Stream Pollution in Hong Kong—An Appraisal

Abstract

Many of the lowland streams of Hong Kong are grossly polluted, and most are polluted to some extent. This Situation has been allowed to develop, despite warnings to the Government as far back as 1968—mainly because, although legislation existed to control effluent discharges into streams, it was spread in at least fifteen different Ordinances and was seldom enforced. New legislation is now being enacted, but it is questionable whether or not this legislation will be any more effective than was the old.In the short term, stream pollution is destined to become even worse than it is at present, and there are conflicting views as to the long-term prospects for Hong Kong streams. The optimistic foresee gradual improvement after an initial five-years' period of legislative machinery and Government expenditure. The less-optimistic foresee little relief in terms of industrial effluent discharges unless Government policy towards existing dischargers is changed, little relief also in terms of agricultural discharges unless drastic steps are taken to curb them or effectively treat their effluents, and merely a shifting of the problems of sewage discharges from the streams to the sea via partial treatment facilities.