MAIN REPORT

IMPROVEMENT OF WATER SUPPLY SUBPROJECT

INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EXAMINATION (IEE – KHALABAT)

1. Introduction

In compliance with the ADB’s environmental requirements, an Initial Environmental

Examination (IEE) of the proposed Project was conducted. The identification of potential
major impacts of the Project and an analysis of whether the predicted impacts warranted
an Environmental Impact Assessment was undertaken. The IEE concludes that the
proposed sub-project will have some adverse environmental impacts, however if the
mitigation measures for all impacts are affected as per the prescriptions of the IEE, no
significant impacts are anticipated. Therefore, the need for an EIA for the sub-project is
not required. The Summary IEE (SIEE) summarizes the environmental impacts of the
Project, recommends mitigation measures, and describes the institutional requirements
and an environmental monitoring program. The SIEE is primarily based on work
undertaken during feasibility study, and on data collected. The proposed Project aims to
facilitate sustainable urban development in the subproject town by addressing critical
environmental improvement needs.

The subproject is related to urban and environmental infrastructure improvements and

includes the following sub-components:

(i) Installation of tubewells and pump house and pumping machinery;

(ii) Construction of overhead reservoirs;
(iii) Pipe distribution network;

The Pakistan Environmental Protection Regulations (1997), as well as ADB regulations

stipulate that an IEE is necessary for the subproject. The development of infrastructure
will enhance environmental quality in the subproject town though temporary minor
impacts will occur during construction.

The ADB categorization for this subproject is “Category B”.

2. Description of the Subproject

2.1 Improvement of Water Supply System

This existing infrastructure consists of eight (8) tubewells with total water
production capacity of 6,973 m3/day (1.536 Million Gallons/day), four (4)
overhead reservoirs of 60,000 Gallons capacity, rising mains of 150 mm (6”) and
pipe distribution network of 100 mm to 150 mm diameter (3’ to 6”).

The scope of work of proposed subproject to improve the present water supply system
up to the year 2016 is as follows:

• Installation of four (2) tubewells including pumping machinery;

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 • Construction of two (2) 227 m3 capacity (50,000 gallons) overhead
reservoirs;
• Installation of rising mains to connect tubewells with the reservoirs;
• Supply and installation of new pumping machinery;
• Rehabilitation of existing distribution system and Installation of new
distribution system

3. Description of the Environment

3.1 Physical Resources

Khalabat is one of the very few towns of Pakistan which has been properly planned.
Khalabat town was developed in mid sixties for the affectees of Tarbela Dam. It is
located about 2 km northwest of Haripur town as well as Karakuram Highway. Khalabat
is the satellite town of Haripur Tehsil. In the northeast and northwest, the town is
surrounded by Tarbela Dam. Over the period Khalabat has expanded beyond its
boundaries and haphazard growth has taken place in all directions resulting in enormous
pressure on the existing facilities. Most of the land in Khalabat town is flat having very
gentle slope. The Khalabat town is shown on NWFP map and is attached as Figure 1.

Khalabat like Haripur has extreme climate. The summer season is hot. A steep rise of
temperature is observed from May to June. July, August and September also record high
temperatures. The temperature reaches to its maximum in the month of June. Due to
intensive cultivation and irrigation the tract is humid and the heat is oppressive. A rapid
fall of temperature is recorded from October onwards. The coldest months are
December and January.

