XN000022-1995-03-01 — Page 63

52

-

(b)

(c)

The measures taken by Government to improve the water quality of Tolo Harbour are co-ordinated under the Tolo Harbour Action Plan. This comprises, in addition to the process modification works and Effluent Export Scheme, provision of village sewerage, transfer of water treatment works sludge to Sha Tin Sewage Treatment Works for marine disposal, and implementation of the Water Pollution Control Ordinance and the Livestock Waste Control Scheme including the banning of livestock keeping in new towns. Many of these measures have either been completed or are being implemented. With the planned completion of the two key measures, i.e. the Effluent Export Scheme later this year and the provision of village sewerage to unsewered areas in Sha Tin and Tai Po next year, water quality will gradually improve after 1996.

While the Action Plan has prevented further decline in the water quality, major improvement will not be achieved until the remaining two key measures, i.e. the export of treated effluent to Victoria Harbour and the provision of village sewerage in unsewered areas, have been fully implemented. The waters of the Tolo Harbour continue to suffer from high nutrient levels and low dissolved oxygen in the lower layer of the water. While there has been a reduction in the number of algal blooms since 1988, there have been no other significant improvements in the last three years.

End/Wednesday, March 1, 1995

Hong Kong/Taiwan air services

Following is a question by the Hon Henry Tang Ying-yen and a written reply by the Secretary for Economic Services, Mr Gordon Siu, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

With regard to air traffic between the territory and Taiwan, will the Government inform this Council of: