agents, aprons etc. of appropriate cutting and laceration. materials 3-Training Workers must be trained to recognize potential hazards, use proper work practices and procedures, recognize adverse health effects, understand the physical signs and reactions related to exposures, and are familiar with appropriate emergency evacuation procedures. They must also be trained to select and use the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). 4- Control Measures Prior to entering and/or maintenance  Assess and review sewage systems, components and piping.  Perform jobsite safety and health analyses and be aware of all associated risks and hazards. Inform all workers involved of the risks and hazards determined by the jobsite safety and health analyses.  Post warning signs and labels.  Secure all toilets, urinals, drains, pumps, and sewage treatment systems.  Isolate, close, secure, divert, de-energize, lockout and apply tags-plus applications to all valves, piping and associated equipment.  When confined space entries are performed, have a trained rescue team with the proper rescue equipment available at the job site, or notifying the outside designated rescue team in advance that employees are working in a confined space on the sewage system so they can prepare to respond in the event of an emergency.  Follow confined space entry testing and permitting procedures. If feasible, use sample ports to test for atmospheric contaminants inside the tank or / and pipeline manholes.  Cautiously and deliberately remove bolts and nuts off manholes and piping, while staying alert to any immediate change of conditions, and be prepared to take necessary action.  Use appropriate tools and operating procedures.  Install and use adequate exhaust ventilation devices, ducting, lighting, and tank-cleaning equipment. Immediately following the piping being broken or the tank opened, apply or insert ducting to begin exhaust ventilation. Pipe all exhausts downwind, overboard, or away from people.  Cover and isolate all work areas with disposable plastic sheeting to prevent possible contamination.  pumping and drain all residual products flush tanks and piping systems  Check for residual pressure or vacuum effects in tanks and piping. 93 Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag  While remaining outside the tank, continue to test the atmosphere inside the tank remotely for safe conditions.  Before beginning tank cleaning operations, while wearing the appropriate PPE, clothing and respiratory protection, cautiously enter the tank for an internal inspection.  Chlorinate or sanitize the tanks and piping systems when necessary. 5-Post-Work Cleanup • Remove contaminated clothing and bag for proper disposal or decontamination. • Shower or wash face, arms, hands and legs with soap, using a substantial amount of water. • Disinfect equipment (e.g., using iodine compounds, bromine, chlorine, ozone, or their equivalent) and wash contaminated spaces, decks and bulkheads with detergent, sanitizer, or bleach. • Dispose of or re-wash rubber boots, gloves, eye goggles, face shields and respirators with a disinfectant solution. • Wash contaminated clothing separately. • Do not enter other spaces while still wearing contaminated clothing. 94 Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag 5.4.7 Community Safety Potential impacts during the operation phase:  Falling in open manholes: The hazard start when the manholes‟ cover is ; a) left opened; b) Not properly fixed; and/or Brocken  Engulfment: This hazard has two scenarios, the first occurs when the sewage water flows out the pipeline network ; the second is the risk of falling in the hidden manholes or deep pits under the waste water . Mitigation measures - Using fences and warning signs during maintenance periods and/or close the roads - Regular inspection for all the components of the sewage system especially the manholes cover and take instantaneous measurements for correction. - Preventive maintenance program - Adjust the maintenance schedules away from the rush hour 5.4.8 Visual impacts 5.4.8.1 Overview and Impact significance During the operation of gravity sewers and FMs No foreseen impacts During the operation of the PSs The project will change the aesthetics and landscape of the areas where the PSs will be located. However, the impact will be relatively fine as compared with adjacent buildings. The visual impacts due to the operation of the PSs should be considered of MINOR significance. No mitigation measures are foreseen, expect developing a suitable landscape around the site. 95 Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag 5.5 IMPACTS DUE TO ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES/PROCESSES DURING THE OPERATION PHASE 5.5.1 Risks associated with disposal and/or reuse of final treated effluent 5.5.1.1 Risk of soil and groundwater pollution as a result of irrigation using noncompliant effluent or over-irrigation of the timber forest In the ISSIP II project in Sohag governorate, the treated effluent from the existing WWTPs will be reused for the irrigation of the nearby tree forests as described in Chapter 3. For such purpose, it has to comply, as a first step with the limits outlined in Table 5.:, according to the Egyptian legislation. Compliance with the treated wastewater standards is the first phase of getting approval to use the effluent for irrigation. The effluent quality monitoring data for 5 consecutive months were entirely in compliance with the Egyptian Legislation for wastewater effluent reuse in irrigation of Timber forests for Tema and Sohag West WWTP. In this regard, it should be also mentioned that according to the national legislation, the quality of the effluent from primary treatment plants is the threshold for irrigating timer forests tree species. Given that all the WWTPs are operating with secondary treatment systems, the effluent quality, in normal operation conditions, will be of much higher quality than national legislation permissible limits for irrigating timber forests. However, the effluent for any reason may become not compliant with the standards, hence containing harmful amounts of compounds. This could have then a direct impact on the irrigated soil and could leach to the groundwater. The risk would depend on the area of land irrigated and the degree of unconformity of the treated effluent. One of the reasons for producing a non-compliant effluent is the use of the bypass line, in case of emergencies in the WWTP units. The existence of this bypass line is considered a necessity for the hydraulic protection of the WWTP, therefore it is an engineering requirement in the Engineering Code of Practice in Decree 169/1997. Accordingly the risks of using this line will be an environmental issue. Although the possibilities may be low, the environmental consequences will be acute and could lead to soil contamination. Another reason for producing a non-compliant effluent would be if plant‟s maximum capacity has been reached due the increase in the household connections. The hydraulic assessment of the 3 plants shows that the maximum expected flow in 2045 will not reach the plants maximum design capacity as shown in table 3-3. As long as the collected wastewater is within each plant‟s maximum capacity, there are no foreseen impacts of the soil or groundwater quality. Sohag West and Tema plant has undertaken water quality self-monitoring against national standards (as shown in Table 5.3). The three WWTPs should continue the self-monitoring during the lifetime of the current project. The results of the water quality monitoring are included in Annex 6. The third WWTP in Balyana is under commissioning and startup phase by the National Organization for Potable and Sanitary Drainage NOPSD which is responsible for constructing WWTPs in Egypt. After validating the construction integrity and confirming that the WWTP is in a safe, reliable and operational condition for Sohag Water and Wastewater Company satisfaction, the plant will be handed over to Sohag Wastewater 96 Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag Company for operation. It is foreseen that the effluent quality generated from Balyana WWTP will be similar to Tema WWTP, as both plants has identical operation mechanism. The treated effluent generated from Balyana WWTP will be used for irrigating timber forests located close to the plant. It is expected that the plant will be handed over to Sohag Waste Water Company for operation in 4 months. Risk of soil and groundwater pollution may arise from excessive irrigation of the timber forest at each WWTP. Excess water will leach through soil to the groundwater, contributing to the degradation of groundwater quality and increase the salinity of the soil. As reported by Sohag Water and Wastewater Company, the Average water consumption for timber species is approximately 60 m3/day/feddan for surface irrigation system. In alignment with the national rural sanitation strategy, it is planned that all villages will be served with sanitary wastewater infrastructure in 2030. Therefore the HCWW is planning to upgrade Tema and Sohag WWTPs to improve the treated effluent quality to comply with the national requirements for discharging treated wastewater to surface water drains. The main reasons for the upgrade in both WWTPs (Tema and Sohag) are:  The current allocated land for the timber forest will not be able to accommodate treated effluent generated from the WWTPs after they reach the maximum capacity after connecting all villages in each cluster.  Strategic National directions for water reuse Therefore, it is concluded that the current cultivated area and the area under preparation for each timber forest will be able to accommodate the current effluent annual increase, as well as the effluent generated from connecting ISSIP II phase II villages in Tema and Sohag clusters in 2030. Timber Forest in Tema Cluster As demonstrated in Table 3-4, in Tema cluster Sohag Water and Wastewater Company is working on expanding the current cultivated area by 150 Feddan to accommodate the current effluent increase in addition to ISSIP II phase II villages in Tema cluster. The area under preparation will be ready to receive the treated effluent before January 2017. It is concluded that the current cultivated area in addition to the 150 Feddan expansions will be able to accommodate the treated effluent. Timber Forest in Sohag Cluster As demonstrated in Table 3-4, in Sohag cluster Sohag Water and Wastewater Company is working on expanding the current cultivated area by 100 Feddan to accommodate the current effluent increase. The area under preparation will be ready to receive the treated effluent before January 2017. It is concluded that the current cultivated area in addition to the 100 Feddan expansions will not able to accommodate the treated effluent. Timber forest in Balyana Cluster In Balyana cluster, the area allocated for the Timber forest is able to accommodate the treated effluent generated from the plant in 2030 when the plant is operating at the design capacity. Therefore, the under preparation 400 feddan water requirements will be satisfied by the generated treated effluent and its annual increase. 97 Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag Due to the potential soil contamination and groundwater, this impact should be considered of Moderate significance. The mitigation measures in the EMP have concentrated on reducing these possibilities to the minimum. The Table below illustrates the evaluation of impacts associated with the disposal and/or reuse of final treated effluent in irrigating the timber forest. 5-5 Treated effluent standards outlined in Law 93/1962 for reuse in irrigation (Decree 44 /2000) Table ‎ Reuse of treated water in Reuse of treated water in Parameter irrigation of some edible irrigation of timber forest crops BOD5 (ppm) 40 300 COD (ppm) 80 600 TSS (ppm) 40 350 O&G (ppm) 10 NI Nematodes (no. of cells or eggs/ 1 5 Liter) Fecal coliform (MPN/100 ml) 1,000 NI TDS (ppm) 2,000 2,500 Sodium Absorption Ratio (SAR) % 20 25 Chlorides (ppm) 300 350 Boron (ppm) 3 5 Cadmium (ppm) 0.01 0.05 Lead (ppm) 5 10 Copper (ppm) 0.2 NI Nickel (ppm) 0.2 NI Zinc (ppm) 2 NI Arsenic (ppm) NI NI Chromium (ppm) NI NI Molid betrays (only green fodders) 0.01 NI (ppm) Manganese (ppm) 0.2 0.2 Iron (ppm) 5 NI Cobalt (ppm) 0.05 NI Notes:NI: Not identified 98 Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag Impact assessment of final effluent production and disposal Impact parameters Impact Probability Temporal Spatial Intensity (P)*(A)*(B)*(C) of Scale Scale Overall Score occurrence (A) (B) (C) (P) Risks associated With disposal and/or reuse of final treated effluent Risk of soil pollution due to 0.50 4 2 3 12 non-conformity with normal operating procedures Tema WWTP Risk of soil pollution due to 0.50 4 2 3 12 non-conformity with normal operating procedures Sohag West WWTP Risk of soil pollution due to 0.50 4 2 3 12 non-conformity with normal operating procedures Balyana WWTP Risk of soil pollution and 0.5 4 3 3 18 groundwater contamination due to over-irrigation Risk of soil pollution and 0.5 4 3 3 18 groundwater contamination due to over-irrigation Risk of soil pollution and 0.5 4 3 3 18 groundwater contamination due to over-irrigation 5.5.1.2 Mitigation and monitoring measures Mitigation measures 1. Implement preventive maintenance Programme to all structures and electromechanical equipment in PSs and WWTPs. The supplier of each equipment should provide a preventive maintenance schedule for supplied equipment. Implementing this schedule should be part of the WWTP and PS operational manual. 2. In case the influent is totally bypassed to the receiving tree forest, the PIU-EM should be immediately be notified with the reasons, durations and applied control measures for such event. The PIU-EM should directly notify the PSC and EEAA with the incidents. After returning to normal operation mode, reasons for using the bypass line should be analyzed to prevent repeating these incidents in future. This should be considered during the analysis of the results of the regular monitoring program. In addition to the measures listed above, assessment of soil and groundwater contamination should be undertaken. 99 Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag 3. Prevent over-irrigation in the timber forests to maintain the species in healthy condition and avoid excess water infiltration through soil and groundwater. 4. Ensure that the area under preparation in both Tema12 and Sohag timber forests (150 and 100 Feddan respectively) will be ready to receiving the treated effluent before implementing the project 5. Upgrade Tema and Sohag West WWTP treatment system to tertiary treatment systems to discharge the treated excess influent to the closest drain. 6. Conduct ESIA for upgrading Tema and Sohag West WWTP in accordance with the local requirements Monitoring measures 1. Continuous monitoring of PS and WWTPs incoming and outgoing discharges. Daily averages should be calculated and documented 2. Twice-a –week monitoring of influent and effluent water quality at WWTPs should be undertaken. Monitoring should include analysis of COD, TSS, TKN and total P. 3. Monthly monitoring of full Law 93/1962 parameters (amended by Decree 44 for Year 2000) mentioned in Table 5-2. 4. Monitoring of Effluent quantity used for irrigation in each Timber Forest 5. Annual audits of the three WWTPs to review performance efficiency shall be undertaken by an environmental consultant. The audit should include reviewing all monitoring data throughout the year and recommendations to improve efficiency as appropriate. 6. Obtain EEAA approval for upgrading both WWTPs and Ministry of irrigation for discharging treated effluent to the closet drain 5.5.2 Environmental impacts due to Sludge management 5.5.2.1 Overview To date, no sludge has been extracted from the stabilization ponds in both Tema and Balyana WWTPs (working with oxidation ponds technology), results in the generation of sludge at a lower rate as compared with other treatment technologies. In order for the sludge to reach amounts large enough to be extracted, it might take up minimum five years of operation. Sludge treatment and handling procedures in both plants will be similar to the procedures followed in Sohag West WWTP. The generated sludge from Sohag West WWTP is around 4 ton/day. Sludge generated from different sources (grit, primary sludge, and secondary sludge) in the WWTP is stabilized and pumped to the drying beds which are located in the WWTP vicinity. Afterwards, sludge samples are collected and analyzed by the plant laboratory department to assess sludge compliance with the national requirements for using sludge as soil fertilizers as well as obtain the approval of the Ministry of Agriculture before being sold in auctions or disposed of in the nearest non-hazardous waste landfill/dumpsite. Sludge contains nitrogen and phosphorus, which are beneficial constituents to soil. Law 93/1962 , as well as Sewage Sludge Directive 86/278/EEC both encourage the use of sewage sludge in agriculture. However, they regulate its use in such a way as to prevent harmful effects on water, air, soil, vegetation, animals and humans. However, the sludge could also include high amount of 12 The original allocated area for the timber forest in Tema is 550 feddans. Some of these areas are occupied by illegal squatters. There is no need to clear these areas now since only 150 feddans are used and are sufficient for the receiving the effluents. In case more land will need to be cleared in the future, a resettlement action plan (RAP) must be prepared to ensure any displaced persons will receive adequate compensation for their relocation. 100 Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag heavy metals, pathogens and bacteria which could have negative impacts and health hazards and render it a hazardous waste. Identification of potential impacts 1. Impacts associated with sludge handling, drying and treatment within the WWTP premises 2. Impacts due to sludge transport 3. Impacts associated with sludge disposal 4. Impacts associated with sludge applications on agricultural lands 5.5.2.2 Impact Significance and evaluation Impacts associated with sludge handling, drying and treatment within each WWTP premises In Sohag West WWTP sludge odor was observed near the drying bed where sludge is stored. Sludge handling in the Tema and Balyana WWTPs is expected to generate odor, mostly near sludge storage areas. The significance of this impact in the three WWTPs is reduced since the three plants are located in desert areas more than 1000m away from the closest villages, as indicated previously. Air quality and odor impacts due to the WWTP processes (including sludge management) have been covered in details in previous sections. Based on the quality of the sludge generated, which will be confirmed through chemical analysis of collected samples, sludge may possess hazardous characteristics (i.e be classified as a hazardous waste). Handling should therefore in all cases be performed with care, as the sludge represents a high negative health risk due to its pathogens content. Incomplete/inefficient drying followed by incomplete stabilization would increase the pathogenic and odor impacts presented above. Treatment/stabilization should be performed on site as will be detailed in the mitigation measures presented below. Impacts due to sludge transport Transportation of sludge from the WWTPs to the nearest landfill or transporting it to nearby agricultural lands will require the use of trucks to accommodate the amount of sludge generated. These vehicles are a source of emissions that would affect the air quality. Motor vehicle emissions were found to contain NOx, volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide. There is a potential soil contamination and odor emissions risk if vehicles were not completely sealed during transport. Upon assessing the impacts of emissions from the transportation vehicles, it was found that the impact would be intermittent. The spatial impacts would be limited to hundred meters around the WWTP. In terms of the impact intensity on the environment, the air emissions could cause environmental changes that result in damage to the separate environmental components, however, the natural environment remains self-recoverable. Overall, air emissions due to sludge transport should be considered of MINOR significance. Noise impacts are also expected to take place due to the transportation of sludge. However, due to the intermittent nature and average noise level expected, the noise impacts due to sludge transport should be considered of MINOR significance. 101 Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag Impact parameters Impact Probability Temporal Spatial Intensity (P)*(A)*(B)*(C) of Scale Scale Overall Score occurrence (A) (B) (C) (P) Sludge Transport Air quality and 1 3 1 2 6 odour Ambient Noise 1 3 1 2 6 Impacts associated with sludge disposal Based on the sludge analysis, the landfill category, either hazardous or non-hazardous, will be identified. If found non-hazardous, it will be sent to the nearest dumpsite/landfill. If hazardous, it will have to be sent to the Nasreya Centre in Alexandria. Landfill disposal of sludge shall be practiced by licensed waste contractors, the process could be easily monitored by the RSU/PMU. However, the landfill disposal of sludge has the following risks/negative environmental impacts:  Loss of resources  Waste directives in many parts of the world prohibit the disposal of organic wastes (or place an upper limit of around 5% of total organic carbon in the waste for it to be accepted for disposal). The potential of applying similar laws in Egypt during the life cycle of the project exit and this puts a risk on the sustainability of the landfill disposal option.  Although the waste contractor could be monitored, random/illegal dumping of the sludge on agricultural lands or water streams still remains possible. Impacts of sludge on water include eutrophication, potentially leading to hypoxia which causes reduction in specific fish and aquatic animals‟ populations. Also, sludge leakage back to canals and drains will offset positive environmental impacts of the WWTP. The overall assessment indicates that the impacts due to landfill disposal of sludge in the three WWTPs should be considered negative of minor significance due to the relatively low amount expected to be generated and hence a low probability of contaminating soil and surface water. An alternative and preferred disposal method such as the reuse as RDF in cement industry and have fewer environmental risks as compared with the application on agricultural lands (which is discussed below). Impacts associated with sludge application on agricultural lands in the three WWTPs If sludge is sufficiently dried and treated/stabilized, prior to being reused (i.e. applied to land), there is no foreseen environmental and health impacts upon condition that sample analysis proves that sludge does not possess hazardous characteristics The main environmental and health risks arise from incomplete/absence of sludge stabilization. In such case, there is an increased risk that the sludge might contain high pathogen content. Potential health hazards to human and animal health could arise from the application of sludge to agricultural crops because dumping raw sludge on agricultural lands could lead to the production of contaminated crops, especially if applied directly to plants. The consumption of these crops, their handling by vendors, and any contact with soil by farmers may also have biological and 102 Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag health impacts. These are also considered some of the main form of human exposure to agricultural sludge contaminants13. Studies have shown that fluid bio solids found in sludge, treated or untreated, adhere to forage crops14. The effects of such compounds and pollutants on humans are dependent on the amount of soil and crops ingested by livestock. Due to the high health risks involved and the direct contact with soil which could occur, the impacts associated with sludge application on agricultural lands should be considered of Moderate to high significance with respect to both soil and health, as illustrated in the Table below. Impact parameters Impact Probability Temporal Spatial Intensity (P)*(A)*(B)*(C) of Scale Scale Overall Score occurrence (A) (B) (C) (P) Sludge application to agricultural lands Soil and agricultural land 0.5 3 3 3 13.5 contamination due to application of untreated sludge Human health issues and 0.5 3 4 4 24 diseases 5.5.2.3 Mitigation and monitoring measures Mitigation measures Sludge handling and treatment  Following the drying process, the stabilization of sludge using quicklime should be implemented on site if sampling of the dried sludge indicated compliance with national requirements in all parameters except the pathogenic content (table 5-5)  The sludge and lime should be thoroughly mixed. A pH not less than 12 and a temperature not less 55°C should be maintained for at least 2 hours after mixing.  