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Seven closed beaches in Tsuen Wan, namely Anglers', Approach, Casam, Gemini, Hoi Mei Wan, Lido and Ting Kau Beaches, have shown significant improvement in water quality and met the standard for bathing, according to water quality monitoring tests carried out during the bathing season (March to October, 2010).
The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) has been closely monitoring the water quality of the seven closed beaches in Tsuen Wan.
"The water quality of the seven beaches has improved by about 70% on average following the implementation of various measures. The results of the eight-month monitoring show that all seven beaches comply with the Water Quality Objective (WQO) for bathing beaches," an EPD spokesman said today (November 2).
To improve the beach water quality, the Government has implemented various measures. These include the completion of the Sham Tseng Sewage Treatment Works and a local sewerage network along Castle Peak Road to receive wastewater from local residents for proper treatment; also, the introduction of Advance Disinfection Facilities (ADF) under Stage 2A of Harbour Area Treatment Scheme (HATS). The ADF came into operation in March 2010.
"With the above measures in place and compliance with the WQO, we now consider the water quality of the seven closed beaches suitable for bathing," the spokesman said.
The Government will finalise the plans for re-opening the beaches in phases and discuss with the relevant District Council.
Upon full implementation of Stage 2A of HATS in 2014, facilities will treat the remaining untreated sewage (about 450,000 cubic metres a day) discharged from Hong Kong Island. This will further improve the harbour's water quality and also benefit the Tsuen Wan beaches.
Details of the water monitoring results of the Tsuen Wan beaches are available at the EPD's website (www.epd.gov.hk).
Ends/Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Issued at HKT 18:21
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