Following is a question by the Hon Lee Wing-tat and a written reply by the Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works, Dr Sarah Liao, at the Legislative Council meeting today (June 29) :
Question:
On the reduction of effluent discharge, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) whether it has set a specific target on the volume of effluent discharge to be reduced;
(b) whether it will encourage the public to reduce effluent discharge; if so, of the relevant policies and measures; and
(c) of the percentage of flushing cisterns installed in public toilets which are capable of operating at different discharge capacities, as well as the measures in place to encourage the installation of more flushing cisterns with such a feature?
Reply:
Madam President,
To effectively reduce effluent discharge, one should start with water conservation. In this year's Policy Address, the Government announces that a Total Water Management policy be implemented to encourage the public to conserve water and protect water resources. The Government also seeks to achieve the policy objective of reducing effluent discharge by levying sewage charges in accordance with the polluter-pays principle, which can convey to the public the message that the costs of sewage treatment are high.
Before setting specific targets on the volume of effluent discharge to be reduced, we should formulate a long term strategy for the Total Water Management Programme (the Programme). On the front of reusing treated effluent, the Government will commission a pilot scheme at the Ngong Ping Sewage Treatment Works on Lantau Island at the end of this year and another at the Shek Wu Hui Sewage Treatment Works in North District in the middle of next year. At the same time, we will commence a two-year study in the fourth quarter of this year to explore water conservation measures and options for protecting water resources. The effectiveness of various pilot schemes will also be reviewed under the study to help us devise a long term strategy for the Programme.
Wide public support is crucial to the success of water conservation measures. We have been promoting public awareness of the benefits of water conservation through education and promotional activities, including the production of Announcement of Public Interests, promotional messages, publications, leaflets, posters and stickers.
We have also introduced a tiered charging regime to encourage domestic households to save water. In line with the polluter-pays principle, we also levy sewage charges on domestic households and the relevant trades as our two-prong approach to encourage the public to save water and to reduce effluent discharge.
The flushing cisterns capable of operating at different discharge capacities are mainly those of the valve-type design. In light of their greater reliability against leakage, the Government has since October 2000 permitted the using of the valve-type flushing devices with dual flush (a choice between "full-flush" or "half-flush") mechanism in parallel with the traditional valveless syphonic cisterns. According to the Waterworks Regulations, flushing cisterns of the valveless syphonic type shall be capable of giving a flush of not more than 15 litres of water. However, upon testing of the valve-type cisterns and considering overseas experience and views from local stakeholders, the Government came to the conclusion that the maximum flushing volume for valve-type cisterns could be reduced to not more than 7.5 litres provided that the water closet matches with the cistern design. In doing so, we could fully exploit the water saving feature of the valve-type cisterns as well as achieving the objective of reducing effluent discharge. At present, there are over 40 designs of valve-type flushing devices suitable for use in the environment of Hong Kong with proven results, details of which have been uploaded to the website of the Water Services Department for reference of the public and professionals.
As there is quite a large number of public toilets all over the territory, the Government does not possess detailed records showing the percentage of toilets installed with such flushing cisterns. However, the Architectural Services Department has already installed flushing cisterns capable of operating at different discharge capacities at around 60% of the new public facilities built in 2004. Such devices cannot be installed at the rest of the facilities as the water closets are generally of the squatting type. At the same time, the industry estimates that as much as 70% of the newly-built private commercial buildings and shopping centres have installed the valve type flushing devices. Existing buildings also tend to install such devices when their flushing systems are replaced.
We will continue to promote the use of water-saving flushing system through education and promotional activities.
End/Wednesday, June 29, 2005
NNNN