THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 1986
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REPAIR WORK TO IMPROVE CHIMNEY EMISSIONS
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THE QUALITY OF CHIMNEY EMISSIONS FROM THE KENNEDY TOWN INCINERATORS WILL BE SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVED LATER THIS YEAR WHEN REPAIR WORK AND INSTALLATION OF ADDITIONAL POLLUTION CONTROL EQUIPMENT HAVE BEEN COMPLETED.
THE ENTIRE KENNEDY TOWN INCINERATOR STATION WILL BE EQUIPPED WITH ELECTROSTATIC PRECIPITATORS BY THE END OF SEPTEMBER, WHEN THE CURRENT REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE WORK IS COMPLETED.
+THIS EQUIPMENT WILL SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF THE CHIMNEY EMISSIONS BY REMOVING MOST OF THE DUST AND GRIT CONTENT, THE PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE (POLLUTION), MR IAN HOWARD SAID TODAY.
THE HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH, HE SAID, HAD CARRIED OUT A REVIEW RECENTLY AT THE REQUEST OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD, TO ASSESS THE SCOPE OF REPAIRS NEEDED FOR THE KENNEDY TOWN INCINERATOR STATION AND TO CONSIDER CLOSING THE STATION AT AN EARLY DATE.
+THE INTENTION IS TO MOVE AWAY FROM INCINERATION AND TO MAKE GREATER USE OF SANITARY LANDFILL METHODS FOR THE DISPOSAL OF MUNICIPAL WASTES,+ MR HOWARD SAID.
HOWEVER, HE POINTED OUT THAT THE CHANGEOVER COULD NOT BE ACHIEVED IMMEDIATELY, BECAUSE IT WOULD BE NECESSARY TO COMMISSION NEW LANDFILL SITES AND BUILD URBAN TRANSFER LOADING STATIONS BEFORE THE INCINERATORS COULD BE PHASED OUT.
+CONSULTANTS ARE NOW WORKING ON PLANS FOR A TRANSFER STATION IN KOWLOON AND THE PLANNING FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE KENNEDY TOWN PLANT IS BEING STEPPED UP, HE SAID.
THE PROBLEM ON HONG KONG ISLAND, HE SAID, WAS THAT IT WOULD TAKE MORE THAN TWO-AND-A-HALF YEARS TO DESIGN, LOCATE, BUILD AND COMMISSION ALTERNATIVE FACILITIES FOR HANDLING REFUSE.
HOWEVER, TEMPORARY REPAIRS WOULD NOT LAST MORE THAN TWO-AND- A-HALF YEARS.
AS THE DISPOSAL OF REFUSE WAS AN ESSENTIAL SERVICE WHICH SHOULD NOT BE INTERRUPTED, THE GOVERNMENT HAD DECIDED TO CARRY OUT EXTENSIVE REPAIRS WHICH WOULD ENABLE THE CHIMNEYS TO LAST WELL BEYOND THE PLANNED DATE FOR CLOSURE OF THE INCINERATORS.
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