ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN OF THE PROPOSED WASTEWATER TREATMENT IN AL-NAHRWAN REGION / BAGHDAD

Based on the provisions of the Law for the Protection and Improvement of the Environment No. 27 of 2009 in Article 10, the project owner must comply with the preparation of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study prior to its establishment. This study offers an appropriate and effective Environmental Management Plan (EMP) for the proposed Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) of AlNahrwan project during the construction and operation stages as one of the most important stages of EIA process. This plan includes mitigation and monitoring measures to enhance the positive impacts of the treatment plant, and to minimize or eliminate its negative effects on the environment.


‫في‬ ‫المقترحت‬ ‫المنزليت‬ ‫الميبه‬ ‫معبلجت‬ ‫لمحطت‬ ‫البيئيت‬ ‫اإلدارة‬ ‫خطت‬ ‫منطقت‬ ‫بغذاد‬ ‫النهروان/‬ ‫الخالصت:‬
EIA process can be defined as a systematic tool to identify, and evaluate the potential, impacts of proposed activities such as; projects, programs, plans, or any legislative actions related to the chemical, physical, biological, cultural, and socio-economic elements of the environment [1].Environmental management plan (EMP) is one of the most important stages of EIA process which consists of mitigation and monitoring measures to should be taken during construction and operation stages to eliminate negative environmental and social impacts, or reduce them to allowable levels [2], and at the same time it ensures environmental sustainability of the project Based on the instructions of environmental determinants for establishing projects and monitoring the safety of their implementation No. 3

Objectives of Study
Develop a management plan that will ensure environmental sustainability of the project through monitoring and mitigation Process.

4.
Specification of environmental management plan.

The Study Area
According to the information, obtained from Baghdad sewerage directorate, the proposed plant's site will cover, an area of (165,000) m 2 on a public, land lot 1/39983, district 3/Nahrwan which is dependent, to the Ministry of Finance (MOF), is located in the eastern south of Al-Nahrwan city (see Figure 1).The site is identical to national environmental determinants and it is an available location, for construction the proposed wastewater treatment plant WWTP with slope (gradient) suitable for all the network pipes that convey discharge to it.The land, on which the plant is to be built on, is 7 km far from the last main pumping, station in the city.

Method of Treatment
The selection of treatment technology for any project is basically related of local conditions.The major evaluation criteria, governing the decision for the treatment technology, are Land available, simplicity in operation and maintenance, requirements, process efficiency and reliability.
Al-Nahrwan WWTP is designed, to serve the residential area within, the old city and the future extension of the city according, to the Master Plan.The population Equivalent, that will be served is approximately (400,000) capita, until the target year at 2043, with average capacity of (100,000) m 3 /d divided at two stages, for a construction purpose.The 1 st stage will serve the old city with an extension at the north and south, whereas the 2 nd stage will serve the eastern extension of the city.
According to the proposed design, an extended aeration treatment type will be constructed with no use of primary clarifiers and digesters.The treatment process include pretreatment, and physical treatment phase, biological treatment phase with phosphorus, and nitrogen removal, disinfection of effluent flow, and sludge treatment phase which contains the thickening and drying process.
The wastewater is conveyed, to the plant across a minor and major gravity, sewer line system of different diameters starting with 250 mm and ending with 1400 mm for main trunk sewer.A flow diagram for the treatment plant is illustrated in

Potential Impacts on Environment
The construction of the any project may have beneficial or adverse effects on environment.
However, Al-Nahrwan proposed WWTP will have a positive environmental impact on the city.It is expected to result in a long-term enhancement to public health of people and reduce a source of water pollution.Table (1) below illustrates the environmental impacts due to the construction and operation actions.Environmental impacts are the result of changes that occur to environmental factors in time and place compared to what will happen if the project is not established.The parameters may be any environmental receptors; air, water, noise …etc.

Potential Impacts on Human Being
As mentioned earlier, the city's residents will experience environmental benefits as a result of the construction of the project.There will be a marked improvement in the public health of the community relative to the improved standard of wastewater management.There will be financial gains opportunities, for local population during the construction and operational stages.
A Clean environment will encourage the development and establishment of projects and other activities in the region.However, workers at the plant might experience negative health effects, particularly during the removal and collection of greases, and sands from their traps, and the dried sludge from the drying beds.

