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Environmental classification and rationale
The project has been screened B/0. It is expected to result in significant environmental benefits by reducing the pollution load to the Neva Bay and the Gulf of Finland. The construction works may involve some limited, localised and short-term adverse environmental impacts, which can be readily identified and assessed as well as be mitigated or prevented by adhering to good construction practices.
Information reviewed during the environmental appraisal
An Environmental and Social Analysis of the impacts of the project has been carried out by an independent consultant in accordance with the EBRD Environmental Policy requirements. The overall cumulative environmental benefits arising from the implementation of the whole NDEP Neva Discharges Closure Project has also been assessed.
Environmental and social issues
The Part A Project will close 58% of the existing municipal direct discharges and will allow for approximately 94% of the municipal wastewater generated in the City of St Petersburg to be treated in biological wastewater treatment plants fulfilling HELCOM recommendations and EU effluent standards by 2012.
The construction of NTC (Part A for which the financing has been confirmed) allows for closing 57 direct discharge sewers and bringing approximately 186,000 m3/d of municipal and 120 m3/d of industrial wastewater as well as 220 m3/d of storm water to biological treatment at NWTP. NTC will also transfer some 190,000 m3/d of wastewater from the Central WWTP (CWTP) to the NWTP, allowing for improved nutrient removal and operational performance of the CWTP. Moreover, a chemical phosphorus removal will be installed at the CWTP so as to meet the new HELCOM recommendation for phosphorus removal (0.5 mg/l).
Half of the NWTP will be upgraded within Part A investments to fulfil the HELCOM recommendations. The upgrading includes process changes within exiting aeration tanks to provide nitrogen removal. Moreover, the NWTP will also be equipped with chemical phosphorus removal. These measures will enable the NWTP to meet HELCOM recommendations by 2012.
The implementation of the Part A Project has been estimated to result in significant reduction of pollution load to the River Neva-Gulf of Finland (the Baltic Sea) water system. The biological oxygen demand (BOD) load has been estimated to reduce 7,000 t/a, nitrogen 1,060 t/a and phosphorus 860 t/a. Compared with the 2007 situation, these reductions represent approximately the following percentages of total pollution load from the City of St Petersburg:
- 43 % of BOD
- 12 % of nitrogen
- 55 % of phosphorus
Given that phosphorus is the decisive pollutant affecting the water quality in the Gulf of Finland area, the overall environmental benefit of the Neva Programme is significant. The anticipated phosphorous removal, which represents 1,180,000 person equivalent, is expected to result in a significant decrease in the phytoplankton biomass in the southern coast of the Neva Bay as well as a moderate decrease on a wider area in the Gulf of Finland.
Summary of mitigation measures
An Environmental and Social Action Plan (ESAP) has been developed to help Vodokanal implement the project in an environmentally sound and sustainable manner. The ESAP includes measures for managing and mitigating the impacts of the construction activities, further enhancing the performance of the wastewater treatment plants as well as monitoring the environmental and social impacts.
Disclosure of information and consultation
Environmental information on the project has been disclosed to the public in accordance with the planning and construction procedures of Russian law. In the context of EBRD’s participation in the project, a summary of the environmental and social impacts of the project and mitigation measures has been disclosed locally.
Monitoring and reporting
Vodokanal will report to the EBRD annually on the measured environmental impacts and on the implementation of the ESAP. The Bank will evaluate the project's compliance with the applicable environmental and social standards during the lifetime of the project by reviewing these reports and by conducting monitoring visits to the project.
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