8.1
Legislation,
Standards and Guidelines
8.1.1
General
8.1.1.1
The relevant legislation,
standards and guidelines applicable to the present study for the assessment of
land contamination include:
·
Annex 19 of the Technical
Memorandum on Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (TM-EIAO), Guidelines
for Assessment of Impact Assessment Process (TM-EIA), Guidelines for Assessment
of Impact On Sites of Cultural Heritage and Other Impacts (Section 3: Potential
Contaminated Land Issues), Environmental Protection Department (EPD), 1997;
·
Guidance Note for Contaminated
Land Assessment and Remediation EPD 2007;
·
Guidance Manual for Use of
Risk-Based Remediation Goals (RBRGs) for Contaminated Land Management, EPD,
2007; and
·
Practice Guide for
Investigation and Remediation of Contaminated Land, EPD, 2011.
8.1.2
Environmental Impact Assessment
Ordinance (EIAO) (Cap. 499), Technical Memorandum on Environmental Impact
Assessment Process (TM-EIAO)
8.1.2.1
Under Annex 19 of the
TM-EIAO, a number of potentially contaminating historical land uses should be
considered, including oil installations, gas works, metal workshops, car repair
and dismantling workshops, which have the potential to cause or have caused
land contamination.
8.1.3
Guidance Note for Contamination
Land Assessment and Remediation
8.1.3.1
In accordance with EPD’s Guidance Note for Contamination Land
Assessment and Remediation, a contamination assessment evaluation should:
·
provide a clear and detailed
account of the present land-use and the relevant past land history, in relation
to possible land contamination;
·
identify areas of potential
contamination and associated impacts, risks or hazards; and
·
submit a plan to evaluate the
actual contamination conditions for soil and/or groundwater, if required.
8.1.4
Guidance Manual for Use of
Risk-Based Remediation Goals (RBRGs) for Contaminated Land Management
8.1.4.1
The Guidance Manual
introduces the risk based approach in land contamination assessment and present
instructions for comparison of soil and groundwater data to the Risk-Based
Remediation Goals (RBRGs) for 54 chemicals of concern commonly found in Hong Kong.
The RBRGs were derived to suit Hong Kong conditions by following the
international practice of adopting a risk-based methodology for contaminated
land assessment and remediation and were designed to protect the health of
people who could potentially be exposed to land impacted by chemicals under
four broad post restoration land use categories. The RBRGs also serve as the
remediation targets if remediation is necessary. The RBRGs for soil and
groundwater are given in Table 8.1 and Table 8.2 respectively.
Table
8.1: Risk-Based Remediation Goals (RBRGs) for soil &
soil saturation limit
|
Chemical
|
Risk-Based
Remediation Goals (RBRGs) for Soil
|
Soil
Saturation Limit (Csat)
(mg/kg)
|
|
Urban
Residential
(mg/kg)
|
Rural
Residential
(mg/kg)
|
Industrial
(mg/kg)
|
Public Park
(mg/kg)
|
|
VOCs
|
|
Acetone
|
9,590
|
4,260
|
10,000*
|
10,000*
|
***
|
|
Benzene
|
0.704
|
0.279
|
9.21
|
42.2
|
336
|
|
Bromodichloromethane
|
0.317
|
0.129
|
2.85
|
13.40
|
1,030
|
|
2-Butanone
|
10,000*
|
10,000*
|
10,000*
|
10,000*
|
***
|
|
Chloroform
|
0.132
|
0.0529
|
1.54
|
253
|
1,100
|
|
Ethylbenzene
|
709
|
298
|
8,240
|
10,000
|
138
|
|
Methyl tert-Butyl Ether
|
