Environmental modelling is a valuable tool for understanding how pollutants disperse and how noise propagates within a given environment, enabling organisations to anticipate potential impacts and make informed environmental management decisions. We leverage advanced modelling software and technical expertise in air quality and noise modelling to deliver assessments aligned with international standards and support the efficient design of environmental monitoring programmes, including the identification of appropriate monitoring and sampling locations.
Gulu University of Science and Technology, with support from Uganda’s National Council of Sports, had a proposed site for the construction of a Sports Facility adjacent to Sewage Treatment Lagoons but needed to understand the dispersion of the odour from the lagoons towards the proposed site in order to adapt the design of the sports facility. The sports facility was intended to be used as a training facility in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AfCON) to be co-hosted in Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya. Ministry of Works and Transport (MoWT) supervised the assignment.
Our team of air quality specialists undertook air quality sampling at the corners of the proposed site to obtain the pollutant/odour concentrations, and also obtained feedback from people living around the lagoons to understand the periods when they experience strong odour. Using robust air quality software and the project area’s 5-year meteorological data, the team produced wind roses that illustrated the direction to which the odour would be dispersed in the dry and wet seasons, and also illustrated the variations of the pollutant concentrations with distance from the pollution source. The data obtained collaborated with the feedback from stakeholder consultations and subsequently informed the adaptation of the design of the sports facility in terms of locating the pavilion, changing rooms, entrance to the sports facility, and other amenities. Additionally, the study recommended other adaptation techniques such as planting shrubs and trees (fast- growing, dense species) on the southern boundary of the pitch and
around access ways to trap particulates and partly filter odours, and engaging the operator of the lagoon for information on dredging schedules, among other aspects.
The construction of the sports facility went ahead following the recommendations.
Noise Impact and Management Update Report for the New Kampala Port in Bukasa
The Ministry of Works and Transport (MoWT) contracted an independent consultant to undertake an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for the proposed Bukasa Port, which was finalised in December 2018. The ESIA was approved by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) in April 2019 and an EIA certificate issued with conditions. The ESIA presented the baseline environmental and socio-economic conditions, evaluation of alternative sites, enhancement measures for the positive impacts, and mitigation measures for the potential negative impacts.
However, due to the time gap between the ESIA approval and the project’s readiness for implementation, an Environmental and Social Due Diligence (ESDD) was undertaken, resulting in the development of an Environmental and Social Action Plan (ESAP).
Among the recommended actions was the need to review the noise assessment in the ESIA, update the existing noise levels, model the noise impact of port construction and operation and strengthen the management and monitoring measures presented in the Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP).
We collected baseline noise levels through noise sampling. Using the list of noise-emitting equipment expected on site and their designed noise emissions, and the noise emission results from one of Uganda’s ports (as a real scenario), we run a model to assess spatial propagation of noise across the project footprint and surrounding areas, with specific emphasis on sensitive receptors. The outputs were presented as noise contour maps.
The noise contours illustrated the likely noise-generating points and the receptors likely to be impacted by the noise. This guided the identification of appropriate mitigation measures,
including the identification of representative monitoring points.
