XN000022-1993-06-09 — Page 36

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 1993

THE SCHEME INCLUDES THE INTERCEPTION OF THE POLLUTED SURFACE DISCHARGES INTO KOWLOON BAY, THE UPGRADING OF EXISTING

SEWERS, THE PROVISION OF NEW SEWERS, AND THE REDIRECTION OF MANY INCORRECT CONNECTIONS BACK TO THE SEWERAGE SYSTEM.

"THE FIRST STAGE OF THE SEWERAGE SCHEME WILL BE COMPLETED IN 1995 AND THE SECOND IN 1997," HE SAID.

UNDER CURRENT PLANS, ALL COLLECTED SEWAGE WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE AREA TO A CENTRAL TREATMENT WORKS TO BE PROVIDED ON STONECUTTERS ISLAND UNDER STAGE I OF THE STRATEGIC SEWAGE DISPOSAL SCHEME IN 1997, HE SAID.

MR BASON SAID IN THE INTERIM THE FOLLOWING MEASURES MAY HELP IMPROVE WATER QUALITY IN KOWLOON BAY:

* AN INCREASE IN THE FREQUENCY OF DESILTING OF THE ΚΑΙ TAK

NULLAH BY THE DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT; AND

FLUSHING EFFECT ON THE KOWLOON BAY THROUGH THE HARBOUR EFFLUENT EXPORT

* DELIVERY OF HIGH QUALITY TREATED EFFLUENTS FROM SHA TIN AND

LATER FROM TAI PO TO PROVIDE A RELATIVELY STAGNANT WATER IN PHASED COMMISSIONING OF THE TOLO SCHEME, STARTING FROM SEPTEMBER.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT RECEIVED TWO COMPLAINTS IN 1990 AND ONE LAST YEAR, ́AND HAS RECEIVED ONE SO FAR THIS YEAR.

THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE HAS NOT COMPLAINTS IN THE PAST THREE YEARS.

0

RECEIVED

ANY

GOVT HELPS EXPORTERS MEET ENVIRONMENT STANDARDS

*

THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN MONITORING CLOSELY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION LEGISLATION AND STANDARDS ADOPTED BY OVERSEAS MARKETS THEIR IMPACT ON HONG KONG'S EXPORTS, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE INDUSTRY, MR TH CHAU, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

AND AND

IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HUANG CHEN-YA, MR CHAU SAID 30 FAR THE GOVERNMENT WAS NOT AWARE THAT ANY LOCAL MANUFACTURER OR TRADER HAD ENCOUNTERED DIFFICULTIES IN MEETING

THESE STANDARDS.

MR CHAU NOTED THAT THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT PROVIDED LOCAL MANUFACTURERS AND TRADERS WITH ADVICE AND INFORMATION ON NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL PRODUCT STANDARDS RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION,

ALSO THE DEPARTMENT HAS COMMISSIONED A CONSULTANCY STUDY WHICH EXAMINES THE POTENTIAL. EFFECTS OF OVERSEAS ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION AND STANDARDS ON THE INDUSTRY.

/"PRELIMINARY INDICATIONS