Abstract
The project was carried out between January 1st and December 31, 2019. Its results are summarized as follows:
I. Providing assistance in collecting air pollution charges levied on construction projects and making collection calls
During the implementation period, applications were made for air pollution charges applicable to 2,924 construction sites, for a total amount of NT$67,986,236. Other projects accounted for the greatest amount among these applications; the number of other projects was 1,337. The amount of air pollution charges levied on other projects was also the highest, i.e. NT$24,348,668. Among the 1,899 tenders that had been determined, winners of 1,810 tenders had completed their applications for the first payments of air pollution charges; the application rate was 95.3%. Moreover, among 155 projects that had been completed during the implementation period, applications for the final payments of air pollution charges were made or confirmation that there was no need to pay air pollution charges was issued by proprietors who completed 155 projects; the application rate was approximately100%.
An inspection of 318 construction sites was conducted at the commencement of construction (i.e. preliminary inspection). Events related to construction without a permit were not found. Proprietors were asked to accurately fill out such events when making applications for air pollution charges, in order to help track the actual construction progress. Inspections of 1,484 construction sites listed for extended inspection were also conducted. Construction of all these sites was 1,187 completed.
II. Inspection and control of air pollution caused by construction projects
During the implementation of the project, visits to 6,325 construction sites were completed (implementing 6,325 inspections on regularly-visited sites and 235 inspections during weekends), with Level 1 and Level 2 construction site registration rates reaching 94.8% and 93.9%, respectively. The rates of Level 1 and Level 2 construction sites that abide by regulations governing construction site management were 90.8% and 89.5%, respectively. Among the missing rates in construction sites across the county, that of fencing around construction sites was the highest, taking up 26.18% of missing items in the county, followed by the missing rate of car wash equipment, which contributed to 23.57% of the missing items. Fugitive particulate matter emission produced by construction sites was 12,879.82 tons, while the fugitive particulate matter emission produced after taking various prevention and control measures was 4,860.6 tons. The amount of fugitive particulate matter emission reduced was 8,019.22 tons, equivalent to an average reduction rate of 62.26%.
During the implementation of the project, visits to 6,325 construction sites were completed (implementing 6,325 inspections on regularly-visited sites and 235 inspections during weekends), with Level 1 and Level 2 construction site registration rates reaching 94.8% and 93.9%, respectively. The rates of Level 1 and Level 2 construction sites that abide by regulations governing construction site management were 90.8% and 89.5%, respectively. Among the missing rates in construction sites across the county, that of fencing around construction sites was the highest, taking up 26.18% of missing items in the county, followed by the missing rate of car wash equipment, which contributed to 23.57% of the missing items. Fugitive particulate matter emission produced by construction sites was 12,879.82 tons, while the fugitive particulate matter emission produced after taking various prevention and control measures was 4,860.6 tons. The amount of fugitive particulate matter emission reduced was 8,019.22 tons, equivalent to an average reduction rate of 62.26%.
The “Meeting for Explaining and Promoting Regulations Concerning Construction Noise, Pollution Control Technologies, and Air Pollution Control Fee” was held twice on April 23rd and October 23, 2019, in Rooms 101 and 202 of the Academy of Innovation, with 155 and 108 attendees taking part, respectively.
III. Guidance provided at large construction sites and aerial photo shoots
During the implementation period, guidance was provided at large construction sites every month; a total of 60 proprietors received guidance. Before guidance was provided to these proprietors, the amount of reduced TSP emissions was 6,072.21 kg/month. Afterwards, it was 6,645.47 kg/month. As such, the amount of TSP emissions was further reduced by 573.26 kg/month, and the reduction rate increased from 58.03% to 67.86%. The statistics show that providing guidance at large construction sites has a certain effect on reducing emissions.
Guidance was also provided semi-annually to experts and scholars in the construction field; 10. This activity contributed to an increase in the reduction of TSP emissions and the reduction rate. The overall reduction rate of particulate matter emissions was increased by 9.69%, and the amount of pollutants was further reduced by 2,558.31 kg/month when compared with the amounts before guidance was provided to said experts and scholars.
Six aerial photography operations of major construction sites in the administrative area were completed. It was estimated that the TSP, PM10, and PM2.5 emissions were 70.4 tons, 39.1 tons, and 7.82 tons, respectively. The average reduction rate reached 89.2%.
IV. A survey and inspection of the use of oils for construction equipment
During the implementation period, a survey on the use of oils for 124 pieces of construction equipment was done. The results show that construction companies mostly used oils from China; these oils accounted for 88.7% of all the oils used. Moreover, a random inspection of the sulfur content in oils for 24 pieces of construction equipment was conducted; values of the sulfur content in these oils were between 2.9 and 9.2 ppmw max. Opacity tests were conducted on 27 vehicles, and the statistics indicated that the opacity rate was between 0.01m-1 and 7.5m-1.
V. The storage, transfer, transport, process operation or handling of fugitive particulate pollutants and control of bare land and differences in road surface color
Proprietors were suggested to lay rice straw over bare land in accordance with their construction progress as a prevention measure. Rice straw was laid on 54 construction sites with an area of 26.252 hectares, after guidance was provided to proprietors. It was estimated that 91.882 tons of rice straw were used. It is estimated that the burning of rice straw in a paddy field with an area of 18.376 hectares was avoided.
In terms of barren land inspections, three pieces of barren land with a total area of 0.9784 hectares were registered and regulated. After registration and follow-ups, only one piece of barren land remained unfixed. TSP, PM10, and PM2.5 emissions at the two pieces of improved barren land were reduced by 0.65 tons, 0.361 tons, and 0.072 tons, respectively.
During the implementation period, road inspections were conducted during a total seasons. Roads with a total length of 2,380.9 km were inspected, and 4 road breakage was found. An inspection of 157 vehicles transporting fugitive particulate pollutants was conducted, and 48 of them were found to have violated regulations because their dust screens were not dragged downward for 15 cm. Letters were sent to corresponding vehicle owners to ask them to make improvements within a deadline. All of them made improvements within the specified deadline. With 81% of these vehicle owners registering their addresses outside Chiayi County, reducing the violation rate should be continuously promoted in various cities and counties.
VI. Controlling the sweeping and washing of streets with wind-borne dust
During the implementation period, streets with a length of 9,617.44 km were swept; the total amount of dust collected was 109,180 kg. Streets with a length of 8,405.09 km were washed; the total volume of water used was 8,889.5 tons. Adding these operations together, streets with a length of 18,022.53 km were swept and washed. According to the Environmental Protection Administration’s reduction formula (reduction amount = length of streets washed and swept x reduction coefficient), 248.711 tons of TSP emissions, 46.859 tons of PM10 emissions, and 10.94 tons of PM2.5 emissions could be reduced.
VII. Promotion and administrative operations
The websites for Chiayi County’s construction site control and charging system, its construction site pollution and control of the sweeping and washing of streets with wind-borne dust, the platform for the reuse of rice straw in Yunlin, Chiayi and Tainan, and the geographic information system of Chiayi County’s construction sites were maintained and updated before the 5th of every month. The records on water added and used in the previous month, on-site inspection of street washing and sweeping, information check, and a comparison table of actual progress and scheduled progress for the next month were submitted in accordance with administrative operations to the Environmental Protection Bureau for future reference. During the implementation period, 5 records were submitted. Moreover, 12 records of the scheduled washing and sweeping operations for the next month and changes in the schedule for the current month were submitted to the Environmental Protection Bureau before the 25th of every month for future reference.
