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Republic of Belarus

Proposed Water Supply and Sanitation Project

Environmental Assessment

Report

November 2007

E1811V1

Document control sheet

Prepared by Reviewed by Approved by

ORIGINAL NAME NAME NAME

Igor TCHOULBA

Environmental Specialist

DATE SIGNATURE SIGNATURE SIGNATURE

November 2007

REVISION NAME NAME NAME

DATE SIGNATURE SIGNATURE SIGNATURE

Environmental Assessment of the proposed Water Supply and Sanitation Project. Report. November, 2007 ii

Executive Summary

The following conclusions emerged from the environmental assessment of the proposed WSSP:

I. The environmental review confirms that the proposed WSSP falls under the Category ‘B’ according to the provisions of the World Bank Operational Policy 4.01, ‘Environmental Assessment’.

The anticipated adverse environmental impacts will occur mainly during a construction stage and are likely to be site-specific; and it is not expected that the project will affect significantly human populations or alter environmentally important areas. In most cases, the proposed mitigation measures can significantly reduce the adverse impacts and be readily designed. The proposed developments concern mainly with rehabilitation and upgrading of the existing infrastructure. Construction of new water supply and sanitation infrastructure will take place predominantly in rural areas and be of small scale.

II. It is anticipated that if the suggested mitigation measured be properly applied, the proposed Water Supply and Sanitation Project will have predominantly positive impact on the environment and the population’s health from: (i) improved efficiency of water supply in the proposed locations; (ii) improved quality of portable water (reduced iron content) supplied to the population affected; and (iii) improved wastewater collection and treatment.

III. Proposed construction of water distribution network in Mosty without properly addressing the issue of wastewater collection and disposal is likely to contribute significantly to pollution of groundwater and the Niemen River.

The following recommendations can be made based on the Environmental Assessment:

I. The water distribution network construction in Mosty’s “Zanemanski” sub-district is considered for implementation only if strong and reliable evidence is provided that the proposed development will not cause significant pollution of groundwater and the running nearby Niemen River.

II. To further strengthen the positive environmental impacts of the proposed project, the following issues should be considered:

a) Rehabilitation of water distribution and wastewater collecting networks should be combined, when practicable, with expansion of these networks, connecting the population that previously did not enjoy central water supply and sanitation systems and got water for household purposes from shallow water wells; b) In planning reconstruction of the existing and construction of new wastewater treatment facilities, the issue of sludge processing (construction of sludge digesters, bio-gas utilisation, sludge de-watering etc.) should also be considered, when practicable.

The following impacts can occur from project implementation:

Permanent or temporary withdrawal of land sites Noise pollution from a variety of construction works

Environmental Assessment of the proposed Water Supply and Sanitation Project. Report. November, 2007 iii

Pollution of soil and water at construction sites through oil spillage Visual impacts resulting from storage of waste materials Injuries to contractors’ workers if applicable safety and occupational health standards

are not observed Loss of topsoil leading to increased soil erosion Temporary air pollution (CO2, NOx, dust etc.) from construction works and increased

traffic Loss of or damage to archaeological artefacts Increased consumption of water Limited access to residential and business areas from trenches excavation and

fencing Increased number of road accidents related to trench excavations, use of heavy

machinery and increased traffic Pollution of surface waters from accidental discharge of unsatisfactory treated effluent

from wastewater treatment facilities Water pollution as a result of insufficient capacity of WWTFs to cope with increased

amount of wastewater resulted from increased water consumption Pollution caused by poor disposal of waste materials Soil erosion as a result of poor top soil management

Key mitigation measures include the following:

Preparation of subproject specific Environmental Management Plans at detailed design phase, which would identify potential environmental issues and specific mitigation

A requirement from contractors at contract tendering stage to include in their proposals the measures to mitigate adverse environmental impacts

Mitigation measures proposed for the project include the following:

Selection of optimal location for new water intakes and wastewater treatment facilities and optimal routes for accession roads, electricity transmission lines and water and wastewater pipelines, to minimise negative environmental and social impact

Installation of individual water meters in residential apartments and houses and proper water pricing to reduce water consumption

Selection of adequate technologies for wastewater treatment and adherence to these technologies

Ensure that the local industries discharge to the municipal sewerage properly pre-treated sewage only

Ensure that adequate infrastructure and capacity to treat properly increased amount of wastewater, resulted from increased water consumption, is available

Ensure proper sludge management to avoid soil and surface ground water pollution Identification of designated landfill sites for waste disposal Storage of waste (pending disposal) in designated areas in order to minimise risk of

injury to workers and others Minimise time of construction works to minimise water supply interruptions

Environmental Assessment of the proposed Water Supply and Sanitation Project. Report. November, 2007 iv

Adherence to designated working hours to minimise nuisance from construction noise Proper maintenance of construction sites to minimise pollution and noise Adherence to (and development, if absent) safe working procedures Proper use of protective equipment in the event that asbestos containing materials

are encountered Maintaining temporary traffic diversions during the construction phase, establishing

and enforcing safe speed limits and installing warning and prohibitory road signs to avoid road accidents caused by trenches excavation, use of heavy machinery and increased traffic during the construction stage

Provide crossings and/or alternative access routes to maintain proper access to residential and business areas

Applying dust suppression measures along with good operation management and site supervision to minimize air pollution

Daily checks of machinery for leaking oil or petrol and avoid washing of machinery at construction sites to minimise soil and water pollution at construction sites

Separation of topsoil and subsoil during trenching, with replacement of topsoil after pipe-laying, in order to minimise soil erosion and promote vegetation remediation

Cessation of works (to allow suitably qualified experts to evaluate the site) should archaeological or cultural artefacts be found

An Environmental Management Plan, presented in Section 5, provide summary of possible impacts and proposed mitigation measures, as well as monitoring and supervisory responsibilities.

Environmental Assessment of the proposed Water Supply and Sanitation Project. Report. November, 2007 v

Contents

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

1. INTRODUCTION.....................................................................................................................................................1

2. BACKGROUND........................................................................................................................................................1

2.1. Project Description.............................................................................................................................................12.1.1. Project Objectives......................................................................................................................................12.1.2. Project Components and Activities............................................................................................................1

2.2. Institutional Framework......................................................................................................................................22.2.2 Brief Review of the Pertaining Organizational Framework..........................................................................22.2.2 Brief Review of the Relevant Belarusian Legislation and Procedures...........................................................3Environmental Permitting and Licensing....................................................................................................................3Environmental Assessment..........................................................................................................................................42.2.2. Conclusions in terms of the proposed project interventions......................................................................5Environmental Permitting...........................................................................................................................................5Environmental Assessment..........................................................................................................................................5

2.3. Baseline conditions.............................................................................................................................................62.4. Zero-alternative (without the proposed project implemented)...........................................................................7

3. POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT..........................................8

3.1 Construction/Reconstruction of Water Intakes...................................................................................................83.2 Construction/Reconstruction of Water Supply Systems.....................................................................................93.3 Reconstruction of the existing wastewater collection systems and WWTFs...................................................103.4 Construction of New WWTFs..........................................................................................................................103.5 Predicted Significance and Probability of Impacts...........................................................................................113.6 Proposed Mitigation Measures.........................................................................................................................12

4. CONSULTATIONS AND INFORMATION DISCLOSURE.............................................................................13

5. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS................................................................................................13

5.1 Conclusions.......................................................................................................................................................135.2 Recommendations.............................................................................................................................................14

6. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN....................................................................................................15

6.1 Mitigation Plan.................................................................................................................................................156.2 Monitoring Plan................................................................................................................................................22

Compliance monitoring.............................................................................................................................................22Impact monitoring.....................................................................................................................................................24Impact monitoring: water quality..............................................................................................................................24Impact monitoring: air quality and noise..................................................................................................................25Impact monitoring: sewage sludge............................................................................................................................26

APPENDIXES

Environmental Assessment of the proposed Water Supply and Sanitation Project. Report. November, 2007 vi

List of Abbreviations

EA Environmental Assessment

EIA Environmental Impact Assessment

EMP Environmental Management Plan

MACs Maximum Allowable Concentrations

MoEnv Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection

MHU Ministry of Housing and Utilities

PHR Public Health Regulation

PMU Project Management Unit

PUC Public Utility Company

SER State Environmental Review

WB World Bank

WSSP Water Supply and Sanitation Project

WWTF Waste Water Treatment Facility

Environmental Assessment of the proposed Water Supply and Sanitation Project. Report. November, 2007 vii

1. Introduction

The purpose of this document is to provide an Environmental Assessment (EA) of proposed infrastructure investments to be undertaken under the Water Supply and Sanitation Project (WSSP). The assessment was conducted by Mr. Igor Tchoulba, Environmental Specialist.

The Environmental Specialist was engaged by the World Bank (WB) Task Team through the WB Office in Minsk. The agreed Terms of Reference are provided in Appendix 1.

The Environmental Assessment was carried out in October – November 2007 and encompassed site visits, meeting with the relevant key Belarusian and WB officials (see Appendix 2 for a full list of persons consulted), analysis of available information relevant to the assessment of possible WSSP impacts on the environment, and review of the pertinent Belarusian legislation.

Based on the assessment’s results, an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) has been prepared. The EMP contains summary of the project’s possible adverse environmental impacts along with measures proposed to mitigate these negative effects.

2. Background

2.1. Project Description

The proposed project will be financed through a specific investment loan. The estimated cost of the Project is US$ 60 million.

2.1.1. Project Objectives

The principal objective of the Project is to implement a set of interrelated activities intended to assist the Belarusian Government in providing more efficient and reliable water sector related services. The project is expected to generate tangible targeted benefits for the least advantaged groups through improved household water supply and sanitation services.

This objective will be achieved through rehabilitation, improvement, and expansion of water supply systems; adoption of advanced technologies for water treatment and de-ironization; and enhancing overall management of the water sector.

2.1.2. Project Components and Activities

The propose project will cover the following three components and respective activities:

(A) Development of Water Supply and Sanitation Sectors will include: Replacement of shallow well systems (often contaminated) used in rural areas by

deep wells Rehabilitation of the existing water supply and sanitation systems Installation of water meters Installation of de-ironization stations in critical areas where the iron content in

groundwater is very high. Small-scale construction of new wastewater treatment facilities in rural areas

Environmental Assessment of the proposed Water Supply and Sanitation Project. Report. November, 2007 1

(B) Water Sector Management.

This component will support actions in order to consolidate and strengthen policies, plans and actions relating to the management of the sector and thus improve effective governance and efficiency of the water sector. Component activities will enhance the institutional and technical capacities as well as the systems for planning, cost recovery and monitoring and evaluation. The institutional coordination, capacity building, communication, information exchange and stakeholder participation among relevant institutions will also be improved thereby reinforcing the management network for more efficient and effective operation and service provision.

(C) Project Management, Monitoring and Evaluation.

This component will support project implementation and management including: Supervision of project investments Project Management Unit (PMU) support, equipment, and training Public information Auditing and other fiduciary or technical services

PMU staffing will be financed by the government.

Investments will be implemented in all the six Belarusian regions (oblasts) – Brest, Grodno, Gomel, Minsk, Mogilev and Vitebsk. Big cities, with the population more than 100,000 people, and small towns with the population from 3,000 to 25,000 people will be involved in the project. Locations of the proposed project sites are presented in Appendix 3.