A manual for sludge treatment shall be developed and should be annually revised based on the actual sludge quality, actual quantity, news laws and regulations.  Workers handling sludge, or working near sludge tanks in the three WWTPs should wear suitable gloves and boots. Hygiene instructions should be disseminated to workers, before they start working. These instructions should be clearly illustrated in posters placed in the offices and rest rooms of workers. 13 Smith, S. R. (2000): Are controls on organic contaminants necessary to protect the environment when sewage sludge is used in agriculture?.- Prog. In Environ., 2, 129-146. 14Chaney, R. L., J. A. Ryan, and G. A. O'Connor (1998): Pathway Analysis of Terrestrial Risks from PCBs in Land-Applied Biosolids Based on Field Measured Transfer Coefficients.- Proc. Conf. Management of Fate of Toxic Organics in Sludge Applied to Land. Apr. 30 to May 2, 1997. Copenhagen, Denmark. Dept. Environ. Sci. Eng., Technical University of Denmark, Copenhagen. 103 Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag Sludge application on land (if proven feasible by PIU): It is very important to ensure that sludge is of adequate quality for reuse. The quality of the sludge has to fulfill the quality standards for heavy metals as indicated in Table 5.5 according to the Executive Regulations of Law 93/1962 , and the US EPA threshold concentrations of heavy metals of sludge to be applied on agricultural land (whichever is lower). The monitoring activities for assessing the sludge quality and the effectiveness of the treatment are included in the sludge management monitoring activities in the ESMP. RSU will communicate the following procedures for sludge application on land to sludge purchasers:  Sludge must not be applied to soil in which fruit and vegetable crops are being grown, or less than ten months before fruit and vegetable crops are to be harvested.  Grazing animals must not be allowed access to grassland or forage land less than three weeks after the application of sludge.  Treated Sludge shall not be used as fertilizer unless it has been tested and approved by (i) the competent administrative authority within the Ministry of Housing, (ii) the Ministry of Health and (iii) EEAA after preparing an EIA for the production, distribution, utilization and disposal process, if necessary.  Health precautions and buffer zones should be respected and indicate that the application of sludge should be within the following ranges according to soil type (law 93/1962): 8-14 m3/feddan/year for thick soil, 10-16m3/feddan/year for medium soil and 12- 20m3/feddan/year for light soil Sludge Use as RDF (if proven feasible by PIU):  Dried sludge could be sent to cement factories as RDF according to a contractual agreement between HCWW and the Cement Company. In that case the need for lime treatment should be reconsidered if it will affect the calorific value/properties of the sludge.  If the sludge was found hazardous (based on the sludge sampling results), it shall be handled by workers wearing PPE and transported by a licensed contractor to a cement factory licensed to incinerate hazardous wastes. Sludge disposal in landfill:  If sludge cannot be reused, the right landfill category must be determined. Based on the chemical analysis of the sludge, it should be sent to the respective landfill (HW landfill or non HW landfill). 104 Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag Table‎ 52- Egyptian and USEPA standards for land application of sludge 5--‎ Parameter Concentration limit Concentration limit Cumulative Pollutant (Law 93/1962) (USEPA Part 503.13) Loading Rate (USEPA Part 503.13) Zinc 2,800 mg/kg 2,800 mg/kg 2,800 kg/ha Copper 1,500 mg/kg 1,500 mg/kg 1,500 kg/ha Nickel 420 mg/kg 420 mg/kg 420 kg/ha Cadmium 39 mg/kg 39 mg/kg 39 kg/ha Lead 300 mg/kg 300 mg/kg 300 kg/ha Mercury 17 mg/kg 17 mg/kg 17 kg/ha Molybdenum 18 mg/kg Deleted in 1994 Deleted in 1994 Selenium 36 mg/kg 100 mg/kg 100 kg/ha Arsenic 41 mg/kg 41 mg/kg 41 kg/ha Monitoring measures  The project operator should undertake continuous monitoring of pH of immature sludge drying beds. Logs of pH values should be used for controlling the lime dosing.  Taking representative sludge samples (every 6months or whenever sludge is being sold) and analyze it according to requirements of Law 93/1962  Periodical medical examination for the workers and lab analysis 5.5.3 Impacts due to handling and disposal of non-hazardous wastes 5.5.3.1 Impact significance and evaluation Non-hazardous wastes are expected to be generated during the operation of the PSs and WWTP. These will result from the cleaning and scrubbing of inlet filters (contaminated solid particles), as well as from the daily activities of workers. The latter will comprise of a mix of food residual, plastic and paper packages. The first potential impact would be the contamination of soil, groundwater and/or surface water due to the uncontrolled disposal of contaminated solid wastes. Another potential impact would be the loss of natural resources (for recyclables) if recycling has not been implemented. Other impacts would include negative visual impacts if waste is accumulated in front or around the PSs and the WWTP. Burning of the accumulated wastes would impact the air quality around the PS and the WWTP sites, and could emit toxic emissions especially if plastic substances were among the waste streams. Accumulation and/or uncontrolled disposal of organic wastes (food residuals) would also result in potential impacts on the health and hygiene of both general public and on-site workers by attracting vermin to the site such as birds, rodents or insects which can act as disease vectors. This will result in spread of disease, and disruption of the natural ecosystem. Odor may also be generated following long periods of accumulation due to the decomposition of some organic wastes, which will be an annoyance to both general public and on-site workers. The evaluation of impacts due to non-hazardous waste generation during the operation phase is illustrated in the Table below. Most of the impacts should be considered of Moderate significance, which is mainly due to the proximity of receptors (with respect to the PSs). The 105 Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag negative impact of non-hazardous waste generation is expected to be fully controlled by implementing the mitigation and monitoring measures listed in the following section. Evaluation of impacts due to non-hazardous waste generation Impact parameters Impact Probability Temporal Spatial Intensity P*(A)*(B)*(C) of Scale Scale Overall Score Occurrence (P) (A) (B) (C) Non-hazardous Waste generation Loss of natural 1 4 1 1 4 resources Health impacts 1 4 2 2 16 Soil and 1 4 1 2 8 groundwater Surface water 0.5 4 2 2 8 Air quality due to 0.5 4 1 2 4 open burn Visual Impacts 1 4 1 3 12 5.5.3.2 Mitigation and monitoring measures A waste management plan complying with international best practice and relevant Egyptian regulations and covering all types of potential non-hazardous wastes shall be developed and implemented by the project‟s operator. This plan shall define exact procedu res and locations for waste management and disposal. 5.5.3.3 Mitigation measures for non-hazardous wastes  Implement a segregation system based on compatibility of different waste streams  Specify an area/containers for non-hazardous wastes which accommodate for the generated segregated streams  Dispose of non-recycled wastes in the nearest landfill.  Register the amounts of disposed of wastes and keep waste disposal and transportation receipts/manifests, to be ready for review by EEAA.  Prepare schedule for solids and oils removal from household separation unit. Sludge from household interceptors and septic tanks should be discharged to the WWTP.  Remove oil from oil separators in restaurants and bakeries and dispose it in domestic solid waste disposal sites15  Daily removal of PS screens waste to domestic solid waste disposal sites  Stabilizing separated grit with lime and dispose dry grit in domestic solid waste disposal sites 15It has been assumed that new separators will be installed according to adequate engineering specs. It has been also assumed that the oil has been oxidized to an extent that it is not considered flammable thus not considered as hazardous waste. 106 Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag HCWW/PIU should adopt the measures listed above and ensure that the all waste relevant information (types, amounts, disposal methods, etc..) are included in the environmental register of the plant. 5.5.3.4 Monitoring measures for non-hazardous wastes  Regular inspection of the waste storage area (for PS‟s and WWTP‟s sites)  Regular inspection of the waste disposal manifests. 5.5.4 Impacts due to handling and disposal of hazardous substances and hazardous wastes 5.5.4.1 Impact evaluation due to handling of hazardous substances As mentioned in the project description chapter some of the hazardous substances required for operation processes include diesel for standby generators, lubricating oils and laboratory chemicals. Diesel and lubricating oils will be used and usually have some hazardous and toxic properties. However, the workers handling them are expected to have high awareness regarding their risks. The higher risk in this regard will be that associated with the necessary disposal of empty containers. Impacts on soil (and groundwater) quality could result from fuel storage tank leakage. Secondary containment shall be therefore incorporated in the design as to ensure a minimum of 110% external volume. Laboratory chemicals comprise of many hazardous substances and liquids. The health risks due to the handling of hazardous substances should be considered of MAJOR significance However, implementing safety induction classes, operational health and safety procedures in addition to implementing the normal laboratory operating procedures including the preparation of COSSH forms and wearing PPE ensure that the impact‟s significance is reduced. 5.5.4.2 Impact evaluation due to handling of hazardous wastes Hazardous wastes may also be generated during the operation phase such as spent oils and empty chemical containers. The storage and disposal of these waste streams have to be carefully performed as to abide by the national legal framework (Chapter 2). In addition to that, these hazardous wastes if not handled, stored and disposed of according to engineering best practice would have major and irreversible effect as follows:  Mishandling and uncontrolled disposal of hazardous liquid and solid wastes have major health impacts for on-site workers, inhabitants in the project‟s area of influence, people who get in contact with waste during transportation and disposal, and flora and fauna exposed to such wastes.  Uncontrolled disposal of hazardous wastes, in particular in liquid form, would cause soil contamination through direct contact or leaching.  There is a high possibility that uncontrolled disposal of hazardous wastes may affect the groundwater quality, through extended leaching.  Air quality could also be highly affected since uncontrolled dumping of hazardous and non-hazardous materials would result in most of the cases in open burning and potential release of toxic emissions. 107 Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag The impacts listed above are evaluated as presented in Table below. Most of the impacts should be considered of Moderate significance and will be fully controlled by implementing the mitigation and monitoring measures listed in the following section. Impact parameters Impact Probability Temporal Spatial Intensity P*(A)*(B)*(C) of Scale Scale Overall Score Occurrence (P) (A) (B) (C) Hazardous Waste generation Loss of natural 1 4 1 1 4 resources Health impacts 1 4 2 3 24 Soil and 1 4 1 3 12 groundwater Air quality due to 1 4 1 4 16 open burning Visual Impacts 1 4 1 2 8 5.5.4.3 Mitigation and monitoring measures Mitigation measures for handling of hazardous substances  Diesel ASTs should be surrounded with impermeable bund with a capacity equal to the AST capacity. Any leaked diesel from ASTs should be pumped to diesel trucks until the leakage in AST has been repaired. No USTs should be used in the project, this has been further discussed in the screening criteria. Mitigation measures for the handling and disposal of hazardous wastes A waste management plan complying with international best practice and relevant Egyptian regulations and covering all types of potential hazardous wastes shall be developed and implemented by the project‟s operator. This plan shall define exact procedures and locations for waste management and disposal. The waste management plans should also refer to health and safety procedures, and emergency procedures for containing and managing accidental spillages. HCWW/PMU should adopt the measures listed below and ensure that all waste relevant information (types, amounts, disposal methods, etc..) are included in the environmental register of the plant. In addition to that, a separate hazardous waste register (according to the Egyptian Laws) has to be prepared , containing all information relevant to the generation , handling and disposal of hazardous wastes. 108 Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag a) General measures  All types of hazardous waste can only be transported by licensed hazardous waste service providers and disposed of in licensed landfill. Both, the service providers and disposal sites have to be identified at the beginning of the operation phase. At the time of producing this study, the nearest and only hazardous waste disposal site is the Nasreya Centre in Alexandria.  The different types of hazardous wastes should not be mixed.  Spent mineral oils shall be collected, stored in sealed containers and recycled using a licensed company which also has to be identified at the beginning of the operation phase. b) Adopting an Identification system for hazardous wastes generated on site The operator shall be able to identify the different potential hazardous wastes. Identification shall be performed according to the Egyptian hazardous waste classification system by the operator‟s in-house staff (PMU-EM and RSUs or with the aid of an independent waste management consultant). c) Storage and Management of the waste accumulation area The waste storage area for hazardous wastes could be integrated with the general waste storage area but shall be fenced, secured with limited admission and shaded from rain and sun heat/light.:  It is recommended that the maximum period for storing hazardous waste is 270 days from the start date of accumulation of waste.  The storage area must have a water supply  A hazardous waste label that has a “Hazardous Waste” mark on it must be placed on the container while still at the generation point. d) Emergency Response For the purpose of first response, when a hazardous substance release is first discovered or witnessed, the individual of concern who had to be previously trained would initiate an emergency response sequence by notifying the proper authorities of the release. The individual will take no further action beyond self-evacuation and notification. The aim of the response at this level is limited to protect nearby persons, property, or the environment from the effects of the release. No trials are performed at this stage to actually stop the release. This level of response includes;  actions to contain the release from a safe distance  prevent its spreading  evacuation Monitoring measures 1. Diesel leaks from ASTs will be detected through visual observation. Any leakage should be documented in monthly reports, along with measures taken by the operator to contain the leakage. 2. Records of empty containers returned to vendors, or contaminated soil transported to hazardous waste facilities should be kept in the WWTP, along with signatures of hazardous waste facility operator acknowledging receipt of the containers. 109 Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag  Registering the amount of hazardous waste sent for disposal and archiving the collection and disposal receipts. This shall be done in the form of a waste register as required by the Egyptian law.  Regular inspection of the waste storage area  Regular inspection of the site to identify random disposal of waste materials  The containers should be inspected monthly for leaks or any other form of damage and are kept in good condition.  Regular inspection of the site to identify randomly dumped hazardous waste materials. 110 Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag 5.6 SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACTS 5.6.1 Methodology Social impact assessment focuses on the human dimension of the ISSIP-II (phase 2) project at target villages, in order to identify the impacts on project beneficiaries. The social impact was considered to the surrounding social receptors: nearby population, utilities, infrastructure, transport, health, employment and political issues. Social impact assessment is a tool to ensure the needs and voices of all beneficiary groups as well as vulnerable groups are taken into account. As well as propose effective measures for managing and minimizing the negative impacts. Although it is difficult to calculate socio-economic impacts in a quantitative method, but assessment was conducted based on several indicators that allows measuring relevant impacts in a quantitative methodology, the consultant used the following methodology: Impact Parameters Overall Spatial Temporal Impact Probability Score Score Impact Positive Scale Scale intensity of range Significance or occurrence Negative Site Short-term Negligible 1 1 1-8 Minor Positive [1] [1] [1] Limited medium- Low 1 8 [2] term [2] [2] Area Long-term Medium 1 27 9-27 Moderate Negative [3] [3] [3] Regional permanent High 1 64 28-64 Major [4] [4] [4] It is envisaged that the project will have a positive impact on the community with the increase of access of targeted population in Sohag governorate to improved hygiene, public health and sanitation services. Additional positive implications of the project, is the reduction of current load of pollution on soil, air, water and socioeconomic parameters of the environment as a result of the inappropriate management and disposal of sewages in the designated areas. It is believed that implementation of the proposed project will promote the local economy, living standard of people, urbanization, and urban ecological environment protection. 1. The main types of social impacts that occur as a result of the ISSIP - II project related changes were grouped into the following categories: Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 111 ESIA for ISSIP II Project – Final Social Impact Description Land use impacts Impacts related to the land allocation process Political impacts Impacts related to political stability at the project target areas Lifestyle impacts on the way people behave and relate to family, friends and cohorts on a day-to- day basis Cultural impacts on shared customs, obligations, values, language, religious belief and other elements which make a social or ethnic group distinct Community impacts on infrastructure, services, voluntary organisations, activity networks and cohesion Quality of life impacts on sense of place, aesthetics and heritage, perception of belonging, security and livability, and aspirations for the future Health impacts on mental, physical and social wellbeing, although these aspects are also the subject of health impact assessment 5.6.2 Identification of Potential Impacts during Construction This section presents the analysis of socio-economic impacts during the construction activities. Construction phase consists of the following activities: Construction of Pump Stations Construction of Gravity sewers and FMs 1. Land use and land acquisition Construction activities present potential impacts to land uses that could have long-term effects in certain circumstances. Construction of the current project has two types of impacts: Permanent: Construction of PS, FM and gravity sewers Land plots needed for the construction of the PS: the only loss will be on existing vegetation, in other cases there is a positive impact related to developing uninhibited land plots that are causing spread of rodents and insects (currently used as open dumpsite). The construction of the PS during the current phase of the ISSIP- 2 project requires the following land allocations: Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 112 ESIA for ISSIP II Project – Final Table 5-6 - Land plots needed for the construction of the PS District Villages Needed plots Status Impact Impact on livelihood Status of owner Negotiation (owners of land plots) process Sohag Al Muhamda Al 600 m2 (20*30) Allocated Currently used as open None None None Bahriya Public property dumpsite – will be upgraded – positive Dmno 612 m2 (18*34) Allocated Uncultivated – no impact Limited impact Was compensated by None Donation the village members. 16 Al Mazalu 616 m2 (28*25*19*25) Allocated Uncultivated – no impact Limited impact Businessman in Cairo, None Donation donated the land for establishing sewage project at the village. Tema Um Duma 1050 m2 (35*30) Contract Cultivated – loss of Limited impact Owns a large plot, Fair17 Willing buyer – with buyer vegetation selling a section willing seller Al Halaky 769.5 m2 Contract Cultivated – loss of Limited impact Owns a larger plot, Fair (22.5*48*28*30) with buyer vegetation selling a section Willing buyer – willing seller Balyana Al Ghounamiya 510 m2 (17*30) Contract Cultivated – loss of Limited impact Owns a larger plot, Fair (Nag‟ Ragh) Willing buyer – with buyer vegetation selling a section willing seller Al Samta 500 m2 (20*25) Pending Currently used as None None Public property informal stockyard - None positive Al Halafy 500 m2 (20*25) Willing Contract Cultivated – loss of Limited impact Owns a larger plot with Seller asked for a buyer – willing seller with buyer vegetation his house, selling a part higher price than only the market 16The donor attended the Public Consultation and indicated his will to help his village. He was thanked by the representatives of the village council 17The 4 landowners under the willing seller – willing buyer scheme were offered a chance to negotiate the price and reach a higher resolution than the original offered price. Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 113 ESIA for ISSIP II Project – Final The ESIA team has paid several visits to the locations of the plots designated for the construction of the PS‟s. Surrounding neighbouring communities were invited for interviews/discussions regarding the current land use. The site visits were conducted by the ESIA team‟s Social Expert and Sohag RSU‟s Environmental Officer, during January 2016. The results of the conducted visits and discussions reflected no type of any illegal customary ownership of these plots of lands. As well, no tenants were located on the lands. Based on the above, OP 4.12 on Involuntary Resettlement was not triggered for the project in Sohag Governorate. All approvals associated with the lands listed above are included in Annex 7 The impact level is considered “low”. Permanent land allocation Overall Name of plot Spatial Temporal Impact Probability of Score Impact Positive or Scale Scale intensity occurrence Significance Negative Al Muhamda 1 4 1 1 4 Minor Positive Al Bahriya Dmno 1 4 1 1 4 Minor Al Mazalu 1 4 1 1 4 Minor Um Duma 1 4 1 1 4 Minor Al Halaky 1 4 1 1 4 Minor Al 1 4 1 1 4 Minor Ghounamiya Al Samta 1 4 1 1 4 Minor Al Halafy 1 4 1 1 4 Minor Figure 5-1 - Land sellers at Balyana District (AlHalafy and Al Ghounamiya villages) For the FM and Gravity sewers: no permanent land allocations are required, only impacts related to destruction of trees, bushes and roadside vegetation by construction activities causing a public property loss. Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 114 ESIA for ISSIP II Project – Final Temporary: Storing of Equipment and construction material Temporary occupation of land may be required. Most of the time, it will be in a public area (road for example). However, in case temporary use of land may result in the alteration of previous use or agricultural production, the loss for the previous user should be fully and fairly compensated during the period of occupation by the project. Temporary occupation of land could raise some issues related to poor sanitation arrangement and improper methods used for disposal of solid wastes and effluents. Due to the extensive excavation required for this project, and the relative uncertainty on adequate measures to be taken by the contractor for temporary land allocation, the impact level is considered “Moderate”. Temporary land use Overall Spatial Temporal Impact Probability Score Impact Positive or Scale Scale intensity of Significance Negative occurrence 3 1 3 1 9 Moderate Negative Mitigation Measures Permanent Land Acquisition Awareness raising activities: are crucial to mainstream people‟s expectations from the project and ensure their ownership of the project. It should be noted that the RSU is conducting on-going awareness raising activities with the local community. These activities need to be strengthened and be based on a solid methodology to reach a wider range of the target communities. Building the capacity of the SDO is crucial to effectively structure the community engagement efforts. Figure 5-2 - Preliminary sessions held by the SWC with the land owners at Al Balyana district at LGU in Beni Hamil – Sept. 2015 Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 115 ESIA for ISSIP II Project – Final Selection of plots: Currently the selection of the location of land plots for the PS is done in consultation with the local community. The technical requirement for the water company is to select a plot at a low ground level area. The community members consult together and select several plots. The company representatives then decide from a technical point of view the appropriateness of one plot. It is recommended to prepare clear selection criteria and to advertise them. This will ensure that community members have a justification of the selection process. The company then proceeds with the design process based on the primary location. It is important to have different options of land plots during the design process to ensure that no pressure will have to be exercised later during the process of purchasing land. - Land Valuation process: Land valuation process should be based on realistic market prices, after consulting different actors at the local level - Ensure fair negotiation process for sellers: Negotiations with the seller should be conducted in a fair and transparent manner. Involving community leaders is necessary to ensure the seller is paid a fair price. In some cases the sellers ask for a higher price than the usual as they feel the need of the local community for establishing the sewage network. The negotiation process in this case requires longer time than needed. - Documentation of the negotiation process: ensure the RSU keeps documents (electronic and paper formats) of all transaction, payment method and procedure, possible price reduction and other essential terms. - Grievance mechanism: The current grievance mechanism needs to be strengthened, and be more efficient to respond to complaints related to the process of land acquisition. The grievance mechanism should be advertised more. Temporary land occupation  Increase awareness and outreach activities during the construction activities about the grievance mechanism and about community health and safety measures. RSU is currently holding awareness raising activities at villages where construction activities is taking place at villages of phase I (Nagaa‟ Queez – Nagaa Maklad).  Contractors for the Project activities will require construction operators to attend to the health and safety of their workers, maintain and cleanup campsites and to ensure the utmost preservation of land use environment and deliver the site after work completion in a condition that is similar or better than pre-project condition.  Involve local stakeholders (community leaders or trusted NGO‟s) in the strategy to ensure the community involvement and ownership of the project.  Fencing the construction area, to reduce disturbance to nearby population  Signage and Markings: provision of informational and directional signs posted prior to the construction. Announcements using local broadcasts to inform local community of health and safety measures to avoid accidents.  Pedestrian crossings can be also provided at proper locations.  Ensure equipment used on site will not be moved during the day to avoid more traffic disruption  Develop a communication strategy to raise awareness of the community members on health and safety measures. Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 116 ESIA for ISSIP II Project – Final Figure 5-3 – Community Satisfaction survey conducted by the RSU at Tema district 2. Community impacts Construction works are always seen as a nuisance to nearby residents, traffickers and pedestrians as a result of detour actions, dust and air emissions, noise generated, abundance of workers in the area and in general the disruption of quality of life. Identified impacts: a. Impacts on other infrastructure networks, especially drinking water, which may lead to disruption of other services. Most of the underground infrastructure pipelines (such as water or telecommunication) do not have accurate documentation for its routes and depths. Therefore, the risk of breaking infrastructure lines is relatively high. Normally the contractor takes caution by applying manual excavation to avoid such situations where he is obliged to pay for the damage. Breaking a water supply pipe may result in cutting the supply to a number of residential units, which may, if it takes place for a long period, direct residents to use other sources of water which may be either expensive or unsafe. The effects of cutting telecommunication cables during excavation are mainly socioeconomic, due to cutting possible personal and business communications. Due to the extensive excavation required for this project, and the relative uncertainty in the location of existing infrastructure, the impact level is considered “medium”. Impact on Infrastructure Overall Spatial Temporal Impact Probability Score Impact Positive or Scale Scale intensity of Significance Negative occurrence 4 2 2 1 16 Moderate Negative Mitigation measures Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 117 ESIA for ISSIP II Project – Final  Conducting some surveillance activities to detect any available pipelines or networks (water or electricity)  Coordination with the Local Governmental Units and the water and network companies to repair any damages. The contract should pay for this cost. Impacts on the mobility (especially of women, elderly and disabled groups) as a result of the excavation  Impacts on mobility at village streets due to the accumulation of construction materials and dust that will result from digging. From a social perspective, this impact might affect the mobility at the villages especially for women and disabled groups. This concern was raised during the consultation with the local community several times. Due to the extensive excavation required for this project, and the relative concerns from the community about the mobility at the internal streets, the impact level is considered “medium”. Impact on Mobility Overall Spatial Temporal Impact Probability Score Impact Positive or Scale Scale intensity of Significance Negative occurrence 4 2 2 1 16 Moderate Negative Mitigation measures  Provide alternate routes to be used for residents away from the work sites.  Strict monitoring of the compliance of the contractor with traffic diversion plan in order to ensure implementation of relevant procedures during construction.  Signage and Markings: provision of informational and directional signs posted prior to the construction. Announcements using local broadcasts to inform local community of disruptions.  Pedestrian crossings can be also provided at proper locations.  Fencing the construction area, to ensure safety of pedestrians at the local areas  Ensure equipment used on site will not be moved during the day to avoid more traffic disruption Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 118 ESIA for ISSIP II Project – Final b. Impacts on Traffic  The villages consist of a network of rural roads that carries lowest traffic volume than the main roads. Disruptions to traffic due to the construction would be more critical at the smaller roads since there are no alternative routes. Excavation work would mean almost blocking of most of the streets at some villages. But given that the traffic volumes are limited at local streets with relatively low speed: Due to the low traffic volumes, the impact level is considered “low”. Impact on traffic Overall Spatial Temporal Impact Probability Score Impact Positive or Scale Scale intensity of Significance Negative occurrence 4 2 2 1 16 Moderate Negative Mitigation measures  Increase signage on the roads and improve existing ones.  Increase traffic control.  Traffic department to grant excavation license limited to specific hours c. Disruption due to accumulation of waste in front of houses  Potential temporary inconvenience as result of the construction activities. This could be in the form of accumulation of wastes (both construction and domestic waste in the construction areas, associated odor, air emissions, especially dust as a result of excavation. These impacts are of temporary nature and will be of very limited level of severity, particularly since the construction activities will be in farms and not populated areas Due to the extensive excavation required for this project, and the community will to support the excavation activities, the impact level is considered “Low”. Impact on accumulation of waste in front of houses Overall Spatial Temporal Impact Probability Score Impact Positive or Scale Scale intensity of Significance Negative occurrence 2 2 2 1 8 Minor Negative Mitigation measures  Conduct education and awareness campaigns on environmental and health issues.  Integrate protection measures nearby schools and densely populated areas Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 119 ESIA for ISSIP II Project – Final d. Impacts on Safety  Influx of workers and vehicles may have adverse impacts on community health and road safety Due to the norm that the contractor does comply with safety and health requirements the impact level is considered “moderate”. Impact on Safety Overall Spatial Temporal Impact Probability Score Impact Positive or Scale Scale intensity of Significance Negative occurrence 2 2 3 1 12 Moderate Negative Mitigation measures  Comply with work places legal requirements and stringent safety regulations should be observed to avoid work accidents.  Provision of protective professional Equipment  Instituting safety drills, disaster preparedness and management programs e. Impacts on road quality, it is widely known that the contractors do not usually rehabilitate the streets. Subsequently, there is a high probability of street conditions deterioration Due to the norm that the contractor does comply with requirements to rehabilitate the streets, the impact level is considered “moderate”. Impact on Rehabilitation of streets Overall Spatial Temporal Impact Probability Score Impact Positive or Scale Scale intensity of Significance Negative occurrence 2 2 4 1 16 Moderate Negative Mitigation measures  A time plan should be developed for street rehabilitation  Inform the local community with any potential delay of street rehabilitation  Paving the streets immediately after the construction. That should be done by specialized companies or the contractors but not by the Local Governmental Units  Monitor the process of street rehabilitation and realistic fines should be applied on the entities responsible of street rehabilitation f. Impacts on the integrity of old buildings near the excavation areas, which may cause impacts on the occupants. Due to the norm that the contractor does comply with safety requirements during excavation the impact level is considered “moderate”. Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 120 ESIA for ISSIP II Project – Final Impact on Integrity of old buildings Overall Spatial Temporal Impact Probability Score Impact Positive or Scale Scale intensity of Significance Negative occurrence 2 2 3 1 12 Moderate Negative Mitigation Measures:  Boreholes should be used to identify the type of soil and the potential impacts on the current structures.  For loose types of soils, trenches should be reinforced using wood/metal sheets.  Measuring ground water levels before construction Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 121 ESIA for ISSIP II Project – Final 3. Quality of Life impacts The project is likely to result in several positive social impacts, particularly related to the creation of job opportunities and reviving economic activities. a. Creating job opportunities for construction companies.  The company usually hires around 60 workers during construction of each PS and FM, divided as follows: 3 engineers, 3 administrative support staff, 35 skilled workers (drivers, artisans..etc) and 20 non skilled workers generally from the local community (for excavation and construction works).  Most of the created job opportunities are distributed among males, which limits the benefit of marginalized groups from available work opportunities This impact is considered “low”. Creating job opportunities Overall Spatial Temporal Impact Probability Score Impact Positive or Scale Scale intensity of Significance Negative occurrence 2 2 2 1 8 Minor Positive Mitigation measures  Provide jobs primarily for community members, simultaneously saving on the cost of employing people from outside the governorates and encouraging community acceptance of the project. Accord local community employment for unskilled and semi-skilled as a priority b. Reviving economic activities  Reviving economic activities for shops supplying construction materials in the area through providing services to the construction workers.  Reviving some restaurants and small shops which will sell meals for workers.  Increase the rental of local buses and vehicles to move the workers and the equipment to and from the construction sites. This impact is considered “low”. Reviving economic activities Overall Spatial Temporal Impact Probability Score Impact Positive or Scale Scale intensity of Significance Negative occurrence 2 2 2 1 8 Minor Positive Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 122 ESIA for ISSIP II Project – Final c. Influx of temporary workers, whose demands and behavior may be at odds with those of local people. The construction of each PS and FM involves the recruitment of about 60 workers (almost half of them may be from outside of the community), this may cause negative impacts on the local community related to this number of people living in the community for several months:  Most of the new employment opportunities do not make use of local human resources  The emergence of communicable diseases among workers and community members.  Exposure of workers to occupational health and safety risks  Different cultural values for workers coming to the community This impact is considered “low”. Influx of temporary workers Overall Spatial Temporal Impact Probability Score Impact Positive or Scale Scale intensity of Significance Negative occurrence 2 2 2 1 8 Minor Negative Mitigation measures  Provide onsite laborers with proper sanitation facilities.  Establish labor camps at reasonable distance from villages  Conduct pre-employment health screening, Implement communicable diseases programs in conjunction with Ministry of Health to be able to control the risk of disease transmission. d. Loss of income for the groups that work in evacuation of septic. Due to the possible limited opportunities for those workers in evacuation, this impact is considered “moderate” Loss of income for evacuation workers Overall Spatial Temporal Impact Probability Score Impact Positive or Scale Scale intensity of Significance Negative occurrence 2 2 4 1 16 Moderate Negative Mitigation measures  Involve local NGO‟s in providing training for this group of workers to create alternative job opportunities  Involve unskilled workers in the construction works whenever possible Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 123 ESIA for ISSIP II Project – Final 4. Political impacts  All activities related to the construction phase will take place within the proposed villages which will be associated with land acquisition. It has to be noted that two plots were provided using a donation scheme, in case some of the village members who participated in donation are not connected later to the sewage service, this may create political conflicts among community members, governorate and Sohag Water Company which may cause delays. Due to potential instability among the community members, this impact is considered “moderate” Loss of income for evacuation workers Overall Spatial Temporal Impact Probability Score Impact Positive or Scale Scale intensity of Significance Negative occurrence 2 2 4 1 16 Moderate Negative Mitigation measures  Conduct education and awareness campaigns on issues related to household connections.  Transparency of the collection process through involvement of local community leaders 5.6.3 Identification of Potential Impacts during Operation Phase As noted above, the project is likely to result in several positive social impacts, particularly related to the creation of job opportunities. The project will contribute to the improvement of the health conditions at target villages, in turn, will be reflected on the quality of life among different target groups. The project will engender feelings of wellbeing and pride within different communities as new developmental projects are being implemented in order to enhance the living conditions of community members. Such feelings are important for the communities. The project will not result in negative social changes like involuntary resettlement or change the demographical or the traditional lifestyle of area communities. The only potential negative impact of relevance to resettlement is the potential temporary land acquisition during construction. 1- Provision of sewage services to wide sector of the community as part of the government development plan to deliver quality services to citizens.  Ending the current problems related to sewage and sanitation.  Increasing the value of houses after connecting to the sewage network.  Possibility for provision of other infrastructure services afterwards such as natural gas. Due to the positive impacts on the local community this impact is considered “Major”. Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 124 ESIA for ISSIP II Project – Final Provision of Sanitation services Overall Spatial Temporal Impact Probability Score Impact Positive or Scale Scale intensity of Significance Negative occurrence 3 4 4 1 48 Major Positive 2- Health impacts  Improving the health conditions of the population especially school children  Improving the quality of produced vegetables and fruits, which are currently irrigated with untreated water  Improving the quality of the groundwater, as the wastewater leaking from septic tanks will cease since most of the drinking water is provided by artesian wells at the target villages Due to the positive impacts on the health conditions at the local community this impact is considered “Major”. Health impacts Overall Spatial Temporal Impact Probability Score Impact Positive or Scale Scale intensity of Significance Negative occurrence 3 4 3 1 36 Major Positive 3- Impacts on Livelihood  Improving the socio-economic conditions of families by saving the amounts paid currently for evacuation services. This was posing a lot of economic burden upon families. Households will benefit from the savings of wastewater evacuation.  Creating job opportunities for engineers, technicians and non-skilled workers at PS. Eight job opportunities are expected to be offered in the stations, including some opportunities for the local community whenever possible (administrative and services). This impact is considered “moderate”. Impacts on livelihood Overall Spatial Temporal Impact Probability Score Impact Positive or Scale Scale intensity of Significance Negative occurrence 3 2 2 1 12 Moderate Positive 4- The project will help to replace destructive and frustrated sentiments that are currently prevalent within the communities. This impact is considered “moderate”. Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 125 ESIA for ISSIP II Project – Final Impacts on sentiments of belonging Overall Spatial Temporal Impact Probability Score Impact Positive or Scale Scale intensity of Significance Negative occurrence 3 2 3 1 18 Moderate Positive Negative Social Impacts during Operation It is unlikely that the normal operation of the PS will create any significant negative social impacts. However, fears were expressed about the possibility that some leakage or odour may occur on the surrounding houses or agricultural lands in the area, which are unlikely. Since these impacts will be limited to leakage or odours at the surrounding neighbouring at the PS, This impact is considered “low”. Impacts in case of malfunction of PS Overall Spatial Temporal Impact Probability Score Impact Positive or Scale Scale intensity of Significance Negative occurrence 2 2 2 1 8 Minor Negative Mitigation measures  Provision of alternative power station in case of power disruptions to avoid adverse impacts on the local community 5.6.4 Impacts on vulnerable groups This project will provide several positive impacts in addition to some negative impacts on vulnerable groups such as: Positive Impacts  The project has several positive impacts on women, since it will ease the burden of carrying water to throw it away in the septic tank or the street. Improving the living conditions of community members especially children, which reduces the risk of illness. Mothers have to care for sick children at the house.  Providing sanitation services for free for the poorest groups. This will make poorest groups feel that the government cares for them and is concerned with their welfare.  School children will benefit from the project. Awareness raising seminars can be held at schools. Negative impacts  There is a potential that children and elderly will be impacted during construction activities.  Created job opportunities will only be limited to males. Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 126 ESIA for ISSIP II Project – Final 5.7 HEALTH IMPACT ASSESSMENT 5.7.1 Introduction This section reflects on the potential health impact of implementing the ISSIP II project. The current practices of using cesspits are expected to stop and the withdrawal and collection of wastewater using evacuation vehicles and random discharging of the wastewater in drains and canals would come to an end. This project is expected to have a positive impact on the current health conditions of the beneficiaries and the community. To explore the potential impact of the project, this section will shed light on the diseases transmitted through water. Then, it will reflect on the most common diseases that are associated with contaminated water and sanitation. Potential role of ISSIP II Figure ‎ 5-4 Routes of fecal disease transmission and protective barriers, source: Wagner &Lanoix 1959 The categories of diseases that could be addressed by improving water, sanitation and hygiene in Egypt are infectious waterborne, water-based, water washed, and water-related insect diseases. In order to prevent the spread of these diseases any intervention should contain three components; improving sanitation, improving water quality and enhancing personal hygiene (Figure 5….). ISSIP II is primarily concerned with improving sanitation; nevertheless improving water quality is an essential secondary outcome of improving sanitation. 