6.88
|
2.80
|
70.1
|
505
|
2,380
|
|
Methylene Chloride
|
1.30
|
0.529
|
13.9
|
128
|
921
|
|
Styrene
|
3,220
|
1,540
|
10,000*
|
10,000*
|
497
|
|
Tetrachloroethene
|
0.101
|
0.0444
|
0.777
|
1.84
|
97.1
|
|
Toluene
|
1,440
|
705
|
10,000*
|
10,000*
|
235
|
|
Trichloroethene
|
0.523
|
0.211
|
5.68
|
69.4
|
488
|
|
Xylenes (Total)
|
95.0
|
36.8
|
1,230
|
10,000*
|
150
|
|
SVOCs
|
|
Acenaphthene
|
3,510
|
3,280
|
10,000*
|
10,000*
|
60.2
|
|
Acenaphthylene
|
2,340
|
1,510
|
10,000*
|
10,000*
|
19.8
|
|
Anthracene
|
10,000*
|
10,000*
|
10,000*
|
10,000*
|
2.56
|
|
Benzo(a)anthracene
|
12.0
|
11.4
|
91.8
|
38.3
|
|
|
Benzo(a)pyrene
|
1.20
|
1.14
|
9.18
|
3.83
|
|
|
Benzo(b)fluoranthene
|
9.88
|
10.1
|
17.8
|
20.4
|
|
|
Benzo(g,h,i)perylene
|
1,800
|
1,710
|
10,000*
|
5,740
|
|
|
Benzo(k)fluoranthene
|
120
|
114
|
918
|
383
|
|
|
Bis-(2-Ethylhexyl)phthalate
|
30.0
|
28.0
|
91.8
|
94.2
|
|
|
Chrysene
|
871
|
919
|
1,140
|
1,540
|
|
|
Dibenzo(a,h)anthracene
|
1.20
|
1.14
|
9.18
|
3.83
|
|
|
Fluoranthene
|
2,400
|
2,270
|
10,000*
|
7,620
|
|
|
Fluorene
|
2,380
|
2,250
|
10,000*
|
7,450
|
54.7
|
|
Hexachlorobenzene
|
0.243
|
0.220
|
0.582
|
0.713
|
|
|
Indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene
|
12.0
|
11.4
|
91.8
|
38.3
|
|
|
Naphthalene
|
182
|
85.6
|
453
|
914
|
125
|
|
Phenanthrene
|
10,000*
|
10,000*
|
10,000*
|
10,000*
|
28.0
|
|
Phenol
|
10,000*
|
10,000*
|
10,000*
|
10,000*
|
7,260
|
|
Pyrene
|
1,800
|
1,710
|
10,000*
|
5,720
|
|
|
Metals
|
|
Antimony
|
29.5
|
29.1
|
261
|
97.9
|
|
|
Arsenic
|
22.1
|
21.8
|
196
|
73.5
|
|
|
Barium
|
10,000*
|
10,000*
|
10,000*
|
10,000*
|
|
|
Cadmium
|
73.8
|
72.8
|
653
|
245
|
|
|
Chromium III
|
10,000*
|
10,000*
|
10,000*
|
10,000*
|
|
|
Chromium VI
|
221
|
218
|
1,960
|
735
|
|
|
Cobalt
|
1,480
|
1,460
|
10,000*
|
4,900
|
|
|
Copper
|
2,950
|
2,910
|
10,000*
|
9,790
|
|
|
Lead
|
258
|
255
|
2,290
|
857
|
|
|
Manganese
|
10,000*
|
10,000*
|
10,000*
|
10,000*
|
|
|
Mercury
|
11.0
|
6.52
|
38.4
|
45.6
|
|
|
Molybdenum
|
369
|
364
|
3,260
|
1,220
|
|
|
Nickel
|
1,480
|
1,460
|
10,000*
|
4,900
|
|
|
Tin
|
10,000*
|
10,000*
|
10,000*
|
10,000*
|
|
|
Zinc
|
10,000*
|
10,000*
|
10,000*
|
10,000*
|
|
|
Dioxins / PCBs
|
|
Dioxins (I-TEQ)
|
0.001
|
0.001
|
0.005
|
0.001
|
|
|
PCBs
|
0.236
|
0.226
|
0.748
|
0.756
|
|
|
Petroleum Carbon Ranges
|
|
C6 - C8
|
1,410
|
545
|
10,000*
|
10,000*
|
1,000
|
|
C9 - C16
|
2,240
|
1,330
|
10,000*
|
10,000*
|
3,000
|
|
C17 - C35
|
10,000*
|
10,000*
|
10,000*
|
10,000*
|
5,000
|
|
Other Inorganic Compounds
|
|
Cyanide, free
|
1,480
|
1,460
|
10,000*
|
4,900
|
|
|
Organometallics
|
|
TBTO
|
22.1
|
21.8
|
196
|
73.5
|
|
Notes:
[1] For
Dioxins, the cleanup levels in USEPA Office of Solid Waste and Emergency
Response (OSWER) Directive of 1998 have been adopted. The OSWER Directive value
of 1 ppb for residential use has been applied to the scenarios of "Urban
Residential", "Rural Residential", and "Public Parks",
while the low end of the range of values for industrial, 5 ppb, has been
applied to the scenario of "industrial".
[2] Soil saturation limits for petroleum carbon ranges taken from the
Canada-Wide Standards for Petroleum Hydrocarbons in Soil, CCME 2000.
[3] * indicates a 'ceiling limit' concentration.
[4] *** indicates that the Csat value exceeds the 'ceiling limit'
therefore the RBRG applies.
