Hong Kong Harbor Cleanup

Following concerns about a 3-phase plan commissioned by the Environmental Protection Department and designed in 1989 for the collection, treatment and disposal of wastewater in Hong Kong, a consultant was contracted to review the environmental benefits of higher levels of treatment, alternative outfall locations and costs. The original plan, the consultant's report and the recommendations of an International Review Panel which was set up to review the report, are discussed. The panel's recommendations include chemically enhanced primary treatment, disinfection combined with adequate pre-treatment, nitrogen removal at a suitably located permanent outfall, design flexibility for future treatment needs and a pilot plant study of chemically enhanced primary treatment to optimize dosages. Construction of Stage 1 began in 1995 and the pilot plant study was completed in October 1996.