It is expected that the proposed interventions will ensure that the current and prospective, by 2015, demand for water supply and wastewater treatment in the targeted settlements will be satisfied.

2.2. Institutional Framework

2.2.2 Brief Review of the Pertaining Organizational Framework

The potable water supply and sanitation sector in Belarus is centrally regulated and it is vertically integrated from the municipalities to the Ministry of Housing and Utilities (MHU). Water supply and sanitation facilities belong to municipalities or district (raion) public utilities companies and the MHU provides investment for the development of water infrastructure. The Ministry is responsible for the overall supervision of construction works, operation, maintenance and management of the potable water supply and sanitation infrastructure regardless of their ownership status and affiliation.

The Belarusian Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection (MoEnv) has a similar vertical structure. MoEnv has its regional and local offices in all the Belarusian regions and districts. The environmental authorities are responsible, among other activities related to


MHUCentral authority

Regional (Oblast) Regional Executive Committees, Public Utilities Departments

Regional authorities

District (raion) or town Public Utilities Companies or VodocanalsLocal authorities

environmental protection, for conducting State Environmental Review (SER), issuing environmental licenses and permits, and for conducting regular and ad-hoc environmental monitoring.

2.2.2 Brief Review of the Relevant Belarusian Legislation and Procedures

Environmental Permitting and LicensingIn Belarus, activities connected with the use of natural resources and/or environmental impacts are performed on basis of special licenses and permits. The system of environmental licensing and permits is based on the Presidential Decree No17 “On the Licensing of Certain Types of Activities” (2003) and on the Law on Environmental Protection (1992, amended in 2002), as well as on other enactments, briefly described in this Section. According to the Decree No 17, the MoEnv issues licenses for the following activities:

Ozone-Depleting Substances management (production, buying (selling), storage, recycling, processing, etc.); geological studies (a set of research and applied activities conducted to understand the composition of the earth’s crust and related processes, exploration and prospecting, construction and (or) use of underground structures not related to the extraction of minerals); Peat or sapropel extraction; Drilling water holes deeper than 20 m; Use of hazardous waste (category 1-3), waste neutralization; Environmental audit.

Licenses are issued for a period of five years and can be extended upon the licensee’s request. The agency issuing licenses also supervises the implementation of the licenses’ terms.

Conducting economic and other activities, users of natural resources are obliged to keep records of used natural resources, emissions and discharges of pollutants, waste management, as well as to document other types of adverse environmental impact. These records are made in the environmental passport of a company, which should be handled according to (i) the State Standard 17.0.0.04-90 “Protection of the Environment. Environmental Passport of an Industrial Enterprise. Main Provisions” and (ii) the Guidelines on Filling-Out and Handling an Industrial Enterprise’s Environmental Passport approved by the USSR State Nature Committee on 02/04/1990. Industrial enterprises are also obliged to include data into the government statistical reporting forms 2-ОС (waste) “Report on Waste Generation, Use and Disposal”, 2-ОС (water) “Report on Water Use”. The records provided by the enterprises also form the basis for maintaining cadastres for environmental protection and natural resources use.

Activities related to special water use and those involving waste generation and disposal require environmental permits. According to the MoEnv’s Resolution № 14 “On Some Issues Related to Permits for Special Water Use and the Documents Submitted for Permits Obtaining” (2003), special water use is abstraction of water from water bodies and waste water discharge to the environment involving operation of the following structures and equipment: Stationary, mobile and floating structures for mechanical or gravity-flow water intake from surface water bodies; Water facilities for extraction of ground water (drilled small-piped wells) in the volume of more than 5 cubic meters per day; Water facilities for waste water discharge to surface water bodies; Water facilities for discharge of waste water to the subsurface horizons (agricultural irrigating fields, filtration fields, subsurface filtration fields, filtering trenches, sand-gravel filters, collectors) in the volume of more than 5 cubic meters per day; Irrigating reclamation systems.


An organization have to obtain environmental permits when it is going to start new activities related to water use (a permit for special water use) or involving waste generation and disposal (a permit for waste disposal). In case when an organisation which has already been conducting such activities, and hence has respective permits, plans to construct new (e.g. new water intakes or WWTFs) or reconstruct the existing facilities, it has to renew environmental permits for special water use or/and for waste generation and disposal if the following parameters will be changed as a result of construction/reconstruction: (i) quantity of a natural resource used, (ii) quantity or quality of wastewater discharged and (iii) quantity of wastes generated.

The procedure for obtaining environmental permits for special water use is routine and well established in the country. This procedure, including documentation to be submitted and organisations involved, is presented in Appendix 4.

The Belarusian legal and regulatory basis for environmental licensing and permitting is rather extensive. The main enactments are:

Law on Environmental Protection is a framework law, which specifies the framework for licensing and permitting related to the use of natural resources and impacts on the environment.

Water Code (1998) regulates relations arising from possession, the use and management of water. The Code aims at the efficient use and protection of waters, restoration of water bodies, preservation and improvement of water ecological systems.

Law on Sanitary and Epidemic Security of the Population (1993, amended in 2000) sets requirements and procedures for implementation of the environmental standards related to the quality of the environment.

Code on Administrative Offence (2007) specifies liability for violation of the standards and regulations pertinent to environmental protection and efficient the of natural resources.

Law on Waste (1993, amended in 2002) lays legal basis for waste management and aims at preventing adverse impact of waste on the environment and human health.

A number of Belarusian technical regulatory acts and standards set environmental, hygienic, construction and other requirements for specific types of products, processes of their designing, manufacturing, operation (use), storage, transportation, sale, utilization and services’ provision. Technical regulatory acts and standards pertaining to water supply and sanitation are presented in Section Regulations and Literature.

Environmental Assessment The Belarusian legal basis for environmental assessment comprises four enactments. These are the Law on Environmental Protection, the Law on State Environmental Review (1993, amended in 2000), the Regulation on Implementation Procedure of State Environmental Review in Belarus (2001) and the Regulation on Implementation Procedure of Environmental Impact Assessment of Economic and Other Activities (2005).

The legislation states that economic activities should be based on sustainable use of natural resources. It also stipulates that economic activities that can detrimentally affect the environment, human health and/or the property of citizens have to undergo environmental impact assessment (EIA) and/or state environmental review.

Environmental assessment in Belarus consists of two interrelated but separate procedures: Environmental Impact Assessment (called OVOS) and State Environmental Review (also called ‘Ecological Expertiza’). EIA is organized and funded by the proponent of the proposed development and is carried out by a design or scientific institute (Articles 20 and 22, Regulation on EIA). The Regulation presents a list of types of developments that are subject to mandatory EIA. For the developments not included in the list, but which can still


result in adverse environmental consequences, a decision on whether or not EIA is required is left to the MoEnv and its regional and local offices.

The outcome of EIA is an environmental impact report, which becomes an integral part of the project design documentation and is submitted to national, regional or local environmental authorities for SER. EIA procedural framework is presented in Appendix 5. In cases where EIA is not required, a proponent or a design institute (on their behalf) is obliged to prepare a separate section devoted to environmental protection (Article 5, Regulation on EIA). This section is also submitted as an integral part of design documentation for SER.

SER is organized and carried out exclusively by the MoEnv and its regional and local offices and is funded from the state budget. There is a list of types of developments and activities for which SER is obligatory. Additionally, in contrast to the EIA process, the regulation on SER presents a list of activities for which SER is not required. Based on the outcomes of the SER, a final decision is made, which has to be adhered to during implementation by the proponent. The Law on State Environmental Review prohibits implementation of any activity requiring an SER without a positive SER statement (Article 14).

2.2.2. Conclusions in terms of the proposed project interventions

Environmental PermittingFrom analyzing the proposed WSSP interventions, the following should be noted:

1. Organizations (Vodokanals) conduct water supply and sanitation activities in accordance with their permits for special water use.

2. Vodokanals will have to renew their permits for special water use for: Construction/reconstruction of water intakes, if the volume of extracted water will increase comparing to the figures stated in the current permits. Construction/reconstruction of wastewater treatment facilities, if the volume or quality of effluent discharged from the facilities will be changed comparing to the figures stated in the current permits. Vodokanals will have to renew their permits for waste disposal for construction/reconstruction of wastewater treatment facilities, if the quantity of sludge generated will increase.

The current procedure for environmental licenses and permits obtaining is routine and well established in the country.

Environmental Assessment From analyzing the proposed WSSP interventions, the following should be noted:

1. The following proposed interventions will require EIA according the Belarusian legislation:

Construction/reconstruction of water intakes with a production capacity more than 30,000 m3/year. Construction/reconstruction of wastewater treatment facilities with the amount of yearly treated wastewater exceeding 5 % of the receiving water body’s basin annual flow.

2. Activities related to construction/reconstruction of water supply, including construction of iron removal stations, and wastewater collecting systems, and construction/reconstruction of wastewater treatment facilities with the amount of yearly treated wastewater less than 5 % of the receiving water body’s basin annual flow are not


included in the list of activities for which EIA is mandatory. However, the local environmental authorities may still require EIA for these activities on case by case basis.

3. For the proposed activities not subject to EIA (i.e. construction of iron removal stations, construction/reconstruction of water supply systems, reconstruction of wastewater collecting systems), the proponent (or a design or scientific institute on their behalf) will have to develop a section “Protection of the Environment” as an integral part of the project design documentation. This documentation will have to be submitted to the environmental authorities for SER.

4. All the proposed interventions will require SER, which will be carried out by the local, regional or central environmental authorities, depending on the intervention’s scale.

It should also be noted that EIA and SEA procedures in Belarus are routine and well established; and they are usually well known to specialists of Vodocanals and PUCs dealing with environmental issues. 2.3. Baseline conditions

Belarus is a relatively water rich country and available water resources are sufficient to meet both current and future demands. Groundwater resources are abundant and a large portion of the country’s needs are met by groundwater supplies. The main groundwater contaminants are naturally occurring iron, calcium, manganese. The level of pollution of the main Belarusian rivers ranges from relatively clean to moderately polluted. Among the rivers of concern, Niemen and Mukhavets are considered relatively clean (II class of water quality), while Dnepr, Berezina, Pripiat and West Dvina are more polluted (III class of water quality).

In 2005, water intake from natural sources was 1773.2 mln m3, including 739.4 mln m3 taken from surface water bodies (e.g., rivers, lakes, reservoirs) and 1033.8 mln m3 from groundwater sources. During the last few years (2000 – 2005) total water use has decreased by 6 percent. The amount of water used for the household needs decreased by 4%, while industrial use has fallen by 17 percent, continuing a trend that began in the early 1990s. Average residential consumption in the country is quite high. In major Belarusian cities, such as Brest and Grodno, consumption is about 200-230 liters per capita per day.

