A municipal solid waste management strategy, which outlines ways to handle the problem in the next 10 years, will be issued by year-end, Permanent Secretary for Environment, Transport & Works Keith Kwok says.

Speaking on a radio talk show this morning, Mr Kwok described Hong Kong's solid waste problem as 'acute', as the three local landfills will be full in the next six to 10 years.

He said the strategy will list proposals on waste reduction, separation of domestic waste at source, recycling strategy, and developing a recycling industry.

Mr Kwok pointed out separation of domestic waste at source has been implemented at 180 housing estates, stressing community support and participation is crucial to the success of any measures.

Farm discharge measures

On the water quality of Deep Bay, Mr Kwok said works have been underway to build sewerage systems to link up villages with sewage treatment plants.

He said a point deduction scheme is being worked out to pinpoint the discharge of untreated sewage from farms, and inspections will be stepped up to boost enforcement action. Also, an ex-gratia allowance for farm operators to hand back their licences is in the pipeline.

Turning to Victoria Harbour's water quality, Mr Kwok believed it will be greatly improved by 2013-14 after implementation of the Harbour Area Treatment Scheme Phase 2A.

But he said the public must share the cost of the scheme, which amounts to $8.4 billion, adding the monthly waste discharge fee per household will only rise slightly, from the average of $11 at present to $16 eight years later.

Joint efforts to tackle air pollution

On air pollution, Mr Kwok said Hong Kong and Guangdong authorities have joined hands to trace the sources, set targets, take action and monitor progress.

Both have agreed to reduce different sorts of pollutant discharges in 2010 by 20% to 55% compared to 1997, and a regional air-monitoring network has also been set up.

He pointed out Guangdong has implemented pollutant-reduction measures, such as the installation of sulphur-reduction facilities and the use of natural gas at power plants.

LPG taxis contribute to better air quality

Mr Kwok said locally, the number of black-smoke emission vehicles has dropped 80% over the past five years, which is attributable to the introduction of LPG taxis and regulating the sulphur content of petroleum.

He added as 90% of sulphur dioxide and 50% of suspensed particles come from power plant discharges, a discharge cap has been set in August and local power plants have incorporated installation of sulphur-reduction facilities in their development plans.