XN000022-1985-05-31 — Page 9

FRIDAY, MAY

+

1985

8

THE REGULATIONS PROVIDE FOR CANCELLATION OF EXEMPTIONS WHERE FALSE INFORMATION HAS BEEN PROVIDED OR WHERE THE LEVEL OR NATURE OF THE DISCHARGE HAS SUBSEQUENTLY INCREASED BEYOND THE ALLOWED LIMIT OR WHERE THE DISCHARGE ITSELF REPRESENTS A THREAT EITHER TO PUBLIC HEALTH OR TO THE PUBLIC SEWERAGE AND DRAINAGE SYSTEM.

UNDER THE DRAFT REGULATIONS, ALL NEW DISCHARGES FROM THE ACTIVITIES ON THE PRESCRIBED LIST WILL HAVE TO BE LICENSED AND APPLICANTS FOR LICENCES WILL BE REQUIRED TO DESCRIBE THE NATURE OF THE PROPOSED DISCHARGES IN THEIR APPLICATIONS.

THE REGULATIONS LAY DOWN PROCEDURES FOR SUBSEQUENT INSPECTION AND MONITORING OF DISCHARGES. THERE IS PROVISION FOR PUBLICATION OF APPLICATIONS FOR PROPOSED DISCHARGES TO ENABLE THE PUBLIC TO NOTE THEM AND TO OBJECT TO THEM.

WHERE PUBLICATION OF THE NATURE OF A DISCHARGE WOULD VIOLATE INDUSTRIAL OR COMMERCIAL SECRECY, APPLICANTS WILL BE ABLE TO SEEK

THE APPROVAL TO WITHHOLD CERTAIN INFORMATION FROM PUBLICATION, SPOKESMAN SAID,

THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THERE WOULD BE APPEAL PROCEDURES AND PROVISION FOR COMPENSATION TO BE PAID IF IT BECOMES NECESSARY TO RESTRICT OR CURTAIL EITHER EXEMPTIONS OR LICENCES.

+RESTRICTION OR CURTAILMENT WOULD ONLY BECOME NECESSARY IF THE STATE OF THE WATERS IN A WATER CONTROL ZONE MADE IT NECESSARY.

+ IN ANY WATER CONTROL ZONE THE QUALITY OF THE WATERS IS MONITORED CONTINUOUSLY AGAINST QUALITY OBJECTIVES WHICH ARE PUBLISHED FOR THAT ZONE AT THE TIME OF ITS DECLARATION,+ HE SAID,

HE NOTED THAT THE REGULATIONS WERE BEING PROPOSED AFTER EXTENSIVE CONSULTATION WITH INDUSTRY. +BUSINESSES ALREADY IN OPERATION WILL NOT BE MUCH AFFECTED ALTHOUGH THEY WILL HAVE TO PROVIDE DETAILS OF THEIR EFFLUENTS SO THAT THE GOVERNMENT CAN ASSESS THE TOTAL POLLUTION LOAD FROM ALL SOURCES,

+THE DETAILED INFORMATION PROVIDED BY EXISTING OPERATORS WILL ENABLE CONTROL TO BE EXERCISED IN A SENSITIVE AND FLEXIBLE WAY.

+IT IS INTENDED THAT SEMINARS WILL BE ORGANISED TO EXPLAIN THE PROVISIONS OF THE REGULATIONS, GUIDANCE NOTES, IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE, ON THE COMPLETION OF THE PRESCRIBED FORMS AS WELL AS ASSISTANCE IN THE COMPLETION OF THOSE FORMS WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED, HE SAID.

HE POINTED OUT THAT AFTER THE ANNOUNCED DATE, PERSONS INTENDING TO LOCATE A BUSINESS WHICH IS INCLUDED IN THE PRESCRIBED LIST OF ACTIVITIES IN A WATER CONTROL ZONE MAY NEED TO EQUIP THE IR PREMISES WITH ADEQUATE DISCHARGE TREATMENT PLANTS.

/ADVICE ON