EFFLUENT CONTROL - THE HONG-KONG APPROACH

Water pollution has existed for many years in Hong Kong, but the Gover nment's strategy for pollution control is now beginning to take effect . The strategy includes planning legislation, and the provision of sew age-disposal systems. In the past, the main thrust has been against tr aditional pollutants measured by BOD, suspended solids and various nut rients, but as these are brought under control, attention will be give n to the need to control toxic pollutants. The existing policy and leg islation does not deal with toxic pollutants well, and past work on to xic substances in Hong;Kong has concentrated on individual chemicals. The Environmental Protection Department is now seeking to (a) develop ecotoxicological expertise to identify toxicant pathways in the enviro nment, (b) introduce mater-quality objectives for toxic substances whi ch it can monitor effectively and (c) improve standards for effluent c ontrol.