The Civil Engineering & Development Department has rejected claims reclamation at Penny's Bay may be hurting water quality in the Cheung Sha Wan Fish Culture Zone.

It said there is no direct evidence linking the works with water deterioration there. An interdepartmental working group has also ruled that ex-gratia allowances will not be granted to mariculturists.

The department said suspended solid levels in water at Penny's Bay, Peng Chau and Hei Ling Chau is low, ranging from 5.7 to 12.5 mg/litre at mid-ebb tide. There is also no sign of southbound dispersion of suspended solids from the reclamation site to the fish culture zone.

There are 11 water quality stations from Penny's Bay reclamation area to Cheung Sha Wan. Out of 869 water samples collected in October, there was only a single exceedance of the specified limit.

The department said to minimise the impact on the ambient water quality, all works have been executed in compliance with environmental requirements.