FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 1982
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TOLO HARBOUR WATER QUALITY OBJECTIVES SET OUT
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THE GOVERNMENT'S FIGHT AGAINST WATER POLLUTION TOOK A MAJOR STEP FORWARD TODAY WITH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF WATER QUALITY OBJECTIVES FOR THE TOLO HARBOUR AND CHANNEL WATER CONTROL ZONE, AS SET OUT IN A STATEMENT PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
THE STATEMENT FORMS THE BASIS FOR WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT WITHIN HONG KONG'S FIRST DECLARED WATER CONTROL ZONE.
THE OBJECTIVES DESCRIBE IN DETAIL THE ACCEPTABLE QUALITY OF THE WATER IN THE ZONE IN TERMS OF THE PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE WATER OR LEVELS OF CERTAIN SUBSTANCES WHICH HAVE TO BE MAINTAINED TO PROTECT THE WATERS. THESE RELATE TO AESTHETIC APPEARANCE, BACTERIA, CHLOROPHYLL-A, DISSOLVED OXYGEN, LIGHT PENETRATION, PH, SALINITY, SETTLEABLE MATERIAL, TEMPERATURE AND TOXICANTS.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE ZONE CONSTITUTED A MAJOR NATURAL RESOURCE FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, WITH THE POTENTIAL TO ACCOMMODATE SUBSTANTIAL RESIDENTIAL AND INDUSTRIAL EXPANSION AND TO PROVIDE A SIGNIFICANT RECREATIONAL RESOURCE.
THE BENEFICIAL USES OF THE WATER WHICH THE OBJECTIVES ARE DESIGNED TO SAFEGUARD HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED ACCORDING TO THE THREE SUBZONES OF THE TOLO WATER CONTROL ZONE, AS FOLLOWS1-
TOLO HARBOUR SUBZONE
*
*
MAINTENANCE AND PRESERVATION OF NATURAL AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS AND WILDLIFE.
MAINTENANCE AND PRESERVATION OF FORESHORES, LITTORAL ZONES AND THEIR VEGETATION.
* AESTHETIC ENJOYMENT.
*
BOATING, FISHING AND OTHER SECONDARY CONTACT RECREATION.
* NAVIGATION AND SHIPPING.
* INDUSTRIAL AND DOMESTIC (FLUSHING) WATER SUPPLY.
TOLO BUFFER SUBZONE
(AS FOR TOLO HARBOUR SUBZONE AND IN ADDITION) =
*
PRODUCTION OF FISH, CRUSTACEANS AND SHELLFISH FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION.
* BATHING, DIVING AND OTHER PRIMARY CONTACT RECREATION.
TOLO CHANNEL
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