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Press
Release
Two-year
study on water quality in Victoria Harbour
Government
efforts to improve the water quality in Victoria Harbour took
an important step forward today (November 29) with the signing
of an agreement for a two-year intensive study that will point
the way toward combating Hong Kong's marine pollution.
The study
will investigate the environmental and engineering feasibility
of four different options, put forward by an international
panel of experts in November last year, for collecting and
treating sewage generated in the harbour area.
At the
conclusion of the study period, a consolidated report will
be produced on the pros and cons of each option and its feasibility.
The Government will then conduct a public consultation before
selecting the most suitable method to adopt.
Speaking
after the contract signing, between the Environmental Protection
Department and consultant Camp Dresser & McKee International
Inc., the Acting Director of Environmental Protection, Mr
Mike Stokoe, said the study would be completed within 24 months
and form a significant part of the Government's overall strategy
to protect and restore Hong Kong's marine environment, "particularly
for the harbour, which is a unique natural asset."
Mr Stokoe
said that in view of the huge investment that the Government
was making to improve water quality in the harbour, it was
vital that a programme of comprehensive testing was carried
out now to determine the preferred way forward.
"As the
public will be consulted on the way forward, the Government
is committed to ensuring there is greater awareness of what
is being done and the progress being made.
"Issues
such as the location of sewage treatment facilities, the effects
of sewage pollution on marine waters, new technologies now
available and the levels of treatment being considered are
important matters for the community," Mr Stokoe said.
He added
that as information on these subjects was often very technical
in nature, progress would be reported in a user-friendly way
under the title "Harbour Water Watch". The "Harbour Water
Watch" will carry a distinctive logo making it easy to identify.
Progress
on the study will be observed by the Harbour Area Treatment
Scheme Monitoring Group chaired by the Secretary for the Environment
and Food, Mrs Lily Yam.
End/Thursday,
November 29, 2001
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