[Flacq - Marshy Land][Clean Air Bill and Clean Water Bill - Introduction]
[Réduit - Flooding Problems] [L'amitié - Royal - Flooding Problems]

Debate No. 06 of 10.04.07
Flacq - Marshy Land

(No. B/126) Dr. R. Mungur (Second Member for Flacq and Bon Accueil) asked the Minister of Environment and National Development Unit whether he is aware that the marshy land situated at Flacq, behind the Winners shop, is a potential breeding ground for mosquitoes and, if so, will he state the steps that will be taken to have it cleaned, indicating when.

Reply: As the area being referred to is a private property, the Moka/Flacq District Council has been requested to trace the owner and serve a notice.

Keywords: marshy land, mosquitoes, odour, stagnant water, enforcement

Debate No. 09 of 08.05.07
Clean Air Bill and Clean Water Bill - Introduction

(No. B/329) Miss K. R. Deerpalsing (Third Member for Belle Rose and Quatre Bornes) asked the Minister of Environment and National Development Unit whether he will state if Government proposes to introduce into the House a Clean Air Bill and a Clean Water Bill.

Reply: The Environment Protection Act 2002 already makes provision for the issue of standards to protect the quality of air.

The Environment Protection (Standards for Air) Regulations were promulgated in 1998 and provide for ambient air standards based on World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines and set limits for major air pollutants emanating from industrial activities.

I would also like to inform the House that the Environment Protection (Standards for Air) Regulations 1998 are being reviewed taking into consideration new activities such as municipal waste incinerators, which may have an impact on air quality. The new proposed standards will be based upon the latest development in this field and aligned with WHO standards, World Bank Guidelines and European Directives, among others. New parameters of particular concerns such as dioxins and furans are also covered. The new proposed Environment Protection (Standards for Air) Regulations have already been submitted to the Attorney-General’s Office for vetting purposes.

Furthermore the Road Traffic (Control of Vehicle Emissions) Regulations promulgated in 2002 and enforced by the National Transport Authority provide for emission limits for smoke, carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons levels amongst others.

A Clean Air Bill is, therefore, not envisaged at this stage.

A Clean Water Bill basically pertains to the protection of surface water quality, including protection from pollutant discharges and surface run-off. These are presently covered under different primary legislation, namely the Rivers and Canals Act, the Ground Water Act, the Central Water Authority Act, the Public Health Act and the Environment Protection Act. Furthermore, a set of standards, guidelines and regulations to protect the quality of our water resources from industrial and other sources of pollution have been promulgated under the Environment Protection Act over the past years. These include –

The Environment Protection (Effluent limitations for the sugar industry) Regulations 1997

The Environment Protection (Standards for effluent discharge) Regulations 2003

The Environment Protection (Standards of effluent for use in irrigation) Regulations 2003

The Environment Protection (Standards for effluent discharge into the ocean) Regulations 2003, and

The Environment Protection (Effluent Discharge Permit) Regulations 2003

The Ministry of Public Utilities is the enforcing agency responsible for monitoring and enforcement of the effluent discharge standards.

I have been informed that the Ministry of Public Utilities intends to encompass all water related issues under a single legislation, the new Water Bill. This will be required to operationalise water services under the provisions of the Utility Regulatory Authority Act, which has yet to be proclaimed.

Keywords: Clean air bill, clean water bill, air quality, Environment Protection Act 2002, air quality, ambient air standards, air pollutants, guidelines, standards, regulations, pollution, industrial activities, dioxins, furans, vehicle emissions, enforcement, enforcing agency, smoke, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, pollutant discharge, surface run-off, water quality, water resources, sources of pollution,

Debate No. 5 of 27 March 2007
Réduit - Flooding Problems

(No. A/1) Mr S. Naidu (Third Member for Beau Bassin and Petite Rivière) asked the Minister of Environment and National Development Unit whether he is aware of the serious problems of flooding following heavy rainfall in the residential areas of Réduit and, if so, will be state what remedial measures will be taken.

Reply: I have been advised by the Moka/Flacq District Council that the following regions in Réduit are prone to flooding –

• the front of Rodrigues shop
• the front of Tamil League
• Soobramanian Avenue.

Necessary steps are being taken by the Moka/Flacq District Council for the clearance of the drains in the course of this week.

Keywords: heavy rainfall, flooding, water accumulation, drain, surface water run off, raining situation, residential areas, remedial measures

Debate No. 5 of 27 March 2007
L'amitié - Royal - Flooding Problems

(No. B/52) Mr S. Soodhun (Fifth Member for La Caverne and Phoenix) asked the Minister of Environment and National Development Unit whether he is aware of the problem of flooding at Royal Road, l’Amitié and which has been aggravated since 2003 and, if so, will he state the remedial measures that have been or will be taken.

Reply: I am aware of the problem of flooding at Royal Road, l’Amitié. The accumulation of water and flooding adjacent to the main road at l’Amitié are caused mainly by several residential constructions on an existing canal.

I would like to inform the House that arrangements have been made to call on the consultancy firm extending consultancy service in respect of flooding and land drainage matters to conduct a thorough survey and come up with recommendations to redress the situation.

Keywords: heavy rainfall, flooding, water accumulation, drain, surface water run off, raining situation, residential areas, remedial measures