ENG-1982 — Page 313

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THE ENVIRONMENT

and operational evaluations. The composting plant at Chai Wan processed about 116 500 tonnes of waste which was disposed of primarily at controlled tips.

Studies have commenced into the transfer and transportation of waste which will need to be taken to more remote sites as controlled tips in the urban area are completed and the processing plants become obsolete. A survey of the quantity and composition of toxic, hazardous and difficult wastes has been carried out and an outline design of an industrial waste treatment plant produced. Medical and animal carcase wastes have also been examined and recommendations made to increase the efficiency of the use of existing incineration facilities and to construct new specialist incinerators.

Consideration is being given to the introduction of a service for the collection of agricultural wastes in Lam Tsuen and Kau Lung Hang where disposal of pig and poultry wastes was causing serious water pollution in the streams and in Tolo Harbour. In addition, separate trial schemes at Hung Shui Kiu and Ta Kwu Ling continued. During the year, some 3 085 tonnes of agricultural waste were collected for disposal. A range of options for final disposal of agricultural waste was prepared.

Noise Pollution

Under the Summary Offences Ordinance it is an offence to make noise calculated to disturb public tranquillity between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. This legislation also provides for the control of construction noise between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. every day, and all day on Sundays and public holidays.

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The Director of Engineering Development is authorised, under the Summary Offences (Permitted Work) Regulations, to issue and renew permitted work permits to allow

other than for piling contractors to use powered mechanical equipment

during otherwise prohibited hours. In general, the issue of such permits is carried out in accordance with a non-statutory set of guiding principles which take into account the sensitivity of the area surrounding the site, the nature of the work, the type of equipment used and the times of operation. Exemptions for cases involving piling and important projects in the public interest where noise implications cannot be easily resolved require an order made by the Governor-in-Council.

Under the Public Health and Urban Services Ordinance, the Urban Council and the Urban Services Department are the authorities, for the urban areas and the New Territories respectively, for the control of noise nuisance caused by air-conditioning and ventilating systems. A total of 359 complaints was received and investigated, and these led to the issue of 131 abatement notices and two prosecutions.

Government Laboratory

During the year, the Environmental Science Section of the Government Laboratory provided support services for programmes of the Environmental Protection Agency and other organisations. The laboratory also carried out chemical services involving testing and consulting work for many government departments and for the private sector. These included dangerous goods and pesticide residues analyses, determinations of traces of noxious metals in paints and other materials, and scientific work for the Consumer Council.

Conservation and Countryside Management

Hong Kong's hilly topography has ensured the survival of a relatively large expanse of countryside, much of which is scenically very attractive. Steep and rugged slopes rise from sea-level to 600 and 900 metres and feature rocky crags, wooded ravines with rushing