Table 8.2: Risk-Based Remediation Goals (RBRGs) for groundwater
and solubility limit
|
Chemical
|
Risk-Based
Remediation Goals (RBRGs) for Groundwater
|
Solubility
Limit
(mg/L)
|
|
Urban
Residential
(mg/L)
|
Rural
Residential
(mg/L)
|
Industrial
(mg/L)
|
|
VOCs
|
|
Acetone
|
10,000*
|
10,000*
|
10,000*
|
***
|
|
Benzene
|
3.86
|
1.49
|
54.0
|
1,750
|
|
Bromodichloromethane
|
2.22
|
0.871
|
26.2
|
6,740
|
|
2-Butanone
|
10,000*
|
10,000*
|
10,000*
|
***
|
|
Chloroform
|
0.956
|
0.382
|
11.3
|
7,920
|
|
Ethylbenzene
|
1,020
|
391
|
10,000*
|
169
|
|
Methyl tert-Butyl Ether
|
153
|
61.1
|
1,810
|
***
|
|
Methylene Chloride
|
19.0
|
7.59
|
224
|
***
|
|
Styrene
|
3,020
|
1,160
|
10,000*
|
310
|
|
Tetrachloroethene
|
0.250
|
0.0996
|
2.95
|
200
|
|
Toluene
|
5,110
|
1,970
|
10,000*
|
526
|
|
Trichloroethene
|
1.21
|
0.481
|
14.2
|
1,100
|
|
Xylenes (Total)
|
112
|
43.3
|
1,570
|
175
|
|
SVOCs
|
|
Acenaphthene
|
10,000
|
7,090
|
10,000*
|
4.24
|
|
Acenaphthylene
|
1,410
|
542
|
10,000*
|
3.93
|
|
Anthracene
|
10,000*
|
10,000*
|
10,000*
|
0.0434
|
|
Benzo(a)anthracene
|
|
|
|
|
|
Benzo(a)pyrene
|
|
|
|
|
|
Benzo(b)fluoranthene
|
0.539
|
0.203
|
7.53
|
0.0015
|
|
Benzo(g,h,i)perylene
|
|
|
|
|
|
Benzo(k)fluoranthene
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bis-(2-Ethylhexyl)phthalate
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chrysene
|
58.1
|
21.9
|
812
|
0.0016
|
|
Dibenzo(a,h)anthracene
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fluoranthene
|
10,000*
|
10,000*
|
10,000*
|
0.206
|
|
Fluorene
|
10,000*
|
10,000*
|
10,000*
|
1.98
|
|
Hexachlorobenzene
|
0.0589
|
0.0234
|
0.695
|
6.20
|
|
Indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene
|
|
|
|
|
|
Naphthalene
|
61.7
|
23.7
|
862
|
31.0
|
|
Phenanthrene
|
10,000*
|
10,000*
|
10,000*
|
1.00
|
|
Phenol
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pyrene
|
10,000*
|
10,000*
|
10,000*
|
0.135
|
|
Metals
|
|
Antimony
|
|
|
|
|
|
Arsenic
|
|
|
|
|
|
Barium
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cadmium
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chromium III
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chromium VI
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cobalt
|
|
|
|
|
|
Copper
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lead
|
|
|
|
|
|
Manganese
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mercury
|
0.486
|
0.184
|
6.79
|
|
|
Molybdenum
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nickel
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tin
|
|
|
|
|
|
Zinc
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dioxins / PCBs
|
|
Dioxins (I-TEQ)
|
|
|
|
|
|
PCBs
|
0.433
|
0.171
|
5.11
|
0.031
|
|
Petroleum Carbon Ranges
|
|
C6 - C8
|
82.2
|
31.7
|
1,150
|
5.23
|
|
C9 - C16
|
714
|
276
|
9,980
|
2.80
|
|
C17 - C35
|
12.8
|
4.93
|
178
|
2.80
|
|
Other Inorganic Compounds
|
|
Cyanide, free
|
|
|
|
|
|
Organometallics
|
|
TBTO
|
|
|
|
|
Notes:
[1] Blank indicates that RBRG could not be calculated because the
toxicity or physical/chemical values were unavailable, or the condition of
Henry's Law Constant>0.00001 was not met for the inhalation pathway.
[2] Water solubilities for Petroleum Carbon Range aliphatic
C9-C16 and greater than C16 generally are considered to be effectively zero and
therefore the aromatic solubility for C9-C16 is used.
[3] * indicates a 'ceiling limit' concentration.
[4] *** indicates that the solubility limit exceeds the 'ceiling
limit' therefore the RBRG applies.
8.1.5
Practice Guide for
Investigation and Remediation of Contaminated Land
8.1.5.1
The EPD’s Practice Guide for Investigation and
Remediation of Contaminated Land includes a summary of the general steps of
a contamination assessment study, which include site appraisal, site
investigation and remediation.
8.2
Assessment
Methodology
8.2.1
Overview
8.2.1.1
Land contamination
assessment has been conducted according to the following procedures. Each of these procedures listed
below are further discussed in the following sections.
·
Desktop review of site history;
·
Conduct site survey to identify
the potentially contaminated areas; and
·
Prepare Land Contamination
Assessment Report for EPD’s agreement.
8.2.2
Desktop Review
8.2.2.1
For the purpose of conducting the desktop review, it is required to
collect the best available relevant information in the public domain. This
information includes the following that would illustrate the features of the
area and any changes in land use over the previous decades. The following has
been reviewed:
·
Relevant historical aerial photographs;
·
Hong Kong Geological Survey Map that
provide information on geology of the site;
·
Outline Zoning Plans that show the latest
landuses; and
·
Any relevant EIAs and environmental SIs
conducted by other studies.
