An Open Letter to Dr Sarah Liao
Secretary for Environment Transport & Works
Hong Kong SAR Government
23 April 2007
*Speed up the Implementation of Harbour Area Treatment Scheme*
Despite more than 18 years having elapsed since commencement of the Harbour Area Treatment Scheme (HATS, previously named as SSDS), today the project is still far from completion.
In view of the below-standard water quality in Victoria Harbour and the rising expectation for better environmental quality by the general public, we believe it is high time for the government to speed up the implementation of HATS.
Specifically, we urge the government:
1) To comply with the recommendations of the International Review Panel of experts and commence the design and construction of both HATS Stage 2A and 2B without delay;
2) To delink the consideration of sewage charge increase from the investment decision in respect of the HATS project. Whilst we support the "polluter-pays-principle" in general, the current government priority should be an enhanced effort to speed up the construction of HATS and to improve the environment.
The means to improve water quality by using biological treatment is well within our own ability to implement now. A chlorine based enhanced treatment way forward is not the right choice if Hong Kong is to be seen as a leading, international, environmentally responsible city in the 21st Century.
We believe that the early implementation of the HATS project is an example of sustainable infrastructure which should be promoted for the sake of public interest. The public at large and the engineering sector will be fully supportive of a bold decision to restore confidence in Hong Kong's somewhat tarnished reputation as a world-class environmentally sustainable city.
Engineers for Universal Suffrage
Ir Li Yiu-man Ir Alex Lai Ir Lee Chi-ming Ir Ringo Li
Ir Chan Kai-yuen Ir Simon So Ir Albert Lai Ir Ho Kwok-keung |