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Sewerage scheme recommended for environmental improvements

Implementation of the proposed Ting Kau and Sham Tseng Sewerage Scheme will improve the environment in the area, according to an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Study commissioned by the Drainage Services Department (DSD).

One of the improvements would be the removal of the pollution significantly from the adjacent coastal waters, a spokesman for the DSD said today (Sunday).

"The current pollution includes effluent from industrial and commercial sources and a population of about 30,000 people. With the commissioning of the treatment works under the Scheme, the resulting water quality at the beaches will improve," he said.

Other benefits include improved sanitation to the local village and removal of the public health hazards and odour nuisance from the nullah.

"An ecologically better environment will be achieved with improved water quality in the local beaches in Tsuen Wan west area," the spokesman said.

The EIA Study concludes that it will be possible to construct and operate the scheme within the guidelines set for acceptable environmental conditions provided that careful note is taken of environmental impacts throughout the design.

"According to the findings, the proposed environmental improvement scheme can be constructed and operated with minimal impact on the surroundings," he said.

The proposed Ting Kau and Sham Tseng Sewerage Scheme was recommended under the Tsuen Wan, Kwai Chung and Tsing Yi Sewerage Master Plan Study commissioned in 1989. It comprises the construction of sewerage and pumping stations at Ting Kau and construction of sewerage, sewage Treatment works and disposal facilities at Sham Tseng,

The sewage treatment works are expected to start this year for completion in late 1999.

For those who are interested in viewing the EIA Report and its Executive Summary, limited copies are now available free on a first-come-first-served basis at the DSD office, Room 4213, Revenue Tower, Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong.

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