MONDAY, MARCH 2, 1987
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THE COMMITTEE NOTED THAT THE EXISTING WATER QUALITY IN SEVERAL PARTS OF THE TOLO WCZ DOES NOT AT PRESENT COMPLY WITH THE PROPOSED WATER QUALITY OBJECTIVES AND MONITORING INDICATES THAT AFTER AN IMPROVEMENT IN 1985, THE DOWNWARD TREND IN WATER QUALITY IN TOLO HAS CONTINUED.
THE PROPOSED TOLO HARBOUR ACTION PLAN INCLUDES
* CONTROL OF INDUSTRIAL EFFLUENT DISCHARGES THROUGH
THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE, STARTING APRIL 1 THIS YEAR.
*
*
CONTROL OF INDUSTRIAL EFFLUENT DISCHARGES THROUGH THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE. THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT WILL INVESTIGATE DISCHARGES INTO SURFACE DRAINAGE SYSTEMS AND PASS THE INFORMATION ON ILLEGAL DISCHARGES TO THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE FOR ENFORCEMENT ACTION.
IMPLEMENTATION OF A BAN ON THE KEEPING OF LIVESTOCK IN SHA TIN AND TAI PO NEW TOWNS AND CONTROLS ELSEWHERE IN THE WCZ.
* MAXIMISATION OF THE USE OF THE SECONDARY SEWAGE
TREATMENT FACILITIES IN SHA TIN AND TAI PO TO REDUCE THE DISCHARGE OF POLLUTANTS DIRECTLY TO WATERCOURSES.
* MARINE DISPOSAL OF ALUM SLUDGE FROM SHA TIN WATER
TREATMENT WORKS INSTEAD OF DISCHARGING IT TO THE SHING MUN RIVER,
* INSTALLATION OF SEWER INTERCEPTION AND VILLAGE
TREATMENT PLANTS TO REDUCE THE DIRECT DISCHARGE OF UNTREATED WASTEWATERS FROM UNSEWERED AREAS.
* CONTINUED AND IMPROVED EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES
TO DISCOURAGE USE OF WATERCOURSES FOR WASTE DISPOSAL.
THE COMMITTEE CONSIDERED ALSO THE RELATED MATTER OF WATER QUALITY OBJECTIVES FOR WATERCOURSES IN THE TOLO HARBOUR CONTROL ZONE. IT IS A STATUTORY REQUIREMENT UNDER THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE THAT EPCOM SHOULD BE CONSULTED BEFORE SET OBJECTIVES ARE ISSUED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE.
EPCOM RECOMMENDED SOME STRENGTHENING OF THE OBJECTIVES IN ORDER TO FURTHER SAFEGUARD THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE TOLO AREA.
OTHER TOPICS COVERED BY THE COMMITTEE INCLUDED THE POTENTIAL AGGREGATE THAT EFFECTS A NUMBER OF DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS MIGHT HAVE ON DEEP BAY, AND THE PLANS TO REVIEW THE OVERALL STRATEGY FOR DISPOSAL OF SEWERAGE.
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