Considering the existing situation with water supply in the proposed project locations, nearly 100% of the population in big cities (Brest, Baranovichy, Crodno and Pinsk) and 65-100% - in small towns get water through the municipal water supply system. The population which is not connected to the central water supply system, usually people living in private houses, get water mainly from shallow water wells, which are often polluted with chemical and bacteriological contaminants. The main shallow wells contaminants are nitrates and coliform bacteria. For example, in Mosty, Grodno region, nitrates content in drinking water can reach 137 mg/l, nearly three times exceeding the respective national safety standard1; and Coli Index can reach 2380, more than 200 time exceeding the respective standard2 (Appendix 6-a presents the results of an analysis of drinking water from sallow water wells in Mosty in Russian). The situation varies from settlement to settlement, but nitrates and coliform bacterial remain the main contaminants. Improperly applied agricultural fertilisers and on-site pit latrines, used by the rural population to dispose human waste, are the major sources of shallow wells contamination.

Water supply infrastructure in small and big towns are often old and with inadequate capacity. Drinking water from deep water wells is usually of a good quality (see Appendix 6-b for the results of analysis of drinking water from deep water wells in Marjana Gorka, Minsk region). The main problem is naturally occurring high iron content (up to 1.8 – 2.0 mg/l3,in

1 The limit value for nitrate content in drinking water set by the Belarusian legislation is 45 mg/l.2The limit value for Coli Index in drinking water is 10.3 The limit value for iron content in drinking water is 0.3 mg/l.


some instances up to 3.0 – 5.0 mg/l). Though iron is not hazardous to health, when present in high concentration, it gives water an unpleasant metallic taste, offensive odour and colour. The local population in small towns often experience water shortages in dry summer period. Poor physical condition of the distribution networks lead to losses of water through leakages.

In 2005, 1298.2 mln m3 of wastewater was generated in the country. Nearly 90% of this wastewater after treatment was discharged into surface water bodies, predominantly rivers. According to the official statistics, 10.4 mln m3 (or 1%) of the waste water discharged in 2005 into water bodies had unsatisfactory level of treatment.

In big cities the proportion of local population connected to the municipal sewage system is usually much higher than in small towns, around 80-90% in big cities, and 30-60% in small towns. The population not connected to central sewage system are predominantly those living in private houses. They dispose wastewater mainly on site at the point of generation. Human waste goes to on-site pit latrines.

In big cities, municipal wastewater treatment facilities are in relatively good conditions (see pictures in Appendix 7-a), while wastewater collecting networks are often old and in poor conditions. For example, in the city of Mogilev a decrepit and near to collapse wastewater main collector with diameter 2.0 m and length of 4 km poses serious threat of significant pollution of the Dnepr River with large quantity of raw sewage. The quality of wastewater treatment in big cities is usually adequate. The burning problem of these cities related to wastewater treatment is sludge disposal, particularly sludge stabilisation and reduction in the volume of sludge disposed to designated landfills.

Wastewater collecting networks and treatment facilities in small towns proposed for the project are old and in poor condition (see pictures in Appendix 7 - b, c). Treatment technology employed is usually outdated and the quality of treatment is often inadequate. This lead to on-site pollution through raw sewage leakages at the treatment facilities and pollution of nearby local water bodies due to discharge of inadequately treated wastewater.

2.4. Zero-alternative (without the proposed project implemented)

This section provides description of a future environmental situation which is likely to develop if the proposed intervention will not be implemented.

Growing population and reviving industry in the targeted settlements will lead to growing demand for water. Increasing pressure on old water supply infrastructure can lead to frequent bursts of decrepit water pipes, leading to increase in losses of water. The population of these towns are likely to suffer more frequently from disruptions with water supply, especially during dry summer periods. Significant number of people living in small towns will continue get drinking water from often contaminated shallow water wells.

The population of the targeted settlements will continue to suffer from consuming water with high iron content.

In small towns, poor physical state of wastewater treatment facilities and outdated treatment technologies employed will not be able to provide an adequate quality of treatment for growing amount of wastewater coming to these facilities. This will lead to increasing ground and surface water pollution due to growing amount of unsatisfactory treated sewage discharged. Increasing pressure on old sewage collecting and transmitting networks is likely to cause frequent busts of sewage pipes with detrimental consequences to groundwater and surface water.


3. Potential Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Project

The project was initially placed in the environmental screening category ‘B’ under the provisions of the World Bank Operational Policy 4.01, ‘Environmental Assessment’.

The environmental review shows that the project will have predominantly positive impacts on the environment and human health from (i) improved efficiency of water supply in the proposed locations; (ii) improved quality of portable water (reduced iron content) supplied to the population affected; and (iii) improved wastewater collection and treatment.

The anticipated adverse environmental impacts will occur mainly during a construction stage and are likely to be site-specific; and it is not expected that the project will affect significantly human populations or alter environmentally important areas. In most cases the proposed mitigation measures can significantly reduce the impacts and be readily designed.

The proposed developments concern mainly with rehabilitation and upgrading of the existing infrastructure in urban areas. Small-scale construction work will occur in the proximity of small towns and it is unlikely that this work will involve significant conversion or degradation of natural habitats or have significant negative impact on forest ecosystems; hence, it is unlikely that the project will trigger application of the WB Operational Policies 4.04, Natural Habitats and 4.36, Forests. It is also not expected that the project will cause any involuntary resettlements.

Therefore, the environmental review confirms that the proposed WSSP falls under the Category ‘B’ according to the provisions of the World Bank Operational Policy 4.01, ‘Environmental Assessment’.

For the purpose if impact assessment, the proposed interventions have been grouped into four main types: (i) construction/reconstruction of water intakes, including construction of iron removal stations, (ii) construction/reconstruction of water supply systems, including construction of iron removal stations, (iii) reconstruction of the existing wastewater collection system and WWTFs, and (iv) small-scale construction of new WWTFs.

In the following sections the adverse impacts of the proposed investments are described in summary form, and also in the EMP presented in Section 5.

3.1 Construction/Reconstruction of Water IntakesPotential direct adverse environmental impacts of this type of interventions will be mainly related to construction activities and be limited in scope. However, if not properly planned, and operated, some adverse impacts can occur during the operation stage.

If not properly addressed, direct impacts may include the following:

Permanent or temporary withdrawal of land sites Noise pollution from a variety of construction works Pollution of soil and water at construction sites through oil spillage Visual impacts resulting from storage of waste materials Injuries to contractors’ workers if applicable safety and occupational health standards

are not observed Loss of topsoil leading to increased soil erosion


Temporary air pollution (CO2, NOx, dust etc.) from construction works and increased traffic

Loss of or damage to archaeological artefacts Increased consumption of water

If not properly addressed, indirect negative environmental impacts of the project may include the following:

Water pollution as a result of insufficient capacity of WWTFs to cope with increased amount of wastewater resulted from increased water consumption

Pollution caused by poor disposal of waste materials Soil erosion as a result of poor top soil management

3.2 Construction/Reconstruction of Water Supply SystemsPotential direct adverse environmental impacts of this type of interventions will be mainly related to construction activities and be limited in scope. However, if not properly planned, some adverse indirect impacts can occur during the operation stage.


Noise pollution from a variety of construction works Pollution of soil and water at construction sites through oil spillage Visual impacts resulting from storage of waste materials Injuries to contractors’ workers if applicable safety and occupational health standards

are not observed

Loss of topsoil leading to increased soil erosion Temporary air pollution (dust, CO2, NOx, etc.) from construction works and increased

traffic Loss of or damage to archaeological artefacts Temporary interruptions with water supply from replacement of water distribution

pipes Limited access to residential and business areas from trenches excavation and

fencing Increased number of road accidents related to trenches excavation, use of heavy

machinery and increased traffic at the construction sites Increased consumption of water from water distribution network’s increased

transmission capacity and expansion


Water pollution as a result of (i) insufficient capacity of WWTFs to cope with increased amount of wastewater resulted from increased water consumption; or (ii) a lack of adequate wastewater collection and treatment infrastructure. The intervention of particular concern with respect to this impact is a construction of water supply system in the town of Mosty (Grodno Region). The proposed construction of a water distribution network without properly addressing the issue of wastewater collection and disposal in the town is likely to exacerbate significantly the existing situation with


groundwater pollution, as well as with pollution of the Nieman River, running in the close proximity to the area, proposed for the development.

Pollution caused by poor disposal of waste materials Soil erosion as a result of poor top soil management

3.3 Reconstruction of the existing wastewater collection systems and WWTFs

Potential direct adverse environmental impacts of this type of interventions will be mainly related to construction activities and be limited in scope. However, if not properly planned, constructed, operated and maintained, some adverse impacts can occur during the operation stage.


Noise pollution from a variety of construction works Pollution of soil and water at construction sites through oil spillage Visual impacts resulting from storage of waste materials Injuries to contractors’ workers if applicable safety and occupational health standards

are not observed Loss of topsoil leading to increased soil erosion Temporary air pollution (dust, CO2, NOx, etc.) from construction works and increased

traffic Loss of or damage to archaeological artefacts Limited access to residential and business areas from trenches excavation and

fencing Increased number of road accidents related to trench excavations, use of heavy

machinery and increased traffic Pollution of surface and ground water from accidental discharge of unsatisfactory

treated effluent from wastewater treatment facilities


Pollution caused by poor disposal of waste materials, including sludge Soil erosion as a result of poor top soil management

3.4 Construction of New WWTFsPotential direct adverse environmental impacts of this type of interventions will be mainly related to construction activities and be limited in scope. However, if not properly planned, sited constructed, operated and maintained, some adverse impacts can occur during the operation stage.


Permanent or temporary withdrawal of land sites Noise pollution from a variety of construction works Pollution of soil and water at construction sites through oil spillage Visual impacts resulting from storage of waste materials


Injuries to contractors’ workers if applicable safety and occupational health standards are not observed

Loss of topsoil leading to increased soil erosion Temporary air pollution (CO2, NOx, dust etc.) from construction works and increased

traffic Loss of or damage to archaeological artefacts Pollution of surface and ground water from accidental discharge of unsatisfactory

treated effluent from wastewater treatment facilities


Pollution caused by poor disposal of waste materials, including sludge Soil erosion as a result of poor top soil management

l indirect impact can be water pollution as a result of insufficient capacity of WWTFs to cope with increased amount of wastewater resulted from increased water consumption. Potential indirect impact can be water pollution as a result of insufficient capacity of WWTFs to cope with increased amount of wastewater resulted from increased water consumption.

It is likely that asbestos containing materials will be encountered in the works proposed under the project (e.g. asbestos pipes to be replaced in Smolevichy and Rogachev). Mitigation measures to minimise the impacts of these materials on human health are described in the EMP presented in Section 5. It should also be noted that the World Bank strongly advises against the use of such materials in any new construction work, even in countries where local legislation allows its use. It is therefore recommended that non-asbestos containing materials be used in all project related works: and a stipulation to this effect be incorporated into technical specifications for bidding documents.

3.5 Predicted Significance and Probability of ImpactsSignificance and probability of impacts are described in the EMP (see Section 5). Most impacts are judged to be of ‘moderate’ significance and ‘possible’ likelihood.

Categories of Significance have been defined as follows:

Negligible – effect is only very slightly detectable/noticeable, or is undetectable and of no significance.

Minor – effect is slightly detectable/noticeable and of some temporary and localised effect, of a reversible nature.

Moderate – effect is fairly easily detectable/noticeable and of either temporary or permanent effect, unlikely to exceed local influence.

