5.2d Controlling Water Pollution

The EPD monitors rivers, streams, beaches and marine waters and introduces improvement measures to ensure water quality meets health-based targets.

Water Quality Monitoring

The EPD regularly monitors water quality based on physical and chemical parameters. In 2003 a study on the use of biological indicators for monitoring marine pollution was completed and a biological indicator monitoring programme will be implemented in phases starting in 2004. A study on toxic substances in local waters was also completed and concluded Hong Kong did not have any major problems in this area. The study recommended on-going monitoring of toxic substances in the marine environment and preparation work will be initiated in 2004.

Water quality monitoring results for 2003 were as follows:

Harbour Area Treatment Scheme (HATS)

The Harbour Area Treatment Scheme aims to collect, treat and properly dispose of all sewage around Victoria Harbour. In late 2001 the first stage was completed, resulting in 75% of sewage in the harbour, from Tsing Yi, Kwai Chung, Kowloon, Tseung Kwan O, Shaukiwan and Chai Wan, being given chemically-enhanced primary treatment (CEPT). Water quality has greatly improved in the central and eastern parts of the harbour, but deteriorated in the western harbour where the treated effluent is being discharged. A higher grade of treatment through implementation of the next stages of HATS would address this problem as well as the potential deterioration of water quality due to future increase in population on both sides of the harbour. A public consultation will be carried out in 2004 for agreement on the best option for the final configuration of HATS.

Photo of Water Quality Improvements after Commissioning of HATS Stage 1. HATS has improved water quality in the central and eastern parts of the harbour, but more work is needed to bring improvements in the western harbour.

In 2003 three major trials and studies on HATS were completed:

-	A pilot trial concluded the Biological Aerated Filter technology (BAF) was applicable in Hong Kong (this had been recommended by an international panel that reviewed HATS in 2000). BAF would provide a higher level of treatment than the CEPT now being used, but it is anticipated that higher capital and recurrent costs would be incurred.
-	A study on possible sites for treatment plants concluded surface land was available on Lamma Island. The other options – in North Point, Sandy Bay, and Stonecutters Island – would require treatment facilities to be built underground, to optimise land use.
-	A consultancy study recommended that a single private operator should design, build and operate the proposed treatment facility.

Other Sewage Projects

All current reviews of sewerage master plans (SMPs) were completed in 2003, to take into account likely increases in population and development plans up to 2016. They recommended measures to upgrade sewers, treatment plants and pumping stations, as well as carry out repair work where needed.

An in-house investigation into stormwater pollution began in 2003, focusing on Mong Kok . The aim is to identify the relative contribution of different polluting sources to the stormwater system to facilitate a policy decision on the way forward in tackling this issue. A workshop on the subject was also organised with Canada and Australia, to share experiences in dealing with the problem.

Effluent re-use was another focus in 2003 and a scoping study for a pilot effluent re-use scheme in North District was completed during the year.

Photo of Beneficial recycling and reuse of wastewater.

Regional Collaboration

The EPD and the Shenzhen Environmental Protection Bureau jointly completed the Mirs Bay Water Quality Regional Control Strategy Study in 2003. The study established a pollution inventory, made projections based on water quality modelling, and concluded that development should be capped at below Mirs Bay’s environmental assimilative capacity. The study’s recommended pollution control strategy was endorsed in December 2003 by the Hong Kong-Guangdong Joint Working Group on Sustainable Development and Environmental Protection.

In 2000, Hong Kong and Guangdong agreed on a strategy to control water pollution in Deep Bay. It was also agreed that the strategy be reviewed every 5 years with the first review scheduled for 2005. In this regard, the EPD and the Shenzhen Environmental Protection Bureau reached an agreement at the end of 2003 on an overall cooperation framework and the establishment of a joint study team to implement the first progress review of the water pollution control strategy.

Other regional work in 2003 included the appointment of contractors, under the Pearl River Delta Water Quality Protection Special Panel, to carry out modelling work and collect data on the Pearl River Estuary. The information will be used to develop a numerical water quality model and eventually formulate a joint water quality management plan for the estuary.

In the area of monitoring, the EPD conducted marine monitoring method validation and interlaboratory calibration work with the State Oceanic Administration (SOA).

Looking Ahead