MBINGA’S INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES LIMITED

P. O. Box, Mbinga - Tanzania.

Contact Person: Sr. Anunsiata Kumburu
Mobile No: 0789755693

PROJECT BRIEF FOR INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL AUDIT STUDY

FOR THE EXISTING OPERATION OF A DRINKING WATER
BOTTLING PLANT WHICH IS LOCATED ON PLOT NO. BLOCK ‘A’,
MISSION B MTAA, MBINGA MJINI WARD, MBINGA TOWN
COUNCIL IN RUVUMA REGION.

Submitted to: The National Environment Management Council (NEMC)

Southern Zone Office
Raha Leo Area, Chikongola Road
P.O Box 1259, Mtwara - Tanzania.
Tel: +255 232334684.
E-mail: nemcmtwara@nemc.or.tz

Prepared by: Joseph Robert

Registered and Certified Environmental Audit Expert
P.O. Box 12460, Dar es Salaam
Email: josephrobertyy@gmail.com
Tel: 0759806428/0776221250

JANUARY 2025
 TABLE OF CONTENT
TABLE OF CONTENT ........................................................................................................................ 2

1. NATURE OF THE PROJECT ..................................................................................................... 3

1.1 INTRODUCTION AND GENERAL BACKGROUND........................................................................3

2 PROJECT DESCRIPTION .......................................................................................................... 3

2.1 ADMINISTRATIVE LOCATION AND ACCESSIBILITY OF THE PROJECT SITE ............................................3

2.2 ADJACENT LAND USES ...........................................................................................................................4
2.3 LAND OWNERSHIP...................................................................................................................................4
2.4 CURRENT SITUATION.............................................................................................................................5

3. PROJECT ACTIVITIES .............................................................................................................. 5

4. PROJECT MATERIALS.............................................................................................................. 8

5. POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES .................. 9

6. ACCIDENT PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT ............................................................... 10

7. HEALTH AND SAFETY ........................................................................................................... 10

8. ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL IMPACTS ..................................................................................... 10

9. PROJECT INVESTMENT COST.............................................................................................. 11

10. CONCLUSION ....................................................................................................................... 11

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1. NATURE OF THE PROJECT

1.1 INTRODUCTION AND GENERAL BACKGROUND

M/S Mbinga’s Industrial Supplies Limited (MISL) is a local private company based in
Mbinga Town Council, Tanzania and dully registered at the Business Registration and
Licensing Agency (BRELA). The registration number of the company is 122221 issued on
the 18th Day of December 2015.

The company is licensed to produce mineral water (water processing), and it currently
owns and runs a water processing facility with a capacity ranging from 4,000 to 6,000 litres
per day. The plant is located on Plot No. Block A, Mission B Mtaa, Mbinga Mjini B Ward,
Mbinga Town Council, in the Ruvuma Region.

M/S MISL built and now operates this facility in violation of the Provisions of the
Environmental Management Act No. 20 of 2004, which requires an Environmental Impact
Assessment prior to construction. On November 20th, 2024, a team from The NEMC Zonal
Office Mtwara visited the facility for an inspection and found this noncompliance, where
the proponent was directed to do an initial environmental audit study for the plant.

In complying with the provisions of the Environment Impact Assessment and Audit
Regulations, (GN) No. 349 of 2005, therefore, M/S MISL commissioned Mr. Joseph Robert
(a Registered and Certified Environmental Expert) to advise them in complying with
applicable regulations due to the fact that daily project operations might have potential
impacts to environmental and social setups.

The project involves mainly carrying out an initial environmental audit for the existing
processing plant to assess whether the on-going operations have adverse environmental
impacts and propose mitigation measures. The experts have prepared this project brief on
behalf of the project proponent. The Brief details the nature of the project, its location,
main processes, outputs and materials uses and by products and their disposal,
environmental impacts and their mitigation. This project brief also contains the economic
and socio-cultural impact of the project to the local community and the nation in general.

