Inner Harbor to get water pollution control plan this year

A water pollution control and monitoring plan for the Inner Harbor will be introduced later this year, the Marine and Water Bureau (DSAMA) has announced.

The move comes in response to public concerns over sanitation in coastal areas and follows a written inquiry by lawmaker Leong Sun Iok, who highlighted the ongoing accumulation of waste and unpleasant odors along the Inner Harbor’s coastline despite regular inspections by DSAMA.

The written inquiry states that, with typhoon season approaching, the problem in the area is exacerbated by debris and waste being dragged into the waterways.

According to the Environmental Protection Bureau’s annual Environmental Report, the Inner Harbor received a water quality and heavy metal assessment score of 0.03 in both 2023 and 2024.

Meanwhile, the water quality non-metal assessment index was 1.73 in 2023 and rose to 2.01 in 2024, exceeding the standard upper limit of 1.00.

Leong’s written inquiry emphasized that these environmental hazards not only pose significant health risks but also detract from the city’s aesthetic appeal and hinder tourism and integrated urban development plans.

The lawmaker urged the government to adopt efficient, ecological cleaning methods and cited Hong Kong’s use of autonomous robots to collect pollutants as a potential model for technological innovation in marine waste management.

In response, DSAMA director Susana Wong acknowledged the challenges posed by Macau’s unique geographical location on the west coast of the Pearl River Estuary, where currents bring substantial upstream garbage to local shores.

Despite DSAMA’s ongoing efforts – such as daily maritime patrols, waste removal, placement of anti-fouling equipment, and deployment of water containment booms – Wong noted that the Inner Harbor’s complex coastal terrain limits waste removal to manual and boat-based clean-up operations.

Regarding the effectiveness of DSAMA’s water containment barriers, Wong confirmed they have helped reduce waste accumulation in hard-to-reach coastal areas but stated that conditions are not yet suitable for expanding their deployment.

In her response, it was also revealed that the bureau is working on wastewater drainage reorganization and that temporary wastewater treatment facilities are already operational on Avenida Marginal do Lam Mau, with additional facilities near the Inner Harbour (Inner Harbour South) expected to be completed by 2026.