Page 88 of 166
164
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
in Battery Street, the carbon filters are replaced every four months. In other words, they are replaced more frequently than other RCPs. As to whether the height of the exhaust outlet could be higher than the buildings nearby, we have already sought the advice of the Architectural Services Department whose reply is that because of the nature of the site and structural limitation of the RCP, it is not possible to extend the exhaust outlet. However, the Department will be looking at the situation and try to make better improvement. Thank you.
10. MR. DAVID FONG PUI-SHEUNG asked the following question (in Cantonese):-
(a) Since the water in Tai Wan Shan Training Pool is unclear and the water flow from the showers in the male changing room is sluggish, intermittent and small in amount, may I be informed of any improvement to be made by the Council?
(b) The Tai Wan Shan Swimming Pool is not frequented by swimmers as it is inconveniently located and its facilities are primitive. Has the Council therefore considered the installation of leisure equipment there as in Chai Wan and Lei Cheng Uk Swimming Pools in order to attract more swimmers?
MR. RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU, VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in Cantonese):- Mr. Chairman, the question is in two parts. First, it asks what improvement is being made with regard to the unclear water in the Tai Wan Shan Training Pool and what remedial action is being taken to improve the water flow from the showers in the male changing room in this swimming complex. Secondly, it states that the Tai Wan Shan Swimming Pool is not frequented by swimmers as it is inconveniently located and its facilities are primitive. It asks whether consideration has been given by Council to install leisure equipment at this pool so as to increase patronage.
Water quality in all Urban Council Swimming Pools are examined by the Water Authority twice a year, one just before the swimming season when the pools are due to re-open to the public and the other in the peak of the swimming season. Samples of water from the pools are also taken to the Water Authority on a monthly basis during the swimming season for bacteriological test. In addition, water tests are carried out hourly by venue management during the swimming sessions for purposes of ascertaining and maintaining the correct levels of chlorine, acidity, and alkalinity. We are satisfied with the results of the various tests for Tai Wan Shan Swimming Pool. We will continue to monitor the water quality of this and all other Urban Council swimming pools to ensure that it is hygienically safe to swim in them.
As regards the water pressure in the male changing room, the position is that with a view to providing a better service to the public, hot water supply was recently installed in the changing room. However, it was found that the water pressure was inadequate to cope with the additional supply. Remedial action was carried out by the Architectural Services Department in August 1989. Unfortunately, this failed to make any significant improvement to the situation.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
165
In order not to disrupt the service to the public during the peak swimming season, it was decided that repair work would only be undertaken during the pool closure period from November 1989 to March 1990. This will now be undertaken, and it is hoped to complete the improvement work, which will involve replacing existing supply pipes with bigger ones, in time for the next swimming season.
With regard to the usage of Tai Wan Shan Swimming Pool, Members may wish to note that the average usage rate has increased by 13% in public admission this year as compared with last year's attendance figures. This increase can be attributed to the increasing local population, and in particular to the Whampoa Gardens residential development which is within a short walking distance of Tai Wan Shan Swimming Pool.
As for whether the Council should install similar leisure equipment at Tai Wan Shan Swimming Pool to that being considered for Chai Wan and Lei Cheng Uk Swimming Pools, this will be examined by the Council in the context of its overall leisure pool policy. At the last meeting of the Recreation Select Committee, it was agreed that the Council would assess the financial and other implications of providing simple aquatic leisure equipment at Lei Cheng Uk and Chai Wan Swimming Pools together with plans for developing the Hammer Hill site first. Only after that has been done will Council review its position with respect to the possibility of proceeding with further leisure pool projects.
-On
11. MR. CHAN TAK-CHOR asked the following question (in Cantonese):- 31 October 1989, thousands of cockroaches bearing insecticide swarmed onto the street via drainage pipes and window crevices after insecticide had been sprayed in a rice storage in Western District. After that, the dead bodies of these cockroaches were found all over the streets nearby. One would shudder at the sight of it, and the residents in the vicinity complained strongly about this.
I would like to ask the following questions:
(i) This incident is an evident proof that the hygienic condition in the storage is very poor. Are foodstuff storages in Hong Kong within the jurisdiction of the Council? Are these storages inspected regularly?
(ii) Was the said insecticide used in compliance with the current laws of Hong Kong? Will the rice and foodstuff stored in the storage be affected by the insecticide as a result?
(iii) In this incident, thousands of cockroaches fled for their lives, and their dead bodies were found all over the street. This caused a serious nuisance to the residents nearby, and the environmental hygiene of the area was adversely affected. What measures have been taken by the Council in this incident?
MR. TONG KAM-BIU, VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in Cantonese):- Mr. Chairman, the questions concern the inspection of foodstuff storages, the appropriate insecticide used in
Page 88 of 166
164
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL