EnvSci711 Project: Considerations for AEE using Case Studies

This report, prepared for the EnvSci711 course, focuses on the Assessment of Environmental Effects (AEE) project, utilizing case studies and a field trip to analyze the considerations for preparing an AEE. The report begins with an introduction to conceptual frameworks and the importance of environmental protection, specifically highlighting the Mangere Wastewater Plant by Watercare Services Limited. It then provides a critical analysis of key considerations, including project screening, baseline assessment, identification of effects, impact prediction, monitoring & mitigation, and engagement. The Mangere Wastewater Plant, which falls under the Resource Management Act 1991, is used as a central case study. The report examines the RMA requirements for AEEs, the plant's operational processes, and the various stages of wastewater treatment. It also assesses the project's potential environmental effects, including the effective use of stormwater and raising public awareness. Furthermore, it explores impact prediction, monitoring and mitigation strategies, and engagement aspects related to water management, emphasizing the need for proper planning, conservation, and community awareness. The report concludes by summarizing the key findings and implications for sustainable environmental management.

EnvSci711 2019
Assessment of Environmental
Effects Project
Topic:
“Using case studies introduced in lectures and the fieldtrip to
describe considerations for preparing an Assessment of
Environmental Effects (AEE).”

Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................1
1.1 Conceptual frameworks....................................................................................................1
2. CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF CONSIDERATIONS ...................................................................1
2.1 Overview..........................................................................................................................1
2.2 Project Screening..............................................................................................................2
2.3 Baseline Assessment........................................................................................................3
2.4 Identification of Effects....................................................................................................4
2.5 Impact Prediction..............................................................................................................4
2.6 Monitoring & Mitigation..................................................................................................5
2.7 Engagement......................................................................................................................5
3. CONCLUSION ...........................................................................................................................6
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................7

1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Conceptual frameworks
Environmental effects are harmful issues of human activity on the biophysical
environment. In addition, environmental protection introduces as an effective practice or action
of protecting the natural environment on an organisational, governmental or individual level, for
the welfare of both the humans and environment. Waste water treatment is more effective and
useful ways for protecting environment (Yadav and Garg, 2019). In this assignment, discussion
is based upon Mangere Wastewater Plant brought by Watercare Services Limited which is the
water and wastewater service supplier for the Auckland region, supplying wastewater and water
services to approximately 1.3 million people within Auckland region. Watercare is entirely
owned by the Auckland Council. This assignment includes the critical analysis of considerations.
In order to analysis this, different points will be covered such as overview, project screening,
identification of effects, impact prediction, monitoring & mitigation, and engagement.
RMA Requirements
The Mangere Wastewater Plant developed by Watercare Services Limited falls in the
confines of Resource Management Act, 1991. This law is enforced with the sole motive of
promoting sustainable management of physical as well as natural resources taken into use by
company, like air, land and water. Further, there are certain requirements laid down under
Schedule 4 of RMA 1991 which need to be taken into due consideration by Watercare Services
Limited while bringing the wastewater management plant. In this regard, the basic requirement
of Schedule 4 of RMA 1991 is in relation to the information needed for AEE (Assessment of
Environmental Effects) and the matters that must be addressed as a result of execution of AEE.
These need to be acknowledged by Watercare Services Limited during the execution of Mangere
Wastewater Plant so that the storm water can be preserved in a lawful manner for consumption
by present and future generations.
2. CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF CONSIDERATIONS
2.1 Overview
The manager of Watercare Services Limited played vital role in designing land-based
Mangere wastewater treatment plant. As it will helps them to manage or handle bulk of
Auckland’s wastewater treatment that needs well into current era. The technology applied at the
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plant has decreased the treatment cycle of wastewater from 21 days to 13 hours. It is an effective
process of treatment that helps a manager to reduces odours and importantly improves the quality
of water going into the Manukau Harbour. In order to manage wastewater treatment, there are
mainly three types of treatment such as pre-treatment, primary treatment and secondary
treatment. Pre-treatment of wastewater happen when it from Auckland’s interceptors come in a
mixing chamber at the beginning of the processing. Primary treatment is another type of
treatment that mechanical and basically involves isolating solids from the liquid waste stream.
Apart from this, The secondary treatment system of wastewater is also known as biological
nutrient removal (BNR) as well as follow a process which is known as ‘activated sludge’. Along
with this, Pre-treatment, which consider screening as well as grit removal which is carried out at
the beginning of the treatment process. After primary treatment of wastewater the waste stream
is isolated into two components which are liquid and solid waste. The final stage of the land-
based Mangere Wastewater Treatment Plant is disinfection which is used by manager by
following ultraviolet (UV) light. Therefore, all these are best and effective types of treatment
which will helps a manager of Watercare Services Limited to protect and manage issues of
harmful effects on environment as well as human also.