5.7.2 Health impact assessment It is expected that the implementation of the ISSIP II project could prevent several diseases (Figure 4-5. ) and improve health conditions of the villagers in the project‟s area of influence. The potential impacts of the project‟s implementation on the different diseases identified during the heath baseline investigation are discussed below. Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 127 ESIA for ISSIP II Project – Final Source (Prüss-Üstünet al. 2008) 5.7.2.1 Diarrheal diseases The core of the WHO recommendations to prevent diarrheal diseases is to improve water supply, sanitation facilities and hygienic education (WHO website, 2014). Improving sanitation through ISSIP II can contribute to 36% reduction in the diarrheal attacks for children under-five years (Cairncross et. al, 2010). However, including hygiene improvement supplementary interventions will reduce diarrhea by 48% (Cairncross et. al, 2010). Persistent diarrhea is the second leading cause of death among children. 90% of deaths from diarrhea are linked to the lack of access to safe, clean drinking-water and basic sanitation, as well as poor hygiene (WHO, 1999). Diarrhea can, also, lead to nutritional deficiencies, and reduced resistance to other infections, impaired growth and development. More than half of child deaths due to diarrhea are associated with malnutrition. It could be argued that diarrhea is treated easily with oral rehydration therapy (ORT). Nevertheless, the ORT focuses on reducing mortality rates from diarrhea rather than addressing the morbidity. WASH interventions is superior as it is a primary prevention. In Addition, ORT does not treat the persistent diarrhea and dysentery which can lead to under nutrition (Bartram &Cairncross 2010). 5.7.2.2 Intestinal parasites Amoebiasis is thought to be present in most of the villagers while Guardias is prevalent to lesser extent. Other intestinal worms such as Ascaris, Trichuris and hookworm are spread among villagers. These parasites can lead to malnutrition, anemia, and retarded growth and cognitive abilities depending upon the severity of the infection (Chan, 1997). All are spread due to contamination of the environment with feces containing parasite eggs. Hence, improved sanitation through ISSIP II and improving domestic hygiene through supplementary interventions are effective control measures of intestinal parasites. 5.7.2.3 Bilharzias/Schistosomiasis In reviewing epidemiological studies, we found that well-designed water and sanitation interventions (such as ISSIP II), which prevent feces and urine from entering surface water, can reduce 77% of schistosomiasis. Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 128 ESIA for ISSIP II Project – Final Bilharziasis is a serious disease that has severe consequences such as anemia, impaired growth, poor cognition, and substandard school performance. Potential long-term effects include bladder cancer and serious kidney, liver or spleen complications. The parasites enter water from feces and urine and, after a short development period in a freshwater snail, are able to infect new human hosts by penetrating the skin; schoolchildren are particularly at risk through playing in water. 5.7.2.4 Children malnutrition Around one third of the Egyptian children are suffering from malnutrition (EDHS, 2008). Poor growth in early life increases the risks of illness and death in childhood. The two immediate causes of childhood under-nutrition are inadequate dietary intake and infectious diseases such as diarrhea. Evidence from the cluster-randomized trials suggests that comprehensive interventions such as ISSIP II can have a long term impact on children growth. Supplementary plans to improve child nutrition should be included to ensure the impact of ISSIP II on children nutritional status. 5.7.2.5 Respiratory illness Acute respiratory infections (ARI) are the global leading cause of child mortality. It causes 4.2 million deaths each year (Black et al 2010). A systematic review of the effect of hand washing with soap on acute respiratory illnesses found, after updating 23% risk reduction (Rabie& Curtis 2006). Hand washing interventions decreased significantly the incidence of all illnesses and absenteeism among school children. In Egypt, an intervention study in 60 elementary schooled showed a reduction of 40% of absenteeism due to influenza-like illnesses, and a reduction of 50% of absenteeism due to laboratory confirmed influenza cases (Talaat et al., 2011). 5.7.2.6 Trachoma Trachoma is an eye infection and it is the leading cause of preventable blindness worldwide. Trachoma is an endemic disease in Egypt. It is transmitted via contact with discharge from the eyes of an infected person. Evidence shows that, improved sanitation through ISSIP II can lower trachoma levels by 30% through reduction in fly populations which act as vectors for the infective agent and which breed in scattered human feces. A 25% reduction of trachoma can be achieved through provision of supplementary interventions to provide an adequate water supply and increased personal hygiene practices. 5.7.2.7 Health status of the people working in sewage disposal People who are working in evacuation services need a special assessment. Adding to the above mentioned diseases burden. They might be suffering from musco-skeletal diseases related to carrying on heavy weights. They might be also more prone to infected skin infections and sores. ISSIP II will lead to a career shift for this vulnerable group. Changing workers career to different field, either to serve in the wastewater treatment plant or elsewhere, will reduce the burden of occupational health hazards. (please refer to section 5.4.6 for the set of proposed mitigation measures related to occupational health and safety). In summary, the impact of ISSIP II with supplementary interventions can be divided into three phases Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 129 ESIA for ISSIP II Project – Final short term Intermedicate term long term impact impact impact Improve Decrease the spread Improve of diarrheal diseases sanitation children Decrease the spread Improve water of intestinal parasites nutrition quality Decrease the spread of respiratory Improve Improve illnesses children personal hygiene and Decrease the spread cognative of Bilharzias reduce other develpment Decrease the spread risk factors of eye infection (Knowledge, including trachoma attitude, practice) Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 130 ESIA for ISSIP II Project – Final CHAPTER 6 ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 131 ESIA for ISSIP II Project – Final 6 CHAPTER 6ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES The objective of analyzing different project alternatives is to evaluate project options, which have been considered during the ISSIP II Second phase, from the environmental perspective. This analysis of alternatives shall help in reaching/confirming optimum options for the project design from both the economic and environmental perspective. 6.1 NO PROJECT ALTERATIVE The ISSIP II is expected to result in significant environmental improvement in the project areas. The existing situation, in which target areas are deprived from sanitation services, leads to major environmental and health problems to inhabitants. Even though there are some impacts associated with ISSIP II construction and operation as previously indicated, the overall environmental impacts are expected to be positive. Environmental improvements expected from the ISSIP, over the existing situation include: - Improving surface water quality in the project areas. Although there are risks of discharging noncompliant effluent to drains as discussed earlier, overall the pollution loads received in water courses will be significantly reduced, because currently a large ratio of the generated sewage is discharged by tankers to drains. Although the rate of sewage generation could increase as a result of the project, due to expected increase of water consumption as reaction to the availability of sanitary drainage, the better effluent quality discharged will make the received load of each pollutant much lower. - Improve the quality of groundwater and the high water table in most of the project areas, through preventing infiltration of sewage to groundwater - Although there may be odor problems associated with operation of WWTP and PSs, the impacts of odors and vectors problems are expected to significantly improve. In the existing situation the infrequent evacuation of cesspits and land discharge of sewage makes the odors/vectors problems much more acute and disperse than the expected impacts around WWTPs and PSs. - The socioeconomic benefits of the project significantly overweigh the expected impacts. The ISSIP II shall upgrade the quality of life of inhabitant, through improving public health, reducing water borne diseases, improving psychological stress resulting from odors, vectors, stagnant water, unavailability of appropriate urban drainage, …etc. Although there may be few economically effected groups such as inhabitants of neighboring lands to WWTPs and PSs and cesspits evacuation contractors, much more groups will gain economic benefits such as workers in construction and operation and owners of served areas with the sanitation services, in which real estate prices are expected to raise. The overall environmental and social advantages are believed to significantly overweigh the disadvantages, especially when the ESMP is implemented. Moreover, the ISSIP II will directly contribute to achieving the objectives of the IIIMP, which target significant improvement to water resources management in the project area. The ISSIP II institutional structure will have a Monitoring and Evaluation unit (M&E) to verify the expected improvements of ISSIP II to surface water quality. Operation of the ISSIP II will be designed to achieve maximum possible improvement, which will be continuously monitored by the M&E Unit. Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 132 ESIA for ISSIP II Project – Final 6.2 ALTERNATIVES OF PIPING MATERIALS There are no direct preferences for piping materials from the environmental and social points of view related to the direct impacts of the ISSIP. However, the preferences will be based on the life cycle analysis of these piping materials. Using asbestos pipes is completely not allowed in the ISSIP II, due to the problems associated with its disposal during the project maintenance and/or decommissioning. 6.3 ALTERNATIVES FOR HOUSE CONNECTIONS Several alternatives exist for house connections, as follows: - Using existing septic tanks as barriers to allowing objectionable materials to enter the networks. - Using standard inspection chambers - Using individual interceptors for each household to enable preliminary settlement and to discharge wastewater to the network through overflow The first alternative will reduce construction costs but is associated with risks of sewage infiltration to the groundwater. There are two reasons for this; the first is that these tanks are, in most cases, designed with an open bed to allow infiltration. The second is that some of these tanks may be leaking due to improper design or insufficient maintenance. Therefore, using existing cesspits and septic tanks should only be practiced after inspecting their quality and after ensuring there are no leakages or means of infiltration to the environment. The third alternative achieves reduction of solids loads entering the sewerage system, leading to better treatment results and a better quality of final effluent. The interceptors should be frequently cleared from sludge to maintain their settling efficiency. However, the application of interceptors has two disadvantages: the first is their extra cost, and the second is the risk associated with sludge disposal. Using the standard inspection chambers, is a conventional system with no foreseen environmental impacts. As compared with the interceptors solution, it will produce an effluent with a relatively lower quality. However, the PSs and WWTP are equipped with inlet screening chambers designed to handle an effluent of such typical quality. 6.4 ALTERNATIVES TO THE UTILIZATION OF SLUDGE The sludge generated from WWTPs could be utilized in conditioning agricultural lands, after being subjected to a stabilization and hygienization process as previously discussed in Chapter 5. Sending to cement factories as RDF is a second option, and the third option is to dispose of it in landfills. Various environmental risks associated with these options have already been discussed. The utilization of sludge as RDF is the preferred option, followed by the use on agricultural land, providing there are safe concentration levels of heavy metals, safe biological properties, and safe land application rates followed according to the specifications of Law 93/1962 and the guidelines of USEPA. The reason for this preference over landfill disposal is that volume of waste received in disposal sites will be reduced and an equivalent quantity of fuel/chemical fertilizers, associated with an environmental cost for their production, will be saved. Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 133 ESIA for ISSIP II Project – Final On the other hand, the sustainability of using sludge as a land conditioner will be doubtful if the costs for sludge quality monitoring are not covered by revenues from sale of the sludge. In other words if revenue from the sale of sludge does not cover the extra WWTP operating costs resulting from stabilization processes and monitoring activities recommended in the ESMP, it will be better to go for the disposal alternative. Although land disposal of sludge will be practiced by a waste contractor as mentioned in the EMP, the process18 could be easily monitored by the RSU to check its compliance with the waste disposal contract. However, as previously presented in Chapter 5, the landfill disposal of sludge has the following risks/negative environmental impacts:  Loss of resources  Waste directives in many parts of the world prohibit the disposal of organic wastes (or place an upper limit of around 5% of total organic carbon in the waste for it to be accepted for disposal). The potential of applying similar laws in Egypt during the life cycle of the project exit and this puts a risk on the sustainability of the landfill disposal option.  Although the waste contractor could be monitored, random/illegal dumping of the sludge on agricultural lands or water streams still remains possible.  Nearby disposal sites have not been identified during the site visits at most of the villages and the practice of waste burning has been observed. So the risk of not finding a close disposal site exists. The co-composting of sludge with solid waste is a fourth option and will result in environmental benefits but the main disadvantage will be that the handling of sludge will not be within the control of the ISSIP. Adequate sludge handling methods, in terms of the safe application of land will not be guaranteed in the composting plant location. Furthermore, the mixing with solid waste may cause degradation of the sludge quality as a land conditioner because most of the existing solid waste composting plants do not separate impurities efficiently, especially glass. However, the conclusion which could be made is that under the current conditions, the following options are listed in order of preference:  RDF  Stabilization and soil fertilizer  Controlled landfill disposal.  Co-composting with solid waste Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 134 ESIA for ISSIP II Project – Final CHAPTER 7 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT PLAN Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 135 ESIA for ISSIP II Project – Final 7 CHAPTER 7 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT PLAN 7.1 OBJECTIVES OF THE ESMP The Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) presented in this chapter reflects the implementation procedures and mechanisms as well as the roles and responsibilities for the implementation of the mitigation measures and monitoring activities for the expected impacts as outlined in Chapter 5. Environmental and Social Management and Monitoring matrices have been prepared for the actions to be taken during the full Project cycle:  Tables 7.1 and 7.2: Environmental Management and monitoring matrices during the construction (and decommissioning) phase  Tables 7.3 and 7.4: Environmental Management and monitoring matrices during the operation phase  Tables 7.5 and 7.6: Social Management and social monitoring matrices respectively. The effectiveness of the proposed mitigation measures and environmental management plan will be then monitored throughout the construction and operation phases of the project. Monitoring will be performed using calibrated equipment (where relevant) and standard techniques in order to ensure accuracy of the results. These results will be stored in an easy to access database and will be analyzed and corrective/additional actions shall be undertaken as necessary. 7.2 ESMP INSTITUTIONAL SET-UP The project will be implemented through the following institutional setup: Project Steering Committee (PSC): will have mandate of providing guidance and ensure coordination between different project stakeholders. The steering committee will be headed by the Minister of Housing and Urban Development and will include representatives from NOPWASD, HCWW, the RSUs in the four governorates, Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, Ministry of Health and Population, Ministry of Social Affairs and Ministry of State for Environmental Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Planning, Ministry of International Cooperation. Ministry of Agriculture and Social Solidarity – to be represented Project Implementation Unit (PIU): which will be within HCWW and will be responsible for the overall management of the project, coordinating between different project units, and implementation of main investment contracts. The PIU will also have overall supervision on the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) component of the ISSIP project. Rural Sanitation Units (RSUs) which are established within the four governorates with mandate of planning, social mobilization / awareness, tendering, construction supervision, in addition to delegation of operation and maintenance tasks, and supervision of their performance. Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 136 ESIA for ISSIP II Project – Final Local Government Units: They are the local government relevant stakeholder, responsible for securing necessary land for construction of the pump stations as well as facilitating issuing necessary permits. They are also considered a main actor in handling complaints. 7.3 ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES FOR IMPLEMENTATION AND SUPERVISION OF THE ESMP The mitigation measures and monitoring activities that are recommended shall be implemented according to the institutional set-up shown in Section 7.2. Tables 7-1 to 7.6 present the responsibilities of different stakeholders for mitigation measures and monitoring activities during the construction and operation phases. The current environmental management scheme is as follows: - PIU: Roles and responsibilities:  Overall supervision for the environmental performance of the project.  Monitoring compliance with the ESMMP through follow up on the reporting presented by the RSUs.  Report regularly to the WB on the implementation of the ESMMP. - Environmental Management Expert (PIU-EM): Roles and responsibilities:  Supervising environmental performance of PIU, Construction Supervision Consultants (CSCs) and M&E.  Responsible for assigning specialized environmental experts for specific tasks, as will be indicated later in the mitigation measures, liaising with the RSU for support from other stakeholders and project counterparts. - Social Development Officer (PIU-SDO): Roles and responsibilities:  Work in partnership with the different stakeholders to support and facilitate implementation of the project.  Ensure participatory approaches to support implementation of community initiatives (related to land acquisition - donation).  Manage and coordinate relevant events and activities  Facilitate communication and negotiation with the target communities and relevant government stakeholders  Monitoring of the implementation of the Social Management plan through reporting from the RSUs  Coordinate and foster partnerships with relevant stakeholders including Local Government Units and civil society initiatives  Reporting on the land acquisition process: ensuring a diligent, transparent and well documented process is followed in acquiring land for the project. Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 137 ESIA for ISSIP II Project – Final SDO should participate in the proposed capacity building activities to be able to successfully conduct his role. Such as the following capacity building topics:  OP 4.12 World Bank regulations, Egyptian Legal requirements  Effective communication and negotiation skills  Mechanisms for building effective community participation  Monitoring and evaluation of ESMP  Effective handling of grievance mechanisms (including documentation)  Data collection and analysis methodology  Participatory Rapid Approach - Each RSU has one Environmental Regional Officer (RSU- ERO) and one Social Regional Officer (RSU-SRO), report on environmental management and monitoring activities as assigned to them in Tables 7.1 to 7.4. PIU-EM will provide CSCs with checklist of items to report on environmental measures taken during construction; these checklists will be part of the tender document for Construction Supervision Consultants. RSU is responsible for liaising between different environmental and social management and monitoring activities undertaken at the local level, and the PIU-EM and PIU-SDO respectively. The RSU-ERO will also supervise contractors during construction to ensure the implementation of the ESMMP which became an integral part of the contractual procedure starting phase II. On building the capacities of the RSU – SRO on awareness and information sharing: It is important to develop a framework for awareness and information sharing with the local community. This framework should be based on the principles of strategic communication. This framework needs to analyze strategically the local community and provide a solid framework on addressing any risks that may emerge. - The M&E will report to the PIU-EM on their activities, so as to take necessary actions to maintain water quality improvement expectations of the ISSIP Implementation of the ESMMP should be adapted to the local community in order to maximize the positive impacts and minimize negative impacts, especially among the most vulnerable groups such as (farmers, village population and women). These groups should be consulted during the construction to ensure their views are taken into account and appropriate actions are taken to mitigate the negative impacts. Consultation with the local community and the relevant stakeholders are among the requirements for the success of the ESMMP which is also a role that should be enhanced for the RSU-SRO. The organizational setup for the ISSIP and the input of the environmental and social management team is illustrated in Figure 7.1. Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 138 ESIA for ISSIP II Project – Final Project Steering Committee Project Implementation Monitoring and Unit (HCWW) Evaluation Unit (HCWW) PIU-EM and SDO RSUs RSU-ERO RSU-SRO CSCs Figure ‎ 7-1 Proposed Environmental Management Set-up Reporting on ESMMP  Currently reporting on the ESMMP measures is done on a monthly basis. The RSU presents a monthly report to the PIU about the implementation of the ESMMP. The report.  Monthly reports are presented to the PIU-EM and PIU-SDO who is responsible to ensure that the EMP measures are implemented in due course according to the progress report.  The monthly report19 include monitoring on the following activities: implementation of the ESMMP – Grievances – Community engagement activities and the contractor compliance with the ESMMP  The PIU-EM and PIU-SDO report to the PIU manager  The PIU reports to the World Bank on quarterly basis  Currently all RSUs use the same forms.  It is recommended to document all the received forms or grievances in the same manner. Ensure proper documentation of all activities. It would also be important the RSU members do not change regularly to ensure they are more familiar with the procedures and the local community. 19 The monthly report is presented regularly since September, 2015. Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 139 ESIA for ISSIP II Project – Final 7.4 GRIEVANCE AND HANDLING COMPLAINTS AND CONCERNS Special committees will be established at the central and governorate level of the company to handle grievances or concerns of local residents. Establishing a grievance mechanism is perceived as a key proactive measure to ensure that the concerns of local communities are sufficiently handled in an efficient manner and that feedback loops are closed 7.4.1 Proposed Grievance Mechanism Grievances and redress represent one of the important processes that should be tackled carefully during the project implementation. Grievance system should ensure that complaints are properly handled without delay that may negatively affect the project. This part explains the following: 1. Institutional responsibility for handling grievances 2. Grievance mechanism sensitive to group vulnerability (women, poor, illiterate and disabled) 3. Grievances channels 4. Response to grievances 5. Role of local NGO‟s 6. Disclosure of grievances 7. Monitoring of grievances In general all grievances and communications must be registered and the actions taken/responses should be tracked and recorded. Proper administration and internal records of stakeholder complaints and communications are essential for transparency and quality of Sohag Water Company, responsiveness and reporting to stakeholders on the resolution of grievances. A best practice standard is to acknowledge all complaints within 10 days. Due to the complexity of some of the complaints, not all of them can be resolved immediately. In this case medium or long-term corrective actions are required, which needs a formal procedure recommended to be implemented within 30 days: 1. The aggrieved person has to be informed of the proposed corrective measure. 2. In case no corrective action is required, the petitioner should also be informed accordingly. 3. Implementation of the corrective measure and its follow up has to be communicated to the complainant and recorded in the grievance register It must be noted that the water company applies an open door policy with the Local Governmental Units as well as the community leaders to handle grievances. In addition to the hotline for sanitation problems: 125. But grievance documentation process is not conducted properly. The RSU-SRO will be responsible of handling the grievances. A. Institutional responsibility for handling grievances The RSU is the main responsible entity for handling grievances. The PIU-SRO will work in close collaboration with the Local Government Unit, to investigate the submitted grievance. The main responsibilities for the PIU-SRO are as follows: i. Raise awareness among the local community about grievance mechanism. ii. Collect complaints received by different communication modes iii. Document received grievances iv. Direct grievances to the concerned bodies Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 140 ESIA for ISSIP II Project – Final v. Follow up on proposed procedures vi. Document, report and disclosure of grievances vii. Monitor grievance handling activities - Community awareness must be raised towards the grievance mechanism using the following: brochures that will be produced and distributed to different stakeholders, PAPs, NGO‟s, LGUs, mosques and churches. - It must be noted that during the field visits it was clear that the PAPs are not aware of the grievance channels except the LGU. Hence it is necessary to have more advertising of the grievance procedures in the future. It is also recommended to use social media tools such as facebook pages or whats app application. - Activities should be documented carefully, electronic documentation of the received grievances is recommended as well as all relevant documents related to each complaint. - A monthly report must be prepared about submitted grievances, how they were handled, level of satisfaction and the report must be published over the website. B. Grievances’ tiers: Complaints could be submitted by multiple intake points including submission by hand, mail or by email. Following are the procedures that must be applied to highlight grievance mechanisms: Tier 1: 1. The RSU – SRO should conduct more awareness raising activities about the grievance mechanism, such as more community meetings or posters. 2. The RSU – SRO will raise awareness among community members of the grievance mechanism, and the person they have to address grievances to. He will be responsible for documenting activities related to received grievances and will follow up on taken measures. The expected time should be 15 days. 3. The RSU – SRO is responsible for documentation of the received grievances. 4. The RSU – SRO is responsible to direct the grievance to relevant internal department at the water company or other stakeholders 5. The RSU – SRO is responsible for informing the local community of the outputs of the grievances. Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 141 ESIA for ISSIP II Project – Final Tier 2: In case no resolution was reached, the petitioner should resort to the second level as follows: 1. A grievance mediation committee will be formed from the concerned LGU and other stakeholders. It should be responsible for discussing problems that were not solved and propose solutions and make decision. This committee should mediate with the PAPs. 2. The mediation committee should convene periodically and petitioners should attend these meetings. B. Grievances channels Given the diversity of socio-economic characteristics among the PAPs appropriate grievance mechanisms must be identified to communicate with them, and the following are the main channels of communication to submit complaints: 1. The hotline „125‟ (raise awareness among PAP‟s about the mobile number of SDO) 2. Religious institutions in the area (mosques and churches) 3. NGO‟s are very convenient method 4. Regular meetings with the local community in collaboration with the stakeholders 5. Website, facebook page and other social media 6. Influential figures C. Response to grievances Responses to grievances will be conducted through the following channels: 1. Response should be conducted using the same channel for submitting the grievance. Written grievances must be replied in written format. Grievances submitted via the website should be replied by email. In cases of phone calls the RSU-SRO should call the PAPs to inform them of the resolution. 2. The second channel should be religious institutions in the area (Mosque or Church) 3. Grievances should be responded to within the identified time limit, to give the community the sense of responsibility towards their concerns and taking effective measures to solve arising issues. D. Monitoring grievances All grievance activities should be monitored in order to verify the process. The following indicators should guide the monitoring process: 1- Grievance register: Received grievances per month (Channel the grievance was submitted, gender, age, basic economic status of the complainants should be mentioned) 2- Type of grievance received (according to the topic of the complaint) 3- Number of grievances solved 4- Dissemination of activities taken 5- Level of satisfaction with solutions 6- Documentation efficiency 7- Efficiency of response to grievance provided ( efficiency in time and action taken) Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 142 ESIA for ISSIP II Project – Final E. Disclosure of grievances All grievances and communications will be registered and the actions taken/responses given will be disseminated through the LGU, NGOs and Sohag Water Company website. Frequently asked questions can be added to the website which would include responses to recurrent grievances and methods for handling them. This report must be published through the website of the water company, the NGO‟s and the LGU. 7.5 EMERGENCY PLAN -An emergency plan during the operation phase shall be developed by a specialized agency and in accordance with the rules and standards for safety and security and under the supervision of competent authorities. - During the construction phase, the contractor will be responsible for the preparation of the emergency plan for the construction sites. - The emergency plan will include the following measures:  identify stakeholders  Fire-fighting plan  Emergency response plan for spills and leaks of hazardous substances and oils.  First Aid and Injury Plan  Evacuation plan in case of emergency - A competent team of employees will be identified to work with the project‟s emergency team and shall receive certified training. - Emergency scenarios shall be developed and run regularly. 7.6 DEVELOPMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL REGISTERS The Environmental Register (ER) and Hazardous Waste Register will be developed in accordance with Appendix 3 of Law No. 4 of 1994, amended by Law No. 9 of 2009 and Law No. 105 of 2015 using the Guidelines for environmental registers issued by the Department of Environmental Inspection at EEAA . The Contractor and Project Operator will be responsible for the issuance of the ER under the supervision of the HCWW. 7.7 ESMP ESTIMATED BUDGET 7.7.1 Required Human Resources and Training The PIU-EM, SDO and RSU-ER will be recruited on full-time basis for the project. At least 2 RSU-EFS should be recruited for each RSU, so as to back each other‟s in site supervision of construction works and to help the RSU-ERO in supervision and reporting. The following Table summarizes the required human resources for environmental management of the ISSIP II phase II for the Sohag governorate, their correspondent qualifications and estimated salaries. Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 143 ESIA for ISSIP II Project – Final Human Resources Staff Member Number Recruited Minimum Qualifications Estimated by annual cost PIU-EM 1 PIU - Environmental degree L.E. 110,000 - 10 years technical experience - 5 years environmental management experience - Experience in wastewater treatment PIU -SDO 1 PIU Social degree L.E 110,000 - 10 years technical experience - 5 years social management experience RSU-ERO 2 RSUs - Technical degree L.E. 83,000 - 5 years technical experience - Experience in wastewater treatment RSU-SRO 2 RSUs - Technical degree L.E. 83,000 - 5 years technical experience Total for 2 governorates L.E 386,000 Total for Sohag L.E. 193,000 The following training courses are recommended for the environmental staff, to acquire know- how for the tasks assigned to them. The training budget covers the four governorates. Training requirements Institutional Time Estimat Components Participants Comments Support schedule e cost Project characteristics and legal aspects, PIU staff Training environmental members A week programs on 25,000 impacts, mitigation Before RSU at the training, field the ESMP and L.E per measures, monitoring, implementation water visits. WB session evaluation, reporting, company regulations documentation (shapes and figures) PIU staff Once before Environmental Environmental members 25,000 implementation auditing and auditing, check lists RSU at the L.E per A week training then once every inspection and reporting water session two years company PIU staff Once before Documentatio Data analysis methods members 25,000 implementation n and data and documentation RSU at the L.E per A week training then once every analysis water session year company Preparing Communication skills, RSU at the Once before reports, public outreach, social water and 25,000 A week training implementation community surveys, sampling, wastewater L.E per and on job then once every outreach, data analysis and company session training two years social surveys preparing report Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 144 ESIA for ISSIP II Project – Final Institutional Time Estimat Components Participants Comments Support schedule e cost and inspection -RSU at the water and Handling options for wastewater sludge Once before company 25,000 Safe handling Safety measures implementation -Farmers L.E per and reuse of Legal framework then once every -Water Users session Three days sludge) year Associations, Health risks -NGOs Adequate and Water quality Once before RSU at the 30,000 One week consistent implementation water and L.E per water quality Testing procedures then once every wastewater session monitoring two years company Sampling procedures Relevant standards Total Cost for Sohag governorate 155,000 7.7.2 Management and Monitoring budget The total budget for the management and monitoring plans as presented in Tables 7.1 to 7.6 is as follows During Construction (presented for a total of two years) Management (L.E) 15,000 Monitoring (L.E) 104,640 During Operation (annual cost) Management (L.E) 417,500 Monitoring (L.E) 116,000 It is worth noting that the presented costs do not include the following expenses, for certain measures recommended in the ESMP, because they are already included in the main project budget: - Survey of existing WWTPs and the correspondent improvements (if any) for these WWTPs to qualify them for receiving ISSIP wastewaters - Geotechnical investigations for PSs - PPE for workers - Delays of chance finds - Warning signs - Cost of lime - Installation of oil/solid separators at commercial units to prevent sewers clogging - Annual efficiency assessment for WWTPs - Subsidies for unaffordable groups of community Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 145 ESIA for ISSIP II Project – Final 7.8 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT AND MONITORING MATRICES Tables 7.1 to 7.6 Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 146 ESIA for ISSIP II Project – Final Table ‎ 7-1 Environmental Management Plan during the construction phase Main Estimated Cost of Institutional Responsibility activities Project Means of Implementation / Supervision Potential Impact Proposed Mitigation Measures Responsibility for of Direct causing the Phase Supervision Total Costs20 Implementation Supervision Assumptions impact (L.E.) Implement a construction site management plan including the following measures:  Store construction materials in pre-identified storage areas.  Cover friable materials during storage. Construction of  Wet the network of unpaved roads on site. The use of water should be Construction CSC Field - Contractor cost in Air Quality Impacts PSs, FMs and restricted to extremely active areas. Construction normal bid price 0.0 Contractor PIU/RSU supervision gravity sewers  Regulation of speed to a suitable speed (20 km/h) for all vehicles - Normal CSC price entering the village‟s boundaries.  Implement preventive maintenance program for vehicles and equipment working on site and promptly repair vehicles with visible exhaust fume. On site Construction noise shall be mitigated to ensure a safe work environment by implementing an occupational health and safety plan, which considers national and international requirements. The plan shall include the following measures:  Ear muffs/protective hearing equipment shall be made available to all Construction of workers in noise critical areas Contractor cost in Construction CSC Field PSs, FMs and Construction normal bid price 0.0 gravity sewers  Training on how and when to use protective hearing equipment shall be Contractor PIU/RSU supervision - Normal CSC price conducted as part of the workers‟ induction sessions.  Place visually clear instructions in areas where noise emissions are significant. Ambient noise impacts Off-site construction noise shall be mitigated as follows:  Optimize the use of noisy construction equipment and turn off any equipment if not in use.  Regular maintenance of all equipment and vehicles  Stop all construction activities during the night Contractor cost in  Communicate the construction schedule with neighboring communities Construction CSC Field Construction normal bid price 0.0 and sensitive receptors Contractor PIU/RSU supervision - Normal CSC price  Implement a complaints system  For PSs located in close proximity to mosques, the Construction activities shall be minimized during prayers times (10 minutes/2 times/day)  Siting permanent facilities away from residential areas Pre- Soil and Construction of Design and construct an impermeable protective base layer underlying areas Contractor cost in construction Construction CSC Field groundwater quality PSs, FMs and with potential hazardous liquids storage or use normal bid price 0.0 & Contractor PIU/RSU supervision Impacts gravity sewers - Normal CSC price Construction 20Costs are estimated over a construction period of two years Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 147 ESIA for ISSIP II Project – Final Main Estimated Cost of Institutional Responsibility activities Project Means of Implementation / Supervision Potential Impact Proposed Mitigation Measures Responsibility for of Direct causing the Phase Supervision Total Costs20 Implementation Supervision Assumptions impact (L.E.) Contractor cost in Implement a site construction management plan including segregation and Construction CSC Field Construction normal bid price 0.0 reuse options of excavated soil. Contractor PIU/RSU supervision - Normal CSC price The Contractor shall adopt an Occupational Health and safety plan during the construction phase. According to OSHA standards the main mitigations measures to prevent common construction hazards are: • Workers must follow safety standards and use protective equipment to minimize hazards while trenching and excavating • Workers should be trained to identify and evaluate fall hazards and be fully aware of how to control exposure to such risks as well as know how to use fall protection equipment properly. • Workers must comply with OSHA‟s general rule for the safe use of ladders and stairways • The scaffolding hazard shall be addressed as stated by OSHA standards. They give specific requirements for the maximum load, when to use scaffolding, bracing systems and the use of guardrails. • To prevent Heavy Construction Equipment risk, workers should follow all construction safety guidelines necessary to eliminate the exposure to such injuries and accidents • The best way to prevent the Electrical hazard is for the workers to be at a safe working distance away from the power lines. Other Inspection Construction of visits/ Contractor cost in Occupational health precautionary measures include guarding and insulating of the vehicle Construction CSC PSs, FMs and Construction review normal bid price 0.0 and safety impacts from which they might work. This would help prevent electrical Contractor PIU/RSU gravity sewers incident - Normal CSC price hazards from injuring them while working. reports The Occupational Health and safety plan shall also include the Egyptian Labor law No. 12 for 2003 and the international construction standards requirements, including , but not limited to , the following measures: • Identification of hazard sources to workers • Eliminating the sources of hazards • Workers must be trained to recognize potential hazards, use proper work practices and procedures, recognize adverse health effects, understand the physical signs and reactions related to exposures, and are familiar with appropriate emergency evacuation procedures. They must also be trained to how to use the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). • Inspection and testing of all equipment and machines • Appointing an Accident Prevention Officer at the site, to take protective measures to prevent accidents • Designation of restricted areas, such as construction sites • Preparation of an emergency response plan • Provision of necessary rescue equipment • Elaboration and management of a safety guarantee plan Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 148 ESIA for ISSIP II Project – Final Main Estimated Cost of Institutional Responsibility activities Project Means of Implementation / Supervision Potential Impact Proposed Mitigation Measures Responsibility for of Direct causing the Phase Supervision Total Costs20 Implementation Supervision Assumptions impact (L.E.) • Provision of appropriate and sufficient first aid equipment  To prevent Excavation and Trenching accidents and injuries, both the contractors and workers must follow safety standards and use protective equipment to minimize hazards while trenching and excavating. The sides of the trenches should be strengthened by wood or aluminum reinforcement sheets installed on both sides of the excavated trench, in critical areas (adjacent to existing houses and near Inspection Construction of - Contractor cost in Community Safety canals and drains). Construction CSC visits/review PSs, FMs and Construction normal bid price 0.0 Impacts  Using fences and warning signs during the construction phase Contractor PIU/RSU Complaints gravity sewers - Normal CSC price log  Using protective barriers and safe walkways  Appointing of an officer on site, to take protective measures to prevent accidents and/or to respond to accidents.  Provision of appropriate and sufficient of first aid equipment on site  Implement a complaints system A waste management plan complying with international best practice and relevant Egyptian regulations and covering all types of construction waste shall be developed and implemented by the construction contractors. This plan shall define exact procedures and locations for waste management and disposal. The waste management plan shall include the following measures:  Implement a segregation system based on compatibility of different waste streams during each phase of project implementation  Specify an area/containers for non-hazardous wastes which 15,000 Risks of accommodate for the generated segregated streams field transporting uncontrolled Construction of  Dispose of non-recycled wastes in the nearest landfill ( including waste supervision - Contractor cost in waste in Al disposal of non- Construction CSC PSs, FMs and generated from clearing Al Mahamda Al Baharia PS location); the Construction and review normal bid price Mahamda al hazardous solid Contractor PIU/RSU gravity sewers location of which needs to be confirmed at the beginning of the the WMP - Normal CSC price Baharya to wastes generated construction phase. document the closest during construction  Register the amounts of disposed of wastes and keep waste disposal landfill. and transportation receipts/manifests, to be ready for review by the PIU/HCWW. The measures listed above represent the minimum measures to be included in the waste management plan which will be prepared and implemented by the contractor, and supervised by the PMU/HCWW. They should part of the contracting tender documents. Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 149 ESIA for ISSIP II Project – Final Main Estimated Cost of Institutional Responsibility activities Project Means of Implementation / Supervision Potential Impact Proposed Mitigation Measures Responsibility for of Direct causing the Phase Supervision Total Costs20 Implementation Supervision Assumptions impact (L.E.) Prior estimation of dewatered liquid volume during the digging works  Collect and analyze samples of the dewatered liquid.  