Following is a question by the Hon Chan Cho-kwong and a written reply by the Acting Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Miss Diane Wong, in the Legislative Council today (November 11):

Question:

     There are views that with the ongoing development and population growth in Hong Kong's rural areas, comprehensive supporting infrastructure is of paramount importance. However, the sewerage systems in many rural areas are currently still relatively outdated. Some villages still have to rely on septic tanks or old-fashioned methods to treat domestic sewage, which not only poses a threat to the surrounding environmental hygiene and natural water quality, but also hinders the long-term development of rural areas. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) of the current number of villages, village houses or population across the territory that have yet to be connected to public sewerage systems and have to rely on septic tanks; the overall coverage rate of the village sewerage projects taken forward in the past five years; and

(2) in respect of the villages not yet provided with public sewerage systems, whether the authorities will develop a blueprint for comprehensive upgrading in future public works projects or improvement programmes; if so, of the details; given that the authorities are progressively improving these village sewerage systems, whether a clear phased timetable has been drawn up to thoroughly resolve the problem of obsolete sewerage facilities in villages; if so, of the details?

Reply:

President,

     The Government has all along maintained close liaison with the stakeholders, including District Councils, Rural Committees, and village representatives, to plan and expand sewerage infrastructure in an orderly manner, thereby continuously improving the public hygiene environment, as well as the water quality of rivers and coastal waters. In response to the question raised by the Hon Chan Cho-kwong, and having consulted the Development Bureau (DEVB), the consolidated reply is as follows:

(1) At present, sewage from over 94 per cent of Hong Kong's population is properly treated by the public sewerage systems, placing Hong Kong at the forefront of advanced regions worldwide. The Government has been allocating resources to implement the Village Sewerage Programme (the Programme) to progressively provide public sewerage facilities to rural areas and expand the public sewerage collection network, with a view to improving the rural environmental hygiene and enhancing the water quality of rivers and coastal waters. In taking forward village sewerage projects, the Government will take into account a host of factors, including the extent of environment improvement brought about by the projects, village population density, preference of residents, technical feasibility, cost-effectiveness and financial position. The Government is taking forward the relevant preliminary studies, planning and construction works progressively and in a timely manner, having regard to the actual circumstances and priorities, so as to ensure the optimal use of resources. At present, about 586 villages or areas can be included in the Programme.

     As at September 2026, sewerage projects for 319 villages under the Programme with higher resident populations and closer proximity to the public sewerage network have been completed, benefitting around 240 000 residents. Among these, the projects for 60 villages were completed in the past five years, while the relevant projects for another 21 villages are currently in progress.

(2) Taking forward village sewerage projects requires preliminary works involving multiple procedures, including planning, feasibility studies, detailed design, public consultation, gazettal and land resumption. Furthermore, given the complex land ownership issues in some villages, the sewerage proposals and land resumption arrangements must be fully deliberated with relevant stakeholders to reach a consensus before the projects can be taken forward progressively. As such, it is difficult at this stage to formulate a concrete implementation timetable for the remaining rural areas not yet covered by public sewers. The Government will continue to strengthen communication and co-ordination with relevant stakeholders to plan and implement the village sewerage projects in an orderly manner. For villages or areas currently not covered by sewers, residents therein may continue to use on-site sewage treatment facilities, such as septic tanks and soakaway systems (septic tank systems), for sewage treatment. The Environmental Protection Department will continue to promote to the residents concerned the correct usage and proper maintenance of the septic tank systems, ensuing the effective functioning of the facilities and the maintenance of environmental hygiene.

     In addition, infrastructures will be substantially upgraded by the works projects of the new development areas (NDAs) in the Northern Metropolis (NM). These upgraded infrastructures will not only support the NDAs, but also bring about improvements to infrastructures of the nearby villages. To further seize the opportunities of the NM development and promote urban-rural integration in the NM, while carrying out land formation and infrastructure works for the NDAs, the DEVB will connect the sewerage systems of nearby villages, which have not yet been included in the Programme, to the public sewerage system in batches, thus expediting improvements to the living conditions of these villages. The DEVB is finalising the implementation details with relevant departments. At the current stage, priority will be given to approximately 40 to 50 villages located near existing or planned public sewerage networks. As a start, this arrangement will apply to the works projects of Hung Shui Kiu / Ha Tsuen and San Tin Technopole.

Ends/Wednesday, November 11, 2026
Issued at HKT 12:40

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