8.2.3
Site Surveys
8.2.3.1
Once the desktop review was completed, site
surveys were conducted in September 2013, May 2014 and June 2014 to ground
truth the findings of desktop study and to identify any other landuses within
the EIA Study Brief Boundaries at Sandy Ridge, Choi Yuen Road, Lin Ma Hang Road
and along Man Kam To Road which may have the potential for contamination in soil and groundwater. The identification of potentially
contaminating activities has based on Table 2.3 of EPD’s Practice Guide for Investigation and Remediation of Contaminated Land.
8.2.4
Preparation of Land
Contamination Assessment Report
8.2.4.1
According to the findings
of desktop study and site surveys, the Land Contamination Assessment Report for
the Study Area was prepared and the latest version of the Land Contamination
Assessment Report
was submitted in February 2016 and is given
in Appendix
8.1.
8.3
Desktop Review
8.3.1
Aerial Photographs and Historical
Land Use
8.3.1.1
Selected historical aerial
photographs between 1973 and 2010 of the area within the EIA Study Brief Boundary
at Sandy Ridge (the Area), Choi Yuen Road, Lin Ma Hang Road and along Man Kam
To Road have been reviewed in order to ascertain any
historical landuse with the potential for land contamination. The review findings of the selected historical aerial photographs of the Area
at Sandy Ridge,
Choi Yuen Road, Lin Ma Hang Road and along Man Kam To Road
are summarised in Tables 8.3 to 8.6. The aerial photographs are given in Appendices
A to D of the Land Contamination Assessment Report (Appendix 8.1)
respectively.
Table
8.3 Summary of historical
aerial photographs for Sandy Ridge
|
Year
|
Description
|
|
1973
|
l
The area consisted of natural terrain occupying
the southern part, middle part and eastern part of the Area.
l
Macintosh Fort was observed in the northern part
of the Area.
l
Scattered cemeteries were observed in the Area.
l
Lo Wu Train Station was
observed in the north western part
of the Area.
l
Agricultural land and village houses were observed
below the southern boundary of the Area.
l
Ng Tung River was observed along the western
boundary of the Area.
l
Shenzhen River was along the northern boundary of
the Area.
l
Fish pond was observed next to the north western boundary of the Area.
l The Lo Wu
Village located beside Lo Wu Train Station was
observed (excluded from the Area).
|
|
1983
|
l
Lo Wu Train Station was
observed in the north western part
of the Area and extended with
one more building.
l
Ng Tung River was observed along the western
boundary of the Area and the lower part of its stream had re-alignment.
l
Fish pond was observed next to the north western boundary of the Area and two small parts of areas at its upper corner had been extended.
l No significant changes for the historical
land use of other features were observed as compared with Year 1973.
|
|
1993
|
l
At the far south eastern end of the Area, warehouse type building structures were
observed.
l
Lo Wu Train Station was
observed in the north western part
of the Area and developed into a larger building.
l
Ng Tung River was observed along the western
boundary of the Area and had been
widened.
l
Fish pond was observed next to the north western boundary of the Area and one small part of area at its south eastern corner had been reclaimed.
l No significant changes for the historical
land use of other features were observed as compared with Year 1983.
|
|
2000
|
l No significant changes for the historical
land use were observed as compared with Year 1993.
|
|
2005
|
l
At the far south eastern end of the Area, the area
with warehouse type building structures had been changed to an open storage area.
l
Shenzhen River was along the northern boundary of
the Area and had been widened.
l
Ng Tung River was observed along the western
boundary of the Area and had been further
widened.
l
Fish pond was observed next to the north western boundary of the Area and most of its area had been reclaimed.
l No significant changes for the historical
land use of other features were observed as compared with Year 2000.
|
|
2010
|
l
At the far south eastern end of the Area, the open
storage area had been built up with warehouse type building structures.
l
Fish pond was observed next to the north western boundary of the Area and one small part of reclaimed land had been changed
to fish pond again.
l No significant changes for the historical
land use of other features were observed.
|
Table
8.4 Summary of historical aerial
photographs for Choi Yuen Road
|
Year
|
Description
|
|
1973
|
l
The Choi Yuen
Road had not been built up. Farmland and village houses were observed instead
within the Area.
l
Farmlands were
observed at the western part from the Area.
l
Village houses were observed at the northern and southern parts from the Area.
l Shek Wu Hui marketplace was observed at the far
northeastern part from the Area.
|
|
1983
|
l
The Choi Yuen
Road had been built up within the Area.
l
Sheung Shui
Train Station had been built up at the eastern part of the Area.
l
Construction in
progress was changed from farmlands and was observed at the southern and
northern parts from the Area.
l
Choi Yuen Estate
was observed at the southern part from the Area.
|
|
1993
|
l
Landmark North
shopping centre had been built up at the northeastern part from the Area.
l
Choi Po Court
had been built up from the previous construction in progress at the southern
part from the Area.
l
Open car park
was observed at the northern part from the Area.
l No significant changes for the historical land
use of other features were observed as compared with Year 1983.
|
|
2000
|
l No significant changes for the historical
land use were observed as compared with Year 1993.
