XN000022-1996-11-20 — Page 53

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Wastewater samples from hotels

Following is a question by the Hon Howard Young and a written reply by the Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands, Mr Bowen Leung, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

Regarding the collection of wastewater samples from hotels by the Environment Protection Department (EPD) for the purpose of obtaining information that is needed in determining the rate of trade effluent surcharge, will the Government inform this Council:

Reply:

(a)

(b)

Mr President,

of the criteria adopted by the EPD for selecting the location of the wastewater outlet in hotel premises for taking wastewater samples; and

whether the Government will consider allowing hotels to connect different wastewater outlets to a single outlet so that a joint sample reading of the different categorics of wastewater can be taken?

I have to clarify at the outset that the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) collects wastewater samples from hotels for the purpose of enforcing the Water Pollution Control Ordinance (WPCO), and not for determining the Trade Effluent Surcharge (TES) which is handled by the Drainage Services Department. Samples taken by EPD are used to assess the instantaneous quality of the wastewater discharge and monitor compliance with the conditions of the discharge licence issued under the WPCO. The samples cannot be used by the Drainage Authority (DSD) for purposes related to the TES scheme because they may not conform to the requirements of the Technical Memorandum promulgated under the Sewage Services Ordinance, which requires composite samples collected over a longer period, whereas samples taken for enforcing the WPCO are grab samples.