ENG-1987 — Page 352

THE ENVIRONMENT

295.

Wastewater discharges within Tolo WCZ are to be controlled so as to achieve the Water Quality Objectives.

All new discharges of most categories of industrial effluent and certain domestic wastewaters had to be licensed from April 1, 1987, the so called 'first appointed day' under the ordinance. Conditions in the licence limit the types and quantities of pollutants which may be discharged and specify the discharge location. Effluents will sometimes need treatment to meet the licence conditions. The EPD is responsible for issuing licences and ensuring compliance with the licence conditions. Discharges in existence before the first appointed day are exempt from licence controls and are permitted to increase up to 30 per cent above present levels. Beyond this level a licence will be needed. Through this dual approach, controlling new discharges and permitting existing discharges at current levels, it is intended to arrest deterioration in water quality in the short term and to bring about long-term improvements through the processes of industrial change and renewal.

The effectiveness and impact of the WPCO are being reviewed and it will soon be extended, with whatever changes are found necessary, to the remainder of the territory.

Architectural and engineering drawings of new buildings are submitted to the Buildings and Lands Department for approval under the Buildings Ordinance. Plans which concern drainage or industrial effluents have, since April 1, 1986 been referred to the EPD for advice. These are vetted to ensure that industrial, commercial and residential buildings incorporate facilities to drain polluted effluents to foul sewers or to internal sewage treatment facilities. During 1987, 1 100 such cases were handled by EPD.

Many buildings have in the past been constructed without appropriate drainage, which has resulted in the widespread practice of discharging industrial and commercial wastes directly to surface water drains, not only causing extensive pollution but also under- utilising costly sewage treatment facilities.

In order to check the effectiveness of requirements laid down by the Buildings Ordinance, the EPD began a special survey in 1987 to investigate the performance of over 100 private sewage treatment plants. Some installations, such as those which discharge their effluents directly or indirectly to bathing beaches, will be selected for long term monitoring. Also, investigations of polluting discharges have been carried out throughout the territory in response to complaints and to track down the sources of pollution discovered through routine monitoring. Much of this effort has concentrated on identifying industrial effluents that discharge illegally into surface water drains entering the Tuen Mun and Fo Tan nullahs. In many cases action has been taken against factory owners requiring them to install and use appropriate drainage facilities.

Water quality is further safeguarded by implementation of the Dumping at Sea Act (Overseas Territories Order), which continues in force in Hong Kong for the time being. Anyone wishing to dump waste at sea must first obtain a licence from the Director of Environmental Protection. In 1987, 52 applications were processed. Careful control is exercised over the sort of material that may be dumped, the locations where dumping may take place, and the dumping operations.

Also relevant to the protection of water quality, the Waste Disposal Ordinance, enacted in 1980, provides for the licensing of waste collection contractors and waste disposal facilities. Regulations under this ordinance are being formulated by the EPD for the control of chemical and livestock wastes. Indiscriminate disposal of these categories of waste at present contributes substantially to the pollution of Hong Kong's waters.

In August 1986, the Executive Council approved in principle a 10-year programme for the control of livestock waste. The necessary legislation is contained in the Waste Disposal