ENG-1984 — Page 358

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THE ENVIRONMENT

areas following the lowering of the lead content of petrol sold in Hong Kong from 0.6 to 0.4 grams per litre on January 1, 1983.

Extensive monitoring of solid and semi-solid wastes has been carried out to assist in planning collection and disposal facilities. It is estimated that general waste will increase from the present level of over 6 000 tonnes per day to as much as 9 000 tonnes per day by the end of the decade. The most recent survey shows that in 1983 the main components of municipal wastes were paper (29 per cent by weight), putrescibles (21 per cent), plastics (21 per cent) and rags and cotton (6 per cent), whereas industrial waste comprised mainly paper (19 per cent), plastics (20 per cent), rags and cotton (35 per cent) and wood (10 per cent). The quantities of waste recycled increased in 1984 and the recycled quantities of paper, board and aluminium alone were 25 per cent of the wastes delivered to the incinerators and controlled tips, and thus helped significantly to reduce the amount of wastes requiring disposal.

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A growing awareness among industrialists concerning the proper disposal of toxic, hazardous and difficult wastes was shown by the number of occasions on which advice was sought from the EPA and the Engineering Development Department on the most suitable disposal method to be employed. About 82 disposal applications were dealt with by the Engineering Development Department in 1984 under interim disposal arrangements.

Monitoring of water quality in the coastal regions of Hong Kong continued throughout the year. The general monitoring programme of the Pollution Control (Liquid and Solid Wastes) Division of the Engineering Development Department, which covers offshore and near-shore sites, provided more useful data. Information on beach water quality was collected both by this programme and by that of the Urban Services Department; all gazetted and some non-gazetted bathing beaches are included. The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department amassed data on the quality of effluents from sewage treatment works around the territory. The Environmental Protection Agency continued intensive monitoring of water quality in Tolo Harbour and Channel, Port Shelter, Junk Bay and many of the territory's streams. This information is used to calibrate and validate the Tolo predictive mathematical model and to provide a data base for future water control zones. It is also used as input to improvement programmes for inland

watercourses.

The general quality of most marine waters is good. Areas of poor water circulation (which include both large semi-enclosed water masses such as Tolo Harbour and Channel and smaller typhoon shelters) cannot, however, accept large pollutant loads and their water quality is in certain instances considered unacceptable. In Tolo, pollutant loads need to be reduced to permit the attainment and maintenance of water quality objectives. In typhoon shelters, pollutant loads need to be reduced at source wherever possible, or palliative measures will be necessary. A review of typhoon shelters, completed by the EPA during the year, proposed that greater attention should be paid to their detailed design in order to improve water movement and to reduce the pollutant loads discharged into them.

Consultation and Collaboration

The Environmental Pollution Advisory Committee (EPCOM) exists to advise the govern- ment on all aspects of pollution in the environment. In particular, the committee helps the Secretary for Health and Welfare to ensure that new pollution control legislation is appropriate and balances the need for environmental improvement against the requirement that industry remains viable and competitive.