The maximum rainfall is received in July and August during which the weather
becomes humid. The relative humidity is quite high throughout the year. The mean
maximum and minimum temperature, precipitation and relative humidity recorded for the
period 1961-90 taken from the 1998 census report of Haripur are presented in Tables 1
to 2.
Table 1 Annual Mean Temperatures
Years 1961-90
0
Mean maximum Temperature ( C) 22.8
0
Mean minimum Temperature ( C) 11.4
Source: District Census Report of Haripur 1998, Population Census Organization,
Statistics Division, Government of Pakistan, Islamabad 2000;
Table 2 Annual Precipitation and Humidity
Years 1961-90
Annual Rainfall (millimeters) 1,366
Average Humidity 56
Source: District Census Report of Haripur 1998, Population Census Organization,
Statistics Division, Government of Pakistan, Islamabad 2000;

3.2 Ecological Resources

The environmental of Khalabat and its surrounding area is largely influenced and
dominated by fields and are all cultivated for agriculture and orchards. There are no

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known significant sensitive or unique ecological resources such as aquatic biology,
wildlife, forests or rare or endangered species that would be affected by the subproject.

3.3 Human and Economic Development

The Khalabat town is providing piped water supply to 85% of its population. The
distribution has been evenly concentrated on the all the areas of the town. The
population at the periphery will have the maximum benefits from the subproject.

There is no piped sewerage system in Khalabat. Disposal of sludge and human waste is
usually via septic tank or the utilization of the existing drainage system. Tarbela Lake
passing near the town is the main source of disposal of all kinds of sewage.
Existing drainage system is the combination of evolutionary upgrading and the resolving
of the flooding problems. Increase in development has created drainage problems. In
general there are no major flood issues. There is also an unacceptable surface run-off
during the monsoon season onto the road pavement due to the lack of roadside
drainage system. The existing drainage system constitutes a combination of pucca and
kucha drains accommodating storm water, raw sewage effluent from domestic septic
tanks.
At present only a fraction of solid waste produced is removed by the TMA, mainly at the
markets, commercial areas and in densely populated parts of the town and some
outlying areas as well. Inside as well as outside the urban development areas, in the
sparse settlement most people (about 50%) dispose off garbage on open land. Around
20% dispose it near collection points while 25% use adjacent roads for this purpose and
5% use drains/ponds for this purpose.

3.4 Quality of Life

There are very few parks, public gardens and open spaces for recreational purposes in
Khalabat. Mostly, the undeveloped lands are the principal areas for recreation. Local
population otherwise is mainly pre-occupied with making a basic living and survival.

4. Screening of Potential Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Measures

The IEE is a tool to screen the potential environmental impacts of various subproject
activities and recommends such measures that its adverse impacts are minimized and
the benefits are enhanced. For achieving this goal, a simple checklist method was used
to identify the potential impacts of subproject activities on the existing environment and
mitigation measures were recommended accordingly. A sample checklist used for this
purpose is annexed as Annexure-I for sewerage/drainage.

4.1 Positive Environmental Impacts

The increased volume of water produced by the subproject will be drained by the
drainage network and will benefit from a reduced risk and nuisance resulting from
polluted waste water. No negative impact can be foreseen here.

4.2 Negative Environmental Impacts

4.2.1 Environment Problems Due to Project Location

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 The increased volume of water produced by the subproject will be drained by the
drainage network and will benefit from a reduced risk and nuisance resulting from
polluted waste water. No negative impact can be foreseen here.

4.2.2 Environmental Problems Related to Design

Water will be extracted from groundwater by the tubewells and will be stored in
the storage tanks. The Wastewater (raw sewage, sullage) and polluted storm
water will be carried from the residential areas through the drainage network of
open drains via the primary drains to the Tarbela Lake. The proposed
improvement will not result in new or intensified drainage problems in other
areas. Full environmental benefits will only be achieved with adequate
maintenance and operation of the drainage system and sanitary landfill disposal
site.

4.3 Environmental Problems Associated with Construction Stage

The construction phase impacts are mostly of temporary nature and the magnitude are
subject to the engineering management practices adopted during construction. The
probable impacts of the construction are those related to the following areas:

 Excavation and heaping of excavated material either for replacing existing

drains or laying of new ones is likely to impact negatively on the environment
in the following manner, (a) the noise from excavation, (b) generation of dust,
(c) breaking up of already paved streets and roads, (d) heaping of excavated
material, (e) physical danger of cave-ins of the excavated pit in the event of
rain or longer time lag between excavation and backfill.