2 PROJECT DESCRIPTION
2.1 Administrative Location and Accessibility of the Project Site
Administratively, the project site is located on Plot No. Block A, Mission B Mtaa, Mbinga
Mjini B Ward, Mbinga Town Council, in Ruvuma Region. The project is about 1km from the
Mbinga Bus Terminal Station. The project site can be accessed by turning right while on
Mbinga - Mbamba Bay Road 1km after passing the Mbinga Bus Station.

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Geographical Coordinates for the project area are Latitude: 10057’08’’S and Longitude:
34059’44’’E.

Geographically, the project site is located within the following coordinates (in degree and
seconds format) measured by using handheld GPS to an accuracy of ±3m. See below the
geographical location points for the project site on table 2 below.

Table 1: Project Location Points

Points Latitudes Longitudes
A 10057’07’’S 35000’00’’E

B 10057’08’’S 34059’43’’E
C 10057’09’’S 34059’44’’E
D 10057’09’’S 34059’45’’E

Figure 1: Location of the project site

2.2 ADJACENT LAND USES

The plant is situated in a surveyed area with mixed land uses (commercial and residential).

2.3 LAND OWNERSHIP

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The land of 2 Ha where the project has been established belongs to M/MISL

2.4 CURRENT SITUATION

The project site comprises the following main facilities and structures:

✓ Bottled Water Production Line

✓ Water Treatment Unit
✓ Filling machine and capping
✓ Water filling and capping
✓ Quality Control Unit
✓ Bottle Washing and Sterilization
✓ Labeling and Packaging Unit

On the other hand, the project support facilities and structures include:

✓ Access road (entrance and exit routes)

✓ Chemical Storage Unit
✓ Washrooms
✓ Security point

Plate 2: Existing Situation at the project site

3. PROJECT ACTIVITIES
Bottled Water Production Process

The bottled water production process flow chart is comprehensive, involving multiple
stages to ensure the highest quality and safety standards. This detailed guide covers each
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critical step, from water treatment to bottling and packaging, and finally to the blowing line
and auxiliary equipment.

a) Raw Water Sourcing and Pumping

• The bottled water production process begins with sourcing raw water, which is then
pumped into the filtration system.
• The raw water pump provides the necessary pressurization for the filtration
equipment.

b) Mechanical Filtration

• A mechanical filter removes impurities such as manganese, iron, and suspended

particles larger than 20 microns.
• This step helps to prepare the water for further purification.

c) Carbon Filtration

• The carbon filter further purifies the water by removing organic compounds,
chlorine, and other contaminants.
• This stage helps to improve the taste and odor of the water.

d) Reverse Osmosis (RO) System / Water Producing Machine

• The RO water producing machine removes dissolved salts, minerals, and

microorganisms, producing high-purity water.
• This step ensures the water meets the required quality standards.

e) Bottle Blowing

• The PET preforms are heated and then blown into the desired bottle shape using a
blow molding machine.
• The blow molding machine combines preform heating and bottle blowing in an
automated process.
• Precise control of parameters like stretching speed, pressure, and timing ensures
proper material distribution and bottle quality.

f) Bottle Washing and Sterilization

• The bottles are cleaned and disinfected before filling to ensure they are free from
any contaminants

g) Filling and Capping

• The bottles are automatically filled and capped to maintain the integrity of the
product.
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 h) Inspection and Packaging

• The filled bottles are inspected for any defects.

• The approved bottles are then packaged for distribution.

Figure 2: Complete bottling process flow chart of bottled water making process

Sales and Marketing

The drinks are boxed and readied to be dispatched to supermarkets for consumption.

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4. PROJECT MATERIALS
Raw water from the Ruhekei springs is the raw material that is processed on the plant to
manufacture bottled water.

Staff
The project current employs approximately a total number of 9 workers. i.e. 1 site
manager, 1 Water Laboratory specialist, 4 plant operators, 2 Security guards and other are
general workers.

Utilities:

Water(sources & quantity)

Water is used to run various activities within the site including domestic activities as well
as sanitary uses (in toilets and bathroom) and dust suppression.
Currently water (for domestic uses) is sourced from the Mbinga Urban Water Supply and
Sanitation Authority (MBIUWASA) Networks. To ensure water is available all the time,
the project site has installed four temporary water storage tanks each with the storage
capacity of 20,000lts. It is estimated that about 5,000lt is used daily.

