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"Design and construction of these facilities in various SMP areas are being progressively implemented," he explained.
The Stanley Sewerage and Sewage Disposal Scheme is one of the early SMP packages.
"Its completion concludes eight years of careful planning, design, co-ordination and construction among consultants, contractors and Government departments," Mr Blake said.
Also speaking at the opening ceremony, the Chairman of the Advisory Council on the Environment, Professor Wang Gungwu, said the successful completion of the project marked an important milestone in the implementation of SMP in Hong Kong.
He noted that although the water quality at most beaches in the southern part of the Hong Kong Island remained good or fair according to the bacteriological water quality studies conducted by the Environmental Protection Department, the Government had decided to take a leading role to protect those beaches before they were threatened by pollutants brought about by development pressure, growing tourism and commercial activities.
"This is done by putting in place comprehensive sewage collection, treatment and disposal facilities.
"Besides, developments in the Stanley and nearby areas will no longer need to operate their small, inefficient sewage package plants.
"Instead, the developments will be sewered, with all sewage collected and treated here -- at the Stanley Sewage Treatment Works before being disposed of by a 2.5-kilometre-long submarine pipeline into the deep sea," Professor Wang said. He said he was especially impressed by the Stanley Underground Sewage Treatment Plant because it was built inside a cavern.
"This is the first of its kind in this part of Asia.
"This innovative design clearly shows the comprehensive approach towards environmental protection undertaken by the Government.
"By locating the sewage treatment plant inside the cavern, people can hardly see it, hear it or even smell it," Professor Wang said.