 These negative impacts are proposed to be offset in the following manner,

noise effect will become immaterial when work is carried out during day light
when already the noise level is high, generation of dust will be minimized by
sprinkling of water and wetting of the likely excavation site, the streets and
roads that will get disturbed on account of excavation will be restored either
on the completion of works of this subproject or during the execution of the
other subproject on sewerage and drainage, the heaped material will be
suitably stacked to avoid slippage and creating a hindrance to movement,
also excavation will be timed to keep pace with backfill, prior to a shutdown
the affected population will be informed of both the duration of shutdown and
also asked to store and conserve water thus reducing the requirement of
supply through tankers etc, the physical danger to life will be offset by use of
cordons and sign posting, and lastly due cognizance will be taken of the
prevailing weather condition.

 Safety hazards are associated with the operation of construction, machinery,

equipment, tools and transportation. The causes are usually complex
involving human errors, operation faults of machinery and unforeseen
incidences. The majority of causes are controllable with efficient
management, staff training, machinery maintenance and other precautionary
measures. Control of injuries or fatal accidents are essentially engineering

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 and administrative problem and rest mainly on strict compliance with
established safety rules and regulation. In addition to preventive and
precautionary measures, the contractor should be well equipped with first aid
material including dressing material and necessary drugs.

 Stationing the construction crew within the villages could disturb the local
communities and may create social and cultural problems. Therefore, the
contractors are required to impose regulation on the workforce to avoid any
unpleasant incident.
 Though the workforce required for the construction is not much, the
Subproject construction to some extent will provide employment opportunities
to local people.

 Every effort will be made to backfill the trench with the excavated material
(less the debris of the paved streets or asphalt of the road). However in spite
of the use of small compactors there is bound to be some surplus material.
This together with the debris will be carted off to a predetermined dumping
area which could either be a low lying area.

4.4 Environmental Problems Resulting in Subproject Operations

No environment problems are expected during the subproject operations.

4.5 Critical Overall Environmental Review Criteria

The subproject will not make unwarranted accelerated use of scarce resources in favor
of short-term over long-term economic or socioeconomic needs. The subproject will
have no negative impact on the ecological or physical environment. There will also be no
negative impact to the people in the area or the economic and socioeconomic system.
Any construction related negative impacts, such as noise or danger from open trenches
will be non-permanent. Appropriate mitigation measures will be taken to minimize these
impacts.

4.6 Mitigation Measures

Potential adverse impacts during construction will be controlled and minimized through
contract specifications covering the following; (i) alternate arrangements will be made to
provide undisturbed transport facilities; (ii) all excavated or spoil material will be sorted
properly and disposed off in an environmentally acceptable manner; (iii) water will be
sprayed on exposed surfaces to minimize dust during construction; (iv) necessary sign
boards and night lights will be placed in the construction area; and (v) a suitable disposal
site has been located, inspected and will be designated in contract documents for
disposal of dredged material. Any alternate disposal by the contractor will require prior
review and approval.

5. Potential Environmental Enhancement Measures

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All of the measures under discussion are designed to enhance the environment. In
addition solid waste disposal landfill sites can at the end of their life be turned into parks
or recreation areas.
6. Land Acquisition and Resettlement Needs

The ADB policy on involuntary resettlement requires persons to be compensated for loss
of income, irrespective of whether they have legal tenure rights or not. For this project no
involuntary resettlement is anticipated. Stakeholder consultations during the field work
have confirmed this by the respective TMA’s. Landlords, tenants and squatters, if any,
will be compensated under the prevailing Land Acquisition Act and ADB’s IR Policy.
Resettlement is not considered a major issue.

