GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 9196

PURSUANT to regulation 21 of the Environmental Management and Co-ordination (Impact Assessment and Audit) Regulations, 2003, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has received an Environmental Impact Assessment Study Report for the above proposed project. The proponent, Central Rift Valley Water Works Development Agency (CRVWWDA) intends to develop Nandi Hills Water Supply and Sanitation Project. The water supply system has been proposed with the following components: Rehabilitation of the existing Taito Water Supply System which include: • Desilting and construction of silt traps upstream of the impoundment and protect against the erosion up stream of Taito on the main road to Kapsabet–Nandi Hills Town; • Laying of a new steel DN 100 raw water main pipe of length 25m from the intake chamber to the existing 25 m3 sump; • Installation of 3 no. submersible pumps in an existing 25m3 masonry sump. The provisional capacity of each pump is 26.4 m3/hr against a head of 4.1m. The pumps are capable of handling solid particles. The pumps shall operate on shifts bases each working for 8 hours to deliver water to the Composite Filtration unit. • Laying of a new steel DN 100 raw water main pipe of length 135m from the Sump to CFU and from CFU to Clear Water Tank. • Rehabilitate and upgrade the existing Taito Water Treatment Plant with a throughput of 480 m3/day comprising of a Composite Filtration Unit (CFU) with a capacity of 25 m3/hr., 50 m3 clear water tank, 25 m3 backwash tank and associated pipework and chemical mixing shed and dosing system among other associated works. Proposed construction of a New Works which include: • New water intake weir (15m long and 2.5m high) on Mokong river; • Raw Water gravity main from the intake to the proposed Mokong treatment plant designed to convey a flow of 2530 m3/hr considering 20 hours operation and made of HDPE pipe. • New water treatment plant for Mokong River (2300m3/day) with the following the following components; 2 No inlets, 2 No Flocculation basins, 2 No Sedimentation basins, 2 No mono media rapid sand filter units, 2 No Sludge treatment lagoons, 1 No 75m3 elevated pressed steel tank for backwash water and 1 No 200m3 masonry clear water tank. • Two pumps, one to be a duty pump and one to be standby, each with a capacity of 115m3/hr against 225 m head. The pumps are sized to deliver water to a proposed 1,000m3 RC tank at Kosoiywo Secondary school. • Rising mains designed to transmit water from the proposed Mokong WTP to the proposed high-level tank at Kosoiywo Secondary school at a distance of 1750m and altitude of 2130 masl. • Gravity transmission main designed to transmit water from the proposed 1000m3 reinforced concrete tank at Kosoiywo Secondary school to 500m3 masonry tank next to existing 135m3 and 50m3 on Kiboweni Road. OD 315 HDPE pipe of length 4,400m. • A new booster pump station with 10 kVA standby generator room to be located at the 500 m3 reinforced concrete water storage tank, as its sump, for boosting water to the 200 m3 reinforced concrete water storage ground tank at Ketbarak. • 2 No. centrifugal pumps to meet the production capacity while operating as one duty and one standby. The provisional capacity of each pump is 8m3/hr against a head of 70m. • Laying of DN 50 PN 16, cement lined steel clear water main pipe of length 770m from proposed 500m3 RC tank next to the existing 135m3 and 50m3 located next to Nandi Bears Club to a proposed 200m3 RC tank at Ketbarak at a distance of 1265m and altitude of 2139masl. • Storage tanks including: 1000m3 reinforced concrete tank at Kosoiywo Secondary School; 500m3 reinforced concrete tank next to existing 135 m3 and 50 m3 near Nandi Bears Club; and 200m3 masonry tank at Ketbarak. • The Consultant has proposed for the design and construction of four (4) No. water kiosks which will include water connection. • In addition, construction of 3 No. ablution blocks at various locations within the Nandi hills town is proposed. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures. Environmental and Social Impacts Mitigation Measures Loss of productive land and assets • An Abbreviated RAP study shall be undertaken prior to commencement of the project in order to compensate the project affected persons. Soil erosion and disposal of excavated soil • In perusing the zero-waste policy, excavated soil will be used in the proposed project sites for development of impounding structures, re- spreading in areas to be landscaped to enhance aesthetics along the wayleave area and the development of access roads; and • Works program should be in line with Nandi Hills weather pattern so as to avoid such works during rainy seasons; and Soil and river water contamination • Plan emergency response measures in case of accidental spills of hydrocarbons, cement and any foreign materials; and • Maintenance of