Philippines - Mindanao Rural Development Project (APL) : environmental assessment (Vol. 2 of 3)

E-274 VOL. 2 INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EXAMINATION PROPOSED SPRING DEVELOPMENT LEVEL II WATER SUPPLY PROJECTS FOR COTABATO AND SULTAN KUDARAT I. Introduction 1. This is a component of APL-1 that is one of four Adaptable Program Loans (APL) of the Mindanao Rural Development Program. A General Guideline for the Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of this kind of project was prepared. The possible environmental issues and problems that need to be examined are listed and discussed to serve as a guide in the conduct of IEE for the specific projects. The proposed level 2 water supply projects are located in several municipalities in Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat. 2. At the time of the site visit, the spring development level 2 water supply projects were not included in the list of projects for first year implementation. As such, these were not among the project sites visited. II. Description of the Project 3. Included are 18 spring development level 2 water supply projects 4 of which are located in Cotabato and 14 in Sultan Kudarat. 4. The geometric and design specifications to be followed are: One unit spring box and reservoir on ground with 2,000 linear meters of 4" diameter P.E. pipeline and provisions of standpipes (communal faucet) in strategic locations. 5. The construction activities will include the following: a. Clearing of the area surrounding the spring and fencing it to provide protection to the spring. b. Construction of the spring box and reservoir. This will involve excavation and masonry works. IEE for Water Supply. Page I of 4  c. Laving of distribution lines and installation of standpipes. This will involve clearing the path of the pipeline and excavation works. 6. Activities During the Operation of the Project a. Protection of the watershed area. b. Repair and maintenance of spring box and reservoir. c. Repair and maintenance of pipeline. III. Screening of Possible Environmental Impact and Mitigating Measures 7. The environmental issues concerning the projects may be grouped into four namely: a. Environmental Problems Relating to siting b. Problems Relating to Design Phase c. Problems Relating to Construction Stage d. Problems Relating to Operation 8. Possible environmental problems relating to siting will include pollution of the water source from sources within the watershed; water use conflicts; resettlement of people displaced; and impairment of historical/cultural monuments or areas. Although there are no industries nearby the sources that may contribute to pollution, pollution from pesticides used in agriculture such as in fruit farms as well as pollution from animal excreta should be investigated to assure that the source will be suitable for its intended purpose. Water use conflict may arise if others use the spring for other purposes. This should be investigated to make sure that there is enough water for all users. If there will be people that will be displaced because of the project, then these people should be relocated. This problem however is very unlikely considering that the area required for the development of the source is small. Likewise, the design and construction of the pipeline without displacing people is not difficult. If there are any historical or cultural monuments or areas nearby that may be affected bv the project, then the design should avoid affecting these. This IEE for Water Supply, Page 2 of 4  should not be difficult since the pipeline could be rerouted although this may increase cost. If the spring is within an area with historical or cultural significance, the spring box and reservoir may be designed to blend with the natural beautv of the area. 9. The environmental problems and issues related to the design phase include inadequate protection of intake works, poor spring water quality, problems from transmission lines such as encroachment into precious ecology, impairment of environmental aesthetics, and continuing soil erosion from non-resurfaced areas. The issue on inadequate protection of the spring box and reservoir should be taken into consideration during the design phase. The area surrounding the spring box and reservoir should be fenced to prevent people or stray animals getting into the area and possibly contaminating the source. The spring box should also be designed to prevent runoff from surrounding areas to get into the box. Before the spring can be considered as a source, samples should be taken and tested to make sure that it is potable and meet the standards for drinking water. This is verv necessary in as much as no treatment of the water is contemplated in the design. If the water is shown to be suitable, there will still be a need to protect the watershed and the intake facilities to maintain good water quality. Part of the operation and maintenance program should include the protection of the watershed and intake facilities. The issue of possible encroachment into precious ecology arising from the laying of the transmission lines should be investigated. If necessary, alternative routes will be considered to avoid encroaching into precious ecology. The issue on impairment of environmental aesthetics should not be a problem since the pipes will be underground. The issue on continuing erosion from non-resurfaced areas will not be a critical one since grasses will readily grow in these areas considering that the areas traversed are agricultural. 