Arrange for disposal by tankers in nearest sewers, PSs, existing WWTP - Normal CSC price- Risks of improper or pre-determined drain locations, depending on the sample analysis review PIU and RSU Construction of Construction disposal of liquid results in consultation with and after getting approval of the CSC and Construction PIU/RSU Contractor's management cost PSs, FMs and Contractor 0.0 wastes generated RSU/PMU CSC reports and normal CSC gravity sewers during construction  Evacuation of closed household cesspits and construction site sewage price to existing WWTP, or pre-determined drain locations in consultation with and after getting approval of the CSC and RSU/PIU Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 150 ESIA for ISSIP II Project – Final Main Estimated Cost of Institutional Responsibility activities Project Means of Implementation / Supervision Potential Impact Proposed Mitigation Measures Responsibility for of Direct causing the Phase Supervision Total Costs20 Implementation Supervision Assumptions impact (L.E.) A hazardous waste management plan complying with international best practice and relevant Egyptian regulations and covering all types of construction waste shall be developed and implemented by the construction contractors. This plan shall define exact procedures and locations for waste management and disposal. The waste management plans should also refer to health and safety procedures, and emergency procedures for containing and managing accidental spillages. The measures listed below represent the minimum measures to be included/adopted in the waste management plan which will be prepared and implemented by the contractor, and supervised by the PMU/HCWW. They should be part of the contracting tender documents. e) General measures  All types of hazardous waste can only be transported by licensed hazardous waste service providers and disposed of in licensed landfill. Both, the service providers and disposal sites have to be identified at the beginning of construction works. At the time of producing this study, the nearest (only) hazardous waste disposal site is the Nasreya Centre in Alexandria. CSC for  The different types of hazardous wastes should not be mixed. field  Spent mineral oils shall be collected, stored in sealed containers and recycled using a licensed company which also has to be identified by the contractor supervision Risks of improper f) Adopting an Identification system for hazardous wastes generated on site and review handling and/or - Contractor cost in Construction of CSC of disposal of Construction normal bid price. PSs, FMs and The Contractor shall be able to identify the different potential hazardous wastes. Construction PIU-EM PS/WWTP 0.0 hazardous solid Contractor - Normal CSC price. gravity sewers Identification shall be performed according to the Egyptian hazardous waste signature on wastes generated classification system by the contractor‟s in-house staff or with the aid of an waste during construction independent waste management consultant appointed by the contractor. manifests during g) Storage and Management of the waste accumulation area The waste storage area for hazardous wastes could be integrated with the general construction waste storage area but shall be fenced, secured with limited admission and shaded from rain and sun heat/light.:  It is recommended that the maximum period for storing hazardous waste is 270 days from the start date of accumulation of waste.  The storage area must have a water supply  A hazardous waste label that has a “Hazardous Waste” mark on it must be placed on the container while still at the generation point. h) Emergency Response For the purpose of first response, when a hazardous substance release is first discovered or witnessed, the individual of concern who had to be previously trained would initiate an emergency response sequence by notifying the proper authorities of the release. The individual will take no further action beyond self-evacuation and notification. The aim of the response at this level is limited to protect nearby persons, property, or the environment from the effects of the release. No trials are performed at this stage to actually stop the release. This level of response includes;  actions to contain the release from a safe distance Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW)  prevent its spreading 151 ESIA for ISSIP II Project – Final  evacuation Main Estimated Cost of Institutional Responsibility activities Project Means of Implementation / Supervision Potential Impact Proposed Mitigation Measures Responsibility for of Direct causing the Phase Supervision Total Costs20 Implementation Supervision Assumptions impact (L.E.)  Prior to construction works the project's construction plan should be presented to the Supreme Council for Antiquities, who shall identify Pre- Review of project locations (including PSs, WWTPs, sewer lines and FMs) that construction RSU and PIU Contractor PIU/RSU official 0.0 require providing protection against possible damage to near antiquities. and management costs letters Impacts related to construction Construction of Archaeology and WWTP, PSs, 1. Chance find procedures will be employed, in case an antiquity is found cultural heritage FMs and during excavation. The process includes immediate cessation of Review - Possible delays in gravity sewers excavation works, leaving the antiquity object exactly on its found documentati construction works location, taking photographs to document time and status of the object, Construction CSC PIU/RSU on of chance which are the 0.0 assigning guards to watch the found antiquity and contacting the find responsibility of the Supreme Council of Antiquities to handle the site within 48 hours. procedures contractors - PIU for approval  All mitigation measures for safeguarding long delays of vehicles and during planning Review of traffic will be undertaken by Local Traffic Department. The role of the required Planning and - Contractor (aided project management will be focused on involving the authorities in the permits on RSU and PIU pre- by RSU) for PIU-EM 0.0 project planning process, to identify the type of crossing works, and to planned management costs construction specific approvals take permission for the duration and method of execution for specific crossing crossings. right before/during works construction  During the excavation of roads in villages, there should be a wood or - Warning signs and metal bridge for pedestrians access over each opened trench. pedestrian access Construction of means are included Disturbance of WWTP, PSs, Pedestrian paths beside or across trenches should be as flat as possible, and clearly marked with warning signs that are visible at night. In all in the contractor bid traffic and access FMs and Construction Field price difficulty gravity sewers cases the maximum length of an open trench in certain road should Construction CSC 0.0 not exceed 500 meters21. Contractor supervision - Three trenches are  Alternate access routes should be identified and communicated with assumed to be open the residents before starting /during construction. at the same time. - CSC normal price  Assign one worker to be present 24 hours for helping people with difficulty in access or respond to falling accidents - normal contractor Construction Field bid price Construction CSC 0.0 Contractor supervision - CSC normal price Total 15,000 21 This condition has been recommended by the HCWW Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 152 ESIA for ISSIP II Project – Final Table ‎ 7-2 Environnemental Monitoring Matrix during the construction phase Monitoring Monitoring Monitoring Monitoring Monitoring Estimated Monitoring Cost22 Potential Impact Indicator Location Methods Frequency Responsibility Assumptions Total Costs (L.E) Once before HC, CO% and Onsite gas construction + L.E 920 / machine - opacity for Construction analyzer once quarterly CSC/RSU - Number of machines per site , selected randomly is 1 66,240 construction site measurement for for each machinery exhaust machine during - Number of sites is 8 construction Once before construction + Opacity and black Construction once quarterly Air emissions Visual inspection CSC/RSU - 0.0 fume site for each machine during construction Recording to be once complaint Record and Construction is received. Dust complaints document CSC/RSU - normal CSC price and RSU management costs 0.0 site Documentation complaints shall be in monthly reports Onsite noise Noise intensity, meter Once quarterly exposure Construction measurements L.E 600 / site during CSC/RSU 38,400 durations and site from Number of sites is 8 construction noise impacts representative locations (Map1) Noise emissions Recording to be Record and once complaint document Complaints from Construction is received. complaints CSC/RSU - normal CSC price and RSU management costs 0.0 residents site Documentation received from shall be in residents monthly reports Amount of soil Whenever soil is disposed of and Construction Soil Impacts Record disposed of or CSC/RSU normal CSC price and RSU management costs 0.0 the amount of soil site brought in brought in Daily field Risks of improper Regular inspection observation and handling of waste Accumulation of Construction Observation, documentation CSC/RSU - normal CSC price and RSU management costs 0.0 generated during waste sites documentation in monthly construction reports 22 Displayed Monitoring costs are for two years Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 153 ESIA for ISSIP II Project – Final Monitoring Monitoring Monitoring Monitoring Monitoring Estimated Monitoring Cost22 Potential Impact Indicator Location Methods Frequency Responsibility Assumptions Total Costs (L.E) Environmental consultant Amount of Manifests and supervising delivered Construction - Environmental consultant costs included in his management costs waste disposal Monthly clearance of 0.0 hazardous waste sites receipt review contaminated to licensed facility sites Risk of improper Date, time, Documentation of management of locations and Construction In case an object chance-find CSC/RSU - normal CSC price and RSU management costs 0.0 culturally valuable status of chance site has been found procedures sites finds Accidents, Recording to be complaints and Record and once complaint Disturbance of remarks from document Construction is received. traffic and access residents complaints CSC/RSU - CSC normal price 0.0 site Documentation difficulty Contractors‟ received from shall be in access facilitation residents monthly reports adequacy Regular reporting of any accidents, as well as records and reports on health, safety and welfare of workers Record and Occupational Construction document Monthly CSC/RSU - normal CSC price and RSU management costs 0.0 Health & Safety Regular inspection site accidents – of workers against Medical inspection pathogenic agents and provision of immunization when needed Total Costs 104,640 Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 154 ESIA for ISSIP II Project – Final Table ‎ 7-3 Environmental Management Matrix during the operation phase Main activity Institutional causing the Estimated Cost of implementation / supervision Responsibili Responsibility impact Means of Potential Impact Proposed Mitigation Measures Project Phase ty for of direct supervision Total Implementa supervision Assumptions Costs/year tion (L.E) - Review of Maintain efficient performance of treatment efficiency in the monthly reports - RSU and normal operation Operation PO RSU 0.0 three WWTPs and field management costs supervision Establish close communication with the neighboring areas, - Field audit to establish a complaints handling system and assign a staff ensure that a - Allow L.E. 7,000 / WWTP / year member in the WWTP to receive odor complaints. This could Operation of communication for awareness Air Quality and Odor be done through posters and the distribution of brochures that the WWTP Operation RSU PIU system and -Number of WWTP 3 21,000 Impacts illustrate the right to complain, and the contacts information of and PSs complaints - RSU and PIU normal management the responsible staff, and the RSU officer assigned to supervise handling system costs the plant. are established - Review Supplied standby generators to PSs and WWTPs should be certificate for Operation RSU PIU - Normal supplier price 0.0 checked with suppliers for their emission standards emission standards from the supplier Noise Impacts Operation of Off site: - L.E. 10,000 / WWTP for the WWTPs cultivation , irrigation and  Cultivate and maintain a tree belt around the site where and PSs maintenance feasible Operation PO PIU/RSU - Field audit - Number of WWTP is 2 11,500  Implement a complaints system to investigate any noise (the area around Sohag West complaints from neighboring communities. WWTP is cultivated) On site noise emissions control during operation shall be achieved by implementing an occupational health and safety plan, which considers national and international requirements. This to ensure a safe work environment and to ensure that on- site noise levels stay within the allowable limits. The plan shall include the following measures:  Ear muffs/protective hearing equipment shall be made -Field audit available to all workers in noise critical areas Included in normal operation Operation PO PIU/RSU -Review H&S 0.0  Training on how and when to use protective hearing budget records equipment shall be conducted as part of the workers‟ induction sessions.  Place visually clear instructions in areas where noise emissions are significant.  Regular maintenance of all equipment and vehicles Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 155 ESIA for ISSIP II Project – Final Main activity Institutional causing the Estimated Cost of implementation / supervision Responsibili Responsibility impact Means of Potential Impact Proposed Mitigation Measures Project Phase ty for of direct supervision Total Implementa supervision Assumptions Costs/year tion (L.E) Risks of improper Operation of Sludge handling and treatment Operation PO PIU/RSU Field supervision PIU and RSU normal management 0.0 handling of sludge the WWTP and check that the costs  Following the drying process, the stabilization of sludge procedures for using quicklime should be implemented on site if sludge treatment sampling of the dried sludge indicated compliance with are documented national requirements in all parameters except the and are being pathogenic content (table 5-5) followed.  The sludge and lime should be thoroughly mixed. A pH not less than 12 and a temperature not less 55°C should be maintained for at least 2 hours after mixing.  A manual for sludge treatment shall be developed and should be annually revised based on the actual sludge quality, actual quantity, news laws and regulations.  Workers handling sludge, or working near sludge tanks in the WWTP should wear suitable gloves and boots. Hygiene instructions should be disseminated to workers, before they start working. These instructions should be clearly illustrated in posters placed in the offices and rest rooms of workers. Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 156 ESIA for ISSIP II Project – Final Main activity Institutional causing the Estimated Cost of implementation / supervision Responsibili Responsibility impact Means of Potential Impact Proposed Mitigation Measures Project Phase ty for of direct supervision Total Implementa supervision Assumptions Costs/year tion (L.E) Operation PO PIU/RSU Field supervision PIU and RSU normal management 0.0 Sludge application on land (if proven feasible by PIU): and check that the costs procedures and  It is very important to ensure that sludge is of adequate regulations for quality for reuse. The quality of the sludge has to fulfill the sludge quality standards for heavy metals as indicated in Table 5.5 management are according to the Executive Regulations of Law 93/1962 , documented and and the US EPA threshold concentrations of heavy metals are being of sludge to be applied on agricultural land (whichever is followed. lower). The monitoring activities for assessing the sludge quality and the effectiveness of the treatment are included in the sludge management monitoring activities in Table 7.4. The RSU will communicate the following procedures for sludge application on land to sludge purchasers:  Sludge must not be applied to soil in which fruit and vegetable crops are being grown, or less than ten months before fruit and vegetable crops are to be harvested.  Grazing animals must not be allowed access to grassland or forage land less than three weeks after the application of sludge.  Treated Sludge shall not be used as fertilizer unless it has been tested and approved by (i) the competent administrative authority within the Ministry of Housing, (ii) the Ministry of Health and (iii) EEAA after preparing an EIA for the production, distribution, utilization and disposal process, if necessary.  Health precautions and buffer zones should be respected and indicate that the application of sludge should be within the following ranges according to soil type (law 93/1962): 8-14 m3/feddan/year for thick soil, 10-16m3/feddan/year for medium soil and 12- 20m3/feddan/year for light soil. Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 157 ESIA for ISSIP II Project – Final Main activity Institutional causing the Estimated Cost of implementation / supervision Responsibili Responsibility impact Means of Potential Impact Proposed Mitigation Measures Project Phase ty for of direct supervision Total Implementa supervision Assumptions Costs/year tion (L.E) Operation PO PIU/RSU Field inspection PIU and RSU normal management 0.0 Sludge Use as RDF (if proven feasible by PIU): and check that costs RDF contract is  Dried sludge could be sent to cement factories as RDF being according to an contractual agreement between HCWW implemented and the Cement Company. In that case the need for lime treatment should be reconsidered if it will affect the calorific value/properties of the sludge.  If the sludge was found hazardous (based on the sludge sampling results), it shall be handled by workers wearing PPE and transported by a licensed contractor to a cement factory licensed to incinerate hazardous wastes. Operation PO PIU/RSU Field inspection, - L.E. 150/ ton sludge above normal 279,000 Sludge disposal in landfill: and documents operation costs in case of dumpsite.  If sludge cannot be reused, the right landfill category review Potential Sludge amount is 1,460 in must be determined. Based on the chemical analysis of Sohag West WWTP, and around the sludge, it should be sent to the respective landfill 200 ton/year for each of Tema and (HW landfill or non HW landfill). Balyana WWTPs - Number of WWTPs is 3 - RSU normal management costs Risks associated with Operation of  Implement preventive maintenance Programme to all Operation PO PIU/RSU Field inspection, - Normal PO costs 0.0 disposal and/or reuse the WWTP structures and electromechanical equipment in PSs and and documents - PIU and RSU management costs of final treated WWTPs. The supplier of each equipment should review effluent provide a preventive maintenance schedule for supplied equipment. Implementing this schedule should be part of the WWTP and PS operational manual. Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 158 ESIA for ISSIP II Project – Final Main activity Institutional causing the Estimated Cost of implementation / supervision Responsibili Responsibility impact Means of Potential Impact Proposed Mitigation Measures Project Phase ty for of direct supervision Total Implementa supervision Assumptions Costs/year tion (L.E) Operation of  In case the influent is totally or partially bypassed to the Operation PO PIU Field inspection - PO normal costs 0.0 the WWTP tree forest, the PIU-EM should be immediately notified and documents - PIU and RSU management costs with the reasons, durations and applied control review measures for such event. The PIU-EM should directly notify the PSC and EEAA with the incidents. After returning to normal operation mode, reasons for using the bypass line should be analyzed to prevent repeating these incidents in future. This should be considered during the analysis of the results of the regular monitoring program. In addition to the measures listed above, assessment of soil and groundwater contamination should be undertaken. Operation of  Prevent over-irrigation in the timber forests to maintain Operation PO PIU/RSU Field supervision - PO normal costs 0.0 the three the species in healthy condition and avoid soil and and review records - PIU and RSU management costs WWTPs groundwater contamination. of daily water quantities Operation of Before PO PIU/RSU Field supervision - 0.0 the Tema and  Esure that the area under preparation in both Tema Operation of and reporting Sohag WWTP and Sohag timber forests (150 and 100 Feddan PSs in Tema respectively) will be ready to receiving the treated Clusters effluent before implementing the project Operation of  Upgrade the Tema and Sohag West WWTP treatment Before PO PIU/RSU Field supervision - 0.0 the WWTPs system to tertiary treatment systems to discharge the Operation of according to the treated excess influent to the closest drain. PSs in Sohag ESMP of the and Tema upgrade Clusters Operation of  Conduct ESIA for upgrading Tema and Sohag West Before External PIU/RSU Contractual - 0.0 the WWTPs WWTP in accordance with the local requirements Operation of Environme management PSs in Sohag ntal and Tema Consultant Clusters Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 159 ESIA for ISSIP II Project – Final Main activity Institutional causing the Estimated Cost of implementation / supervision Responsibili Responsibility impact Means of Potential Impact Proposed Mitigation Measures Project Phase ty for of direct supervision Total Implementa supervision Assumptions Costs/year tion (L.E) Risks of improper Operation of A waste management plan complying with international best Operation PO PIU/RSU Field supervision - Waste disposal is included in handling and/or the WWTP practice and relevant Egyptian regulations and covering all types and review that normal operations costs 10,000 disposal of non- and PSs of potential non-hazardous wastes shall be developed and the PS/WWTPs‟ - 4,000/year maintenance of hazardous solid implemented by the project‟s operator. This plan shall define waste management containers and storage areas wastes generated exact procedures and locations for waste management and plan is during operation disposal. documented and being The following measures shall be implemented: implemented  Implement a segregation system based on compatibility of different waste streams  Specify an area/containers for non-hazardous wastes which accommodate for the generated segregated streams  Dispose of non-recycled wastes at the nearest landfill.  Register the amounts of disposed of wastes and keep waste disposal and transportation receipts/manifests, to be ready for review by EEAA. HCWW/PMU should adopt the measures listed above and ensure that the all waste relevant information (types, amounts, disposal methods, etc..) are included in the environmental register of the plant. Prepare schedule for solids and oils removal from household Operation Owners of RSU - Occasional site - RSU management costs 0.0 separation unit. Sludge from household interceptors and septic the supervision tanks should be discharged to WWTP. households, bakeries, Remove oil from oil separators in restaurants and bakeries and and dispose it in domestic solid waste disposal sites23 restaurants 23 It has been assumed that new separators will be installed according to adequate engineering specs. It has been also assumed that the oil has been oxidized to an extent that it is not considered flammable thus not considered as hazardous waste. Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 160 ESIA for ISSIP II Project – Final Main activity Institutional causing the Estimated Cost of implementation / supervision Responsibili Responsibility impact Means of Potential Impact Proposed Mitigation Measures Project Phase ty for of direct supervision Total Implementa supervision Assumptions Costs/year tion (L.E) Daily removal of PS screens waste to domestic solid waste Operation PO RSU-ERO - Documents - L.E. 100/ton for normal waste 78,000 disposal sites review and contractor, above PO price. Stabilizing separated grit with lime, dry it in separate drying occasional site - Average flow per day is 15000m3 beds and dispose dry grit in domestic solid waste disposal sites supervision - PS screens factor is 0.05m3/1000m3 - Density of PS screens is 0.2t/m3 - RSU management costs - Lime cost included in sludge stabilization - L.E. 100/ton for grit disposal. - Average flow per day is 15,000 m3 - Grit factor is 0.01 m3/1000m3 - Density of PS screens is 1.6 t/m3 - RSU management costs Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 161 ESIA for ISSIP II Project – Final Main activity Institutional causing the Estimated Cost of implementation / supervision Responsibili Responsibility impact Means of Potential Impact Proposed Mitigation Measures Project Phase ty for of direct supervision Total Implementa supervision Assumptions Costs/year tion (L.E) Risks of improper Operation of A waste management plan complying with international best Operation PO PIU/RSU Field inspection - 1500L.E./ton or batch handling and/or the WWTP practice and relevant Egyptian regulations and covering all types and check that - Number of batches is 4 per 18,000 disposal of hazardous and PSs. of potential hazardous wastes shall be developed and hazardous wastes each WWTP per year solid wastes implemented by the project‟s operator. This plan shall define operating generated during the exact procedures and locations for waste management and procedures are operation phase disposal. The waste management plans should also refer to being documented health and safety procedures, and emergency procedures for and implemented containing and managing accidental spillages. HCWW/PMU should adopt the measures listed below and ensure that all waste relevant information (types, amounts, disposal methods, etc..) are included in the environmental register of the plant. In addition to that, a separate hazardous waste register (according to the Egyptian Laws) has to be prepared , containing all information relevant to the generation , handling and disposal of hazardous wastes. e) General measures  All types of hazardous waste can only be transported by licensed hazardous waste service providers and disposed of in licensed landfill. Both, the service providers and disposal sites have to be identified at the beginning of the operation phase. At the time of producing this study, the nearest and only hazardous waste disposal site is the Nasreya Centre in Alexandria.  