EPD ensures water quality for 15th National Games triathlon competition and Cross Harbour Race (with photos)
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A spokesman for the EPD said today (November 21) that the 15th National Games triathlon competition was successfully held November 15 and 16 at the Central Harbourfront Event Space and Victoria Harbour, with beautiful scenery and excellent water quality in full compliance with the water quality requirements for the triathlon competition, underscoring the effectiveness of the EPD's efforts in water quality improvement and management. In preparation for the Cross Harbour Race to be held tomorrow (November 22), the department continues to strengthen relevant measures to ensure the event proceeds smoothly in a clean and high-quality water environment.
As the core area of Hong Kong, Victoria Harbour once suffered from poor water quality due to sewage discharge caused by rapid population growth and commercial activities. To restore the harbour's cleanliness, the Government launched in 2001 the largest environmental infrastructure project in Hong Kong's history - the Harbour Area Treatment Scheme (HATS). The project comprised construction of deep tunnels conveying the sewage generated from both sides of the harbour to the Stonecutters Island Sewage Treatment Works for centralised chemically enhanced primary treatment and disinfection before discharge. Following the full operation of HATS in late 2015, sewage from both sides of the harbour has been properly treated. This has resulted in a significant reduction in pollutants in the harbour, including reduction of E. coli levels by more than 90 per cent. In recent years, the overall Water Quality Objectives compliance rate for Victoria Harbour has increased to over 90 per cent.
In addition to HATS, the Government has also taken vigorous actions to resolve near-shore pollution problems. In recent years, efforts have been stepped up to investigate sewer misconnections along different districts of Victoria Harbour, and undertook rapid repairs of ageing sewers and rectification of misconnections. Through interdepartmental collaboration, as at the end of 2024, the overall pollution load at highly polluted stormwater drainage outfalls along the harbour, including in areas such as Tsuen Wan, Sham Shui Po and Kowloon City, had been reduced by about 87 per cent, surpassing the key performance indicator set in the 2022 Policy Address, which aimed to reduce by half the pollution load at stormwater drainage outfalls with serious pollution problems on both sides of Victoria Harbour by the end of 2024.
The Cross Harbour Race, suspended since 1979 due to poor water quality, was resumed in 2011 and returned to the central part of Victoria Harbour in 2017. In recent years, the harbour's water quality has remained good and stable, allowing the 2024 World Triathlon Cup - Hong Kong, the 2024 Asia Triathlon U15 & Youth Championships, Asia Cup Hong Kong, and the 2025 Asia Triathlon Sprint Championships Hong Kong to be successfully staged at the Central and Wan Chai promenade.
In readiness for national and international mega events, a cross-departmental government team, including the EPD, undertook preparations a year ahead of the official competitions. Measures included enhanced monitoring of the water quality of the racecourse in the harbour and collecting seawater samples for testing of important water quality parameters. For effective planning and implementation of various pollution interception and water quality improvement measures, the EPD also proactively used advanced smart technologies (including the new generation of a 3D hydrodynamic and water quality model) and analysed the latest weather data to simulate and predict the detailed water quality and hydrological conditions of the racecourse during race events. Meanwhile, the EPD, Drainage Services Department and Buildings Department have been promptly rectifing ageing public sewer and sewer misconnections. Various sewage interception and odour mitigation measures have been implemented along the Central and Wan Chai harbourfront. The EPD has been conducting comprehensive pollution investigations in various districts along the shoreline for intercepting pollutants at sources from entering Victoria Harbour. From 2022 up to October 2025, about 1 700 expedient connection surveys were carried out in the major catchments of the Central and Wan Chai harbourfront. In addition, over 4 500 manholes were inspected and more than 1 100 water samples were analysed. Monitoring instruments have been employed to proactively track odour levels at the harbourfront. Working with the Marine Department, the EPD strengthened monitoring of harbour cleanliness and stepped up the removal of floating refuse, ensuring that race events took place in excellent water quality and a clean environment. Over the past year, repeated sampling tests have confirmed that Victoria Harbour's water quality fully met the stringent standards required for the 15th National Games triathlon competition.
"Athletes in the 15th National Games triathlon competition and the Cross Harbour Race competing with confidence in Victoria Harbour is the clearest recognition of Hong Kong's water quality improvements by both athletes and the public. The successful staging of these two major sporting events in excellent water quality and a clean environment also stands as a testament to the Government's untiring efforts in water quality enhancement. The EPD will continue to work closely with relevant departments to advance sewage infrastructure, strengthen pollution control, and implement improvement measures, ensuring the ongoing protection and enhancement of the water quality of Victoria Harbour. These efforts will enable more water sports to be safely held in this world-class harbour and waters nearby, offering Hong Kong people a better living environment and leisure experience," the spokesperson added.
Ends/Friday, November 21, 2025
Issued at HKT 15:40
Issued at HKT 15:40
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