XN000022-1995-06-21 — Page 50

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On (a), the Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) value, discharge factor and TES rate are stipulated in the law and will be applied fairly to all waste water dischargers who are obliged to pay the TES. The Government cannot therefore reduce or exempt the payment in respect of any particular sector of the community. To do so would violate the Polluter Pays Principle and be unfair to those industries who have agreed to pay. However, it is possible for restaurant operators themselves and indeed all operators subject to the TES to reduce the charge by reducing the amount of pollution they discharge this is in accordance with the Polluter Pays Principle, and not complicated, such as by reducing water consumption; by reducing the strength of their effluent through properly installing and maintaining on-site treatment facilities; and by properly maintaining grease traps. How these measures will help is explained clearly in a simple pamphlet which EPD has made available to restaurant operators since 1993. It is now being redistributed. We have also held several briefings for the restaurant operator representatives. Under the present legislation, operators can also apply for a review of the COD value or the discharge factor applicable to their effluent by producing evidence to the Drainage Authority. Assistance can also be given to restaurant operators for installing treatment facilities. This assistance is available from the Drainage Authority, which operates an enquiry hotline service; from the Environmental Protection Department's Local Control Offices, which give advice on appropriate effluent treatment facilities; including a booklet on properly designing. installing, and maintaining grease traps; from the Industry Department's Development and Support Division, from the Hong Kong Productivity Council, and from the Centre for Environmental Technology.

On (b), the present Sewage Services legislation does not allow for a "grace period". The Ordinance makes it clear that the Drainage Authority has a duty to issue a bill for TES and that the bill must be paid by the consumer or agent.

On (c), which refers to laboratory tests, at a meeting between the Administration and restaurant operators on 16 June 1995, the Administration agreed that the trade could carry out a sampling survey to confirm their COD value and discharge factor of their effluent. The trade was also prepared to fund the survey. Details are still being discussed.

End/Wednesday, June 21, 1995

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