The different types of hazardous wastes should not be mixed.  Spent mineral oils shall be collected, stored in sealed containers and recycled using a licensed company which also has to be identified at the beginning of the operation phase. f) Adopting an Identification system for hazardous wastes generated on site The operator shall be able to identify the different potential hazardous wastes. Identification shall be performed according to the Egyptian hazardous waste classification system by the operator‟s in-house staff (PMU-EM and RSUs or with the aid of an independent waste management consultant). Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 162 ESIA for ISSIP II Project – Final Main activity Institutional causing the Estimated Cost of implementation / supervision Responsibili Responsibility impact Means of Potential Impact Proposed Mitigation Measures Project Phase ty for of direct supervision Total Implementa supervision Assumptions Costs/year tion (L.E) g) Storage and Management of the waste accumulation area The waste storage area for hazardous wastes could be integrated with the general waste storage area but shall be fenced, secured with limited admission and shaded from rain and sun heat/light.:  It is recommended that the maximum period for storing hazardous waste is 270 days from the start date of accumulation of waste.  The storage area must have a water supply  A hazardous waste label that has a “Hazardous Waste” mark on it must be placed on the container while still at the generation point. - Remove oil from oil separators in petrol stations and Operation Owners of PIU/RSU - Documents 0.0 workshops and dispose it in hazardous solid waste disposal the petrol review and sites stations occasional site inspection Risks of handling Operation of hazardous substances the WWTP  Diesel ASTs should be surrounded with impermeable Operation PO PIU/RSU - Documents PIU and RSU management costs 0.0 and PSs. bund with a capacity of 110% of AST capacity. Any review and leaked diesel from ASTs should be pumped to diesel occasional site trucks until the leakage in AST has been repaired. No inspection USTs should be used in the project, this has been further discussed in the screening criteria. Occupational health Operation of Operation PO PIU/RSU Documents review - PO normal costs 0.0 and safety impacts the three The project‟s operator shall implement an occupational health and occasional site - RSU management costs WWTPs and and safety plan , which shall include, but not be limited to, the supervision PSs following measures; Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 163 ESIA for ISSIP II Project – Final Main activity Institutional causing the Estimated Cost of implementation / supervision Responsibili Responsibility impact Means of Potential Impact Proposed Mitigation Measures Project Phase ty for of direct supervision Total Implementa supervision Assumptions Costs/year tion (L.E) 1-Immunization Ensure routine vaccinations for workers for influenza, tetanus, and Hepatitis “A” (according to Consultations with the institute‟s physicians). 2- Safe Practices and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) It is recommended to avoid liquid contact with exposed skin, by using a full-body impervious suits in addition with using rubber boots, gloves, hard hats and eye protection. Using the Respirator instrument is based on an evaluation of respiratory hazards in the workplace and other relevant workplace and user factors. During cleaning operations performed outside a tank or and pipelines, where the atmosphere is not immediately dangerous to life or health, the worker(s) shall wear supplied-air or air- purifying respirator with organic vapor HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Arresting cartridge). When working in confined spaces, the team (inside and outside) must have extra flashlights and two-way radios readied for communication. A first-aid kit must be readily available; an eyewash and flushing station, neutralizing solutions, cleaning equipment, and emergency medical services. 3-Training Workers must be trained to recognize potential hazards, use proper work practices and procedures, recognize adverse health effects, understand the physical signs and reactions related to exposures, and are familiar with appropriate emergency evacuation procedures. They must also be trained to select and Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 164 ESIA for ISSIP II Project – Final Main activity Institutional causing the Estimated Cost of implementation / supervision Responsibili Responsibility impact Means of Potential Impact Proposed Mitigation Measures Project Phase ty for of direct supervision Total Implementa supervision Assumptions Costs/year tion (L.E) use the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). 4- Control Measures Prior to entering and/or maintenance  Assess and review sewage systems, components and piping.  Perform jobsite safety and health analyses and be aware of all associated risks and hazards. Inform all workers involved of the risks and hazards determined by the jobsite safety and health analyses.  Post warning signs and labels.  Secure all toilets, urinals, drains, pumps, and sewage treatment systems.  Isolate, close, secure, divert, de-energize, lockout and apply tags-plus applications to all valves, piping and associated equipment.  When confined space entries are performed, have a trained rescue team with the proper rescue equipment available at the job site, or notifying the outside designated rescue team in advance that employees are working in a confined space on the sewage system so they can prepare to respond in the event of an emergency.  Follow confined space entry testing and permitting procedures. If feasible, use sample ports to test for atmospheric contaminants inside the tank or / and pipeline manholes.  Cautiously and deliberately remove bolts and nuts off manholes and piping, while staying alert to any immediate change of conditions, and be prepared to take necessary action.  Use appropriate tools and operating procedures.  Install and use adequate exhaust ventilation devices, ducting, lighting, and tank-cleaning equipment. Immediately following the piping being broken or the tank opened, apply or insert ducting to begin exhaust ventilation. Pipe all exhausts downwind, overboard, or away from people.  Cover and isolate all work areas with disposable plastic sheeting to prevent possible contamination.  pumping and drain all residual products flush tanks and piping systems  Check for residual pressure or vacuum effects in tanks and piping.  While remaining outside the tank, continue to test the atmosphere inside the tank remotely for safe conditions.  Before beginning tank cleaning operations, while wearing the appropriate PPE, clothing and respiratory protection, cautiously enter the tank for an internal inspection.  Chlorinate or sanitize the tanks and piping systems when Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 165 ESIA for ISSIP II Project – Final necessary. Main activity Institutional causing the Estimated Cost of implementation / supervision Responsibili Responsibility impact Means of Potential Impact Proposed Mitigation Measures Project Phase ty for of direct supervision Total Implementa supervision Assumptions Costs/year tion (L.E) 5-Post-Work Cleanup • Remove contaminated clothing and bag for proper disposal or decontamination. • Shower or wash face, arms, hands and legs with soap, using a substantial amount of water. • Disinfect equipment (e.g., using iodine compounds, bromine, chlorine, ozone, or their equivalent) and wash contaminated spaces, decks and bulkheads with detergent, sanitizer, or bleach. • Dispose of or re-wash rubber boots, gloves, eye goggles, face shields and respirators with a disinfectant solution. • Wash contaminated clothing separately. • Do not enter other spaces while still wearing contaminated clothing. Community health Operation of Operation PO PIU/RSU Occasional site - PO normal costs 0.0 and Safety the WWTP,  Using fences and warning signs during maintenance periods supervision - RSU management costs PSs, FMs and and/or close the roads Gravity sewers  Regular inspection for all the components of the sewage system especially the manholes covers and take instantaneous measurements for correction.  Preventive maintenance program  Adjust the maintenance schedules away from the rush hour Total 417,500 Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 166 ESIA for ISSIP II Project – Final Table ‎ 7-4 Environmental Monitoring Matrix during the operation phase Estimated Monitoring Cost/year Potential Monitoring Monitoring Monitoring Monitoring Total Monitoring Methods Impact Indicator Location Frequency Responsibility Assumptions costs/year (L.E) Unacceptable Neighbors PSs and  Record odor complaints received from neighboring areas. The record should include Daily PIU/RSU RSU management costs 0.0 odors complaints WWTPs name of the person who has made the complaint, time of complaint, GPS location of the affected area, time and duration of unacceptable odor. Complaints records should be reported in monthly reports. The RSU should analyze odor complaints on monthly basis and document how each complaint was confronted L.E 1000 / generator CO, SO2, total Generators at / year Air emissions hydrocarbons and WWTPs and  Onsite gas analyzer measurement for exhaust Annually PO One generator/site 8,000 NOx PSs Number of sites is 8  Measuring the ambient noise level in noise critical areas, using a portable noise meter. Noise intensity, exposure  Measuring the ambient noise level using a portable noise meter at the nearest sensitive Ambient durations and receptors (Map). L.E. 600 / PS/year PSs and WWTP Annually PO 4,800 Noise noise impacts Number of sites is 8  Investigate noise complaints from workers and neighboring communities in the Noise complaints affected locations PSs , WWTP Soil and  Regular inspection of all components of PSs and WWTP for any potential leaks Any leaks and pipeline Monthly PO Normal operation costs 0.0 groundwater network Risks of pH of fresh sludge WWTP drying  Undertake continuous monitoring of pH of immature sludge drying beds. Logs of pH Continuous improper beds values should be used for controlling the lime dosing. for two days handling of after laying - L.E. 2,000 for sludge fresh sludge in continuous pH meter PO 1,000 drying beds (2 - pH meter depreciates days average in two years to be documented) Zn, Cu, Ni, Cd, Once each 3 Pb, Hg, Cr, Mo, month, or - L.E. 1000 / sample Se, As, faecal WWTP drying  Taking representative sample and analyze it according to requirements of Law whenever PO - 16 samples/year/site 48,000 coliforms, beds 93/1962 sludge is being - Number of sites is 3 salmonella and sold escharis eggs - L.E. 2000 / worker Water borne Identified - 5 employees /WWTP diseased for medical center  Periodical medical examination for the workers and lab analysis Quarterly PO - Number of WWTPs 30,000 WWTP workers is 3 Risks - Continuous,  Continuous monitoring of PS and WWTPs incoming and outgoing discharges. Daily associated Discharge rate of average flow PS and WWTPs averages should be calculated and documented PO - Normal PO price 0.0 with disposal influents to be recorded of final daily Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 167 ESIA for ISSIP II Project – Final Estimated Monitoring Cost/year Potential Monitoring Monitoring Monitoring Monitoring Total Monitoring Methods Impact Indicator Location Frequency Responsibility Assumptions costs/year (L.E) effluent pH, COD, BOD,  Sampling and analysis in WWTP lab WWTPs influent TSS, TDS, TKN, and effluent  Continuous monitoring of water quantities used in irrigating the current cultivated - Every 3 days PO - Normal PO price 0.0 Oil & Grease, DO area and the new expansion in each timber forest Performance Detailed environmental audit of the WWTP to review performance efficiency Environmental efficiency of WWTP - Annually 25,000 consultant WWTPs Risks of improper Data and management information in of solid PSs and - RSU management waste and Auditing waste and environmental registers Quarterly RSU 0.0 hazardous WWTPs costs environmental and non registers hazardous wastes - Daily Risks of - Leak handling incidents to be Integrity of ASTs WWTP Visual observation PO - Normal PO price 0.0 hazardous documented in substances monthly reports Total Costs 116,000 Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 168 ESIA for ISSIP II Project – Final Table ‎ 7-5 Social Management plan Potential Proposed Mitigation Measures Performance Indicators Institutional responsibilities Direct Supervision Cost Impacts Responsibilities During Construction Phase Impacts on  Conducting surveillance activities to detect Reducing rates of complaints Sohag Water Company, Contractor Field visits, infrastructure available pipelines or networks (water or electricity) related to infrastructure Contractor, LGUs Accidents register  Coordination with the Local Governmental Units and the water and network companies to repair any damages. The contractor should pay for this cost. Impacts on  Provide alternative routes for pedestrians Adequate signs at the streets Sohag Water Company, Contractor Field visits, grievance Cost by contractor mobility  Signage and Marking to avoid disruptions Reduced number of grievances Contractor, Traffic register  Traffic diversion plan related to mobility department  Alternative pedestrian crossings  Excavation equipment are not moved during the day in the streets Influx of  Comply with work places legal requirements and Number of workers from the Sohag Water Company, Contractor Field visits Cost by contractor workers on stringent safety regulations should be observed to local community Contractor, Health documents the avoid work accidents. Workers records community  Employ workers from the local community Health records for workers Restoration  A time plan should be developed for street Street rehabilitation plans Sohag Water Company, Contractor Local Unit Cost by contractor ‫رد الشي ألصله‬ rehabilitation Contractor, LGUs  Inform the local community with any potential Awareness raising activities delay of street rehabilitation related to project  Paving the streets immediately after the implementation plan construction. That should be done by specialized companies or the contractors but not by the Local Street conditions (re-pavement Governmental Units of streets)  Monitor the process of street rehabilitation and realistic fines should be applied on the entities responsible of street rehabilitation Impacts on  Boreholes should be used to identify the type of Reducing rates of complaints Sohag Water Company, Contractor Field visits, Cost by the contractor the physical soil and the potential of impacts on the current related to structures Contractor and LGUs Accidents register integrity of structures houses  In case the soil is fragile, wood support may be provided to the houses and land  Measuring ground water levels before construction Loss of  Number of unskilled workers employed in the Employment records Sohag Water Company, Contractor Field visits, Cost by the contractor income of construction from evacuation workers Contractor Workers records groups working in evacuation of septic tanks Impacts during Operation No mitigation measures during the operation phase Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 169 ESIA for ISSIP II Project – Final Table ‎ 7-6 Social Monitoring Plan Potential Monitoring Monitoring Responsibility Estimate Monitoring Site Monitoring Method Impacts Indicators Frequency cost During Construction Phase Water and Allocated plots Wastewater Among Land Field visits Once before (Approvals and Site location Company in company requirements Visits to the LGU construction permits) Sohag (RSU- activities SRO) Rates of impacts Water and on available Complaints related to the Wastewater Among Impacts on infrastructure Site location impact Monthly Company in company Infrastructure (water pipelines Complaints from LGU Sohag activities broken) RSU Water and Complaints related to the Wastewater Among Impacts on Old Rate of impact on Site location impact Monthly Company in company houses structures Complaints from LGU Sohag activities RSU Deterioration of Water and Complaints related to the street Rates of Wastewater Among impact conditions due problems with Site location Monthly Company in company Complaints from LGU to the lack of the community Sohag activities rehabilitation RSU Impacts during Operation No monitoring measures during the operation phase Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag 170 CHAPTER 8 STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT AND CONSULTATION ACTIVITIES Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 171 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag 8 CHAPTER 8 STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT AND CONSULTATION ACTIVITIES The public consultation chapter aims at highlighting the key consultation and community engagement activities and their outcomes, in addition to outlining the validity and reliability of the collected data. Throughout the various consultation and engagement activities, the work team experienced and recorded remarkable and overwhelming public acceptance, even eagerness, by the community and the governmental stakeholders towards the proposed project. Consultation activities (scoping, interviews, focus group discussions, public hearings/consultations) with various stakeholders and community people in the host communities were held in the project areas: All activities conducted are in compliance with the following regulations and operational polices: - WB policies related to disclosure and public consultation, namely, o World Bank Procedure (BP 17.50) o World Bank Operational Policy (OP 4.01) - Egyptian regulations related to the public consultation o Egyptian Law of Environment (Law No. 4 of 1994) and its amendment by Law 9 of year 2009), stipulated that group C projects must conduct two public consultation events. The first event should be held by the consultant as part of the scoping activities to explain the applied ESIA methodology to relevant stakeholders. The second consultation session should be held after completion of the ESIA study. 8.1 Consultation Objectives The objective of the SE is to ensure the safe and successful Project delivery by:  Properly informing stakeholders including persons or groups who are directly or indirectly affected by a project, as well as those who may have interests in a project and/or the ability to influence its outcome, either positively or negatively;  Actively listening to comments, ideas and concerns raised by stakeholders and recording the same for follow up;  Avoiding conflict by addressing impacts and issues raised by stakeholders promptly; particularly with the communities that will not be served by the project  Ensuring that fears and apprehensions about the nature, scale and impact of the operation have been properly considered in the development and management of the Project;  Accessing and making good use of existing local knowledge of the area;  Avoiding any misunderstandings about the project and properly manage expectations;  Communicating and implementing a viable community feedback mechanism. Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 172 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag The output of consultations will: 1- Define potential project stakeholders and suggest their possible project roles 2- Identify the most effective outreach channels that support continuous dialogue with the community Get stakeholders feedback on the defined impacts and mitigation measures as part of the drafted ESIA and integrate their feedbacks and comments in the production of the final ESIA 8.2 Consultation Methodology and Activities The research team for this study has adopted a multi-level of consultation activities that enable the marginalized, voiceless, youth and women to gain information about the project. As well, raise their concerns and worries regarding the project during various implementation phases. 1- The study team visited the project area in order to define the various stakeholders 2- The study team developed an engagement plan tailored for the rural communities with the study team 3- Based on the identification of stakeholders, various discussion guides and questionnaires were prepared in order to engage: i) the residents of the target villages, ii) executive and official employees at local government units, iii) the NGOs, iv) Sohag governorate directorate level, v) District level public officers , vi)the environmental departments. As well as, employees at Sohag Water and Wastewater Company. 4- The study team divided the various engagement of the project to 1) scoping phase, 2) data collection phase and 3) consultation phase. 5- All activities conducted were documented with photos and lists of participants in order to warrantee appropriate level of transparency 8.3 Strengths and Limitation of consultation 8.3.1 Strengths of the consultation The consultation process and methodology involved a number of strengths that maximized the benefits from the consultation activities. This could be summarized in the following: Appropriate tools were used for consultation that are convenient for the culture of the targeted communities (e.g. reaching out to women instead of inviting them to public meetings that they are unlikely to attend in rural areas). 1- Vulnerable groups including poor women, female headed households and handicapped were reached out to during the process of the ESIA participation. Efforts were also made to ensure they are engaged in public consultations. 2- Prior information sharing has been guaranteed through mobilizing the local surveyors to invite the community people to public meetings and consultations through the distribution of flyers and posters. 3- The public consultation session was conducted at one of the target villages „Dmno‟ to enable the participation of the local community members 4- Transportation was provided from Tema and Balyana villages in order enable the local community members to arrive to the venue Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 173 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag 8.3.2 Limitation of the consultation 1- Community people in some project areas were of low educational background. Thus, the study team tried to build communication channels through speaking simple Arabic that can be comprehended by the community people. 2- Females from the rural village were reluctant to attend the public meeting due to the norms and traditions. 