ENG-2005 — Page 354

304 The Environment

Marine dumping permits allow operations to be carried out only by a vessel equipped with an automatic self-monitoring device. This device tracks all marine dumping operations by recording the position and draught of the vessel, so that the authorities can trace any illegal dumping in a cost-effective manner. Moreover, the department's inspectors operate frequent patrols. There were three prosecutions for illegal dumping offences in 2005.

Monitoring and Investigation

The assessment of progress towards achieving policy goals is one of the EPD's key activities. Its routine monitoring and special investigations form the basis for much of the strategic planning, provision of facilities and statutory controls aimed at improving the environment. The department has 94 sampling stations in the marine waters, including enclosed bays and typhoon shelters, and another 82 stations for inland waters. It also keeps 41 bathing beaches under surveillance.

The current water quality monitoring programme provides a comprehensive record of the chemical, physical and microbiological quality of Hong Kong's waters. The monitoring data is depicted in the annual water quality reports available on the EPD's home page. Information on the latest water quality of the major marine and river stations is also published quarterly on the home page. As the public are usually more interested in the latest water quality grades of bathing beaches, such details are issued on a weekly basis to the media and frequently updated on the department's website.

Government Laboratory

The Government Laboratory supports the enforcement of environmental protection legislation and the implementation of various environmental programmes through comprehensive analytical and advisory services. In 2005, the laboratory performed 227 732 tests on environmental samples including air, water, sediment, biota and waste samples, and provided a large volume of useful data for environmental programmes such as background monitoring, special studies and investigation of illegal discharges. The laboratory's commitment to protecting the environment is further exemplified by providing round-the-clock support in the handling of emergencies involving chemical spills or suspected emission of noxious and irritant gas. As part of air quality management, vehicular diesel fuel and unleaded petrol are also routinely tested against legal requirements.

The laboratory has continued to offer technical support to the EPD on a number of special study projects, particularly those on dioxin such as the monitoring of dioxin emissions from the Chemical Waste Treatment Centre during the incineration of dioxin-contaminated residues, the study of air quality at Discovery Bay, Penny's Bay and landfill sites, and the measurement of dioxin levels in fly ash samples collected from crematories. The laboratory has also contributed to the EPD's environmental impact studies and ad hoc projects including the analysis of environmental impact studies and the analysis of environmental samples for organic pollutants under the Toxic Substances Monitoring Programme, which keeps toxic substances in the marine environment under close surveillance. The test parameters include dioxins,