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BEAM PLUS FOR NEW B UILDINGS S ITE ASPECTS (S A)
V ERSION 1.2 SA 13 WATER POLLUTION DURING CONSTRUCTION
Copyright © 2012 BEAM Society Limited. All rights reserved.
Page 55
2 SITE ASPECTS 2.3 EMISSIONS FROM THE SITE
SA 13 WATER POLLUTION DURING CONSTRUCTION
EXCLUSIONS None.
OBJECTIVE Ensure the proper management of construction site discharges.
CREDITS ATTAINABLE 1
PREREQUISITES Compliance with the Water Pollution Control Ordinance and its
subsidiary regulation.
CREDIT REQUIREMENT 1 credit for undertaking adequate measures to reduce water pollution
during construction.
ASSESSMENT Where demolition is included as part of the works it shall be included in
the assessment.
The Client shall submit confirmation in the form of a report from a
suitably qualified person that the works have been carried out without
violation of the Water Pollution Control Ordinance and no conviction or
complaint about water pollution from the site has been upheld by the
Environmental Protection Department.
The Client shall present evidence in the form of specifications and
contract documents detailing the requirements to undertake measures to
reduce water pollution during construction, with reference to the latest
best practice guidelines or practices (e.g. Best Practice Guide for
Environmental Protection on Construction Sites, etc.)
The Client’s representative on site shall be responsible for monitoring
and reporting the execution of the instructions. The Client shall confirm in
writing that the works were conducted in accordance with the
recommendations given in the above guidelines or practices appropriate
to the particular circumstances of the site.
BACKGROUND Construction activity can pose a major pollution threat to the environment
if discharges from construction sites are not properly handled. Such
discharges are subject to control under the Water Pollution Control
Ordinance [1]. The major types of discharges have been identified as
follows:
 muddy underground water and bentonite slurries from excavation
work and/or bore piling activities;
 run-off from site spraying watering and wheel washing effluent as a
result of adopting dust control measures;
 domestic sewage generated from canteen and toilet facilities on site;
and
 contaminated surface run-off during wet weather.
Construction site wastewater contains mainly silt, sand and gravel.
Indiscriminate discharge of untreated or partially treated wastewater will
have a major impact on the receiving water bodies. Common pollution
threats include:
 siltation in drainage pipes which may lead to blockage and eventually
flooding risks;
 visual nuisance and hazard to the aquatic life e.g. fish gills blocked
1 Environmental Protection Department. A Guide to the Water Pollution Control Ordinance. May 2001.