Power (type & source)

Power is also needed to run various operations including lighting purposes. This is
currently sourced from TANESCO Powerlines.

Management of wastes:

The conventional waste generated and conceivable to be generated in future activities by

the project and the methods of their disposal are as shown below.

Type of waste Sources Disposal / Management

procedure
Biodegradable materials - Site office Wastes are disposed through
mainly domestic waste - Workers local established landfill located
(food remains, paper within the project site
waste, etc.)
Non- biodegradable - Site office • Bottles of water are
materials (plastic, metal - Workers collected and stored in a
pieces, etc) plastic bag before being
disposed

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 Type of waste Sources Disposal / Management
procedure
• Metal Scraps are collected
and given out to metal
recyclers
Waste waters - toilets Concrete septic tanks have
- floor cleaning been established to ensure
wastewater is managed.
Operational wastes - Motor vehicles Currently directed towards the
(mainly spilled/leaked oil storage tank
fuels,)

5. POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION

MEASURES
The various impacts (environmental as well as social/economic) associated with the daily
project operations are as summarised below:

Negative:

1. Land and water contamination due to mismanagement of both domestic and

industrial wastes.
2. Air pollution from (fine dust particles, noxious gases)
3. Occupational health and safety hazards.
4. Public health and safety hazards.

Positive:

1. Employment creation (direct and indirect).

2. Government revenue
3. Availability of clean and Safe water

The mitigation measures that will be used include:

1. Land and water contamination can be avoided by proper collection and disposal
techniques. Moreover, wastewater is collected in septic tanks while most of the
production wastes are being recycled.
2. Air emission cannot be ruled out completely although can be reduced through
constant water spraying of the project site.

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 3. Occupational health and safety welfare shall be maintained though complying with
relevant Tanzania (OSHA, 2003) / International Performance Standards on health
and safety requirements. Also, M/S MISL shall ensure having a safe working
environment including reasonable working hours, working in a comfortable place
with enough ventilation, light, etc. M/S MISL is committed to provide appropriate
PPEs and enforcement of their use.
4. Public health and safety shall be considered in everything the yard does i.e.
protecting the neighbouring communities from discharges, emissions and other
hazards.

6. ACCIDENT PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT

Due to the nature of the project operations, possibilities for accidents are negligible.
However, high precautions shall be taken by the proponent to avoid even minor injuries.

Workers are currently working in a satisfactory environment. The proponent is committed

to equip them with necessary equipments required during daily operations. Moreover, the
project is equipped with necessary equipment including fire detectors and extinguishers,
etc.

7. HEALTH AND SAFETY

M/S MISL is committed to protecting the health and safety of its employees to ensure that
all plant activities are conducted in a manner that protects the environment and
neighboring communities that might be impacted by its operations.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) for all workers such as ear plugs/muffs, gloves,
masks, glasses, boots, etc shall be provided and enforced its use (wherever required).

Tanzanian/international standards will be followed for quality and safety operations.

Modernised First Aid facility will also be provided.

8. ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL IMPACTS

The following are a slight number of the project’s economic and socio-cultural impacts to
the local community and the nation in general:
(i) Increased government revenues through taxes to Local Authorities, Municipal,
Regional and National.
(ii) Continuous support to various community initiatives.

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(iii) Provision of both direct and indirect employment opportunities to locals and
expatriates (machine operators, production supervisors, drivers, cleaners, staffs, and
guards
(iv) Boosting industrial development within the country

9. PROJECT INVESTMENT COST

Estimated annual site maintenance cost is approximately TSH 300,000,000/=

10. CONCLUSION

M/S MISL plays a momentous role in the wellbeing of the society and the nation as a whole.
However, our operations might also be causing some negative social and environmental
impacts.

Therefore, it is imperative an environmental audit study be carried out so as to come up

with an environmental management plan for enhancing positive impacts and eliminate
negative ones. This shall eventually lead to sustainability of the project.

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Appendices

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