|
|
2005
|
l No significant changes for the historical
land use were observed as compared with Year 2000.
|
|
2010
|
l
No significant
changes for the historical land use were observed as
compared with Year 2005.
|
Table 8.5 Summary of historical aerial photographs for Lin Ma Hang Road
|
Year
|
Description
|
|
1973
|
l
Lin Ma Hang Road
had not yet been constructed.
l
Farmland, San Uk
Ling, natural terrain and village houses were observed within the Area.
|
|
1983
|
l
Lin Ma Hang Road
had been constructed.
l
No significant
changes for the historical land use of other features were observed as
compared with Year 1973.
|
|
1993
|
l
Man Kam To
border crossing facilities were under construction.
l
Several areas of
horticultural activities were observed.
l
No significant
changes for the historical land use of other features were observed as compared
with Year 1983.
|
|
2000
|
l
The construction
of the Man Kam To border crossing facilities had been completed.
l
No significant
changes for the historical land use of other features were observed as
compared with Year 1993.
|
|
2005
|
l
No significant
changes in historical land use were observed as compared with Year 2000 along
Lin Ma Hang Road.
|
|
2010
|
l
Several open
areas were observed either side of Lin Ma Hang Road.
l
No significant
changes for the historical land use of other features were observed as
compared with Year 2005.
|
Table 8.6 Summary of historical aerial photographs for Man Kam To Road
|
Year
|
Description
|
|
1973
|
l
Man Kam To Road,
village houses and farmland were observed within the Area.
|
|
1983
|
l
No significant
changes in historical land use were observed as compared with Year 1973 along
Man Kam To Road.
|
|
1993
|
l
Several
container storage areas adjacent to the utilities works area was observed.
l
No significant
changes for the historical land use of other features were observed as
compared with Year 1983.
|
|
2000
|
l
No significant
changes for the historical land use were observed as compared with Year 1993
Man Kam To Road.
|
|
2005
|
l
The Police Dog
Unit and Force Search Training School had been constructed.
l
No significant
changes in historical land use of other features were observed as compared
with Year 2000 Man Kam To Road.
|
|
2010
|
l
No significant
changes for the historical land use were observed as compared with Year 2005
along Man Kam To Road.
|
8.3.2
Geology
8.3.2.1
The geological strata likely
to be encountered within the area at Sandy Ridge are mainly metasandstone,
metaconglomerate and phyllite of the Tai Shek Mo Member, which belonged to the
Lok Ma Chau Formation of the Carboniferous age. The site is overlain by debris
flow deposit (colluvium) and alluvium, with estuarine deposits deposited near
the Shenzhen River to the north of the area.
8.3.2.2
For Choi Yuen Road, there
is a Tai Mo Shan Formation as the bedrock type within the site area. The quartz
veins also present in the vicinity. The site is overlain by terraced alluvium
and alluvium. In view of the developed nature of the site at Choi Yuen Estate,
a layer of construction fill is also expected.
8.3.2.3
For Lin Ma Hang Road, there
is the Tai Shek Mo Member of the Lok Ma Chau Formation as the bedrock type
within the study area, comprising of metamorphosed siltstone, metamorphosed
sandstone, some conglomerate horizons and phylite. It is anticipated that the
Tai Shek Mo member found near the former Sam Wo Public School as the bedrock
type comprises of metamorphosed siltstones and sandstones. The study area
is overlain by the Pleistocene terraced alluvium at the western side of Lin Ma
Hang Road and debris flow deposits at the middle portion of Lin Ma Hang Road.
Fill is expected to be found along Lin Ma Hang Road with a thickness
ranging from 0.1-1m. A northwest-southeast trending photolineament is noted in
the southwestern side of Lin Ma Hang Road. Two northeast-southwest trending
photolineaments are in close proximity to the road. A syncline plunging towards
the north is also noted across the middle of the road.
8.3.2.4
For Man Kam To Road, there
is the Mai Po Member of the Lok Ma Chau Formation as the bedrock type comprises
of metamorphosed siltstones, sandstones with thin conglomeratic beds and
graphite schist within the study area. The study area is mainly overlain
by debris flow deposits with locally alluvium identified near the Police Post
and terraced alluvium near the junction with Sha Ling Road. Fill is
expected to be found along the Man Kam To Road. Where encountered, the thickness
ranges from 1.2-3.5m. A northwest-southeast and northeast-southwest trending
photolineament are noted along the road.
8.4
Description
of the Environment
8.4.1.1
Site surveys were conducted
in September 2013,
May 2014 and June 2014 to ground truth the findings of
desktop review and to identify any other land uses within the EIA Study Brief
Boundaries at
Sandy Ridge, Choi Yuen Road, Lin Ma Hang Road and along Man Kam To Road which may have the potential for contamination in soil and groundwater.