construction equipment to be done on designated purpose-built surfaces; and • Placing of sand bags along drainage channels and the river bank to prevent siltation of the river; and • Notification of downstream community in case of unprecedented overflow of wastes from water treatment sludge lagoons. A communication protocol should be developed for this. • Any on site/camp storage areas for fuels, oils or other liquid chemicals would be sited away from surface water drains, and on impermeable base. 4470 4470 Environmental and Social Impacts Mitigation Measures Loss of flora and habitat for avifauna • Construction zone limits should be identified and physically marked, to avoid or minimize unnecessary damage of existing vegetation • Where clearance of vegetation is unavoidable, incorporate landscaping with local tree species and plants approved by KFS. Noise and vibrations pollution • Noise levels at the construction site boundary should be kept within acceptable limits of 60 dB(A) during the day and 35 dB(A) during the night as stipulated in the EMCA (Noise and Excessive Vibration Pollution) (Control) Regulations, 2009 and Schedule noisy activities during the day time period • Workers to use ear plugs for noisy operations; and • Regular maintenance of equipment and use silencers on machines where possible; and • Noisy operation to be scheduled outside school learning hours. Air pollution and greenhouse gases • Stabilize unpaved access roads, parking areas and staging areas at construction sites by soil compacting, and regular sprinkling of water to reduce on dust; and • Minimizing number of motorized vehicles in use and number of trips through a traffic management plan; and • Construction vehicles should adhere to speed limits within construction roads to prevent raising dust. Spread of HIV / AIDS and STI related diseases • Awareness campaigns on HIV/AIDS and STIs; and • Provision of condoms to the workforce; and • As much as possible, unskilled labour to be recruited from the project area. Waste disposal • Contractor to put in place well labelled solid waste segregation bins and ensure final disposal of the waste stream at designated dump sites • Provision of appropriate sanitation facilities for use by workers. • Sale of waste such as cartons and cement bags to waste paper recyclers. Occupational and public health and safety • Contractor to implement requirements of Occupational Safety and Health Act 2007 including provision of personal protective equipment (PPE), and carrying out frequent toolbox talks and safety trainings for workers. Security • The project site should be enclosed using suitable walls with 24-hour security guards to beef-up security and to control movement in and out of the site. Shortage in water supply due to construction works • Provision of an alternative access to portable water for the community during construction of the pipeline and treatment plant; and • Awareness should be carried out early in advance to inform the people on the major rehabilitation or decommissioning period and its anticipated impacts. Employment • The contractor should as much as possible hire the local unskilled labour • At end of construction phase, the contractor should notify the employees in advance on the project closure date and adequately compensate them; and Environmental and Social Impacts Mitigation Measures • Dismissal procedures to be compliant with Employment Act, 2007; and Occupational safety and health risks from. exposure to chemicals and electricity hazards • Provision of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPEs) for the operation and maintenance staff. • Scheduled staff training on handling of hazardous chemicals, tool box talks, and general health and safety training as per Occupational Safety and Health Act, 2007. The full report of the proposed project is available for inspection during working hours at: (a) Principal Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forestry, NHIF Building, Community, P.O. Box 30126–00100, Nairobi. (b) Director-General, NEMA, Popo Road, off Mombasa Road, P.O. Box 67839–00200, Nairobi. (c) County Director of Environment, Nandi County. A copy of the report can be downloaded at www.nema.go.ke The National Environment Management Authority invites members of the public to submit oral or written comments within thirty (30) days from the date of publication of this notice to the Director-General, NEMA, to assist the Authority in the decision making process regarding this plan. Comments can also be emailed to dgnema@nema.go.ke The National Environment Management Authority invites members of the public to submit oral or written comments within thirty (30) days from the date of publication of this notice to the Director-General, NEMA, to assist the Authority in the decision making process regarding this plan. MAMO B. MAMO, Director-General, MR/1324472 National Environment Management Authority.