BAHIR DAR UNIVERSITY

BAHIR DAR INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

FACULTY OF CIVIL AND WATER RESOURCE ENGINNERING

HYDRAULIC AND WATER RESOURCE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT REPORT

FOR

MARIAM SITE CONDOMINIUMS AND TEXTILE UNIVERSITY

Prepared By ID

1. MIKIYAS ADUGNA………1011353

2. NATNAEL YOSEPH………..1011423

3. GIRMAWU AYANAW……..1011485
Contents
1 INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................................................1

1.1 Scope and objective........................................................................................................................4

1.1.1 Scope..................................................................................................................................4

1.1.2 Objective.............................................................................................................................4

1.1.3 Terms of reference..............................................................................................................4

1.2 Methodology...................................................................................................................................5

2 PROJECT DESCRIPITION.......................................................................................................................6

2.1 Physical Environment.....................................................................................................................6

2.1.1 Site location........................................................................................................................6

2.1.2 Topography.........................................................................................................................6

2.1.3 Climate................................................................................................................................6

2.2 Existing infrastructure.....................................................................................................................6

2.3 Nature of the project......................................................................................................................8

2.4 Site Ownership...............................................................................................................................8

2.5 Project Activities............................................................................................................................8

 1 INTRODUCTION
A condominium, or condo, is an individually owned residential unit in a complex or building of like
units. Condo owners own their units but share common spaces, amenities, and other resources. They
pay condo fees, which cover maintenance costs, amenities, and the upkeep of common spaces.
Condominium Housing in Ethiopia describes the ambitious goals and efforts set out by the Ethiopian
state since 2005 to construct housing for low- and middle-income people, to create a significant
number of jobs and to promote small enterprises. Higher education institutions are providing benefits
to the graduates in priority areas on health, equality and democracy. Their contribution will help for
strengthen institutions and training for the development of a nation, Ethiopia. Roads are considered
efficient in transportation system to provide quick, short and medium distance services for the socio-
economic development of the Universities. They are life line for the remote areas where supply and
exchange of goods and services are performed by roads.

In the Amhara region, the population of cities has been increasing over time. As a result, it is
becoming increasingly, difficult to build your own home. Building a large condominium is the key to
reducing this problem. The advantage of state university is Affordable Tuition, Particularly for In-
State Students, Dynamic Atmosphere, On-Campus Employment Opportunities, Loyal Student Body,
Flexibility, Knowledgeable Instructors, Challenging Courses, Finding out Information. Hence, road
transport is most suited for carrying goods and people to and from rural areas which are not served
by rail, water or air transport. Hence, transport of cargo between large towns and small villages is
possible only through road transport.

Condominiums have so many advantages in the city like Bahir Dar such as: Fewer maintenance and
repair responsibilities, Access to on-site amenities, such as a sauna or swimming pool, which you
otherwise might not be able to afford. Enhanced security features in some condominium units.
Universities aid in the development of city infrastructure, donate to local community organizations,
and host community events that help bring hundreds of thousands of dollars in revenue to the
community every year. Universities also bring about a demographic impact through international
students. Improved rural road infrastructure enables connectivity and safe mobility. It also affects
access to health, education and economic opportunities. Almost a billion people globally have
limited access to road infrastructure

Location of the existed projects such as condominiums and university, and under construction project
that is road at the university; https://www.google.com/maps/place/11.5813379,37.3995772.The
condominium is located in the site of the project and is home to teachers at Bahir Dar University.

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The University located in the site is Bahir Dar is a textile and fashion campus for the Bahir Dar
University textile and fashion students. Ethiopia’s economy is primarily based on agriculture, but
starting form 2010, the government has been determined to diversify the exports with a priority set
for strategic sectors like light manufacturing in which textile and apparel manufacturing industries
are included. The purpose of this paper is to measure the comparative advantages of the Ethiopian
textile and apparel industry using the revealed comparative advantage (RCA) in the period from
2007 to 2016. . The road will make it easier for locals to access transportation and will also help the
university community, including students, faculty and staff, to move safely around the campus.

