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Tolo Harbour water quality
Following is a question by Rev the Hon Fung Chi-wood and a written reply by the Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands, Mr Tony Eason, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):
Question:
In his report of October 1994, the Director of Audit pointed out that after the commissioning of the process modification works of the Tai Po Sewage Treatment Works Stage IVA, the actual nitrogen removal rate for 1993 was only 66%, which fell far short of the target rate of 90%. In view of this, will the Government inform this Council:
(a)
(b)
(c)
whether the above removal rate is an indication that no improvement can be made to the water quality in Tolo Harbour;
what further steps will be taken by the Government to improve the water quality in Tolo Harbour; and
what is the present state of water quality in Tolo Harbour?
Reply:
Mr President,
(a)
In fact, the average nitrogen removal rate of the Tai Po Sewage Treatment Works increased to 75% in 1994. The Tai Po Sewage Treatment Works process modification to enhance nitrogen removal is only one of several actions taken under the Tolo Harbour Action Plan to reduce the discharge of nutrients into Tolo Harbour. The key action is to remove the nutrient inputs from the Sha Tin and Tai Po Sewage Treatment Works permanently by exporting the discharges from the two treatment works to Victoria Harbour via the Kai Tak nullah by implementing the Effluent Export Scheme. Construction work for the Scheme is largely complete and the Scheme should be commissioned later this year. Once the Scheme is in operation, nutrient loadings in Tolo Harbour will be greatly reduced and water quality improved. The process modification work was only intended to be an interim measure to reduce nitrogen loading pending completion of the Effluent Export Scheme and has no long-term implications for the water quality of Tolo Harbour.