Major – effect is easily detectable/noticeable and likely to be of permanent, long-term significance, with irreversible implications exceeding the local area.

Categories of Probability of the impact occurring are defined as follows:

Definite - more than 90% likelihood of that impact occurring. Likely - between 70% and 90% likelihood of that impact occurring. Probable - between 40% and 70% likelihood of that impact occurring. Possible - between 10% and 40% likelihood of that impact occurring. Unlikely - less than 10% likelihood of that impact occurring.


3.6 Proposed Mitigation MeasuresThe mitigation measures outlined in this section should be undertaken as part of the project implementation process to mitigate potential impacts from construction and operation activities. The primary adverse impacts from the project are largely associated with civil works for infrastructure improvements. These impacts are usually localized, limited in their scope, short in duration and can be addressed through both design and monitoring measures. However, some adverse impacts can occur during the operational stage. The EMP in Section 5 summarizes the impacts and mitigation measures, as well as monitoring and supervisory responsibilities.

Key mitigation measures include the following:

Preparation of subproject specific Environmental Management Plans at detailed design phase, which would identify potential environmental issues and specific mitigation;

A requirement from contractors at contract tendering stage to include in their proposals the measures to mitigate adverse environmental impacts.

Mitigation measures proposed for the project include the following:

Selection of optimal location for new water intakes and wastewater treatment facilities and optimal routes for accession roads, electricity transmission lines and water and wastewater pipelines, to minimise negative environmental and social impact;

Installation of individual water meters in residential apartments and houses and proper water pricing to reduce water consumption;

Selection of adequate technologies for wastewater treatment and adherence to these technologies;

Ensure that adequate infrastructure and capacity to treat properly increased amount of wastewater, resulted from increased water consumption, is available;

Ensure that the local industries discharge to the municipal sewerage properly pre-treated sewage only;

Ensure proper sludge management to avoid soil and ground water pollution; Identification of designated landfill sites for waste disposal; Storage of waste (pending disposal) in designated areas in order to minimise risk of

injury to workers and others; Minimise time of construction works to minimise water supply interruption and

nuisance from construction works; Adherence to designated working hours to minimise nuisance from construction

noise; Proper maintenance of construction sites to minimise pollution and noise; Adherence to (and development, if absent) safe working procedures; Proper use of protective equipment in the event that asbestos containing materials

are encountered; Maintaining temporary traffic diversions during the construction phase, establishing

and enforcing safe speed limits and installing warning and prohibitory road signs in dangerous places to avoid road accidents caused by trench excavations, use of heavy machinery and increased traffic during the construction stage;

Provide crossings and/or alternative access routes to maintain proper access to residential and business areas;


Applying dust suppression measures along with good operation management and site supervision to minimize air pollution;

Daily checks of machinery for leaking oil or petrol and avoid washing of machinery at construction sites to minimise soil and water pollution at construction sites:

Separation of topsoil and subsoil during trenching, with replacement of topsoil after pipe-laying, in order to minimise soil erosion and promote vegetation remediation;

Cessation of works (to allow suitably qualified experts to evaluate the site) should archaeological or cultural artefacts be found.

4. Consultations and Information Disclosure

In the course of the Environmental Assessment, consultations were conducted with officials from the local and regional Vodokanal and PUCs, were WSSP‘s interventions would take place. Officials from the MoEnv were also consulted. See Appendix 2 for full list of persons consulted.

Information on the EA key findings and recommendations were distributed via two e-mail networks of NGOs, United Way and Association of Social Workers, to about 1000 Belarusian organization working on social, health and environmental issues. Draft EA report was placed on the MHU’s and MoEnv’s web sites.

A meeting dedicated to the EA results was held on 5 December at the WB Office in Belarus. The meeting’s minutes and a list of persons participated are presented in Appendix 8.

5. Conclusions and Recommendations

5.1 Conclusions

The following conclusions emerged from the environmental assessment of the proposed WSSP:

I. The environmental review confirms that the proposed WSSP falls under the Category ‘B’ according to the provisions of the World Bank Operational Policy 4.01, ‘Environmental Assessment’.

The anticipated adverse environmental impacts will occur mainly during a construction state and are likely to be site-specific; and it is not expected that the project will affect significantly human populations or alter environmentally important areas. In most cases the proposed mitigation measures can significantly reduce the adverse impacts and be readily designed. The proposed developments concern mainly with rehabilitation and upgrading of the existing infrastructure. Construction of new water supply and sanitation infrastructure will take place predominantly in rural areas and be of small scale.

II. It is anticipated that if the suggested mitigation measured be properly applied, the proposed Water Supply and Sanitation Project will have predominantly positive impact on the environment and the population’s health from: (i) improved efficiency of water supply in the proposed locations; (ii) improved quality of portable water (reduced iron


content) supplied to the population affected; and (iii) improved waste water collection and treatment.

III. Proposed construction of water distribution network in Mosty’s Zanemansky district without properly addressing the issue of waste water collection and disposal is likely to contribute significantly to pollution of groundwater and the Niemen River.

5.2 Recommendations

I. The water distribution network construction in Mosty’s Zanemanski district is considered for implementation only if strong and reliable evidence is provided that the proposed development will not cause significant pollution of groundwater and the running nearby Nieman River.

II. To further strengthen the positive environmental impacts of the proposed project, the following issues should be considered:

c) Rehabilitation of water distribution and wastewater collecting networks should be combined, when practicable, with expansion of these networks, connecting the population that previously did not enjoy central water supply and sanitation systems and got water for household purposes from shallow water wells; d) In planning reconstruction of the existing and construction of new wastewater treatment facilities, the issue of sludge processing (construction of sludge digesters, bio-gas utilisation, sludge de-watering etc.) should also be considered, when practicable.


6. Environmental Management Plan

The proposed Environmental Management Plan for the development of water supply and sanitation sectors component of the project is presented in tabular form below. The EMP consist of a mitigation plan, presenting possible impacts and proposed mitigation measures, and a monitoring plan dealing with monitoring and supervisory responsibilities.

The EMP considers four main types of investments, which reflect the overall scope of proposed activities. These types are: i) construction/reconstruction of water intakes, including construction of iron removal stations, (ii) construction/reconstruction of water supply systems in towns, including construction of iron removal stations, (iii) reconstruction of the existing wastewater collecting and transmitting system and WWTFs, and (iv) small-scale construction of new WWTFs. The EMP is, therefore, general, overview, EMP for the whole project, and it is expected that more detailed environmental management plans will be developed for specific interventions, following detailed project planning studies.

6.1 Mitigation Plan

ACTIVITYPOTENTIAL

IMPACTS(negative)

SIGNIFICANCE &

PROBABILITY OF

OCCURRENCE

MITIGATION MEASURES

RESPONSIBILITY FOR MITIGATION RESIDUAL IMPACT

Construction/Reconstruction of water intakes

Construction stage

Permanent or temporary withdrawal of land sites

Moderate – Likely to Definite (in case of new intakes construction)

Selection of optimal location of well fields and routs for accession roads, electricity transmission lines and water pipes

Management of Vodocamnals or local PUC and the local authorities where works carried out

Minor-Likely

Injury to contractors workers and other persons during construction works

Moderate – Possible

Safe working procedures to be written and followed by contractors

Contractor

Negligible – UnlikelyWorking areas to be temporarily out of bounds to non-works personnel

Contractor and Management of Vodocamnals or local PUC where works carried out

Injury to contractors workers and others from unsafe storage of waste

Moderate - Possible

Construction waste to be stored in a secure, designated area prior to removal to a designated waste landfill site

Contractor Negligible – Unlikely

Pollution (visual and other) caused by improper disposal of waste materials

Moderate - Possible

Waste to be disposed of at a designated waste landfill site

Contractor Negligible - Unlikely

Loss of topsoil leading to increased soil erosion

Moderate – Probable

Separation of topsoil and subsoil during excavation works, with careful replacement of topsoil after pipe is laid

Contractor Minor – Possible

Oil pollution of soil and water at construction site

Moderate – Likely

Daily checks of machinery for leaking oil Contractor Negligible - UnlikelyNo washing of machinery at construction site


ACTIVITYPOTENTIAL

IMPACTS(negative)

SIGNIFICANCE &

PROBABILITY OF

OCCURRENCE

MITIGATION MEASURES


Noise pollution Moderate – Possible

Works performed strictly during normal weekday working hours

Contractor Minor - Possible

Air pollution (CO, NOx, dust etc.) from construction works and increased traffic

Minor - Likely

Minimize dust and traffic emissions by good operation management and site supervision

Contractor Negligible- UnlikelyApply dist suppression measures (water sprinkling), especially during long dry periods

Archaeological “chance finds”

Moderate - Possible

If any archaeological artefacts are found, work must stop immediately and the respective local authorities and experts informed


Operation stage

Increased consumption of water

Moderate – Likely

Installation of individual water meters in residential apartments and houses

Minor – Possible

Proper pricing of water resource

MHU and Management of Vodocamnals or local PUC where interventions took place

Water pollution as a result of insufficient capacity of WWTFs to cope with increased amount of wastewater resulted from increased water consumption

Moderate - Possible

Ensure that adequate capacity for wastewater treatment is available. This should be ensured at the planning stage

Project Proponent Negligible - Unlikely

Construction/Reconstruction of water supply systems

Construction stage

Injury to contractors workers and other persons during construction works

Moderate - Possible

Safe working procedures to be written and followed by contractor Contractor Negligible – UnlikelyWorking areas to be temporarily out of bounds to non-works personnel


Moderate - Possible

All waste material to be stored in a secure, designated area prior to removal to a designated waste landfill site

ContractorNegligible - Unlikely


Moderate - Possible

Construction waste to be disposed of at a designated waste landfill site



ACTIVITYPOTENTIAL

IMPACTS(negative)

SIGNIFICANCE &

PROBABILITY OF

OCCURRENCE

MITIGATION MEASURES


Damage to human health due to exposure to asbestos containing materials

Moderate – Possible

In the event that asbestos-containing materials are encountered, workers must wear protective glasses, masks and gloves Contractor Negligible - UnlikelyAsbestos containing waste must be promptly delivered to appropriately designated waste landfill site






Moderate – Likely

Daily checks of machinery for leaking oil Contractor Negligible- UnlikelyNo washing of machinery at construction site

Noise pollution in towns

Moderate – Definite



Temporary air pollution (CO, NOx, dust etc.) from construction works and increased traffic

Moderate - Likely


Contractor Negligible- Unlikely

Apply dist suppression measures (water sprinkling, use of closed of covered trucks for transporting waste materials), especially during long dry periods


Moderate - Possible



Temporary interruptions with water supply from replacement of water distribution pipes

Moderate - Possible

Minimise time of replacement work

Contractor Minor-PossibleEngage alternative water supply routes, when possible

Limited access to residential and business areas from trenches excavation

Moderate- Likely

Minimise time of construction work

Contractor Negligible - PossibleProvide crossings and/or alternative access routes

Increased number of road accidents related to trenches excavation, use of heavy

Moderate - Possible

Develop a traffic management plan Contractor Minor-Unlikely


ACTIVITYPOTENTIAL

IMPACTS(negative)