Implementation of this road project will change the life condition of people in that production
through transforming the traditional practice & introduction of modern life style extension which in
turn brings improvement in economic and social wellbeing of the community of the project area. It
also provides an opportunity for efficient and effective utilization of the available finite
transportation. Employment opportunities both during construction and operation periods are other
benefits of the project. However, there are also adverse effects that will occur due to the
implementation of the project. Therefore, to make the project socially acceptable, economically
feasible and environmentally sound identifying and analyzing principal environmental issues that
need to be avoided or mitigated at different project phases is important. The environmental impact
assessment guideline prepared by EPA (2002) and The Bureau of Environmental Protection Land
Administration and Use of the Amhara regional state guideline (2012) require all development
projects to reduce adverse effect on the bio-physical and socioeconomic environment. This study
thus follows these two EIA guidelines. The proposed project passed through screening exercise by
preparing a checklist that entails most of the common environmental parameters that need to be
considered in implementation of Irrigation projects. The checklist was filled after site observation of
the project environment and the level of EIA required for the project is then determined and
environmental issues that need to be considered for subsequent studies were identified. Thus, the
environmental issues identified during the screening process and based on list of projects in the EIA
guidelines, the project is less likely to bring adverse effect and hence it is categorized under the list
of Schedule II projects that require Initial Environmental Examination (IEE).

Thus, the environmental issues identified during the screening process and based on list of projects in
the EIA guidelines, the project is less likely to bring adverse effect and hence it is categorized under
the list of Schedule II projects that require Initial Environmental Examination (IEE)

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The negative Impacts associated with the proposed project (construction through to
decommissioning phase) are:

Impact Mitigation measures

Solid waste Sanitary bins for disposal of sanitary towels

generation and The proponent through a caretaker will ensure that the site is clean.
disposal
Wastes from the bio digester can be used as manure

Contract waste collectors to dispose waste at the council dumpsite

Air pollution/ dusty materials when the foundation of road excavate such as gravel, sand,
nuisance from ballast
odors Use serviced machinery and vehicles for supply of raw materials

Noise pollution Delivery of raw materials to site and excavation of foundation to be done
only during the day

Construction takes place at day time only

Use of serviced vehicles and machinery is also expected to reduce noise

levels

Sourcing of raw The contractor will obtain construction raw materials like stone to fill the
materials foundation road is comes from mountain around zenzelima

The contractor will commit to extensive use of recycled raw materials as

will be appropriate and in a manner that does not compromise the safety of
the development

Occupational The contractor will provide workers with appropriate PPE

Health and Fence site to prevent accidental falls into gaping holes
Safety of
Workers to be trained on equipment use
Workers
First aid facilities to be available on site

Fire hazard Expert advice on the use and maintenance of the biogas digester and related
infrastructure

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 Pressure gauge to detect stored quantity

Fire extinguisher/sand buckets/ water in the facility

Ground and Wastes will be evacuated from the bio digester only after thorough
surface water decomposition
pollution Proper maintained of plumbing and associated works

Risk of disease Water stored in the canal must be removed

spreading

1.1 Scope and objective

1.1.1 Scope
EIA was first introduced in the USA under the Environmental Policy Act (1969). Since then it has
evolved and a variety of offshoot assessment techniques have emerged (focusing, for example on
social, biodiversity, environmental health and cumulative effects and risk) acting as a broader impact
assessment toolkit. Most countries have now introduced formal EIA systems, usually under
dedicated environmental legislation, and have introduced EIA regulations (and often regulatory
bodies) specifying when and for which developments an EIA is required, institutional responsibilities
and procedures, and specific steps and processes to be followed.

