This, according to an environmental impact assessment study that was commissioned by national water agency PUB. The study was conducted by DHI Water and Environment over six months and its 128-page report has been accepted by the PUB.
Among its findings: Habitat loss is also expected for plants and animals living at the bottom of the sea measuring more than 0.5mm in length - known as microbenthics - but they are predicted to recover in the short term.
Regarding water quality, the study noted that iron oxides, total suspended solids and boron at the plant's offshore diffuser as well as within a 10m mixing zone will exceed the National Environment Agency (NEA) Trade Effluent Discharge Standards.
A waiver has been agreed in principle with the NEA to permit the exceeding of these standards within the 10m mixing zone.
Construction is expected to last for a year and the presence of construction vessels may temporarily affect recreational boats from Raffles Marine plying the Tuas shoreline, said the report, which also expects the plant operator to complete a formal safety assessment to manage any risk of collisions during works.
Asked if it had concerns over the plant's discharge, which could be swept by tides to other coastal areas, the PUB told MediaCorp that the plant has to meet the environmental requirement of diluting the outfall discharge stream within 10m of its diffuser.
For now, DHI felt that no further mitigation measures are required but recommended some measures the plant should take under its environment management plan. These include regular monitoring of ambient seawater quality, sediment and discharge during the construction and operations.
ORIGINAL SOURCE
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