SIGNIFICANCE &

PROBABILITY OF

OCCURRENCE

MITIGATION MEASURES


machinery and increased traffic

Maintaining temporary traffic diversions during the construction phase, and establishing and enforcing safe speed limits

Local Road Police

Install warning and prohibitory road signs in dangerous places

Contractor, Local Road Police

Operation stage

Increased consumption of water from water distribution network’s increased transmission capacity and expansion

Moderate – Likely


Vodocamnals or local PUC where works carried out

Minor – Possible

Proper pricing of water

MHU and Management of Vodocamnals or local PUC where interventions took place

Water pollution as a result of (i) insufficient capacity of WWTFs to cope with increased amount of wastewater resulted from increased water consumption; or (ii) a lack of adequate wastewater collection and treatment infrastructure

Moderate - Possible

Ensure that adequate means and capacity for wastewater treatment is available. This should be ensured at the stage of intervention’s planning

Project Proponent Negligible - Unlikely

Reconstruction of the existing wastewater collecting systems and wastewater treatment facilitiesConstruction stage Injury to

contractors workers and other persons during works

Moderate - Possible

Safe working procedures to be written and followed by contractor

Contractor

Negligible – UnlikelyWorking areas to be temporarily out of bounds to non-works personnel

Contractor and Management of facilities where works carried out


Moderate - Possible




Moderate - Possible








Moderate – Likely

Daily checks of machinery for leaking oil



ACTIVITYPOTENTIAL

IMPACTS(negative)

SIGNIFICANCE &

PROBABILITY OF

OCCURRENCE

MITIGATION MEASURES


No washing of machinery at construction site

Noise pollution Moderate – Definite




Minor - Likely


Contractor Negligible- PossibleApply dist suppression measures (water sprinkling), especially during long dry periods


Moderate - Possible



Increased number of road accidents related to trench excavations, use of heavy machinery and increased traffic

Moderate - Possible

Develop a traffic management plan Contractor

Minor-Unlikely


Local Road Police


Contractor, Local Road Police

Limited access to residential and business areas from trenches excavation

Moderate- Likely

Minimise time of construction work

Contractor Negligible - PossibleProvide crossings and/or alternative access routes

Operation stage

Pollution of surface and ground water from accidental discharge of unsatisfactory treated effluent from wastewater treatment facilities

Moderate-Possible

Selection of suitable technology for wastewater treatment and adherence to this technology

Operator

Negligible-UnlikelyEnsure that industries discharge to the municipal sewerage properly pre-treated sewage only

Management of local industries

Pollution of soil and ground water from improper handling of sludge

Moderate-Possible

Development of a Sludge Management Plan

Operator Negligible - UnlikelySludge (pending disposal) to be stored in a secure, designated area Construction of sludge processing unit (sludge digesters, de-watering equipment), when practicable

Project Proponent at the planning stage

Sludge to be disposed of at a designated waste landfill site

Operator


ACTIVITYPOTENTIAL

IMPACTS(negative)

SIGNIFICANCE &

PROBABILITY OF

OCCURRENCE

MITIGATION MEASURES


Reuse sludge as fertiliser in agriculture, forestry etc. Only sludge that meets respective safety standards can be reused

Construction of new wastewater treatment facilities

Construction stage

Permanent or temporary withdrawal of land sites


Selection of optimal location of WWTFs and routs for accession roads, electricity transmission lines and wastewater pipes


Minor-Likely

Injury to contractor’s workers and other persons during works

Moderate - Possible

Safe working procedures to be written and followed by contractor

Contractor Negligible – UnlikelyWorking areas to be temporarily out of bounds to non-works personnel (other establishments such as hospitals)


Moderate - Possible




Moderate - Possible








Moderate – Likely

Daily checks of machinery for leaking oil Contractor Negligible- UnlikelyNo washing of machinery at construction site

Noise pollution in towns



Contractor Minor - Unlikely


Minor - Likely


Contractor Negligible- UnlikelyApply dist suppression measures (water sprinkling), especially during long dry periods


ACTIVITYPOTENTIAL

IMPACTS(negative)

SIGNIFICANCE &

PROBABILITY OF

OCCURRENCE

MITIGATION MEASURES



Moderate - Possible



Operation stage

Pollution of ground and surface waters from accidental discharge of unsatisfactory treated effluent from wastewater treatment facilities

Moderate-Possible


Operator

Negligible - UnlikelyEnsure that industries discharge to the municipal sewerage properly pre-treated sewage only

Local environmental authority

Pollution of soil and ground water from improper handling of sludge

Moderate-Possible

Construction of sludge processing unit (sludge digesters, de-watering equipment), when practicable

Project Proponent at the planning stage

Negligible - Unlikely

Development of a Sludge Management Plan

Operator

Sludge to be stored in a secure, designated area prior to removal to a designated waste landfill site Sludge to be disposed of at a designated waste landfill siteReuse sludge as fertiliser in agriculture, forestry etc. Only sludge that meets respective safety standards can be reused


6.2 Monitoring PlanIn order to ensure efficient implementation of the mitigation measures proposed, including the respect of environmental obligations during the construction stage, a program of monitoring activities will be required, which includes two major types of monitoring:

compliance monitoring - the general environmental monitoring of construction and operation sites and activities;

impact monitoring - the specific monitoring of water and air quality, noise, WWTFs’ effluent and sludge generated.

The monitoring will be conducted by respective agencies during the construction and operation stages.

It should be noted that this monitoring plan is general, for the whole project, and it is expected that more detailed monitoring plans will be developed for specific interventions, following detailed project planning studies.

Compliance monitoringThe compliance monitoring for the construction and operation stages is presented in tabular form below. It should be noted that Department of State Labour Inspection is responsible for the issues related to occupational safety and health. Department of Capital Construction is responsible for overall supervision of construction works. Department of Historical and Cultural Heritage Protection and Restoration is responsible for cultural issues, including handling of archaeological sites and finds; and the local environmental authorities are responsible for environmental supervision.

Inspections of construction sites are among the duties of these agencies’ staff and are covered form their budgets.

Schedule Activities Responsibility CommentsExecution Supervision Funding

Construction stage

Year 1.Months 1-2

Prepare a Construction Site Environmental Management Plan (CSEMP)

Contractor PMU Contractor

Draft Plan submitted not later than 1 month after contract notification Final plan before end of month 2Review by PMU

Construction period

Selection of optimal location of new constructions and routs for accession roads, electricity transmission lines and water or wastewater pipes


Local executive and environmental authorities where works carried out

Records from site selection and land allocation documentation

Safe working procedures to be written and followed by contractors Contractor Department of State

Labour Inspection Contractor

Verify applicability of written safe working procedures. Regular inspection of construction works

Working areas to be temporarily out of bounds to non-works personnel Contractor

Department of State Labour Inspection

Department of Capital Construction

Contractor Regular inspection of construction sites

Construction waste to be stored in a secure, designated area prior to removal to a designated waste landfill site

Contractor Department of State Labour Inspection

Department of



Capital Construction

In the event that asbestos-containing materials are encountered, workers must wear protective glasses, masks and gloves

Contractor Department of State Labour Inspection Contractor Regular inspection of

construction sites

Asbestos containing waste must be promptly delivered to appropriately designated waste landfill site

Contractor

Department of State Labour Inspection Department of Capital ConstructionEnvironmental authorities

Contractor

Regular inspection of construction sitesRecords from landfill site management

Waste to be disposed of at a designated waste landfill site Contractor

Regional/Local Environmental Authorities

Contractor Records from landfill site management

Daily checks of machinery for leaking oil Contractor



No washing of machinery at construction site Contractor




Contractor




Works performed strictly during normal weekday working hours to minimize noise nuisance

ContractorDepartment of Capital Construction/

Contractor

Regular inspection of construction sites. See also Section Impact Monitoring: Air Quality and Noise


ContractorDepartment of Capital Construction

Contractor


Apply dist suppression measures (water sprinkling), especially during long dry periods

Contractor



Contractor



Contractor

Department of Historical and Cultural Heritage Protection and Restoration


Minimise time of replacement work and engage alternative water supply routes, when possible to mitigate temporary interruptions with water supply from replacement of water distribution pipes

Contractor Local executive authorities

Records from water supply management

Regular inspection of construction sites

Minimise time of construction work and provide crossings and/or alternative access routes to mitigate limited access to residential and business areas from trenches excavation

Contractor

Local authorities. Department of Capital Construction


Develop a traffic management plan Contractor

Local authorities. Department of Capital Construction

ContractorRecords from construction management


Local Road Police and Contractor

Local authorities, Road Police and Department of Capital Construction

Regular inspection of relevant construction sites


Local Road Police and Contractor

Department of Capital Construction and Local Road Police

ContractorRegular inspection of relevant construction sites


Operation stageYear 1Month 1

Prepare a facility’s environmental management plan Operator

PMU, local environmental authorities

Operator

Review by PMU and the local environmental authorities. Consultations with the stakeholders, including the public concirned

Operation period


Vodocamnals or local PUC where works carried out

MHU, Regional Vodokanals or PUC Households

Records from statistical datasheets showing percentage of households which get water from municipal water supply systems but do not have water meters

Ensure that adequate capacity for wastewater treatment is available. This should be ensured at the planning stage

Project Proponent

Regional or Local Environmental and Executive Authorities.Vodocamnals or local PUC

Description of the existing water supply and sanitation infrastructure in towns where interventions will take place. Design documentation


WWTF Operator

Vodokanal/PUC Management.

WWTF Operator

Design documentation.Records from WWTF operation

Ensure that industries discharge to the municipal sewerage properly pre-treated sewage only

Management of local industries

Regional or Local Environmental and Executive Authorities.Vodocamnals or local PUC

Local industries

Regular inspection of industries’ effluent discharges into the municipal sewerage. See also Section Impact Monitoring: Water Quality

Sludge (pending disposal) to be stored in a secure, designated area

WWTF Operator

Vodokanal/PUC Management and local environmental authorities

WWTF Operator Regular inspections

Sludge to be disposed of at a designated waste landfill site

WWTF Operator

Vodokanal/PUC Management and local environmental authorities

WWTF Operator

Records from the designated landfill

Reuse sludge as fertiliser in agriculture, forestry etc. Only sludge that meets respective safety standards can be reused

WWTF Operator

Vodokanal/PUC Management and local environmental and executive authorities

See also Section Impact Monitoring: Sewage Sludge below

Impact monitoring This section specifies general requirements for monitoring of water and air quality, noise, WWTFs’ effluent and sludge.

Impact monitoring: water quality It is expected that the project will have beneficial effect on the water quality from improved wastewater treatment. However, occidental discharges of unsatisfactory treated sewage can pollute ground and surface water. To avoid pollution and ensure prompt and efficient response in case such pollution occurs, effluent from a WWTF should be constantly monitored, along with the water quality of receiving water bodies.

Sampling points should be established at (i) the treated effluent discharge point from a WWTF, (ii) downstream and upstream of the receiving river (iii) in case effluent is discharged into a canal before reaching a rive or lake, the canal water quality should also be monitored.

Water quality monitoring plan is presented in tabular form below.