7. Institutional Aspects

7.1. Institution and Laws

In 1974 Ministry of Housing and Works established an Environment and Urban Affairs
Division (EUAD). Through an ordinance in 1983, the Pakistan Environmental Protection
Council (PEPC) was created at the federal level, with powers to control pollution and
preserve the living environment. Under this ordinance provincial EPAs were organized,
with the focus on industrial pollution and urban problems. They also regulate solid waste
disposal, sewage handling and wastewater treatment.

In December 1997, the 1983 ordinance was passed in the National Assembly as the
1997 Pakistan Environmental Protection Act. This act requires EIAs and IEEs for all
developmental projects. Through this act some responsibilities had also been assigned
to provincial EPAs, with the federal EPA retaining supervisory and regulatory
responsibilities.

The Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency Review of IEE and EIA Regulations,
2000 (The 2000 Regulations) promulgated under PEPA 1997 were enforced on 15 June,
2000. The 2000 Regulations define the applicability and procedures for preparation,
submission and review of IEEs and EIAs. These Regulations also give legal status to the
Pakistan Environmental Assessment Procedures prepared by the Federal EPA in 1997.

A lack of quantitative standards rendered laws ineffective and difficult to enforce. Fines
and penalties were not commensurate with environmental damages. In general, it has
been less expensive to pay fines, rather than implement measures of environmental
protection. The Pakistan Environmental Protection Act, 1997 had addressed these
shortfalls. The National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS) promulgated under the
PEPA 1997 specify standards for industrial and municipal effluents, gaseous emissions,
vehicular emissions, and noise levels. The PEPA 1997 empowers the EPAs to impose
pollution charges in case of non-compliance to the NEQS. Standards for disposal of
solid waste have as yet not been promulgated. Applicable NEQS standards are
mentioned in Tables shown at the end of this chapter.

Pakistan has a three-tier system of governance, (i) federal, (ii) provincial and (iii) local.
The principal federal agency with environmental responsibilities is the Federal
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Most of the powers of the Federal EPA have
been delegated to the provincial EPAs. The IEE or EIA has to be submitted to provincial
EPAs to whom the Federal EPA has conferred powers for review and approval

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The country consists of four provinces, where the system of governance is congruent to
federal structure. In NWFP the main environmental responsibilities are assigned to the
NWFP Environmental Protection Agency (NWFPEPA). Under the recent devolution of
government, certain programs are being transferred to the districts.

8. Roles and Responsibilities

8.1 General

8.1.1 TMA

As the project proponents, the TMA’s for each town/tehsil will be responsible for ensuring
the implementation of the environmental mitigation measures recommended in each IEE
related to the subcomponents of the project. The TMA will be responsible for establishing
the environmental monitoring system and monitoring and reporting the environmental
impacts. The TMA will also ensure that the environmental performance of the sub-
components of the project is in accordance with governing legislation.

8.1.2 N.W.F.P Environmental Protection Agency

N.W.F.P EPA’s role as a regulatory and monitoring body will ensure that various project
related activities are in compliance with the requirements of applicable National
Environmental Legislation. Relevant sections of the guidelines are shown at the end of
this chapter, as reference

8.2 Planning and Design of the Operations

8.2.1 Approvals

The TMA will obtain all relevant clearances and necessary approvals required by the
N.W.F.P Environmental Protection Agency prior to or during the commencement of the
respective operations.

8.3 Implementation of the Operations

8.3.1 Co-ordination with Stakeholders

TMA’s will ensure that co-ordination with the regulators (N.W.F.P EPA, Environmental
Protection Agency) is maintained throughout the operation.

8.3.2 Environmental Management System

TMA’s will ensure that for each project an Environmental Management Plan is prepared
during the planning phase and the same be submitted to the EPA for review and
approval. The EMP should cover the design, construction and operation phases of the
project.

