Joint Statement by Green Groups on Sewage Charge and Harbour Area Treatment Scheme

We wholeheartedly support the application of the polluter pays principle to sewage treatment, in particular to the treatment of harbour sewage under the Harbour Area Treatment Scheme (HATS).

However, we feel that all harbour sewage should be given secondary (biological) treatment, as was recommended by the government-appointed International Review Panel of sewage experts (IRP), and as is the norm in developed countries. Effluent standards in China are now higher than in Hong Kong, and all sewage must now be given at least secondary and in some cases tertiary treatment. Chinese cities (including our neighbours Macau and Shenzhen) are investing in expensive secondary and tertiary sewage treatment schemes. What excuse do we have as China’s most advanced city to make do with second-best and fall short of worldwide best practice? Hong Kong deserves, and can afford, world-class sewage treatment.

We are therefore disappointed that the government will only commit to primary treatment for harbour sewage in Stage 2A of HATS. (Secondary treatment will only come in Stage 2B.)

Since the IRP recommendation in 2000 that all harbour sewage should be given secondary treatment, the government has done virtually nothing in the intervening seven years on the key issue of identifying and setting aside the additional land on Stonecutters Island necessary for the secondary sewage treatment plant. This inaction casts doubt on the government’s good faith and begs the question whether it is truly committed to secondary treatment.

Government is now seeking Legco approval for a 10-year schedule of sewage charge increases, in return for which it will bear the capital costs of Stage 2A, which provides primary treatment only. We oppose to the chlorine disinfection treatment that is being proposed as part of Stage 2A, as being potentially harmful to the marine environment and of little additional sewage treatment benefit.

As for future secondary treatment in HATS Stage 2B, the government will make no commitment apart from a statement that it will “conduct a comprehensive review of the optimal timing of implementing HATS 2B in 2010/11”. To our disappointment, the Government does not commit to a more responsible course of action in biological treatment in Stage 2B.

Legislator, Hon. Audrey Eu Yuet-mee has now moved an amendment to give the government a four-year schedule of sewage charge increases only. This four-year period is timed to coincide with government’s promised review in 2010/2011. After four years, government must return to Legco for further funding, which will be granted in return for clear progress towards Stage 2B and the result of its own report card.

We support amendments to affirm the polluter pays principle, and urge the legislators to take responsibility to exercise Legco’s powers to hold government to account for the commitments that it has made.

WWF Hong Kong		Green Student Council
Green Sense		Conservancy Association