EIA is intended to identify the impacts (both beneficial and adverse) of proposed public and private
development activities. Often, the focus is dominantly environmental (biophysical); but good
practice also addresses social and economic aspects. EIA is mainly used at the level of specific
developments and projects such as dams, industrial plants, transport infrastructure (e.g. airport
runways and roads), farm enterprises, and natural resource exploitation (e.g. sand extraction).
Strategic environmental assessment (SEA) is a sister tool applied upstream at the level of policies,
plans and programs. Like SEA, EIA is most valuable when applied early in the planning process for
a project as a support to decision-making. It provides a means to identify the most environmentally
suitable option at an early stage, the best practicable environmental option, and alternatives to the
proposed initiative; and thus avoid or minimize potentially damaging and costly negative impacts,
and maximize positive impacts.

The scope of this Environmental Impact Assessment, therefore, covered:

 The baseline environmental conditions of the area,

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 Description of the proposed project,
 Provisions of the relevant environmental laws,
 Identification of any adverse impacts to the environment anticipated from the proposed project,
 Appropriate mitigation measures,
 Provision of an environmental management plan

1.1.2 Objective
The objective of environmental impact assessment is to offer information to decision makers
concerning matters that may be brought about as a result of decisions relating to a new project,
program, plan or policy. Environmental impact assessment must realize decision-making based on
the inputted information including potentially important factors and it must be beneficial for both the
proponent and the citizens. Furthermore, environmental impact assessment is a technique that
presents in a systematic manner a technical assessment of impacts on the environment that the
project is likely to cause and explains the significance of predicted impacts and as a result, it
indicates the scope for modification or mitigation. Finally it makes the concerned ministries/agencies
assess the potential results of the project before a decision is given. Project developers and
administrative agencies who have a responsibility for environmental consideration can use
environmental impact assessment technique to improve the quality of both the project plan and
decision-making by identifying possible effects in the early stages. The specific objections of the
environmental impact assessment system are as follows:

a. Assessing the bio-physical and socio-cultural environment of the project area;

b. Identification and evaluation of the potential environmental impacts associated with project
construction & operation activities;
c. Proposing mitigation measures that would help to avoid or minimize negative impacts and
d. Preparation of Environmental management Plan (EMP) for measures that will help to reduce
and/or eliminate the identified negative impacts and to enhance the potential positive
environmental impacts.

1.1.3 Terms of reference

i. To collect relevant information that will be useful for the sub project report.
ii. To assess and report on the location of the sub project including the physical area that may be
affected by the sub project’s activities.
iii. To assess and report the nature, design and budget of the sub project.

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 iv. To assess and report on the economic and socio-cultural impacts of the sub project to the
local community and the nation in general.
v. To assess and report the activities that shall be undertaken during the sub project
construction, operation and commissioning phases.
vi. To assess and report the materials to be used products and by-products, including waste to be
generated especially during construction phase and the methods of their disposal.
vii. To assess the potential environmental impacts of the sub project and develop the
environmental management plan for the construction, operation and maintenance including
mitigation measures as per Ethiopia Environmental policy, Legislative, Administrative and
Institutional framework
viii. To develop an action plan that ensures the health and safety of the workers and neighboring
communities in the sub project cycle.
ix. To provide recommendation if any, for improving the existing environment screening
process.

1.2 Methodology
In general terms, the main stages in the assessment prior to an application are as follows:

i. Data Review - draw together and review available data;

ii. Screening - determine the need for EIA;
iii. Scoping - identify significant issues, determine the subject matter of the assessment and the
methodologies for undertaking the assessment;
iv. Baseline Surveys - undertake surveys and monitoring to identify existing environmental
conditions;
v. Consultation - provide information to consultees and the public about the Scheme so that
parties can make informed contributions to the development of the Scheme and EIA process,
and take account of issues raised by consultees;
vi. Assessment and Iteration - assess the likely effects of the Scheme (including alternatives) on
people, communities and the environment; identify the need for mitigation through improved
design and environmental management during construction and operation; and re-assess the
residual effects of the mitigated development; and
vii. Preparation of an Environmental Statement (“ES”).