8.4.1.2
Photo records of the site
survey are given in Figure 2.1 and
Figures 2.1a to 2.1e
of the Land Contamination Assessment Report (Appendix 8.1) and the findings of the surveys are summarised as follows:
Western Access Road to MTR Lo Wu Station and Lo Wu Village
8.4.1.3
As shown in Figures 2.1a
to 2.1c
of the Land Contamination Assessment Report (Appendix 8.1), village houses (photo nos. 6263 and 6280), cemeteries (photo nos.
6261, 6274, 6281, 6286 and 6320), school (photo no. 6255) and roads (photo nos.
6268 and 6271) were identified along the EIA Study Brief Boundary in this area.
They are not identified as potentially contaminated sites. Since there are no
project works within the area of MTR Lo Wu Station (photo no. 6264), the
contamination potential, if any, within this area is considered not the concern
for this project.
Access Road to Macintosh
8.4.1.4
As shown in Figure 2.1c
and Figure 2.1d
of the Land Contamination Assessment Report (Appendix 8.1), the upper section of the access road to Macintosh comprised of a watercourse
(photo no. 6302), grassland (photo nos. 6308 and 6313), fish ponds (photo no.
6373) and Nam Hang Police Post (photo no. 6291) which has replaced the
Macintosh Fort. For the lower section, village houses (photo no. 6370) were
observed. A site consisted of concrete factory (photo no. 6363), open storage
area and warehouse (photo no. 6364) was also observed. As this area is a
private land lot, given the issue on privacy and rights of the land ownership,
site inspection and photographs could only been taken outside the boundary of
the site. Although site access to this site was not allowed for site appraisal,
it is considered as potentially contaminated in view of its long industrial
landuse history (i.e. warehousing and open storage since early 90).
Eastern Access Road to Sandy Ridge Cemetery
8.4.1.5
As shown in Figure 2.1e of the Land Contamination Assessment Report (Appendix 8.1), roads (photo no. 6332), water pipes (photo no. 6328), cemetery
(photo no. 6327) and fish pond (photo no. 6323) were identified along the EIA
Study Brief Boundary in this area. No potentially contaminated sites were
identified.
Choi Yuen Road
8.4.1.6
Photo records of the site
survey at Choi Yuen Road are given in Figure 2.2 of the Land
Contamination Assessment Report (Appendix 8.1). Road, car park, housing estate were identified along the EIA Study
Brief Boundary at Choi Yuen Road. Since there are no project works within the
area of MTR Sheung Shui Station and those urban areas have been disturbed
throughout the urban development, the contamination potential, if any, within
this area is considered not the concern for this project.
Lin Ma Hang Road
8.4.1.7
Photo records of the site
survey at Lin Ma Hang Road are given in Figure 2.3 and Figures 2.3a to 2.3c of the Land Contamination Assessment Report (Appendix 8.1).
8.4.1.8
Road (photo nos. P300,
P396, P405 and 4620), open areas (photo nos. P323 and P343), grassland (photo
no. P314), horticultural activities (photo nos. P405 and P385) and storage
facilities (photo no. P408) were identified along the section of Lin Ma Hang
Road that requires widening. No potentially contaminated sites were identified.
Man Kam To Road
8.4.1.9
Photo records of the site
survey at Man Kam To Road are given in Figure 2.4 and Figures 2.4a to 2.4b of the Land Contamination Assessment Report (Appendix 8.1).
8.4.1.10 Man Kam To Road (photo nos. 547, 550, 553, 558, 565, 572, 581, 587,
595 and 605) was the only landuse observed within the utilities construction
area. No potentially contaminated sites were identified on Man Kam To Road.
8.4.1.11 Adjacent to the road, and outwith the utilities construction area,
natural terrain, agricultural land and container storage areas were observed.
However, since the utilities works will not encroach into these adjacent
landuses, the contamination potential, if any, within these areas is not considered
to be a concern for this project.
8.4.1.12 A portion of the utilities construction area lies outwith Man Kam To
Road and overlaps with the site survey conducted at the access road to
Macintosh where a potentially contaminated site was identified. The potentially
contaminated site and its landuse are described in Section 2.4.3 of the Land Contamination Assessment Report (Appendix 8.1).
Proposed Off-site Pick-up and Drop-off Point
8.4.1.13 As discussed in Section 1.2,
it is proposed to have off-site pick-up / drop-off points for shuttle buses at
MTR Kwu Tung Station, MTR Fanling Station, existing Sheung Shui Landmark North
Public Transport Interchange (PTI) and layby at Pak Wo Road near Flora Plaza.
Given the conditions of these existing highway infrastructures, no excavation
works would be required and only road furnishing would be conducted. All these
off-site pick-up / drop-off areas are actually within existing highway
corridors and these areas would not be affected and hence impacts are not
anticipated.
Proposed Barging Point
8.4.1.14 The proposed barging point is located in Siu Lam (shown in Figure
1.3) and is an existing barging point facility currently being used for
the Express Rail Link (XRL) project. In accordance with the contamination
assessment undertaken as part of the approved EIA report for the Express Rail
Link (XRL) (AEIAR-143/2009), there was no land contamination identified within
the barging point site prior to the land being occupied by XRL.