Potential Impacts on Air
Although air pollution has, been concerned since the beginning of Industrial Revolution [6], it has become a global phenomenon, , concerning the whole world.Atmospheric pollutants may be spread over long distances range, from few to hundreds of meters away from their origin [7].
WWTP air pollution and odor may be transported, towards the eastern, south borders opposite to wind direction.
Air pollution and dusty conditions, will occur during the, excavation and construction, work.In addition, gaseous and particulate, emissions will have an impact on the environment.During, the operational phase, methane, gas and other gases, (like H 2 S and other volatile organic compounds VOCs) will be released, into the atmosphere and may have a negative, impact on air quality.

Potential Impacts on Water
In general, the presence of the treatment plant will have a positive effect on surface and groundwater, in the region; because it will treat the raw sewage, currently discharged in the nature.
There will no longer be a need to construct the septic tanks in the city, which cause contamination, of water resources and result in a health, deterioration.Treated water will be used for irrigation, or disposed to the river as a high quality water source.

Potential Impacts on Soil
The construction of treatment facilities and road in addition to excavation, works will expose soils in the affected, areas leaving them vulnerable, to erosion by surface run-off.Limited quantities of soil will be excavated, during the construction phase, of the treatment plant.In case of a rainy season, there will be soil erosion.
Leveling at the plant site can result in soil disturbances, erosion problems and dusty conditions.The reuse of treated water, for irrigation will improve the productivity of agricultural, area in the region.When treated effluents, are unacceptable, these will cause contamination for the receiving water body.If the grease and sludge are not properly handled and managed, they can contaminate the nearby soils and create Unpleasant odors.

Potential Impacts on Landscape
Al-Nahrwan WWTP will not significantly affect on the landscape; as the WWTP is not visible from any residential units, or from most of the neighboring areas.On the other hand, there will be a positive impact of the long-lived trees, which supposed to be planted.

Potential Impacts of Noise
Noise will be generated, during site clearance and road construction works due to the use of heavy equipment, but it should not be any consequence to adjacent communities and that are located sufficiently far away of the area.
The remoteness of the site should help to mitigate noises.Typical noise emissions from different equipment, which may be used in construction works, are illustrated in Table (2) [8]: The following Table (3) illustrates a quantitative description to related changes in sound pressure levels dB (A) [8]:

Potential Impacts on Flora and Fauna
During the site visit, it was observed that no rare, endangered, or endemic flora or fauna species and no vegetation on the project site as shown in Plate (1).On the hand, the future use of treated wastewater for irrigation, and the treated sludge as a fertilizer, will help in land rehabilitation of surrounding areas, which may create a suitable habitat for new species of plants and animals.

Methodologies of Impact Prediction
Many of methodologies are developed for environmental impact prediction.The most important reasons for using methodologies are to ensure that all related environmental factors are included in the study and that they provide information and the evaluation of alternatives on a common basis.
EIA methodologies can be broadly categorized into Ad-hoc methods (Experts Judgment), Checklist methodologies, Inter-action matrices methodologies, Network methodologies, and Remote sensing technique [9].A simple checklist is illustrated in Table (4).

Alternatives of Project
Project alternatives are defined in terms of the factors associated with the site or technologies that are available, taking into account their environmental benefits and effectiveness.Alternatives are described at three levels: 1-Alternative "no-action".

2-Alternative of location.
3-Alternative of wastewater treatment process technologies.

Alternative "no-action"
Construction of the Al-Nahrwan WWTP will positively effect on local environment [3].However, On the other hand, the "No-Action" Alternative will cause the continued use of septic tanks as well as the illegal discharge of untreated wastewater that will be directly discharged into the environment and this will result negative effects on the local environment, health deterioration, soil deterioration as well as air and water contamination due to the growing load of organic and inorganic substances.The existing of the environmental problems will become more serious and may inhibit social and economic development of the area in the short and long term; resulting in degradation of health situation and increase of water related diseases.

Alternative of Location
According to the recommendation of Iraqi Ministry of Finance MOF;, the owner of the land (Formal letter of Baghdad Governorate No. 7806 in 2016), there is an alternative to increase the area by (42500) m 2 with shifting about (1.5 -2) km to the south or southern west direction.