The following methodologies were used during the study:

 Review of Existing Litterateurs, Policies, Proclamations and Guidelines;

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 Site Visits to obtain Baseline Condition of the study Area;
 Public consultation with community of the project area;
 interview with local people and relevant stakeholders and
 Discussion with other discipline experts of the study team like engineers

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2 PROJECT DESCRIPITION

2.1 Nature of the project

The project is intended for use by students, staff of the university and local community; it consist
operational project like university and condominiums and new developed project (road project).

Hence existing project (condominiums and university) consist different infrastructures such as;
university and condominiums building, gravel road, water supply pipe, small septic tank, Drainage
canal, optics fibers and Electric tower passed in that area. The new developed project consist
different ongoing project like asphalt and walkway, sanitary system, construction of septic tank and
site electrical construction.

We try to show some existed structures by photo.

Figure 2 condominiums Figure 1 electric tower

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 Figure 4 Water Supply pipe

Figure 3 university
2.2 Site location
Mariam site condominiums and textile university project is located Amhara National Regional State,
Bahir Dar city (located at exit of the Abbay from lake tana at an altitude of 1820 meters above sea
level. The city is located approximately 578km north-west of Addis Ababa), at kebel 8 near
Mariam’s church at Ethiopian institute of textile and fashion technology (EITEX), Bahir Dar
university branch.

Latitude: 11° 35' 37.10" N

Longitude: 37° 23' 26.77" E (source; https://latitude.to/map/et/ethiopia/cities/bahir-dar)

2.3 Site Ownership

All proposed project such as existed (condominiums and university) and newly developed (road
project) their owner is Bahir Dar university.

2.4 Project Activities

Among the proposed project existed project needs only wastewater and solid waste management, but
newly developed project needs so many construction activities such as;

Construction activities will involve the following:

(i) Site preparation (fencing to avoid intrusion/ protect residents and removal of vegetation).
(ii) Excavations, filling and building foundation.
(iii) Building works and removal of construction wastes.
(iv) Procurement of construction materials and delivery of the same to the site.
(v) Storage and utilization of materials.
(vi) Civil, mechanical, and electrical works.

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(vii) Completion of the building.

3 BASE LINE CONDITION

3.1 Physical Environment

3.1.1 Topography
Topography is an important factor for the planning of any road project since it influences method of
drainage condition and erosion status, costs of land development, labor requirement and, the rate and
volume of runoff, and other parameters of the landscape. The rugged terrain and steep slopes
accelerate land degradation and also influence infiltration of rainwater and the water holding
capacity of soils.

Longitude: 37.3613533, Latitude: 11.5742086, Elevation: 1808m

3.1.2 Climate
According to the Traditional Ethiopian Agro-Ecological Zones classification, by taking the amount
of mean annual rainfall, mean air temperature and elevation of the area into consideration. The
project area is in Woyinadega agro-ecological zone.

The project area climate is classified as warm and temperate. The summers here have a good deal of
rainfall, while the winters have very little. According to Köppen and Geiger, this climate is classified
as. In Bahir Dar, the average annual temperature is 20.1 °C | 68.2 °F. The rainfall here is around
1839 mm | 72.4 inch per year.

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The rainfall pattern of the proposed project area is a lot of rainfall in the month: June, July, August
and September, and dry periods in January, February, March and December. On average, July is the
wettest month with 432.0mm precipitation. On average January is the driest month with 1.0mm of
precipitation.

Figure 5 climate data

(Source: https://en.climate-data.org/africa/ethiopia/amhara/bahir-dar-
14413/#:~:text=inch%20per%20year.-,CLIMATE%20GRAPH

%20//%20WEATHER%20BY%20MONTH,-BAHIR%20DAR) The
least amount of rainfall occurs in January. The
average in this month is 4 mm | 0.2 inch. Most of
the precipitation here falls in August, averaging
528 mm | 20.8 inch.

