1
Speaking Note
The Hong Kong Government is greatly concerned about water pollution in Hong Kong. With the objective of protecting the marine environment the Water Pollution Control (Ordinance)
Cap 358 was passed in 1980 and the Water Pollution Control
(Tolo Harbour and Channel Water Control Zone) Order was made in
1986. Other legislation to control the disposal of waste and
toxic materials is also well advanced.
2.
Under the above Order, the Tolo Harbour and channel
were declared as Hong Kong's first water quality control zone.
The water in the harbour and the channel is already highly
polluted. Unless urgent steps are taken, the water quality in
Tolo Harbour will become irretrievably damaged.
3.
The Environmental Protection Department have therefore drawn up a package of proposals to protect the harbour and channel. The package includes controlling the disposal of livestock waste, introducing standards for industrial effluent
and the disposal of sludge at sea.
4.
inform the Chinese
We intend to dump
Hong Kong Government would like to authorities of the last of these proposals.
sludge South East of Hong Kong at a point some 15 km east of Waglan Island. The dumping will commence in late 1989 or early 1990 and continue for an initial period of 5 years. The sludge will come from the Shatin sewage treatment works and the Shatin water treatment works. Previously the sludge has been disposed
of at landfill sites and into the sewers.
CONFIDENTIAL