Monitoring location

Responsibility Monitoring parameters Frequencyexecution funding

Treated effluent at WWTF operator WWTF operator Temperature, COD, Initial stage: first


the discharge point from a WWTF

BOD5, oils, suspended solids, N, P, pH, sulphates, chlorates, Fe, Cu, Cr, Zn, Ni, bacteria

month-daily Later - routine monitoring 3 times per month

Local environmental authorities - regular inspection

Local environmental authorities

Quarterly

Water from a receiving water body (river or lake)

WWTF operator WWTF operator

Temperature, dissolved oxygen, COD, BOD5, suspended solids, oils, N, P, pH, sulphates, chlorates, bacteria

Initial stage: first quarter – monthly;Later: - quarterly routine monitoring



Quarterly

Water from a canal, where effluent is discharged prior to reaching the receiving water body

WWTF operator WWTF operator

Temperature, dissolved oxygen, COD, BOD5, suspended solids, oils, N, P, pH, sulphates, chlorates, bacteria

Initial stage: first month – weakly;Later: - routine monitoring 2 times per month



Quarterly

Effluent at the discharge points from local industries



Temperature, COD, BOD5, oils, suspended solids, N, P, pH, sulphates, chlorates, Fe, Cu, Cr, Zn, Ni.

Quarterly

Monitoring is a duty of WWTF operator and environmental authorities and will be paid respectively from the WWTF’s or the environmental authorities’ budgets.

Impact monitoring: air quality and noiseMonitoring of air quality and noise will be maintained throughout the construction stage of the project. Purpose of monitoring is to ensure that air pollution, dust, NOx and CO, and noise standards are respected on the construction sites and that these nuisances are kept at the minimum acceptable level for the surrounding residents.

In order to reduce the impacts of construction noise on adjacent residents, construction sites located within 200 m of residences should not be allowed to operate during the period from 10 PM to 6 AM next morning. In addition, it is required that equipment with low noise outputs is used. If it comes necessary, for construction purposes, to work occasionally at night, causing a noise nuisance to local residents, it is required i) to use noise-reduction measures ii) to limit as much as possible the duration of the nuisance and iii) to provide information on location, date and expected duration of the nuisance, in advance to the concerned population using posters and local medias (radios, newspapers). Work during night period should not be authorized in areas located less than 200 m from hospital or clinics.

Monitoring location


Air quality

Monitoring points will be identified around the major construction sites, near sensitive areas (residential areas, schools, medical facilities etc.)



Dust from earth works and traffic (measured as Total Suspended Particulates) and fumes from machinery (measured as NOx and CO).

Random basis (in average, four measurement campaigns per year)

Ad-hoc measurements during long dry periods

Noise


Monitoring points will be identified around the major construction sites, near sensitive areas (residential areas, schools, medical facilities etc.)



Noise levels will be monitored inside the construction sites and around, following the national standards for measurement methods.

Random basis (in average, four measurement campaigns per year)

Ad-hoc measurements if any complaints received

The air quality monitoring will be the duty of the local environmental authorities and will be covered from the authorities’ budget.

Impact monitoring: sewage sludgeThe sewage sludge monitoring will be conducted by a WWTF’ operator, with control sampling done by the local or regional environmental authorities. The sludge monitoring will paid for from the WWTF’s and environmental authorities’ budgets respectively.

The purpose of this monitoring will be: (i) to enable the operator to control the operation of the wastewater treatment process, particularly with regard to sludge; (ii) to provide information concerning the composition of sludge and/or its toxicity to identify and control the was the sludge is disposed of.

Monitoring location


Sampling will be undertaken at WWTF

WWTF Operator WWTF Operator

Depending on the type of disposal/reuse way for sludge, the chemical composition of the sludge will be determined. For agricultural (land application including composting) the following measurements are to be undertaken: Agronomic

parameters : NH4, P2O5, K2O, CaO, MgO, As, B, Co, Fe, Mn, Mo,

Trace elements : Cd, Cr, Cr6+,Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Zn,

Organic components : PCB, fluoranthene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(a)pyrene.

Initially: During firs half a year monthly sampling to build up a database concerning the chemical composition of sludge. After, once a year.



Ad-hoc sampling when new industries are introduced which discharge their effluent to the municipal wastewater system

Ad-hoc measurements if any complaints received


Regulations and Literature

Approach to Introduction of a System of Complex Nature Protection Sanctions in the Republic of Belarus. Situation Analysis. 2007. Centre for International Ecological Projects, Certifications and Audit “Ecologiainvest”.

Code on Administrative Offence. 2007.Guidelines on Filling-Out and Handling an Industrial Enterprise’s Environmental Passport.

1990.Law on Environmental Protection. 1992, amended in 2002.

Law on Sanitary and Epidemic Security of the Population. 1993, amended in 2000.Law on State Environmental Review. 1993, amended in 2000.

Law on Waste. 1993, amended in 2002.MoEnv’s Resolution № 14 “On Some Issues Related to Permits for Special Water Use and the

Documents Submitted for Permits Obtaining”. 2003.Water Code. 1998.

Presidential Decree No17 “On the Licensing of Certain Types of Activities” (2003)Reference and Statistical Materials on the State of the Environment and Environmental

Protection Activities in the Republic of Belarus. 2006. Minsk: Belarusian Scientific Centre “Ecology”.

Regulation on Implementation Procedure of Environmental Impact Assessment of Economic and Other Activities. 2005. Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection.

Regulation on Implementation Procedure of State Environmental Review in Belarus. 2001. Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection.

State Standard 17.0.0.04-90 “Protection of the Environment. Environmental Passport of an Industrial Enterprise. Main Provisions”. 1990.

Belarusian technical regulatory acts and standards pertaining to water supply and sanitation

Maximum allowable concentrations (MACs) for waste water discharge into sewage system, specified for each region and town by local executive authorities;

MACs for pollutants in water bodies of various application (Health Standards 2.1.5.10-20-2003 “Approximate acceptable levels (AAL) of chemical substances in water bodies used for drinking water supply and recreational purposes”;

MACs for chemical substances in drinking and mineral water;

MACs for disposal of polluting substances;Norms for the use of water resources for various purposes;

Volumes of water consumption from various sources;Volumes of water discharge to sewage systems and/or to the natural environment.

Health Standards 2.1.5.10-21-2003 “Maximum allowable concentration of pollutants in water bodies used for drinking water supply and recreational purposes”;

Health Standards 2.1.5.10-20-2003 “Approximate acceptable levels of chemical substances in water bodies used for drinking water supply and recreational purposes” (both Health Standards classify substances according to their hazard class and establish the MAC and AAL taking into account international requirements in this field);


MACs for chemical substances in potable water is regulated by the following public health regulations (PHR):

PHR 10-124 RB 99 “Drinking water. Hygienic requirements for water quality in centralized drinking water supply. Quality control”,

PHR 2.1.4.10-37-2002 «Hygienic requirements for the development, production, testing and operation of the devices for purification, additional purification and conditioning of drinking water”,

PHR 2.3.4.10-47-2005 “Drinking Water. Hygienic requirements for the quality of water put in containers” (in force from 01.02.2007).


Appendix 1Terms of Reference for Environmental Assessment of the Proposed Water Supply and Sanitation Project

REPUBLIC OF BELARUS

WATER SUPPLY AND SANITATION PROJECT

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT CONSULTING SERVICESTERMS OF REFERENCE (ToR)

1. Background Information

The principal objective of the Water Supply and Sanitation Project (WSSP) is to implement a set of interrelated activities intended to assist the Government in providing more efficient and reliable water sector related services. The project is expected to generate tangible targeted benefits for the least advantaged groups through improved household water supply services and wastewater management.

This objective will be achieved through rehabilitation, improvement, and expansion of water supply systems; adoption of advanced technologies for water treatment and de-ironization; improving the treatment and disposal of wastewater as well as enhancing overall management of the water sector.

The proposed project will be financed through a specific investment loan and is considered environmental category B in accordance with the World Bank operational policy on environmental assessment. The estimated cost of the Project is US$60 million.

The project will involve the following three components:

Water Supply and Sanitation Development

Investments will be implemented primarily in three Oblasts – Gomel, Mogilev and Grodno and will include: (a) well field rehabilitation and new well field development; (b) rehabilitation of distribution networks; (c) installation of water meters; (d) the installation and upgrade of de-ironization plants in critical areas where the iron content in groundwater is very high; and (e) rehabilitation of wastewater treatment plants and drain systems.

Water Sector Management

This component will support actions in order to consolidate and strengthen policies, plans and actions relating to the management of the sector and thus improve effective governance and efficiency of the water sector. Component activities will enhance the institutional and technical capacities as well as the systems for planning, cost recovery and monitoring and evaluation. The institutional coordination, capacity building, communication, information exchange and stakeholder participation among relevant institutions will also be improved thereby reinforcing the management network for more efficient and effective operation and service provision.

Project Management, Monitoring and Evaluation

This component will support project implementation and management including: (a) supervision of project investments; (b) PMU support, equipment, and training; (c) public information; (d) auditing and other fiduciary or technical services. PMU staffing will be financed by the government.

2. Objective

The objective of this Consulting Services assignment is to provide assistance to the Ministry of Housing and Utilities, and other project beneficiaries in undertaking environmental assessment (EA)for the proposed Water Supply and Sanitation Project including preparation of Environmental Management Plan (EMP) and providing assistance to them in obtaining necessary clearances for the rehabilitation and other works financed under the project in order to comply with relevant World Bank requirements and national environmental and construction regulations. The aim of the EA report is to analyze the potential adverse environmental issues related to infrastructure investments proposed under the WSSP and to ensure that these aspects are addressed or mitigated in the project design.


4. Scope of Work and Tasks of the Consultant

For the tasks detailed below, the Consultant together with the PIU will visit the project locations and will be in constant coordination with appropriate local government authorities (Municipalities, Water, Environment institutions) and/or research institutes for collecting necessary environmental and social data (e.g., noise; air, water, groundwater and soil quality; land use and cultural heritage aspects, land ownership, etc.) that will help determine a baseline situation of the pre-project scenario. During the project site visits particular attention should be paid to the local public (affected people) views on environmental and social effects imposed during the rehabilitation works of the proposed investments.

The Consultant working closely with the PIU and World Bank project team will undertake the following interrelated tasks.

4.1 Description of relevant works under the proposed projectReview the existing relevant information on water resources and the water sector in Belarus, specifically related to the 3 project sites. Provide a summary technical description of the planned or projected activities of the Component 1 of the Project , with a special emphasis to those that are of particular relevance to the EA. Provide, as far as possible, a detailed list of all physical interventions and civil works planned for the project, relating to the individual components.

The environmental concerns are associated primarily with the rehabilitation of water supply and wastewater systems, including: the replacement of equipment and lines; addition of new secondary or tertiary distribution system pipelines of under 10 kilometers; as well as addition of water supply treatment units at existing plants for iron and manganese control.

4.2 Determination of the potential impacts of the proposed projectPresent a generic characteristic of the potential environmental and social impacts associated with the project components identified under Task 4.1, which will include rehabilitation and small scale construction activities relating to rehabilitation of water supply and wastewater facilities and distribution networks, installation of groundwater wells, installation of metering and control equipment etc. Identify and assess the existing environmental issues (with a focus on water quality and quantity related issues) in comparison with the current local (Belarus) EIA requirements as well as with the World Bank requirements for EIA category B projects; advise on further collection of environmental data if needed to update the existing local environmental baseline for water, groundwater and soil quality.

