Lantau Fixed Crossing
Routine water quality monitoring was undertaken to observe marine water pollution due to dredging and dumping activities of the construction. Fish farms nearby are sensitive receivers and vulnerable to be impacted. A complaint was filed from the fisherman association claiming fish kills during 1995. According to our monthly environmental monitoring and audit reports, there was no major marine work in the vicinity during the period. From the review of trend analysis, there was no evidence for a deteriorating aquatic environment that would lead to fish kills. The request for compensation was turned down.
Fish farms to the north of Ma Wan
Water quality assessment at the fish farms
The Lantau Fixed Crossing is a major programme of projects to build a series of roads, bridges and viaducts to link the urban area from Kowloon to Lantau Island through Ma Wan Island. It is a dual 3-lane carriageway and a 2-track rail road with 2 emergency roads. This consists of the 2160m long Tsing Ma suspension bridge (1377m main span), a 502m long viaduct crossing of Ma Wan Island and the 820m long cable staged Kap Shui Mun bridge leading to a toll plaza on Lantau. The construction involved massive earth movement of hillslopes, piling of footings, dredging of bridge foundations and reclamation of land for ground structures.
The construction of Lantau Fixed Crossing
Rotating biological contactor for foul sewage treatment on site
The local fishing village of Ma Wan does not provide sophisticated wastewater treatment for the drastic expansion of work force for the construction on the island. As stipulated in the environmental protection contract conditions, two-package rotating biological contactors to be installed to treat foul effluent from the site offices and workshops prior to discharge into the sea. Furthermore, as routine water quality sampling identified high E. coli counts, chlorination was introduced to ensure water quality compliance.
Local contractors practised open incineration of their construction wastes despite repeated warnings on the burning of wastes such as, timber, plastics, waste oil and tyre. Detailed investigation revealed there was no effective solid waste disposal system in the island of Ma Wan. Through the liaison meetings, the resident environmental staff was asked to request the main contractors to implement a proper solid waste management system, such as, blue skip waste collection. Since then, there is no complaint on open incineration.
Open incineration of construction waste
Implemented blue skip collection method to control unacceptable waste handling and disposal methods
(a) Environmental Project Office (ENPO) in West Kowloon Project Area
(c) North Lantau Expressway
(d) Construction Noise
