AIR AND WATER POLLUTION

1
AIR AND WATER POLLUTION

• In Brunei Darussalam

2
Some Facts and Figures

• Located on the north cost of the island of Borneo
• Surrounded by the state of Sarawak, Malaysia
• Population of 408,786 as at June 2012
• Classified as a developing country

3
(No Transcript)
4
Towards Environmental Sustainability

• A Department of Environment, Parks and Recreation
  (JASTRE) was established in July 2002 to oversee
  preservation of the environment
• 10th National Development Plan , much emphasis on
  working towards a quality of life based on
  consideration of environmental factors

5

• In line with Vision 2035 for higher standards of
  living and per capita income to be within top 10
  countries worldwide
• JASTRE works closely with international
  organizations to ensure best practices in
  environmental preservation

6
Air quality in Brunei Darussalam

• Generally good with PSIs below USEPA, EU and WHO
  guidelines.

7
(No Transcript)
8

• In 2012, 356 good air quality days (97) and 9
  moderate air quality days (3)
• From January 2013 to date, Brunei has achieved
  294 good air quality days (81) and 21 moderate
  air quality days (6)

9
Air quality in Brunei Darussalam (2005-2013)
10

• Moderate air quality days attributed to
  transboundary smoke haze pollution from
  neighbouring countries (during dry season, June
  September)
• Localised forests and bush fires and open burning
  also contribute to impairment of air quality but
  not a serious problem

11
Air Quality Monitoring

• Air quality monitoring has been implemented and
  overseen by JASTRE
• Air quality monitoring stations located
  throughout 4 districts
• Stations measures particulate matters of sizes 10
  microns and 2.5 microns that are expressed in
  Pollutant Standard Index or PSI

12
Problems

• Open Burning is still rampant, mainly backyard
  burning in residential and commercial areas
• Provision which bans open burning s.277A Penal
  Code (during prescribed periods)

13
(No Transcript)
14
(No Transcript)
15
ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution

• Brunei is a party to the Agreement
• JASTRE is the national focal point with the
  National Disaster Management Centre, the
  Department of Fire and Rescue and the Department
  of Metereological Services supporting prevention
  and mitigation of forest fires and smoke haze.

16

• As a country party to the Agreement, Brunei
  provides regular updates to the ASEAN secretariat

17
Water Quality in Brunei Darussalam

• Rivers generally still in pristine condition

18
Problems and Challenges

• Pollution of Brunei River
• Worst in Kampong Ayer where residents directly
  discharge sewage and sullage water into the river
• Estimated 189,000 tonnes of waste generated by
  Bruneians yearly, that is approximately 1.4kg
  average waste per capita per person per day.

19

• Solid waste pollution most visible in Kg Ayer.
  (kitchen garbage and trash, cand, bottles,
  plastic bags and discarded household goods)

20
Solid waste pollution in Brunei Bay
21
Other effects

• Indiscriminate dumping of solid waste has also
  affected the mangrove forests
• This has affected fish resources and poses
  ecological threats
• Once the mangrove forests disappear, Brunei will
  become vulnerable to tsunamis and will no longer
  provide breeding ground for fish and prawns

22
Whats been done so far

• River water quality monitoring network introduced
  under 2007-2013 National Development Plan
• River quality monitoring stations strategically
  located in the 4 major rivers, Brunei River,
  Tutong River, Belait River and Temburong River
• Monitoring is done upstream, midstream and in the
  lower stream of the rivers

23

• The parameters measured and recorded are compiled
  in a database to monitor river water quality

24
Sungai Brunei Clean Up Project

• Introduced by JASTRE (Dept of Environment, Parks
  and Recreation) in 2008
• Involved collection and disposal of floating
  waste, waste underneath houses and along the
  riverbanks
• Waste reduction activities and conservation
  efforts of the Brunei River specifically

25
(No Transcript)
26

• Introduction of recycling bins in Kg Ayer
• Waste shredder has been posted at Ayer Bekunchi
  waste collection centre to shred wood and timbers
• Awareness programmes introduced in primary
  schools in Kg Ayer on recycling and proper
  disposal of waste

27

• Of greater signifance, implementation of sewage
  treatment and disposal systems in newly built Kg
  Ayer settlement projects.
• In older settlements with no sewage treatment
  plants, the Government is resettling the
  residents to lessen the pollution load generated.

28
Where we are

• At the National Environmental Conference 2012,
  some alarming statistics were revealed
• 1. Bruneis energy consumption per capita
  surpassed developed countries like Japan, France
  and Germany by at least 1300 kilowatts per hour
  per person
• 2. Solid waste generation is at 1.4kg of solid
  waste per person per day

29

• 3. Brunei also makes about 15.5 tonnes per capita
  per year in carbon dioxide emissions (UK 9.1
  metric tonnes, Malaysia 7.1 metric tonnes)
• 4. Brunei consumes twice the amount of water as
  Malaysia and 3 times that of Singapore at 450
  litres of water per person per day.

30

• Deterioration of the environment was pointed out
  by the Minister of Development as a pressing
  issue.
• He expressed concern that careful attention be
  paid to the appropriate balance between economic
  growth, effective environmental protection and
  social progress

31
The Way Forward?

• Environmental Protection and Management Order
  2012 , still in draft form
• Covers air pollution control, water pollution
  control, land pollution control, hazardous
  substances control amongst others
• No cases on pollution have come before the courts

32

• Despite no legislation, measures in place to
  control air and water pollution
• Government taking environmental concerns
  seriously with many initiatives introduced by the
  Ministry of Development such as education and
  awareness programmes to promote water
  conservation, the use of water saving devices in
  public buildings

33

• Introduction of Green Building initiatives that
  is hoped will lead to a National Green Building
  Certification Scheme.
• Feasibility study currently being conducted for
  the development of a treatment and disposal of a
  hazardous wastes center.

34

• THANK YOU