ABPmer, supported by Water Solutions International Ltd (WSI) and Advanced Trade Green Solutions (ATGS), was commissioned by UEM to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the construction of Phase 2 of the Central Effluent Treatment and Recycling Plant (CETRP) within the Sohar Industrial Port Area.

The key components of the CETRP Phase 2 development were the provision of a water cooling system, which would also support Phase 1 of the development, and reverse osmosis (RO) and microfiltration (MF) systems to support an additional treatment capacity of 10,000 m³/day.

We prepared a scoping report and full EIS for the development in accordance with Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs (MECA) EIS guidelines. Key topics that required assessment within the EIS included Water and Sediment Quality, Marine Ecology, Air Quality, and Airborne Noise and Vibration.

Our specialists drew on their expertise in water quality impact assessment to assess the potential water and sediment quality impacts of operation of the CETRP, including issuing of any Emergency Discharge Permits (EDP) to take account of variations in the quality of influent waste streams. Recommendations were made for mitigation of the potentially significant environmental effects of the construction works and operation of the treatment plant.

The EIS was prepared and submitted within a three month period to meet UEM’s timescales for the construction works. The environmental permits for the works were subsequently issued by Sohar Environmental Unit (SEU) on behalf of MECA.

ABPmer’s planning and consents specialists regularly prepare environmental statements and support developers through the minefield of marine consents.