10. The environmental problems and issues related to the construction phase include soil erosion and silt runoff from the construction operations; continuing soil erosion and silt runoff from non-resurfaced exposed areas; safety and health problems of construction workers; and inadequate monitoring of construction activities. Careful planning of construction activities and techniques will reduce soil erosion and silt runoff during the construction stage. The soil filled trenches should be compacted and planted with grasses which is readily available in the area. Excess soil may be brought to low lying areas, compacted and likewise planted with grass or other vegetation. Sometimes contractors build temporary quarters for their laborers during the construction period. If they fail to provide adequate sanitary facilities, this could lead to health problems that will not only affect the workers themselves IEE for Water Supply, Page 3 of 4  but also people living nearby. Considering that the transmission lines are short, and since it is expected that the laborers will be local residents, it is unlikely that the laborers will stay in construction camps. Thev are expected to stay in their own homes. This is therefore probably not a problem. However, in the event that construction camps are erected, the contractor will be required to provide adequate sanitary facilities to lessen the problem. Likewise, the contractor should always follow and observe safety rules and regulations. There are times when there are negative impacts arising from the construction stage but which are not the results of the construction activities but rather on the failure to monitor the construction activities. This leads to defects in the construction that may lessen the life or the effectiveness of the water supply system. Early deterioration of the system could lead to several problems such as water leakage, and water contamination. This impact could be very significant but this is avoided by making a good monitoring program and having good people to do the monitoring. 11. Environmental problems and issues during the operation of the system will include water source contamination, and inadequate monitoring of the system. The operation and maintenance program should include the protection of the watershed and intake facilities to make sure that water flowing through the pipes is safe to drink. The operation of the system should be monitored and the deficiencies noted so this could be corrected and any design flaws or deficiencies corrected in future projects. IV. Recommendations 12. What have been discussed above is presented in checklist form shown on pages A-21 and A-22. It is recommended that this will be used to make the initial assessment once the proposed spring sources are identified. IEE for Water Supply, Page 4 of 4  Project Name: Spring Development, Level II Water Supply System B. RECOMMENDED CHECKLIST OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS, ISSUES AND MITIGATING MEASURES (page A - 21 .Acng ~n ~. . . 8 ij t 2 _-Effect (Di) Small (D2)_Moderate (D3) Major (D4) A, Environmental Problems Relating to Siting A. Failure to Consider Environmental A. Proper Consideration ot Environment in Site Parameters in Siting leads to Many Problems Selection 1. Contamination of Water Source 1. Renders the source unsuitable 1. Protection of Sprimg source since no treatment is planned 2. Water use conflict 2 Social Conflict 2. Fair distribution of limited water rights 3. Resettlement inadequate 3. Social inequities 3. Proper resettlement planning and budgeting 4 Impairment of historical/cultural 4. Loss or depreciation of these values 4. Careful planning to minimize and movements/areas offset adverse effects B. Problems Relating to Design Phase I Poor spring water quality 1. Renders source unsuitable or wilt require 1. Consider altemative sources/provide for treatrnent increasinig cost protectiorn of water shed and spring 2. Inadequate protection of intake facilities 2. Contamination of water which may 2. Provide adequate protection of intake cause diseases to users facilities in design 3 Problems from transmission lines 3. 3 a. Encroachment into precious a. Loss of precious ecology a. Careful siting plus protection and ecology offsetting measeres b. Impairment in environmental b. Loss of environment aesthetics b. Careful siting plus protection and aesthletics offsetting measures c. Continuing erosion from non- c Soil erosion plus damage to water c Proper resirfacing resurfaced exposed area quality and land values measures/planting vegetation Project Name: Spring Development, Level II Water Supply System  B. RECOMMENDED CHECKLIST OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS, ISSUES AND MITIGATING MEASURES (page A - 22 ActIona Affecting 'Envfronhieinta 6mrnages,t ~crmne~~o~f ____ _____________ ;esouresand (A), \ /&it tt u .1a. No ( + _ _ ;- /& W 4Vec1 DI) SmaN(02 Moderate (03) Major (D4) C Problems Relating to Construction Stage 1 Soil erosion /silt runoff from construction 1. Soil erosion plus damage to water 1. Proper measures to contain runoff operations quality / land values 2 Continuing soil erosion /silt runoff from 2. Soil erosion plus damage to water 2. Proper soil compacting / planting excavated areas quality / land values vegetation 3. Inadequate monitoring 3 Contractor not likely to comply with 3. Competent construction monitoring constraints D. Problems Relating to Operation 1 Contamination of water source 1. Cause the delivery of contaminated 1. Protection of watershed and intake water and consequently cause diseases facilities be part of operation and among users maintenance program 2 Inadequiate monitoring 2. Possible contamination of water, early 2 Good monitoring program deterioration of system