8.4 Monitoring Program

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TMA’s will ensure that for each project a monitoring programme is prepared and
implemented to monitor compliance with the EMP and effects of the project on sensitive
receptors (if any). The monitoring plan should institutional arrangements (such as
involvement of TMA, NWFP EPA and other relevant organizations); monitoring
parameters; monitoring mechanism; reporting mechanism; and training needs. Under
the powers conferred to NWFP EPA by the 2000 Regulations, the agency may externally
monitor various project related activities in order to ensure that the project operations are
in compliance with the requirements of applicable National Environmental Legislation.

8.4.1 Emergency Procedures

TMA’s will prepare contingency plans to deal with any emergency situation that may
arise during different operations e.g. medical evacuation and communicate these to the
regulatory agencies if required by these agencies.

8.4.2 Training

The TMA’s will be responsible for the selection and training of their staff for effective
project execution.

9. Coordination with other programs

Co-ordination with other programs will be required at least with regard to two issues. All
activities of staff training, especially at TMA level will need to be coordinated with similar
activities planned under the Devolution Support Program to avoid overlaps and
duplication in training programs.

10. Consultations with EPA

Consultations were held with the NWFP EPA in Peshawar. They have indicated that
IEEs should be submitted to their Peshawar office for review and comment.

11. Institutional Development and Environmental Training

TMAs have knowledge and expertise in dealing with urban services related engineering
matters. However, their capacities for environmental and social issues may need to be
enhanced. For an effective implementation of an environmental management and
monitoring plan, with interaction of other stakeholders, like overlapping state
functionaries, and community members, they will require capacity building as many of
the technical officers in the smaller TMAs feel in need of technical support.

12. Environmental Training

Following devolution, many of the technical staff of the TMAs feels isolated from
technical support and need training and education in environmental matters. Training of
staff in municipal regulatory functions and operation and maintenance procedures will be
carried out if required.

13. Public Consultation and Disclosure

Political leaders, local councilors and informal leaders including leaders of women
groups were asked to state their current perception of priorities for improvements to the

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urban environmental infrastructure in each project town. The focus group discussions
conducted a part of the qualitative socio-economic surveys under the assignment
yielded the prospective beneficiaries perception of priorities where in most towns,
sanitation and sewerage were mentioned as sectors that required intervention and
improvements most urgently, followed by solid waste management and water supply.
Details for each town are given in individual town reports.

14. Environmental Management Plan

The environmental management plan will be enacted during the planning and
construction phase and will include specific mitigation measures, environmental
monitoring requirements, institutional arrangements and budget. A monitoring program
must be the first step for the TMA’s to manage the implementation of the new projects.
The EMP should include:

14.1 Technical aspects

14.1.1 Roles of NWFP EPA, provincial executing agency, and project

management (usually the project management is responsible for the
detailed monitoring, using consultants as needed, to follow TOR prepared
by NWFP EPA).

14.1.2. Administration and coordination (usually the EMP will involve a steering
committee with membership from all significantly affected national
agencies).
 Report preparation, including frequency and distribution;
 Cost estimate;
 Funding: Recommendations for sharing of costs and for financing;
 Benefit/cost analysis: .An approximate evaluation of benefits versus, costs for the
EMP, based on with and without EMP conditions, to show that the EMP is cost
beneficial (not just additional overhead}. The EMP should .be the minimum cost-
program needed to protect sensitive affected environmental resources; and
 Provisions for periodic review/revision: The EMP should include provisions for annual
evaluations of the data collected, in order to delete collection of data, which are not
needed, and to add collection of important data not included in the program.

15. Findings and Recommendations

It is expected that the subproject and components for the town will have negligible
impacts on the environment which could be mitigated through adequate mitigation
measures and regular monitoring during the design, construction and operation phases.
The Project is expected to bring about significant improvements in personal, household
and community hygiene, and environmental sanitation thereby increasing the quality of
life and community health.

16. Conclusions

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The IEE concludes that the proposed sub-project will have some adverse environmental
impacts, however if the mitigations measures for all impacts are affected as per the
prescriptions of the IEE no significant impacts are anticipated. Therefore, the need for an
EIA for any of the sub-projects is not required.

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