2.2 Project Screening
This stage of a project is concerned with the preliminary examination of suitability and
relevance of executing the project, i.e., identification of project opportunity as well as the
enabling a firm to ascertain whether such an opportunity guarantees additional consideration. In
this regard, the present project is based upon Mangere Wastewater Management Plant introduced
by Watercare Services Limited for the purpose of decreasing the ill environmental effects of
storm water upon nature. In this relation, before taking the decision to come up with this project,
the entity conducted an examination of all the aspects that are causing negative impact upon the
environment (Usman and Masirin, 2019). Post the execution of this investigation, the respective
enterprise acknowledged that storm water was one of the biggest sources of negative
environmental impact. This lead to the determination of the need for bringing an overall city
wide reticulated wastewater disposal system which holds the capacity as well as the capability to
recycle and use the wastewater for the benefit of residents and society. Thus, the preliminary
screening of the ideas lead to the generation of this project which focusses upon the treatment of
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wastewater with a view to ensure least wastage of water and its effective utilisation for
consumption and other key purposes.
2.3 Baseline Assessment
The Baseline Assessment for the present project based upon Mangere Wastewater
Management Plant of Watercare Services Limited is structured as follows:-
National Context- Hereby, the company takes into account the social, economic and
environmental characteristics of the place where the project is based (New Zealand).
Methodology- This is concerned with the assessment method taken into use by an
organisation to examine the environmental effects. In this regard, the present project makes use
of wastewater management as the methodology.
Mathematical Model- For the execution of the wastewater management project, State
Point Analysis is being taken into use which helps in analysing the conditions of Secondary
Settling Tanks of Mangere Wastewater Treatment Plan (Hossain, 2019).
Overview of wastewater management- Hereby in relation to the present project,
assessment of the technologies, practices and infrastructure being taken into use for wastewater
management are taken into account.
Pollution problem and associated cost- Hereby, the criteria is set for assessing the
effects of present wastewater management practices together with economical, social and
environmental cost.
Manpower Capacity- Hereby, Watercare Services Limited ensures adequate availability
of personnel together with the capacity requirements for the execution of wastewater
management (Liu, 2019).
Finance- Hereby, the need of finance for bringing Mangere wastewater management plan
is taken into account by Watercare Services Limited.
Supporting individuals and companies- Hereby, those individuals and assisting
corporations are included which would provide assistance to Watercare Services Limited in
execution of Mangere Wastewater Management Plant in an effective manner (Gootjes, 2019).
The water and wastewater provider would take aid from non governmental entities as well as the
community to carry out the plant and derive positive outcomes in return.
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2.4 Identification of Effects
With the execution of this Managere Wastewater Management Plant Project, there are
some key effects that are probable to be noted. In this regard, the first and the foremost effect
would be the effective use of storm water in a manner such that it becomes fit for consumption
and other key purposes pertaining to use of citizens (Meddich and et. al., 2020). Yet another
impact linked to the execution of the present project is regarded to be generation of awareness
among the people about the manner in which wastewater can be used such that it does not get
wasted. The probable impact of this would be upon the future generations which would not have
to face water scarcity and have access to adequate reserves of water owing to the optimal
utilisation done by their previous generations.
2.5 Impact Prediction
There is improper planning of using water in many of the organisations, so this results in
wastage of water at very bad scale. Water is the resource which has to be used with proper and in
cure manner. There is requirement of complete and specific knowledge about different aspects
which makes it easy to understand for people its importance (Epasinghe and et. al., 2019). There
must be use of clean and appropriate water with the help of which there is ill- effects of it on
health with the help of Mangere Wastewater plant. There will no misuse of water and in case of
misuse it can be utilised at some other place because it is disclosed in Mangere wastewater plant.
In future, there will no scarcity of water and people are aware, so they make their upcoming
generation aware about its importance.
With using water management project by Watercare services Ltd., there will awareness
among people that they must use water in appropriate and authentic manner and create awareness
among people regarding Mangere wastewater plant. There are some predictions which are
achieved with the help of water management project. When there is proper planning for use of
water, then its consumption can be managed (Gevaert, 2019). There will use of different
strategies for water conservation as well with the help of which people can perform activities in
appropriate manner. Watercare services Ltd. will use different training program through which
local people will also aware. When local people have awareness, then it is easy to maintain water
reserve balance in appropriate manner. So in future, there will no possibilities of lack of water
and future generation will also take care of it. When drinking water is pure, then there will less
possibilities of health issues among people. With the help of resource management Act, 1991
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there is assistance to people which makes it easy for implementing techniques for managing
water resources according to set measurement. When there is penalty among people regarding
wastage of water, then there will positive impact on society. RMA, 1991 provides set benchmark
which assist in providing specific limit to organisations for water consumption.