Alternative of Wastewater Treatment Process Technologies
The type of wastewater treatment depends on technical and financial aspects in addition to land availability.Technical alternatives are described in three levels; primary treatment level, sludge treatment level and applications of water reuse level.

Primary treatment level
Primary sedimentation is used as a primary step which can remove about (50-70) % of suspended solids and about (25-40) % of the BOD in case of efficient design and operating [10].

Sludge treatment level
The thickened sludge can be treated in anaerobic digesters, before being disposed to the drying beds to reduce the amount of sludge, making it more stable, and reduce the area of land on which the drying beds will be built [10].

Applications of water reuse level
Irrigation water, demand varies significantly with climatic conditions compared to the relatively constant production rate of treated water [11].To maximize the use of treated water, and meet water application requirements throughout the irrigation season, water storage is necessary.Storage facilities may be ponds, lakes, tanks or aquifers which may be used for storage, and later recovery of water [12].When treated water production exceeds the irrigation rate, and the storage capacity, it may be discharged to receiving water bodies.It should be noted that the discharge of treated water to surface water will be subjected to river protection permit requirements (Regulation for Protection of Rivers from Pollution NO. 25 in 1967 and its Amendment in 2001).Table (6) shows the Iraqi standard limits of treated water.

Mitigation Measures
The EMP identifies feasible and cost-effective measures that may reduce potentially significant adverse environmental impacts to the acceptable levels [2].

Mitigation of the Impacts on Water Quality
 Minimization of leakages of wastewater to groundwater due to construction of WWTP. Regular testing should be done to effluent wastewater quality to ensure that its characteristics are within the standards.The chlorination contact basin effluent will flow by gravity into the outflow measurement channel [3]. Construction of equalization bonds to contain the extra flow during the peak time and to avoid discharging it by-pass to river. Avoid permeability of supernatant drainage from the drying beds.

Mitigation of Impacts on Air Quality
 Site roads should be dampened every 4-6 hours or within reason to prevent a dust occurrence, this frequency should be increased on hotter days taking onto account the minimization of cleared areas that are needed to be utilized [13]. Cover the construction materials such as cement to prevent a dust nuisance. Construction of odor removal systems at the main sources of odor (inlet channel, inlet pumping station, coarse and fine screen channels and conveyors, containers for screenings and grit, sludge dewatering).The exhaust air will be sucked through the biological compost filter by means of a fan.The water saturated waste air is then transferred beneath the bio-filter and enters the bio-filter through a special designed nozzle bottom.As this occurs microorganisms present in the biomass oxidize the contaminants in the gas to innocuous end products such as CO 2 , H 2 O and common substances.After passing through the bio-filter, the cleaned exhaust air will be discharged to the atmosphere [3].

Mitigation of Impacts on Soil
 The staff should be trained for proper management of greases, to avoid soil contamination. Periodic tests should be done to assure the quality of effluent water and to avoid partially treated wastewater to reach the soil. Excavated soil should be utilized for landscaping and tree planting purposes. Exposed areas should be replanted with grass as soon as possible after construction.

Mitigation of Impacts on Climate and Landscape
 Trees should be planted around the plant and within the project site to improve the local climate making use of effluent treated water for irrigation purposes.
 The effluent water of the WWTP can be utilized for the purpose of planting squares, parks and recreational areas in the neighboring regions.

Mitigation of Noise Impact
The influence of ambient noise must always be minimized from its source and measurements should be done to ensure that the noise is within the acceptable limits [14].The following actions are required:  Commitment with what are mentioned in (Chapter Two -Item 3) of National Instructions of Noise Control No.41 in 2015 [15]. Use equipment that has low noise emissions as stated by the manufacturers. Use equipment that is properly fitted with noise reduction devices such as mufflers. Operate noise-generating equipment during regular working hours (e.g. 7 am -7 pm) so as to reduce the potential of creating a noise nuisance during the night. Relating staff in the operation of noise-generating equipment should be equipped with noise protection.Workers exposing to noise level of ≥ 80 dB continuously for 8 hours or more should use ear muffs.These who experiencing prolonged noise levels (70-80) dB should wear earplugs [13].

