XN000022-1992-11-26 — Page 15

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1992

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MORE EFFECTIVE CONTROL ON WASTEWATER DISCHARGE

* * * * *

MORE EFFECTIVE CONTROL OVER THE DISCHARGE OF WASTEWATER PROPOSED TO MAKE HONG KONG A CLEANER AND GREENER PLACE TO LIVE IN.

IS

THE

THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL (AMENDMENT) BILL, ΤΟ BE GAZETTED TOMORROW (FRIDAY), SEEKS TO ADD REGULATION-MAKING POWER TO ENABLE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION TO REQUIRE THE CONNECTION OF WASTEWATER TO PUBLIC SEWERAGE AND THE PROPER MAINTENANCE OF PRIVATE WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITIES.

UNDER REGULATIONS TO BE MADE UNDER THE AMENDMENT BILL, PROPERTY OWNERS MAY BE REQUIRED BY SERVICE OF A NOTICE TO CONVEY WASTEWATER TO A TERMINAL MANHOLE.

THE GOVERNMENT MAY THEN CONNECT UP THE MANHOLE TO THE NEW PUBLIC SEWERAGE WHICH IS BEING BUILT IN PHASES TO COLLECT WASTEWATER FOR TREATMENT BEFORE DISPOSAL.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID MOST OF PREMISES IN THE URBAN AREA AND NEW TOWNS WERE PROVIDED WITH TERMINAL MANHOLES. OWNERS OF THESE PROPERTIES WILL UNLIKELY BE AFFECTED BY THE PROPOSED STATUTORY REQUIREMENT.

"IN THE CASE OF SMALL HOUSES LOCATED IN UNSEWERED AREAS, MODIFICATIONS CAN BE MADE TO CONVERT THE EXISTING SEPTIC TANKS TO TERMINAL MANHOLES AT A MODEST COST, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

I

OTHER MAIN PROVISIONS IN THE AMENDMENT BILL ARE AS FOLLOWS:

TREATMENT NOTICE

* OWNERS OF PROPERTY WITH PRIVATE WASTEWATER

FACILITIES IN WATER CONTROL ZONES MAY BE REQUIRED BY то CARRY OUT MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR WORKS TO THEIR TREATMENT FACILITIES. THIS WILL ENSURE THAT PRIVATE TREATMENT FACILITIES ARE PROPERLY MAINTAINED AND WILL NOT CAUSE POLLUTION TO NEARBY STREAMS AND BEACHES.

*

THE PENALTY FOR MAKING ILLEGAL DISCHARGES OF WASTE OR POLLUTING MATTERS IN A WATER CONTROL ZONE WILL BE EXTENDED TO INCLUDE A MAXIMUM OF SIX MONTHS' IMPRISONMENT. THE CURRENT MAXIMUM PENALTY IS A FINE OF $100,000 FOR FIRST CONVICTION, $200,000 FOR SECOND OR SUBSEQUENT CONVICTION PLUS $5,000 FOR EACH DAY DURING WHICH THE OFFENCE HAS

CONTINUED.

A SEPARATE PENALTY PROVISJON WILL BE CREATED FOR THE DISCHARGE OF POISONOUS AND NOXIOUS MATTERS INTO COMMUNAL SEWERS OR DRAINS. THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR THE NEW OFFENCE IS A FINE OF $200,000 AND ONE YEAR IMPRISONMENT FOR FIRST CONVICTION, AND A FINE OF $500,000 AND TWO YEARS' IMPRISONMENT FOR SECOND OR SUBSEQUENT CONVICTION PLUS $20,000 FOR EACH DAY THE OFFENCE HAS CONTINUED.

/* REGULATIONS WILL