5.1 The
beaches in the Sai Kung District continued to meet the
water quality objective for bathing water in 2001. Four
of the six beaches in Sai Kung were ranked "Good"
(Figure 5.1). They were Hap Mun Bay, Kiu Tsui, Trio
and Clear Water Bay Second. Both Hap Mun Bay and Kiu
Tsui Beaches are located on the Sharp Island separated
from the mainland and do not have much residence in
their hinterland. They were less susceptible to the
rainfall effect as reflected by their good weekly grading
(Figure 5.2), and both beaches had the annual geometric
mean E. coli levels below 5 per 100mL in 2001.
5.2 The Silverstrand,
Clear Water Bay First and Second Beaches located at
Outer Port Shelter were ranked either "Fair"
or at the bottom range of the "Good" rank
in 2001. All three beaches showed some fluctuations
of water quality, as reflected by their weekly grading
(Figure 5.2). Among them, the water quality of Silverstrand
Beach was more fluctuating because there were many
residents in its unsewered hinterland.
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| Hinterland
of Silverstrand Beach |
5.3 The major
sewage treatment facilities in the hinterland of those
beaches at Outer Port Shelter are either private sewage
treatment plants (STPs) or septic tank and soakaway
pit systems. For example, in the Silverstrand area,
there are over 60 sewage treatment facilities. Septic
tank seepages and treated effluent from STPs in the
valleys will find their way to the beach or its adjacent
waters. Therefore, if the sewage treatment facilities
are not properly maintained, they could cause pollution
problems to the beach water. The water quality of
these beaches is also more susceptible to the effect
of rainfall. Heavy rain will flush out pollutants
from the catchment into the beach. In 2001, EPD continued
to place emphasis on inspections and enforcement of
water pollution control legislations. EPD also implemented
a programme to arouse the environmental awareness
of local residents aiming at promoting proper maintenance
and environmental compliance of all the sewage treatment
facilities in the district.
5.4 In order
to protect the coastal water quality of Port Shelter,
works had been recommended in the Port Shelter SMP
to provide sewerage for the Sai Kung District (Figure
5.3). The construction of sewerage system for the
Silverstrand area, which was part of the Stage I work,
had just been completed. House connections in the
Silverstrand area are expected to take place in 2002.
As houses in the hinterland are gradually connected
to public sewers, the Silverstrand Beach would become
less susceptible to the rainfall effect and its water
quality is expected to improve.
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| Construction
of sewerage system for the Silverstrand area |
5.5 The Stage
II and Stage III works, including the provision of
sewerage to Sha Kok Mei, Ho Chung, Tai Po Tsai and
Tseng Lan Shue, will be completed by 2007. When these
improvement works are completed, the good water quality
of the Port Shelter and the beaches in Sai Kung will
be safeguarded. The implementation programme for the
Stage IV works will be developed at a later stage.
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Figure 5.3 Proposed
sewerage works for Sai Kung District
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