8.4.1.15 Acquisition of other relevant information from FSD and EPD for the
records of dangerous goods, reported accidents of spillage/leakage, records of
Chemical Waste Producers Registration, past and present chemical
spillage/leakage records has been made (see Appendix 8.2). The
storage locations of dangerous goods is assumed to be at the barging point.
However, FSD and EPD have already advised that no records of incidents of
spillage/leakage and Chemical Waste Producers Registration within the barging
point. In addition, according to site surveys
conducted in October 2015, the entire site was observed to be fully paved and
no potentially contaminating land uses / oil stains or signs of land
contamination evidence have been observed. Given that only minor construction
works for the tipping hall and a new ramp are required and would not involve
any excavation, therefore it is not anticipated that there will be land
contamination impacts associated with the proposed barging point.
8.5
Other
Relevant Information
8.5.1
Fire Services Department
8.5.1.1
The Fire Services
Department (FSD) has been contacted in September 2013 and June 2014 for:
·
The records of Dangerous Goods License(s);
and
·
The reported accidents of spillage/leakage
within EIA Study Brief Boundaries at Sandy Ridge, Choi Yuen Road at Sheung
Shui, Lin Ma Hang Road and along Man Kam To Road.
8.5.1.2
Based on the information
provided by FSD in October 2013, there is a record of a 5,000L above-ground
diesel storage tank within the EIA Study Brief Boundary. The record available
shows no incidents in the past.
8.5.1.3
As informed by FSD, the
ownership of the identified storage tank is classified and hence cannot be
released. Therefore, the area within EIA Study Brief Boundary at Sandy Ridge is
further subdivided into 4 sub-areas (i.e. Area 1, 2, 3 and 4) for
identification of the location of the DGs. Based on the information provided by
FSD in November 2013, the DGs is identified within Area 3. Copy of FSD’s
correspondence is provided in Appendix F of the Land Contamination Assessment
Report (Appendix 8.1).
8.5.1.4
In view of the current
landuse in Area 3, only one industrial site is identified which consisted of
concrete factory, open storage area and warehouse as mentioned in Section 8.4.1.4. It is reasonably
believed that the 5,000L above-ground diesel storage tank is located within
this industrial site in view of its relatively large site area (i.e. approx.
8,340m2) and industrial activities.
8.5.2
Environmental Protection
Department
8.5.2.1
The EPD has been contacted
in September 2013 and June 2014 for
·
The records of Chemical Waste Producers
Registration; and
·
The reported accidents of spillage/leakage
within EIA Study Brief Boundaries at Sandy Ridge, Choi Yuen Road at Sheng Shui,
Lin Ma Hang Road and along Man Kam To Road.
8.5.2.2
The Chemical Waste
Producers Registration records in EPD office have been reviewed. A list of
Chemical Waste Producers registration is provided in Table 2.5 of the Land
Contamination Assessment Report (Appendix 8.1). The review findings
revealed that there were 10 Chemical Waste Producers Registration (i.e. CWP1 to CWP10) within
the EIA Study Brief Boundary at Sandy Ridge and there
was no record within EIA Study Brief Boundary at Choi Yuen Road in Sheung Shui.
8.5.2.3
China Concrete Company
Limited (Chemical Waste Producer 1(CWP1)) has already been identified as a
potentially contaminated site (i.e. refer to Section 8.4.1.4. for details).
8.5.2.4
CWP2 to CWP9 refer to
various government departments, train facilities and contractors at the MTR Lo
Wu Station. Since there are no project works within the area of MTR Lo Wu
Station, the contamination potential, if any, within this area is considered
not the concern for this project.
8.5.2.5
Shanghai Urban Construction
(Group) Corporation (CWP 10) with registration address at Sandy Ridge Cemetery
has de-registered. The previous construction works were supposed to be carried
out within the area of the existing facilities of Sandy Ridge Cemetery. Since
there are no project works within the area of the existing facilities of Sandy
Ridge Cemetery, the contamination potential, if any, within this area is
considered not the concern for this project.
8.5.2.6
Based on the information
provided by EPD on 23 September 2013 and 2 July 2014 there was no reported
accident of spillage/leakage within EIA Study Brief Boundaries at Sandy Ridge,
Choi Yuen Road, Lin Ma Hang Road and Man Kam To Road. Copy of correspondence with
EPD is provided in Appendix G of the Land Contamination Assessment Report (Appendix
8.1).
8.6
Future
Land Uses
8.6.1.1
As discussed in Section 8.1.4,
the RBRGs have adopted four
different post-restoration landuses, namely "Urban Residential",
"Rural Residential", "Industrial" and "Public
Parks", to reflect the actual settings which people could be exposed to
contaminated soil or groundwater.
Definitions of post-restoration landuses are given in EPD's Guidance Note for Contaminated Land
Assessment and Remediation and Guidance Manual for RBRGs.
8.6.1.2
This project mainly
comprises the development of columbarium, crematorium and related facilities at
Sandy Ridge cemetery and the drop-off road section(s). The
corresponding RBRGs landuse for this project is therefore "Industrial".