The project is not expected to have any significant or irreversible long-term negative environmental impact and will likely have some positive impacts. However, during construction of new or repairing of old infrastructure and performing other project financed activities, some short-term, limited-scale environmental and social disturbances might occur, such as: increased dust and noise levels, exposure of workers to asbestos and mercury containing materials, accumulated piles of construction waste. The Consultant should collect information from secondary sources (e.g., water quality parameters of representatives wells/public sources in the project area) to examine the extent and possible causes of contamination of drinking water sources (e.g., groundwater) The Consultant should therefore list and describe potential impacts – both positive and negative – which may occur at various phases: design, construction, operation. The Consultant should perform a simple analysis of the expected environmental impacts (including those on natural habitats and forests), distinguishing between significant positive and negative impacts, direct and indirect impacts, and immediate and long-term impacts. The potential impact of asbestos which might be present in the old buildings should be considered and taken into account. The Consultant should also c haracterize the extent and quality of available data, explaining significant information deficiencies and uncertainties associated with predictions of impact.

4.3 Development of Environmental Management Plan and environmental chapter for the Operations Manual Recommend feasible measures to prevent or reduce significant negative impacts to acceptable levels at the relevant

project phases: mitigation measures should be streamlined into design, and implemented during construction and operation phases. Pay a special attention to such issues as minimizing risks of dealing with carcinogenic or harmful materials, complying with occupational safety rules, wearing protective gear, classifying separating and delivering construction waste to designated landfills, minimizing noise, generation of dust and other emissions in the process of construction and rehabilitation. Establish generic criteria and when required test methods for quality and harmlessness of construction materials, especially isolation, foams, paints, filler materials and sealants. Estimate the impacts and costs of those measures, and of the institutional and training requirements to implement them. Provide mitigation actions of possible loss of vegetation and harm to natural habitats (e.g., applicability of the Natural Habitats and Forestry World Bank operational policies) during the proposed investments. Prepare a generic management plan including proposed work programs, budget estimates, schedules, staffing and training requirements, and other necessary support services to implement the mitigating measures. Establish a plan for analyzing, testing and checking procedures for environmental materials, flows and ambient conditions (e.g. how will materials be tested for asbestos or toxic paints). Build in a procedure of a review the authority and capability of institutions at municipal and regional level and recommend steps to strengthen or expand them so that EMP may be effectively implemented. Provide EMP cost estimates (in US$) associated with EMP implementation. Describe (as an annex to EMP) the environmental mitigation requirements to be followed by the Contractor and measures to be carried out by the Contractor related to environmental protection (e.g., Contract provisions for the Contractor who will perform the civil works, which should also be included in the technical specifications for these contracts).

Prepare in collaboration with the PIU staff of a specific environmental chapter to the Project Operations Manual, which will contain main responsibilities, procedures and documentation required for ensuring compliance with all relevant EA procedures.


4.4 Description of the Institutional Framework, Provide an overview of the institutional, legislative and regulatory framework that addresses environmental and public health issues in relation to the proposed project. This should include all relevant regulations and standards governing environmental quality, health and safety, protection and sensitive areas tied to the planned civil works in the project context. Also, the Consultant will review new government legislation, decisions and/or guidance notes relevant to the environment, determining their relevance to the project. The Consultant will assess the institutional arrangements for EA including the mechanisms and responsibilities for environmental screening and the review of EA results. This should include a description of feasible institutional arrangements for monitoring the compliance (who will be responsible for enforcement at various levels – (i) municipality/project proponent, (ii) PIU, (iii) Ministry of Housing and Utilities and (iv) others. Also, the Consultant will identify institutional capacity building needs.

A list of government policies and regulations are provided in annex I.

4.5 Support in Obtaining National EA Clearances. Advise the Borrower on obtaining necessary clearances for the rehabilitation and minor construction works financed under the Project.

5. Consultation and disclosure information

The consultant will assist the government in coordinating the EA process with relevant agencies on the national, regional and municipal level and will advise the government how to arrange consultations with groups likely to be affected by the proposed project and with local NGOs on the environmental aspects of the proposed project. During the proposed public awareness campaign and in community meetings, the environmental and social aspects of the project in general and various investments will be discussed. Since the project is designed to work primarily at the municipal level and with Vodokanals, the consultant will help the government to ensure that stakeholders' views regarding project selection, design, implementation and monitoring are taken into account. Any comments and questions discussed during the public awareness campaign should be recorded in the final draft EA

6. EA Reports

The Consultant will prepare an EA following the outline in accordance with World Bank OP 4.01 and with the EA Belarusian law.

The EA report will comprise: 1) the assessment of the project interventions and the environmental risks, 2) a matrix or framework plan for mitigation of impacts including monitoring compliance, and 3) maps of the intervention areas. Annexes including pictures taken during the site visit and/or public consultation meeting as well as any relevant information should be attached to the final report. Final report will be issued in 3 copies in English and Russian.

In addition a summary of the EA with reference to the full EA should be prepared in the environmental chapter for the Operations Manual.

7. Qualifications

The candidates for the assignment will have at least 10 years of relevant experience in carrying out environmental assessment and environmental impact assessments, with strong knowledge of the World Bank safeguards and environmental compliance policies. Expertise in carrying out environmental assessments especially in the water and sanitation sector is essential. Prior involvement in infrastructure projects supported by the World Bank and other IFIs is an advantage. Russian language skills are strongly desired as well as proficiency in English and in the use of computers, word processing, spreadsheets and other basic software.

The following qualifications will also be an asset: (i) knowledge of Belarus environmental legislation and procedures; (ii) a university degree (preferably related to engineering - water, sanitation, civil and/or environmental engineering), an environmental science, Chemical Engineering or a related subject; and (iii) specific experience in the management of the outcome of environmental assessment related to water and sanitation sector investments.

8. Duration of assignment and deliverables

The consultant will sign a Short-term contract with the Bank per standard terms and conditions . It is expected that total amount of services will not exceed 15 man-days extended over the period of 2 months. Duration of the assignment may be extended if required. Consultant will be paid against specific deliverables. It is envisioned that 30% would be paid on delivery of the inception report (within 5 days from the date of award of contract), 40% on the delivery of the draft final report (within 35 days from the date of award contract) and the remaining on the submission of the final report and the Environmental Chapter of the Operational Manual (within 10 days after receiving the comments on draft final report).


The consultant will be selected and contracted by the World Bank using the Bank’s procurement procedures for small assignments and based on the WB HR guidelines for consultant rates. The consultant will report to the WB Project Task Team Leader (Task Manager) and to the WB Environmental Specialist working with the project team. The consultant will work closely with the representatives of the Borrower including the PIU Project Manager and other members of the Project preparation team including other consultants.

Annex I – List of Regulations

4.5o National laws including:

Law on Environmental Protection (Nov 26 1992, amended in 2002) Law On State Environmental Review (18 June 1993, amended in 2000) The MNREP Edict #8 of 11 May 2001 On Approval of the State Environmental Review Procedure The MNREP Edict # of 6 February 2001 On Approval of the EIA procedure GOST 17.0.0.04-90 “Environmental protection. Environmental passport of industrial enterprise. Basic provisions”. Methodological guidelines on the content of environmental information and basic regulations on the rationale of the location of

the objects of economic activity in the Republic of Belarus” approved by State Committee of Ecology of the Republic of Belarus on March 31, 1993 (No.3/7)

Complex investigations for the development of “Environmental protection” section for the projects of land-reclamation and water works construction. Manual to RPI-82, part IX “Nature-conservative measures”, Minsk, 1990.

SanPin10-124 RB 98. Sanitary rules and norms. Portable Water. Hygienic requirements to water in centralized supply sources. Quality Control. Ministry of Health, 1999.

The Law on potable water (June 24, 1999) The Cabinet edict on the state control and supervision for potable water supply (December 24, 1999) The MHCS order on licensing for operation and maintenance of the water and wastewater systems (March 28, 2001) based on

the Cabinet decision on delegation of these functions to the MHCS. The key elements are: the license: required for any activity in the water sector regardless of ownership, is not transferable, has time-terms needs approvals from the owner (if municipal or other) and requires expert evaluation from the Ministry of Health, MNREP and State committee for construction supervision (if the new object).

The National Water Code (June 15, 1998) The MNREP edict On some issues for special water intake documents (April 2, 2003) related to large water intakes The Presidential Decree On tariff regulation for industrial discharges (November 11, 2000) The MHCS edict on rules of maintenance of the water systems of settlements (April 23, 1994) Construction norms and regulations of water and wastewater systems (SNiP 2.04.01-04.85)


Appendix 2List of Persons Consulted

Mikhail Podrez Head, Smolevichy Public Utility Company,

Vasily Shpakovsky Deputy Head, Smolevichy Public Utility Company

Mikhail Derugo Engineer in Charge, Smolevichy Waste Water Treatment Facility

Iosif Kuchko Deputy Head, Marajna Gorka Executive Committee

Feodor Suprun Head, Mariajna Gorka Public Utility Company

Irina Zenko Deputy Head, Mariajna Gorka Public Utility Company

Alexandre Halchitsky Head, Mariajna Gorka Vodokanal

Anatoly Urbanovich Head, Berezino Public Utility Company

Alexandre Lutorevich Chief Engineer, Berezino Utility Company

Losovsky Igor Deputy Head, Grodno Regional Public Utility Company

Vladimir Gerasimuk Deputy Head, Public Utility Department, Grodno Regional Public Utility Company

Victor Shareiko Director, Grodno Vodokanal

Genady Snitko Deputy Head, Mosty Executive Committee

Sergey Frolov Director, Mosty Public Utility Company

Mikhail Zhuk Deputy Director, Mosty Public Utility Company

Vadim Miniuk Head, Water Supply and Sanitation Department, Regional Public Utility Company

Alexandre Kaleshik Deputy Head, Brest Vodokanal

Mikhail Dydik Chief Engineer, Brest Vodokanal

Victor Lavreniuk Deputy Chief Engineer, Brest Vodokanal

Larisa Valchiuk Head, Construction Department, Brest Vodokanal

Viacheslav Burko Head, Sanitation Department, Brest Vodokanal

Jury Osoprilko Head, Brest Waste Water Treatment Facility

Alexandre Jush Head, Pinsk Public Utility Company

Shkrabo Victor Chief Engineer, Pinsk Public Utility Company

Ivan Symonchik Head, Water Supply and Sanitation Department, Pinsk Public Utility Company

Nikolai Nemtsev Head, Capital Construction Department, Pinsk Public Utility Company

Larisa Rodich Head, Manufacturing Department, Pinsk Public Utility Company

Alexandra Sedova Engineer-Technologist, Pinsk Public Utility Company

Vasily Zhlezny Head, Gantsevichy Vodokanal

Inna Timoshik Engineer, Gantsevichy Vodokanal

Lubov Vysotskaya Engineer –Technologist, Gantsevichy WWTF

Alexei Syzarantsev Head, Gantsevichy Environmental Inspection

Anatoly Kalinin Director, Baranovichy Vodokanal


Victor Klasovsky Technical Director, Baranovichy Vodokanal

Svetlana Rusak Chief Accountant, Baranovichy Vodokanal

Alexandre Polin Chief Energy Engineer, Baranovichy Vodokanal

Anatoly Mikulyk Head, Water Supply Department, Baranovichy Vodokanal

Elena Miad Economist, Baranovichy Vodokanal

Svetlana Smorchok Engineer-Technologist, Baranovichy WWTF

Raisa Kirpichova Chief Technologist, Ministry of Housing and Utilities

Sergey Kuzmenkov Head, Department of State Control for Waste Management, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection

Ludmila Ivashechkina Deputy Head, Department of State Environmental Review, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection

Vladimir Panasenko Head, Department of State Control for Water Use and Protection,Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection

Irina Zastenskaya Deputy Head on Science, Scientific and Practical Centre of Hygiene

Grigory Kosiachenko Head, Department of Occupational Health, Scientific and Practical Centre of Hygiene

Alexandre Gnedov Consultant on Waste Management, Freelance


Appendix 3. Map of Belarus, showing locations of the interventions proposed under the WSSP

Legend:

Sanitation investments Water supply investments


Appendix 4Current Institutional Basis Related to Environmental Permitting and Licensing in the Republic of Belarus (Waste and Water Management).

