PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES
131
With the growing concern over environmental pollution, more emphasis was placed on sewage treatment and waste disposal, and the abatement of water pollution. This year saw the completion of four major investigations in these areas by consulting engineers-an investigation into the best method for treating and disposing of sewage from the north-west Kowloon area, a feasibility study on sewage treatment for Sha Tin New Town, a study on stream pollution in the New Territories, and an investigation of the disposal of solid wastes in Hong Kong. The construction of the Shek Wu Hui pilot sewage treatment plant was completed and the plant was being commissioned with a view to carrying out experiments for assessing the suita- bility of various sewage treatment methods under Hong Kong conditions. A temporary sewage treatment plant at Sha Tin New Town was being constructed to meet the needs of the initial stage of development. The first stage of the plant had been completed and was being commissioned. A new submarine outfall off the east end of Wan Chai reclamation was being constructed while a new submarine outfall off the west end was commissioned.
The design of a sewage screening plant and submarine outfall for Aberdeen was in hand, and consulting engineers were assigned to proceed with the design of the interim and permanent sewage treatment plant for Sha Tin New Town. Consulting engineers were also engaged to carry out technical audit and pre-commissioning study for the design and construction of the polystyrene polymerisation plant on Tsing Yi Island.
Monitoring of water quality in local waters was continued to obtain long-term data for the design of new facilities for sewage treatment and disposal, and to establish pollution levels and trends.
The major part of the Shing Mun River training works at Sha Tin was completed and the design of the remaining part was in hand. The first phase of the Jordan nullah extension in Kowloon Bay was also completed, and works in progress included exten- sion and construction of an arterial drain in Chai Wan Reclamation and Kwai Chung, the laying of stormwater drains at Sha Tin and Tuen Mun new towns, and construction of drainage improvement works at On Lok Tsuen, Fanling.
Port Works
On Hong Kong Island 1,100 feet of seawall and a public berth were completed at Kennedy Town. The seawall will protect a reclamation earmarked as a site for a temporary wholesale fruit and vegetable market; the public berth facilitates the landing of fruit and vegetables and other foodstuff from China. Other works completed were 760 feet of seawall and rubble mound at Ah Kung Ngam, and 1,700 feet of sea- wall at Chai Wan. Work continued on the fifth and final stage of the Central reclama- tion scheme. Work started on a salt-water pumphouse at Edinburgh Place which will provide cooling water for the air-conditioning system of Murray Road Car Park and the future Murray Building II.
In Kowloon, work was completed on the breakwaters for the Kowloon Bay Typhoon Shelter and cargo-handling basin, 1,100 feet of seawall for the next stage of the reclamation of Kowloon Bay, a salt-water pumphouse off the airport runway