Following is a question by the Hon Ho Chung-wai and a written reply by the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr York Chow, (in the absence of Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works) at the Legislative Council meeting today (May 17) :
Question:
It has been reported that the Government is currently conducting studies on the recycling of water which has been used for washing or flushing into "reclaimed water" after treatment by microfiltration or reverse osmosis. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) although there is an international trend of using "reclaimed water" for industrial and agricultural purposes, the scale of Hong Kong's agricultural industry is not large and the majority of its industrial production facilities have been relocated to the Mainland, whether the authorities have assessed how "reclaimed water" should be used in Hong Kong; if so, of the assessment results;
(b) of the measures to remove the public's psychological obstacles in using (or even consuming) "reclaimed water" in their daily lives, so that they will feel at ease in using "reclaimed water"; and
(c) whether it has assessed if the local demand for Dongjiang water will be reduced as a result of the widespread use of "reclaimed water" in Hong Kong; if so, of the assessment results?
Reply:
Madam President,
(a) Presently, the Government is conducting a pilot scheme on the use of reclaimed water. The Ngong Ping Sewage Treatment Works in Lantau came into operation this March and the reclaimed water produced is used for flushing in public toilets nearby and non-potable uses such as controlled irrigation and rearing ornamental fish inside the facility. The Government will carry out another pilot scheme in Shek Wu Hui, North District at the end of this year, which will further expand the pilot scheme on the use of reclaimed water.
Based on the experiences accumulated from operating the pilot schemes, we will assess various aspects of the schemes including technology, administration, cost-effectiveness and acceptance by the public, with a view to studying the possibility of wider use of reclaimed water. Meanwhile, we are conducting a strategic study on "Total Water Management". By drawing on the water management experiences around the world and in light of the actual needs of the local community, we aim to formulate a long-term water management strategy and implementation plan for Hong Kong that is both sustainable and cost-effective. The Study will cover the future development of reclaimed water in Hong Kong and is expected to be completed in the latter half of next year. As such, the Government has no definite plan on the use of reclaimed water at this stage.
(b) The above pilot scheme does not cover using reclaimed water for consumption. At present, the Government has no such plan either. Public recognition and acceptance are required if reclaimed water is to be used in our daily lives. We will include studying the water quality standards for reclaimed water and the feasible options that are applicable to Hong Kong, under the current strategic study on "Total Water Management". We will also collect public views on this issue and enrich their knowledge on reclaimed water through education initiatives and publicity programmes.
(c) The "Total Water Management" Strategic Study, now underway, will also examine the applicability of various water resources (including seawater desalination and reclaimed water) to Hong Kong, their cost effectiveness and their share of the total local water consumption in the long term. As the Study is still in progress, it is too early to say if reclaimed water can reduce our demand for Dongjiang water.
End/Wednesday, May 17, 2006
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