XN000022-1997-01-07 — Page 12

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Way forward to complete construction of sewage collection tunnels

The Government has decided to proceed first with completing two of the six sewage collection tunnels taken back from the contractor last month (December) to enable an addition of 25 per cent of the sewage flow to be conveyed to the Stonecutters Island Sewage Treatment Works for treatment at an early date.

A Government spokesman today (Tuesday) said that completion of the two northern tunnels would increase the total sewage flow volume being collected for treatment to 50 per cent of capacity, thereby reducing the amount of pollution in our Harbour and improving our environment.

"After careful consideration of what would be the most appropriate way forward, we have decided to proceed as quickly as possible with all of the necessary preparatory work to enable us to let the contract for and restart the construction of the two northern tunnels," the spokesman said.

"There are sufficient funds in the capital account of the Sewage Services Trading Fund (SSTF) to enable the completion of the two northern tunnels."

He expected that the two northern tunnels could be completed in mid-1999.

"Because of the time required for preparing the tender and contract documents and the tendering procedures for the four remaining tunnels, which are in the Main Harbour, we will not be in a position to award the new construction contract for these works until the second half of 1997."

"The completion of construction of these four tunnels will also require the prior approval by the legislature of additional funding for the Strategic Sewage Disposal Scheme (SSDS) Stage I because the SSTF has insufficient funds available for this purpose," he added.

It might be possible to complete the works on these four tunnels by the end of 1999, if approval of the additional funding can be obtained in the second half of 1997.

"The total sewage flow volume being collected for treatment will be increased to 100% when the four tunnels in the Main Harbour are commissioned," the spokesman said.