8.7
Identification
of Potentially Contaminated Site
8.7.1.1
Based on the desktop review findings of
selected aerial photos, the information collected during site surveys and the
information collected from EPD and Fire Services Department (FSD),
there is only one site identified to be potentially contaminated in accordance
with the criteria in EPD's Practice Guide
for Investigation and Remediation of Contaminated Land for land use type of
concrete and asphalt production and open storage area. Though access to site
was constrained as the site is currently under operation, peripheral inspection
was carried out instead and a paved open storage area, warehouses as well as a
concrete factory were observed. This potentially contaminated site is located at the south of the
Study Boundary next to Man Kam To Road and is described as ‘SRC-1’. The location of the potentially contaminated site SRC-1 is given in Figure 3.1 of the Land Contamination Assessment Report (Appendix 8.1).
8.8
Proposed Site Investigation for Potentially Contaminated Site
8.8.1.1
Though SRC-1 has been
identified as potentially contaminated site, however, approximate 92 % of the
site (~7,700m2) is located within a private land lot and it is
currently under operation (see Figure 3.1 of the Land
Contamination Assessment Report). In
addition, according to the latest land resumption programme as advised by
Engineer, only the western portion of SRC-1 with an area of approximate 1,200m2
inside private lot would require land resumption for the road widening work at
Sha Ling Road and utilities construction works nearby. As such, the necessity
of Site Investigation (SI) should focus on this area once the land is resumed
and free for access.
8.8.1.2
For the remaining 8 % of
the site (~620m2) which falls within government lot (to the
southeast of SRC-1), only paved ground was observed and neither concrete &
asphalt production nor open storage activities were observed during the site
survey. In addition, review of historical aerial photos (since Year 1973) also
revealed no sign of land contamination. As such, SI is considered not required
for this strip of land.
8.9
Re-appraisal
of the Potentially Contaminated Site
8.9.1.1
In view of the above
implication mentioned in Section 8.8, it is recommended that further site
visit will be carried out by the Project Proponent (PP) once the works area for
the Project is confirmed and site access is available (e.g. after land
resumption), in order to identify any hot spots for SI within the southeast and
western portions of SRC-1. A complete site walkover checklist should be completed and should any
hot spots are identified, complete justification should be provided outlining
the potential sources of contamination.
8.10
Re-appraisal
of the Area
8.10.1.1 The construction of columbarium, crematorium and related facilities
at Sandy Ridge cemetery and the drop-off road section(s) would only commence
few years later. There may be changes in land usage within the Area. Therefore,
re-appraisal would also be required to assess the latest site situation at that
time after land resumption. The objective of re-appraisal is to ensure any new
changes in landuse that involve potentially contaminating activities after the
approval of the Land Contamination Assessment Report but before commencement of
the construction could be addressed.
8.11
Submission
Requirements of CAP, CAR, RAP and RR
8.11.1.1 The PP would need to prepare a Contamination Assessment
Plan (CAP) presenting the findings of the re-appraisal and strategy of the
recommended SI, if required, and submit to EPD for review and approval.
8.11.1.2
After approval of the CAP and upon completion of the SI works, if
any, the PP would prepare a Contamination Assessment Report (CAR), to present
findings of the SI works. If contamination has been identified, a Remediation
Action Plan (RAP) would be prepared to formulate appropriate remedial measures
to deal with the contamination identified. Following completion of any
necessary remediation works, a Remediation Report (RR) would be prepared to
demonstrate adequate clean-up and submit to EPD for approval prior to the
commencement of any construction or development works at the contaminated sites
identified.
8.12
Conclusion
8.12.1.1 This land contamination assessment examined the potential
contaminative land uses within the Area and their potential impacts to future
use. The assessment involved desktop review, site survey and identification of
potentially contaminated site etc.
8.12.1.2 Based on the findings in desktop study and site survey, one
potentially contaminated site (SRC-1) within the Area has been
identified. According to the latest land resumption programme as advised by
Engineer, only the western portion of SRC-1 with an area of approximate 1,200m2
inside private lot would require land resumption for the road widening work at
Sha Ling Road and utilities construction works nearby. For the portion of the
site (~620m2) which falls within government lot (to the southeast of
SRC-1), only paved ground was observed and neither concrete & asphalt
production nor open storage activities were observed during the site survey. In
addition, review of historical aerial photos (since Year 1973) also revealed no
sign of land contamination. As such, SI is considered not required for this
strip of land and the necessity of SI should focus on the western portion of SRC-1
once the land is resumed and free for access.
8.12.1.3 Following the submission of CAP after re-appraisal by PP for EPD’s
agreement and completion of site investigation and laboratory testing works, if
required, a CAR needs
to be prepared to present the findings and evaluate the
level and extent of potential contamination. If land contamination is
identified and remediation is required, a RAP will be prepared to recommend
specific remediation measures. Upon completion of the remediation works, if
any, a RR that demonstrates the clean-up works are adequate would also be
prepared. CAR, RAP and RR would be submitted to EPD for approval prior to
commencement of any construction.