Mitigation on Public Health and Safety
 WWTP site fencing is required. Fire alert system should be installed in the plant and chemical fire extinguishers should be available at the site. Training of workers on safety measures. Controlling on insects breeding.

Mitigation of Treated Wastewater and Sludge Reuse Impacts
 Specific regulation should be followed to control the use of treated wastewater in irrigation according to the quality of treated water, agricultural requirements and soil structure. No sludge to be used without sufficient treatment. Appropriate protective clothing such as rubber gloves and boots should be provided to workers.

Monitoring
Environmental monitoring during construction and operation stages provides information about environmental impacts of the project and the effectiveness of mitigation measures [2].Therefore, the EMP identifies monitoring objectives and specifies the type of monitoring, with EIA report and the mitigation measures described in the EMP [16].

Monitoring During Construction Phase
1. Construction work should be monitored on a daily basis by the project manager and the supervisor of the work to avoid a dust nuisance at the cleared areas and access roads.2. Daily inspections should be conducted to ensure that trucks carrying raw materials and heavy equipment are parked at the designated area to prevent traffic congestion and accidents.3. Subjecting the allowable standards to gaseous emissions generated by construction vehicles, equipment, and machinery (Determinants of National Emission of Activities and Works No. 3 of 2012) [17].4. Properly treated of solid waste generated during construction, and at camp sites and safely disposed to the waste disposal sites after been approved by the consultant supervisor. 5. Staff Training about safety procedures, equipping them with hard boots, helmets, gloves, and protective masks, and monitoring their proper and sustained usage.6. Construction of a laboratory, supplied with all equipment needed for routine tests, must be included in the proposed design [3].

Monitoring at Operation Phase
1.The plant automation will be managed by Programmable Logic Controller PLC system covering every unit of the Plant.The PLC system is designed as one PC with monitors and keyboards located in the control room from where the operator can control all the equipment of the plant through the Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA system.This is the ideal way to operate the plant safely and efficiently [3]. 2. Flow metering with automatic samplers are supposed to be provided for the WWTP facilities to measure and monitor inlet, outlet, return sludge and excess sludge flow continuously [3]. 3. A periodic monitoring report should be submitted to the responsible authority (General Directorate of Sewerage) to assess the monitoring measures and deciding suitable actions to reduce pollution effects.4. Maintenance monitoring for all WWTP units to ensure the performance of the treatment.5. Periodic laboratory tests should be done to the inlet and outlet flow to ensure that its parameters within the allowable limits.6. Sludge management plan should be submitted to the responsible authority including a monitoring program to ensure the correct testing of sludge, and a proposal for the appropriate end use or disposal of sludge.

Conclusions
1.The environmental and technical sustainability of the project depends on the application of the proposed environmental management plan.2. Mitigation measures depend on the methods of prediction and identification of the effects of the project and how to analyze them in terms of their properties, type and duration.3.According to the negative environmental impacts resulted from the nonexistence of wastewater treatment plant, it will be necessary to construct this plant with emphasis on the effective environmental management plan including mitigation and monitoring measures to ensure agreement of effluent characteristics with the allowable Iraqi limits and control of contaminants resulting from treatment facilities to prevent their impact on the surrounding environment.

Recommendation
1.The proposed environmental management plan must be developed after the operation of the project to analyze the resulting environmental impacts according to the actual data resulting from the treatment facilities.2. Developing environmental risks management plan dealing with unusual operational conditions such as; overflow influent rate, increasing of pollutant concentrations in the raw or treated water over than allowable specification, or electricity power shutting down… etc.

Figure ( 3 )
provides a simple illustration of the concept [4].

Figure 3 .
Figure3.The nature of an environmental impact[5] of 2011/ chapter two, wastewater treatment alaa1979jojo@gmail.comprojects are Categorized as class (A) which have Significant negative environmental impacts beyond the work site. *

Table 1 .
Potential environmental impacts

Table 2 .
Typical noise emissions of construction equipment

Table 3 .
Estimated community response

Table 4 .
Simple checklist of environmental impacts (5)reliminary matrix of potential environmental impacts of similar project is illustrated in Table(5)below.

Table 6 .
Iraqi standard limits of disposal treated water