TNAG-1980-FCO40-2813-Pollution-in-Hong-Kong-1989 — Page 37

CONFIDENTIAL

25

mu ch

of the investment in sewage

disposal facilities was the recommendations

3.10

The

treat ment and

basis for

of

a

1971

to

consultant's report

entitled

"Marine

investigation of sewage discharges in Hong Kong". Part of

the $5 billion has been invested in sew erage infrastructure

constructed to service the new towns or as ad hoc additions

the existing sew erage system around Hong Kong harbour.

The latter has grown incrementally, without being subjected

to a comprehensive review, ever since the blueprint for a

system of separate storm water and foul water sewers was

established over 100 years ago.

3

.11

The provision

of

comp le mented

by the control

pri marily through enforce ment

sewage

infrastructure is

of wastewater discharges,

of the provisions of the

One is to

Water Pollution Control Ordinance (WPCO). This Ordinance

aims to achieve three goals through the control of the

quantity and quality of liquid discharges.

protect the health and safety of people working in sewers,

another is to prevent damage to the fabric of sewers and to

avoid disruption by toxic chemicals of the bacteriological

processes that take place in sew age treatment work s.

third goal is to achieve and maintain the Water Quality

Objectives (WQO's) declared under the WPCO. WQO's protect

The

These

which

the beneficial uses of their Water Control Zone.

beneficial us es range from swimming and maricu lture,

require stricter WQO's,

to the less stringent requirements

of typhoon shelters and anchorages.

3.12

The WPCO is currently enforced in two Water

Control Zones: Tolo Harbour and Southern.

CONFIDENTIAL