Figure 6 temperature data

The temperatures are highest on average in April, at around 23.2 °C | 73.7 °F. August is the coldest
month, with temperatures averaging 17.9 °C | 64.2 °F. (Source: https://en.climate-data.org/africa/ethiopia/amhara/bahir-
dar-14413/#:~:text=mm%20%7C%2020.8%20inch.-,AVERAGE%20TEMPERATURE%20BAHIR%20DAR,-The%20temperatures%20are )

3.1.3 Soil
Around the world, there are many structurally unstable and problematic geo-materials which are
sources of worry to engineers working with or on them. They are considered problematic mostly

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because they are characterized by unusual in-service behavior, including such geo-technical
phenomena as heaving, swell, collapse, dispersion, erosion, excessive creep, subsidence, high
compressibility etc. such behavior could be attributed to factors such as composition, nature of pore
fluids, fabric and mineralogy, etc. Prominent among these problem soils are the potentially expansive
soils such as weathered shale’s, stiff fissured clays, black cotton soils, etc.(Gidigasu, 1987)

Soil is a mixture of various sizes of particles like gravel, sand, silt and clay. Gravel and sand are
among the coarse fractions and they are considered inert materials because of their significant
surface activity. (Venkataramana, 2003) In contrast, clay and silt clays are particles of ultra-fine size
in the form of platelets. They carry an unbalanced negative electric charge on their surface. This
electric charge and large specific surface they possess render them highly active. They can absorb
water as well as the positively-charged ions from the salts in water to neutralize the electric charge
they carry on their surface. The amount of water absorbed depends on the type of the clay mineral
present in the soil. Three most common minerals present in clay are Kaolionite, Illite and
Montmorillonite and their capacity to adsorb water increases in that order, therefore, the greater the
percentage of Montmorillonite mineral present, the greater would be the expansive nature of the soil.
(Venkataramana, 2003)

Expansive soils in general are clay soils that have potential for swelling and shrinkage under
changing moisture conditions. Black cotton soils or shrink-swell clays are special types of potentially
expansive soils which classify as vertisols in pedological parlance and have been found to occur in
all major climatic zones of the world. These soils are considered - problematic and sometimes as -
potential natural hazard because they are susceptible to seasonal volumetric changes, exhibit severe
cracking when dry, swell and yield low bearing strengths when wet, etc. These problems caused
extensive damage to light structures founded on them and estimated cost of damage due to expansive
soils in general runs into billions of dollars annually. The clay mineral that swells when wetted and
shrink when dried is mostly responsible for expansiveness belongs to the Montmorillonite group.
(Ahmed, 2009)

The expansive nature of the clay in the study area (Bahir Dar) is less near the ground surface where
the profile is subjected to seasonal and environment changes. These soils in most localities absorb
more water in wet ANNALS of Faculty Engineering Hunedoara – INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL
OF ENGINEERING Tome XIX [2021] | Fascicule 2 [May] 166 | Fascicule 2 seasons and increases
their volume and shrink when they dried out. The volume change resulting from swelling and
shrinking caused damages to visible structures founded on them. (Tibebu, 2011)

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Atterberg and Shrinkage Limit Tests (LL, PL and PI): Minimum Plasticity Index of the untreated
Black Cotton Soil is 45.82% for Kebele 8 (project area).

Linear Shrinkage and Free Swell: Shrinkage results ranging from 16.07% to 21.07%.

Grain size Analysis: the particle size of soils is finer than 0.075mm or passes on № 200 sieve.

Soil Classification by Plasticity: The untreated expansive soils of Bahir Dar are classified as highly
plastic based on plasticity index.

Specific Gravity: The maximum and minimum specific gravity test result for untreated expansive
soils obtained is 2.40.

Compaction Characteristics: The laboratory test result shows that the Optimum Moisture Content
of all the untreated Black Cotton Soils ranges from 27.2% and 36.3% and Maximum Dry Density
range from 1.21g/ cm3 and 1.43g/ cm3.

(Source; experimenting on the geotechnical properties of bahir dar black cotton soil stabilized with
quarry dust by Amsalu ASMAMAW)

3.1.4 Water Resources

3.1.5 Land use in the project area

The boundary of the site land cover type with the highest persistence is cropland(60%)and that with
the highest loss vegetation(70%).

3.2 Biosocial Environment

3.2.1 Vegetation (Flora)

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