Law Compliance and Environmental Risks Management


Law Compliance


All sewage treatment works and relevant new works (Designated Projects) are regulated by Environmental Protection Department (EPD) under the Water Pollution Control Ordinance (WPCO) and the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO) respectively, in addition to other relevant environmental legislations. We directly held 29 discharge licences under the WPCO and 19 various Environmental Permits under the EIA Ordinance.

Percentage Compliance in 2004 for CEPT and Secondary Treatment Plants


To measure performance and to guard against pollution, we have an intensive programme to monitor the quality of discharge at all of the sewage treatment works. Effluent is sampled and tested. Anomalies are immediately identified, reported to EPD and corrective action made. Data are compiled and sent to EPD for reference every month. Some major sewage works such as Shatin, Tai Po, Shek Wu Hui and Sai Kung also have online sensors to monitor TSS, NH3-N, NOx-N of the final effluent.


We thoroughly complied with the EIA Ordinance in 2004. Apart from conducting EIAs, we also adhered to Environmental Monitoring and Audit requirements of EIAO Environmental Permits.   Our contractors had eight convicted environmental offences in 2004, a reduction of 40% from the 14 convicted cases in 2003. Among the eight cases, two related to irregularities in dust control at construction sites, one on construction site drainage and five on noise offence. 

 

We have step up our efforts in site supervision and contractor management with a view to further improving our environmental performance.  Since 2004, we have launched a "Construction Site Housekeeping Award Scheme" to promote cleanliness, tidiness and good hygiene of our construction sites and to give recognition to contractors for their achievement in performing outstandingly in these respects. Our project and site staff holds regular site safety and environmental meetings with the contractors to promote and reinforce the contractors' awareness in environmental protection. We are committed to environmental protection and we will take regulating action against contractors with poor environmental protection records.

Management of Environmental Risks


Due to the polluting nature of sewage, we recognise the potential threat of sewage overflows upon bathing beaches, the sea or even in the street. We keep ourselves ready  to respond immediately  to overflow of sewage from anywhere in the sewerage system or the sewage treatment works. Contingency Plans are drawn up for individual sewage treatment works and major pumping stations. Guidelines for classification, response and reporting of sewage bypass are agreed with the environmental authority and communicated to all relevant offices. The line of communication with the environmental authority is also well defined and the telephone list regularly updated.

Risks can be minimised by planned inspection, desilting, proactive repairs and upgrading in order to ensure our systems are in proper working conditions . In 2004, 627 km of sewer were cleansed, 4956 m3 of silt were removed from sewers.