8.4 Defining Stakeholders Given the fact that the project areas have been thoroughly defined and project details have been finalized at this stage, stakeholder identification was based on analysis of geographical, legal, institutional, and operational scope of the project. The following table represents the stakeholders contacted and engaged for the consultation activities: Table ‎ 8-1 - Stakeholders identified during the consultation Stakeholder Role/ concern Administrative Authorities Sohag governorate The governorate authority is the main government authority responsible for issuing relevant permits. The environment office in the governorate is coordinating body for the implementation of the environmental issues Local Government Units - Permissions for the road excavation during the construction of the sewage (District authority) network. - Approval of the allocated plots for the construction of the PS or Sohag – Tema – facilitation of the procedure in case of public property Balyanadistricts - Overseeing of the rehabilitation of roads by the contractor, which is one of the major issues raised by the community. Local Government Unit - The local government unit at the villages was responsible for facilitation of (village authority) the land allocation, consultation with the buyers as well as valuation committee Other governmental entities Information Centers at district Provide the project with the underground utilities and infrastructure and village levels maps as well as the statistical data about target villages Ministry of Agriculture and the That provides the project with permissions. agriculture directorates As well, they suffer due to the farmers‟ abusive usage of the untreated sewage water in cultivation activities Ministry of Water Resources They are considered the direct beneficiaries of such project due to the potential enhancement of the water quality of canals and drainage The Social Fund for Supplement additional funds to the villages that will not be connected Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 174 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag Development under this project. That will result in amicable implementation of the project. They will also share their experience in rural sanitation that was implemented under the Department of Public Works within the SFD Egyptian Environmental Affair Responsible for reviewing and approving ESIAs, and monitoring Agency (HQ and RBOs) implementation of the Environmental Management Plan Security Department Secure the construction sites and prevent people from in- flushing into it Ministry of Health Providing health facilities to the project workers Ministry of Antiquities Issue permissions for excavations and accompany the working teams. Media Television and radio Inform the community about the project and its impacts and support representatives dissemination of ESIA studies‟ results Press people Websites editors NGOs and community based societies working on environmental and social related aspects NGOs on the central level Play an active role in various awareness-raising related to the project NGOs on district level 1- Importance of having proper sewage network 2- How to maintain the sewage network Specific union of NGOs 3- Facilitation of the land allocation process They might provide support to the ultra- poor families in paying the house connection Some of the NGOs work in tanks evacuation activities. Thus, they should be aware about the project in order to define the potential impact on their business Water unions (Rawabet El Meiah) They participate in decision making and community monitoring for waste water disposal Universities and Educational institutes Faculty of Engineering Review and enrich the ESIA study with feedback Secondary vocational schools Propose needed capacity building for their students to potentially find employment with the project Researchers/consultants Review results of the study and provide feedback Other Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 175 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag Private companies Mainly potential tenderers for the construction works Traders Provide workers with food and amenities. Contractors From the project adjacent areas, may be affected. Community people Community leaders Main cornerstone in mobilizing the communities. Potential beneficiaries Potentially benefit from the project Potential Project Affected The workers on septic tanks evacuation trucks Persons (PAPs) The residents who will suffer due digging the streets Water and Wastewater companies NOPWASD National Organization for Potable Water and Sanitary Drainage Responsible for the implementation of the Treatment Plants and the monitoring activities HCWW Holding Company for Water and Wastewater The implementer of ISSIP 2 project Sohag Water and Wastewater The direct implementer of the project Company The abovementioned stakeholders were targeted using various communication tools i.e. individual interviews, group meetings and public consultation. Most of them were represented in the public consultation hearings conducted. However, some of them were interviewed in their premises in order to enable them to spell out their concerns and worries freely. 8.5 Summary of consultation activities 8.5.1 Awareness raising activities by RSU in Sohag Sohag RSU has conducted consultation meetings at the Local Government Units of Beni Hamil in order to facilitate the land acquisition process with land owners and community leaders: Figure ‎8-1 - Preliminary sessions held by the SWC with the land owners at Al Balyana district at LGU in Beni Hamil – Sept. 2015 Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 176 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag Sohag RSU is also currently holding awareness and outreach activities about the construction works to facilitate the contractor operations at ISSIP-II phase I project is implemented (Nagaa‟ Queez – Nagaa Maklad). It would be a good example for the RSU to continue this form of support during the construction of phase 2. Figure ‎ 8-2 - Awareness raising session at Nagaa Queez (ISSIP-II phase I - target village) 8.5.2 Stakeholders’ Interviews The ESIA team held several scoping sessions with different stakeholders through individual meetings, group meetings with population, executives and civil society representatives at Sohag – Tema - Balyana districts in Sohag governorate, the following activities were held: Name Position Eng. Nageh Mohamed Ibrahim Chairman Sohag Water Company Dr. Yousry Waly Undersecretary of Ministry of Health at Sohag Eng. Rashad El-Sayed General Manager of Environmental Affairs at Sohag Governorate Eng. Abu Dief Mohammed Head of the Projects Implementation Unit, Sohag Water Company Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 177 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag Ahmed Abu El-Fadl Head of RSU Mohammed Hassan Abdul Jalil Community specialist at RSU Shaimaa Mostafa Environmental specialist at RSU Eng. Ansaf Abdul Rahim Director General of Planning Department, Sohag Water Company Yasser Ahmed Mahmoud Head of Sohag WWTP Khalid Mohammed Hefz-Alah Head of Balyana WWTP Mohammed Khalaf Head of Tema WWTP Major General Mohammed El- Chairman of the Board of Sohag District council Molatham Eng. Refaat Botros Property Department Sohag District council Hany Kameel Information Center Sohag District council Essam Sayed Abu-Dahab Head of the Local Government Unit of Awlad Azaz village Mohammed El-Zahri Director of Information center of Awlad Azaz village Gamal Ali Mohammed Darwish Mayor of Dmno village Abd El-Raaof Mohammed El-Sayed Development official Al Mazalu village Mahmoud Helmy Ahmed Health Unit Dmno village Nawal Aalam El-Dien Community Development Association Al Muhamda Al Bahriya Essam El-Dien Mohammed Yassin Dmno CDA – Al Gam‟ya Al Shar‟ya Ahmed Mohammed Haridi Al Mazalu CDA - Al Gam‟ya Al Shar‟ya Mr. Gamal Youth Development and the Women's Association and the Friends of the Environment - NGO Eng. Lofty Mohamed Ali Head of Balyana District Council Farag Farouk Mohammed Property Department Balyana District Council Salah El-Mazny Head of the Local Government Unit at Beni Hemil village Ashraf Bahig Community leader Beni Hemil village Eng. Ali E-Refaie Chairman of the Tema District Council Mahmoud Development official Tema District Council Ahmed Head of the Local Government Unit of Riyaanh village Hassan Abd El-Moteleb Mohammed Mayor of Al Muhamda Al Bahriya Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 178 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag Ashraf Abd El-Meged Head of Insurance Information Center Mohammed Mohammed Aabas Mayor of Al Ghounamiya village Soliman Naglaa Abd-Elkeriem Administrative Affairs official at Beni Hamil district Ashraf Sayed Nafie Sheikh El-Balad Gamal Mohammed Adb El-salam Local Unit secretary Balyana District Council Ahmed Mohammed Haridi Supervisor Commission Al Mazalu Society legitimacy Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 179 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag Figure ‎ 8-3 - Head of Beni Hemil LGU Figure ‎ 8-4 - Head of Um Doma LGU Figure ‎ 8-5 - Head of Tema District Figure ‎ 8-6 - Land owner at Ghonaymiah PS plot Figure ‎ 8-7 - Community leaders at Um Doma Figure ‎ 8-8 - Dmno Omda - Mr. Gamal Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 180 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag Figure ‎ 8-9 - LGU of Awad Azaz Figure ‎ 8-10 - Mrs. Nawal - CDA at Al Mahamda Al Bahareya Figure ‎ 8-11 - Meeting at Mazalou youth center Figure ‎ 8-12 - CDA at Al Mahamda Al Bahareya Figure ‎ 8-13 - Meeting at Omda house at Al Mazalu Figure ‎ 8-14 - Meeting at Omda of Al Mazalu Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 181 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag 8.5.3 Public consultation To verify the results of the draft ESIA including the identified impacts and mitigation measures, a public consultation event was held, announced for and conducted with the main purpose of collecting feedback from various stakeholders to incorporate their feedback on the ESIA. The following actions were taken to arrange for this event: 1- Selection of Dmno village CDA venue to host the event 2- Transportation was provided for community members from Tema and Balyana districts the water company representatives from Sohag City to Gerga District. 3- The venue was accessible and suitable to host 200 guests, 4- The preparation team deployed brochures and flyers in all target areas and districts, particularly around the pumping station locations in the 4 villages. 5- An advertisement was published in a public widely disseminating newspaper two weeks before the event 6- Site visits were paid to the project villages in order to invite the community people and their leaders. 7- Sohag Water Compay invited the governmental entities Figure ‎ 8-16 - Advertisement at Tema LGU Figure 8-15 - Advertisement at Gomhourya newspaper Figure ‎ 8-17 - Advertisement at target villages 8.5.3.1 Participants profile Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 182 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag The geographical City\Village distribution of Number Percentage attendees Sohag city Sohag city 31 17.82 Awlad Aazaz 12 6.90 Sohag cluster Dmno 41 23.56 Al Mazalu 23 13.22 Al Muhamda Al Bahriya 9 5.17 Total 85 Al Halaky 12 6.90 Tema cluster Um Duma 19 10.92 Total 31 Balyana 15 8.62 Balyana cluster Al Halafy 8 4.60 Al Ghounamiya (Nag‟ Ragh) 44 25.29 Total 27 The consultant ensured to represent community members from all target governorates. Transportation was provided to facilitate the participation. Distribution of Participants according to Gender ‎‫ذكور‬ ‎‫اناث‬ 17% 83% Figure ‎ 8-18 - Distribution of Participants by Gender Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 183 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag 8.5.3.2 Geographic distribution Distribution of participants according to Profession Numbers Percentage Administrative officials governorate level 14 8.05 District council Officials 8 4.60 Administrative officials target village councils 34 19.54 Businessmen 13 7.47 Farmers and drivers 8 4.60 Mayors and village chiefs 13 7.47 Laborers 20 11.49 Does not work / housewives 9 5.17 Community members 55 31.61 Total 174 100 8.5.3.3 Activities of the public Consultation The public consultation event started with an introduction presented by Eng. Nageh Ibrahim, Chairman of Sohag Water Company. He saluted participants and expressed his appreciation to attend this event. Representatives from EEAA regional office, Holding Company for Water and Wastewater, Environment office at Sohag governorate as well as the scientific advisor to Sohag Governor presented their speeches. The consultant presented the findings of the study and was followed by an open discussion. The following section presents the main elements that were discussed during the session: Summary of the Presentations The public consultation session started by the opening speech of Eng. "Nageh Mohamed Ibrahim," Chairman of Sohag Water Company, explaining the general idea of the ISSIP-II project and the extent of the importance of this project for the targeted villages as these poor villages are in desperate need to introduce sanitation as a result of leakage of sanitation water resulting from cesspits and septic tanks to the agricultural lands and drinking water. He also expressed his deep upholding to the implementation of this project that shall serve the people of these villages. He indicated that the requirements of the World Bank confirms the seriousness and commitment to the timetable of the project, therefore he has called for cooperation of people, chieftains and leaders of the targeted villages for the success of the project. Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 184 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag Dr. "Ahmed Aziz" Scientific Counselor to the Governor of Sohag, presented the following speech. He expressed the extent of support and attention of the governor for this project. He expressed his happiness about the extent of audience's awareness towards the project and welcomed them all. He explained that a study to assess environmental and social impact of the project is one of the requirements of the World Bank that are interested in the environmental impacts in addition to the degree of satisfaction of people about the project to ensure its success and the knowledge of its positive and negative effects. Sanitation projects are among the projects that have important positive environmental dimension, because waste water have a negative impact in many villages, such as groundwater pollution problems - soil pollution problems - and evacuation vehicles problems. Dr. "Mustafa Mabrouk" representative of the Regional office of the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency in Assiut Governorate expressed adding his voice to what has been said before about the importance of implementation of sanitation project in rural villages and upper Egypt, and said that it is normal that each project has its cons and pros. Eng. "Mohammed Issa," representative of Environmental Department at Sohag Governorate, delivered a word in which he said that the governorate has great interest in sanitation projects because of their negative impact on the villagers, as these projects are only for the protection of the people from the adverse effects of the current sewage which leads to groundwater pollution. This project will contribute to improving the health conditions of the people of the community. The representative of the Holding Company for Water and Wastewater, Ms. Rasha Fahmy, the social representative at the PIU, and began her speech by thanking the people of the village Dmno for hosting this session, and to the people of Tema and Balyana districts for attendance and to all those who organized this consultation session. She explained through her speech that this project is funded by the World Bank, and this funding shall be for the implementation only and has nothing to do with funding for purchasing or allocating the land. Fortunately a Cabinet decree had been issued approving allocating necessary funds for purchasing the lands from the people, in other governorates such funding was not allocated and the project had been stopped due to lack of cooperation with the local population. This project aims at improving the environmental and social conditions at the targeted villages as a whole because of its positive effect on the health and economic & social conditions in general and especially among women and children groups in the villages that are most affected by evacuation services, which represents a sustainable approach to the development projects. The HCWW is also keen to listen to the fears and opinions of the people of the targeted villages, therefore this session is the beginning of a link between who are in charge of implementing the project and the local population. There are communication mechanisms with Sohag Water Company through local units, NGOs in villages and sheikdoms, as well as the grievance mechanism that has been activated. Grievance forms can be filled through the mentioned parties to reach a solution that suits everyone, and the company is ready to receive complaints and problems. Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 185 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag The consultant Office "EcoConServ environmental solutions" - Eng. Maysara Shams El Din the environmental consultant and Dr. Omneya Nour Eddin the social consultant presented the main findings of the ESIA study: - A brief introduction about the project and its components: Gravity lines, FM and PS. The consultant presented the findings about the baseline description for the villages. Measurements were conducted according to a specific scientific methodology by measuring air quality, soil properties, existing WWTPs and noise measurements. Subsequently, impact assessment had been conducted, preparation of an environmental management plan containing the proposed mitigation measures that shall be implemented by the water company and as well as follow-up and monitoring plan had been developed. Environmental impacts had been assessed for the two phases: 1- Construction Phase: this phase shall take about eighteen months to two years. Examples of identified impacts during this phase: noise generated by the contractor during the excavation works, and this impact is considered average and a plan to reduce noise has been prepared through measures that shall be abided by the contractor during the implementation of the project. 2- Operation Phase: the impacts of this phase are considered far less than the construction phase, when there is power outage at the PS shall be operated by a diesel generator to enable it to pump water, and few noises could be produced. Regarding the social aspect, the project is part a long-term plan to connect sanitation services to all villages. The targeted villages have been studied in terms of socio-economic characteristics and identifying the condition of lands and sensitive receptors. The project shall have some positive impacts such as providing employment opportunities for the people of the villages and stimulating sales and trade as well as improving health conditions - regarding the negative impacts, they may be associated with traffic in the villages or in non- connection of the service for some houses for technical reasons. The Grievance mechanism that was established by Sohag Water Company was presented in order to communicate with people and to work for resolving complaints in an effective manner. Summary of discussions All participants expressed their eagerness for the commencement of project implementation without further delay and many participants demanded the extension of the project to additional areas. Following is a summary of all discussions conducted. Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 186 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag 1. Organizing excavation works in the streets in order not to disrupt traffic in the village, to facilitate the movement of citizens in the villages and the ability to access houses easily. 2. Excavation works shall start first in the side streets, and should be divided to number of phases in order not to disrupt traffic. 3. The fear of not being able to access their lands with their animals during excavation works, and the fear that young children may fall in the excavated areas, and they are demanding to put barricades or things in order to prevent occurrence of accidents. 4. Ensure contractor's commitment to the timetable for implementation without delays, that the contractor should not start excavation works and then wait for long periods before finishing his work. And the desire of people to ensure the seriousness and continuity of the project because there is some stumbling in sanitation projects in previous villages. 5. Avoid closure of all major roads at one time during construction works, to be conducted in coordination with the authorities existing in the village. 6. Performing outreach sessions by the Water Company about the importance of the project to enhance the sense of cooperation between the company, the contractor and local community. 7. Backfilling of the excavation immediately after the completion of excavation works, and the need to adhere to return the thing to its original condition. 8. Fear that some houses may not be included in the project design and the need to take into account that the project includes all the houses of the village and all the villages of the district at a later stage. 9. There should be a suitable distance between pumping stations and houses near them so as not to be affected by odors. 10. The contractor in charge of project implementation has to take into account the capacity of the pipes to prevent blockage and spreading of water overflows in the roads. This case occurs in some areas in Sohag and the streets sinking in water. 11. Some other villages are willing to be part of the Water Company‟s future plans to be connected to the sewage network, such as Awlad Azzaz village, as it is considered the main village and has large number of people. 12. Desire of some other villages to be within the eligible villages for providing sanitation services, such as residents of Nag Elsemmana belonging to center and village of Awlad Azzaz who are demanding providing them the sanitation service especially as they are close to Dmno sanitation station. People are willing to pay for the costs related to introduction of sanitation to their houses. Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 187 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag Public Consultation Disclosure Activities The importance of the project for the government and the community was reflected in media coverage. Various newspapers presented some news related to the project, particularly, because the governor shed light on the project Al Watan Newspaper Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 188 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag Youm Sabee Newspaper Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 189 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag Veto Portal Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 190 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag Mogaz Website Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 191 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag Akhbar el Alam Website Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 192 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag Manchette Website Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 193 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag Closing note 1- The community was much in need for such projects in order to reduce the pollution and water resources contamination 2- The contractor should be fully committed to restoring and rehabilitating the street 3- The project will be implemented within two years if the community supported the project and monitored the contractor performance 4- It is fundamental to provide awareness raising activities to the community people in order to avoid any misconceptions related to the project 5- There will be a coordination committee that will cooperate with the contractor regarding the street excavations 6- Sohag Water Company is conducting several awareness raising activities that should be expanded due to their importance to the community 7- Grievance mechanism must be activated and well-advertised to capture any misunderstandings or negative comments against the project. Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) 194 ESIA for ISSIP II Project Sohag