The Ombudsman said today (12th) that a direct investigation will be launched to examine the government's enforcement of defective sewerage facilities in New Territories exempted houses (New Territories village houses), including the effectiveness of the existing enforcement and inter-departmental collaboration so that if necessary Make suggestions for improvement to the government.
The Ombudsman Chiu Wai-yin invites public views on the Government's enforcement of defective sewage facilities in exempted buildings in the New Territories.
Members of the public who have any information or comments may submit it in writing to the Office of The Ombudsman on or before June 11.
(Photo by the Information Services Department)
Village houses in the New Territories are generally exempted from construction under the Buildings Ordinance (Applicable to the New Territories) Ordinance, so they are not regulated by some provisions of the Buildings Ordinance. Before construction, they must obtain an exemption certificate issued by the Director of Lands. Exempted items Including drainage works, the certificate also states that the drainage works must comply with the drainage and sanitation requirements for village-type houses.
In rural areas where public sewers are not provided, applicants for the construction of New Territories village houses are required to construct sewage treatment facilities including septic tanks and seepage wells in accordance with this requirement.
At present, the Environmental Protection Department, the FEHD and the Lands Department handle complaints about defective sewage facilities in New Territories village houses in accordance with the Water Pollution Control Ordinance, the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance and the terms of the land lease respectively.
From time to time, the Office of The Ombudsman receives complaints that the enforcement work of the relevant departments is not effective and that it is often necessary to rely on the voluntary corrections made by the relevant village house owners before the problem can be resolved.
The Ombudsman Chiu Wai-yin said that if the sewage facilities in village houses in the New Territories, such as septic tanks, are damaged, they can cause environmental nuisance and pollution, and even spread to nearby rivers, which may also spread diseases.
Repairs and maintenance are the responsibility of individual owners, but the government authorities must also follow up complaints properly and urge village house owners to fulfill their repair and maintenance responsibilities through enforcement actions.
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