Terms of issuing Required documentsCompetent authority

Period of Validity

Payment Approving Agencies/ Approving Terms Issuing Agency

III. Water bodies and resources3. Permit for special water use

Resolution of the Council of ministers of Belarus № 669 7 May 1999 “On approval of the Regulation on the issues related to issuing permits for special water use and providing of water bodies for solitary use” Resolution of the MoEnv № 14 of 2 April 2003 “On specific issues related to registering permits for special water use and the documents provided for obtaining such permits” Other Belarusian regulatory acts and technical regulatory acts setting requirements in the field of water protection 1. More than 20 thousand cubic meter per day

Submission of documents listed in Appendix 1.

In all cases – sanitary control authorities Payment

MoEnv 5 years

2. Less than 20 thousand cubic meter per day

Submission of documents listed in Appendix 1.

Regional and Minsk environmental authorities

Appendix 1. Main documents 1. Application from a water user, supplemented by the following documents: - Copies of documents, which define a procedure of control of the water use and protection, including a copy of the analytical control scheme;- Copies of an act of acceptance for operation of an industrial establishment and a statement of SER on the construction (reconstruction) projects of the establishment, in case if a permit for special water is issued for the first time; - Statement of the designated state agencies and other organizations on approval of the water use terms;- Scheme of water supply and sewerage system with indication of water intake and waste water discharge locations 2. Agreement with the local water authorities (“Vodocanal”).In case when water is taken form water supply systems and/or is discharged into sewerage systems of a settlement or a factory, an approval from the owners of these systems must be received and respective documents presented. These documents should prove that the systems are technically capable to provide the required amount of water or receive the required amount of sewage

Permit for the use of ground waters and for waste water discharge to subsurface horizons (when permitted by the legislation)1. More than 20 thousand cubic meter per day.

Main documents. MoEnv’s Department of Geology Payment

MoEnv



Period of Validity


2. Less than 20 thousand cubic meter per day

Main documents. Regional and Minsk environmental authorities

1. Law “On Protection of the Environment” (November 1992, amended in July 2002)2. Decree of the President of the Republic of Belarus № 17 “On Licensing of Specific Economic Activities” (17 July 2003)……3. Resolution of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus № 1371 “On Approving the Regulation on Licensing of Economic Activities, Related to the Use of Natural Resources and Impact on the Environment” (20 October 2003)….Code “On Administrative Offences”…Resolution of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus № 4 “On Approving the Regulation on Organizing Control in the Field of Environmental protection and the Regulation on the Procedure of Development, Consultations and Approving of the Regulation on Organizing Control in the Field of Environmental Protection”Other Belarusian regulatory acts and technical regulatory acts setting environmental requirements

I. Waste ManagementLaw “On Waste” (25 November 1993, amended on 26 October 2002)

1.1. Permit for waste disposal Rules “On Issuing, Suspending and Terminating Permits for Industrial Waste Disposal”, approved by the MoEnv’s resolution № 21 of 23 October 2001Rules “On Developing, Consultations and Approving of the Regulation on Management of Industrial Waste”, approved by the MoEnv’s resolution № 28 of 28 November 2001 Rules “On Recording of Wastes”, approved by the MoEnv’s Resolution № 27 of 26 November 2001 Resolution of the MoEnv № 4 “On the State Register of Technologies on Waste Use and the State Register on Waste Decontamination and Storage Facilities and Sites” (28 March 2002) Resolution of the Ministry of Statistics and Analysis of the Republic of Belarus № 103 “On Approving the Form of State Statistical Reporting 2-OS (waste) “Report on Waste Generation, Use and Disposal”” (19 December 2001) Other Belarusian regulatory acts and technical regulatory acts setting waste management requirements Industrial wastes of 1-3 classes of hazard, irrespective of the quantity of disposed industrial waste

Main documents:1. Application for industrial waste disposal 2. Norms of industrial waste generation 3. Calculation of annual quantity of generated industrial waste

Payment for developing waste generation norms (can be done by

the firm-applicant)

Local health authorities of an administrative

territorial unit, where the waste disposal facility is

situated. Payment

Regional Environmental authorities4

5 years

Industrial wastes of 4th class of hazard and/or


Regional Environmental authorities

4 Regional Committees on Natural Resources and Environmental ProtectionEnvironmental Assessment of the proposed Water Supply and Sanitation Project. Report. November, 2007 37


Period of Validity


harmless waste in the quantity more than 100 tons

4. Inventory of industrial wastes 5. Copy of annual report 2-OS (waste) 6. Copies of reports on re-usable resources


situated. PaymentIndustrial wastes of 4th class of hazard and/or harmless waste in the quantity less than 100 tons



situated. Payment

Local environmental authorities5

Additional documents:1. Copy of the registration card of a waste disposal facility with an official mark/stamp indicating registration in the state register of waste disposal and decontamination facilities

- Registration with the Scientific Centre

“Ecology”

2. Copy of the Regulation on Waste Management

Payment for the development of a

Regulation on Waste

Management in case when a firm

is not able to develop it

3. Action Plan on reducing the quantity of wastes generated and reducing the level of waste’s hazard 4. Other documents (a copy of previous permit, copies of invoices and receipts of required payments for waste disposing)

- -

License for the use of wastes of 1-3 classes of hazard and waste detoxification (neutralization)

5 Town and/or district Inspections on Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Environmental Assessment of the proposed Water Supply and Sanitation Project. Report. November, 2007 38


Period of Validity


License fee – € 100 MoEnv 5 years

Documents:1. Copy of a State Standard of the Republic of Belarus or Technical Terms, according to which waste is used in the manufacturing process

Payment for the development of a State Standard or Technical Terms

2. Copy of technological standing orders for manufacturing involving use of waste and for waste decontamination

-

3. Document proving availability of technical capacity to perform stated types of work

-

4. Registration of waste decontamination facilities in the state register of waste disposal and decontamination facilities

-

5. Performing environmental monitoring, in accordance with the respective legal requirements, in the process of waste decontamination

-

Adopted from: Approach to Introduction of System of Complex Nature Protection Sanctions in the Republic of Belarus. Situation Analysis. (2007)


Appendix 5EIA procedural framework

Source: Regulation on Implementation Procedure of Environmental Impact Assessment of Economic and Other Activities (2005)


Statement on Intention to Implement Economic Activity

EIA required EIA not required

Preparation of ToR for EIA

Publ

ic P

artic

ipat

ion

Statement on Possible Environmental Impacts

Impacts Identification and Assessment

Report on EIAEIA report submission for SER

Decision-making

Project approved Project not approved

Local Environmental monitoring

Public Hearings

Appendix 6a) The results of analysis of drinking water from shallow wells in Mosty, Grodno region


b) The results of analysis of drinking water from deep wells in Marjana Gorka, Minsk region


Appendix 7a) Brest Waste Water Treatment Facility

b) Waste Water Treatment Facility in Beresino


c) Waste Water Treatment Facility in Gantsevichy


Appendix 8Minutes of a public consultation meeting dedicated to the Environmental Assessment

Date: 05 December 2007

Time: Started at 11 A.M.Finished at 12.30 A.M.

Venue: World Bank Office in BelarusGertsena Str., 2A, Minsk

PARTICIPANTS

Ms. Raisa Kirpichova Chief Technologist, Ministry of Housing and Utilities

Ms. Natalia Klimenko Chief Specialist, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection

Ms. Galina Yarkovets Chief Economist, Ministry of Economy

Mr. Victor Ermolenkov Professor, Presidential Academy of Management

Mr. Alexey Hadyka Journalist, Electronic Newspaper “Belpa”

Mr. Sergey Hotianovich Senior Energy Engineer, NGO Children Centre Nadezhda”

Ms. Irina Aleinik Communication Associate, WB Office in Belarus

Mr. Igor Tchoulba WB Environmental Consultant

CONTENT

Ms. Raisa Kirpichova greeted the participants on behalf of the Ministry of Housing and Utilities (MHU). After the participants introduced themselves, Ms. Kirpichova provided brief description of the WSSP project and explained the reason and procedure of the public consultation meeting.

Mr. Igor Tchoulba presented the results of the Environmental Assessment of the WSSP. The project’s aim and objectives, possible environmental impacts and conclusions emerged from the environmental assessment study were covered.

After the environmental Assessment had been presented, the participants asked questions and provided their comments.

Mr. Alexey Hadyka asked whether the construction of small hydro power stations on Belarusian rivers was considered to be included in the project. Ms. Kirpichova answered that the project was dedicated to water supply and sanitation and did not cover hydro power stations.

Mr. Victor Ermolenkov expressed concern of the problem of local industries and hospitals discharging untreated or unsatisfactory treated wastewater to the municipal wastewater system. He also pointed out that the drinking water resources should be exploited efficiently. Mr. Ermolenkov also asked whether construction of sludge digesters and collecting and use of methane for generation electricity was considered in planning reconstruction/construction of wastewater treatment facilities.

Answering the Mr. Ermolemkov’s questions, Ms. Kirpichova said that the issue of effluent from local industries is among the burning issues and would attended throughout the project. She also agreed that water resources should be used efficiently. Ms. Kirpichova explained that construction of sludge digesters and utilising methane should be considered when it is economically justified.


Mr. Sergey Hotianovich asked whether reconstruction of small local water supply systems was included into the project.

Ms. Natalia Klimenko informed the participants that water consumption in Belarus is higher than in the European countries. She also informed that the MoEnv promotes efficient use of water resources.

Mr. Igor Tchoulba asked what portion of the cost of water supply was covered by the population. Ms. Galina Yarkovets from the Ministry of Economy answered that the population covered only 33% of the cost of all the public utilities (water supply and sanitation, central heating etc.). The Belarusian Government planned that by 2015 the population would cover 100% of the utilities cost.

Ms. Kirpichova thanked the participants for their questions and comments and officially closed the meeting.

It should be noted that the participants did not provide comments or suggestions which would require correction of the environmental assessment report.


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