2.6 Monitoring & Mitigation
There is important role of monitoring and mitigation for water management because
when people have complete and specific knowledge about ways through which they can perform
actions in appropriate manner. When there is proper policies about water management, then it is
easy for people to perform these activities and assist society to deal with it. There are different
components which has to be considered for monitoring such as proper techniques for water
transport, conservation system, etc. With considering, it is easy to reduce water wastage among
people and they are able to understand alterations which are occurring in industry (de Bruyn,
2019). There is requirement of an committee with the help of which water wastage can be
reduced when this technique is used, then it is easy for individual to understand changes which
are taking place. Monitoring is the way through which water management techniques can be
used for reducing wastage which is possible through RMA, 1991. For preventing water for future
use, it is important that people have knowledge about it and they perform activities considering
future benefits through Mangere wastewater plant. There are different components which can be
considered such as awareness among young generation so they consider it as natural resources
(Durmusoglu and Kocak, 2019). Proper monitoring keeps eyes on working style of
organisations, so it is easy to provide proper guidance through which operations can performed
with consideration of future benefits regarding. With use of RMA, 1991 it is easy for
understanding ways through which possibilities of misuse is nullify. This act assist in using
natural resources properly and in ethical manner. There is complete and specific knowledge
about ways through which information about waste management and regarding use can be
acknowledge. Management of organisation can perform waste in organisation can be done with
understanding rules and regulations under RMA, 1991. Mangere wastewater plant assist in
proper supply of water to organisations and keep eyes on ways through which they use it.
2.7 Engagement
Water is the resource which is used by whole society including for house hold work and
organisational use, hence it is important to consider its changes which are taking place. There is
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use of different components which makes it easy for Watercare services Ltd. to creates
awareness among people. There is requirement of complete and specific information to society
with the help of which there is awareness and use of water in specific manner. There is
requirement of society engagement through which water use can be managed and utilized
considering future benefits. People must be aware about changes which are taking place and
implementing Mangere wastewater plant. With the help of this plant, there is use of water water
for washing and it is not discharged in rivers and lakes. When people are aware about use of
water, then it is easy to get benefits of it in future run as well. There is complete and specific
knowledge about changes which are taking place because this is the way which makes it easy for
society to understand its importance. Society engagement is important for managing water
because local people are equally responsible for usage and its conservation on the basis of
aspects which are covered under Mangere wastewater plant (Annexure, 2019). There is relevant
and specific knowledge about people through seminars and conferences and this makes people
aware about was through which they can conserve water. There is specific and relevant
information about techniques of water conservation. Training has to be provided to workers in
organisation through which they work to use water in appropriate manner and at the same time,
its better use. In organisation, there must be use of standards set of water usage through which
wastage gets reduced. Hence it is important to engage people for understanding importance of
water and authentic way to use it.
3. CONCLUSION
From the above mentioned information, it has been concluded importance of wastewater
treatment while protection of environmental effects. Pre-treatment, primary treatment and
secondary treatment have been used by an organisation with purpose to protect environmental
effects systematically. Ihumatao Integrated Catchment Management Plan have also used by
manager to protect adverse environmental effects which includes stream erosion, flooding,
contamination, effects on fish habitat and fish passage.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Annexure, T., 2019. Review of the Yzermyn Financial Provision for the Centre for
Environmental Rights.
de Bruyn, P., 2019. Careless Human Acts (Doctoral dissertation, Faculty of Humanities).
Durmusoglu, Y. and Kocak, G., 2019. Exergetic efficiency analysis of a combined power plant
of a container ship. Journal of Thermal Engineering, 5(1), pp.1-13.
Epasinghe, E.D.M. and et. al., 2019. The effect of locally available carbon sources on zero water
exchanged guppy (Poecilia reticulata) growing system. NARA.
Gevaert, C., 2019. Unmanned aerial vehicle mapping for settlement upgrading (Doctoral
dissertation, University of Twente).
Gootjes, A., 2019. The Collegie der Sçavanten: A Seventeenth-Century Cartesian Scholarly
Society in Utrecht. In Enlightened Religion (pp. 156-182). Brill.
Hossain, M.F. ed., 2019. Sustainable Development for Mass Urbanization. Elsevier.
Liu, J., 2019. Retrieving the 3D distribution of leaves in forests using LiDAR.
Meddich, A. and et. al., 2020. Use of Organic and Biological Fertilizers as Strategies to Improve
Crop Biomass, Yields and Physicochemical Parameters of Soil. In Nutrient Dynamics
for Sustainable Crop Production (pp. 247-288). Springer, Singapore.
Usman, N. and Masirin, M.I.M., 2019. Performance of asphalt concrete with plastic fibres.
In Use of Recycled Plastics in Eco-efficient Concrete (pp. 427-440). Woodhead
Publishing.
Yadav, A. and Garg, V.K., 2019. Biotransformation of bakery industry sludge into valuable
product using vermicomposting. Bioresource technology, 274, pp.512-517.
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