Environmental impacts of the construction phase of an intensive development project on a coastal forest wetland : case study : Seaward Estates, Ballito.
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Date
2011-01-14
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Abstract
Storm water runoff is a leading cause of degradation in the water quality of receiving
water bodies. Although legislation requires that Environmental Impact Assessments
(EIA) are performed and Environmental Management Plans (EMP) put in place for the
construction of high density housing developments, there is generally very little
evidence that real measures are developed to monitor and actually assess the extent
of the impact that construction activities have on the environment during the physical
construction stage.
The water quality of stormwater runoff from a mixed use catchment including
construction sites in Seaward Estates, Ballito, KwaZulu-Natal that enters a coastal
forest wetland system was characterised by monitoring programmes established at
three study areas. The effect thereof on the quality of the wetland water and sediments
was further monitored at five points along the drainage line of the system. The
investigation focussed on obtaining representative stormwater samples in order to
quantitatively identify pollutant constituents transported within stormwater runoff from
construction sites during rainfall events.
Storm water runoff event mean concentration (EMC), atmospheric deposition and
wetland water and sediment samples were collected over an eight month period. The
characterisation of stormwater runoff for this investigation included heavy metals,
oxygen demanding substances, sediments and physico-chemical analysis for pH,
conductivity and ammonia and nitrates. The majority of contaminant EMC exceeded
the South African wastewater discharge general and special limits.
The findings from this investigation will provide planners and decision-makers with a
greater understanding of the pollution dynamics of construction sites aiding in improved
best management practice decisions with regard to minimizing impacts on coastal
forest wetlands and water resources. This will lead to improved EMP and stormwater
management plans (SWMP) incorporating stormwater pollution prevention plans
(SWPPP) for construction sites.
Description
Thesis (M.Sc.Eng.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2007.
Keywords
Wetlands., Wetland management., Wetland conservation., Theses--Civil engineering.