Water quality at heavily polluted beaches is expected to reach acceptable standards within 10 years, an environmental official said yesterday.
At present six beaches, all near Sham Tseng, are listed as being in poor condition. Three - Angler's Beach, Approach Beach and Ting Kau Beach - have been closed for five years because of persistently high pollution levels. Patrick Lei Chi-kong, principal environmental protection officer, said a new system would be installed to stop untreated sewage being discharged from squatters in Sham Tseng. A treatment plant is due to be completed by 2005 to improve water quality.
Mr Lei also predicted reclamation work due to be carried out in Sham Tseng for a road project would have only limited impact on the beaches.
