Water Resources

A city’s sustainability relies on its water resources. With population, the Pearl River Delta continued to be affected by the rapid development of the economy, increasing population, salinity caused by seawater intrusion. booming visitor arrivals and growing service industries, the overall demand for water in Macao continues to increase. At the To effectively ease the problem of salinity, the MSAR same time, the impact of salinity and episodic water resource Government set up the Salinity Response Task Force in 2006 to contamination also raises Macao’s concern about a clean discuss and implement contingency measures against salinity, water supply, the saving of water, as well as the preservation of establish a scaling system on salinity of potable water, carry coastal water quality. out research on measures to lessen the impact of seawater intrusion, and devise special action plans to alleviate the harmful Potable water supply effect on Macao residents of seawater intrusion.

Macao is a small city with very limited natural water With the support and motivation of the central government, resources. Currently 98% of Macao’s water supply comes from and the MSAR government’s collaboration with different parties, the Xijiang River, a main tributary of the Pearl River in Guangdong. various measures were implemented during the salinity period in Water is transferred by gravity to Macao’s water treatment 2006. Measures implemented included centralised deployment plants, where raw water is processed in the Ilha Verde Water of Zhujiang’s major reservoirs, emergency water supply works Treatment Plant, the Outer Harbour Water Treatment Plant and during salinity in Zhuhai (mainly through transferring water from the Coloane Water Treatment Plant before being transferred to Ping Kong Pump Station on the west bank of Modaomen to end users through the water supply network. Part of the water Guang Chang Pump Station in the east bank of Modaomen, in is transferred to the Outer Harbour Reservoir as a reserve. addition to improving the pumping capacity of Ping Kong pump station) and the pipeline works next to Zhuxian Cave Reservoir, The MSAR Government has maintained close contact ensuring the quality of Macao’s raw water supply during high and cooperation with relevant mainland departments to solve salinity. the problem of Macao’s water supply. It also actively collaborated in strategic planning on preserving Macao and Zhuhai water Quality of coastal waters supply. In 2006, the Guangdong-Macao Cooperation Joint Conference set up the Guangdong-Macao Water Supply Since 1988, the Public Health Laboratory (LSP) of the Health

Report on the State of Environment Macao Working Group to follow up and ensure the safety of Macao’s Bureau (SSM) has been conducting regular quality assessments water supply. of Macao’s coastal waters through monitoring, research and assessment at 13 sampling points along the coast. In 2006, To intensify the promotion of the importance of saving due to reclamation work, the sampling point at Nam Wan was potable water, the Environmental Council, IACM, Government moved approximately 500m southwest, and the nearby Sai Information Bureau and Macao Water Supply Company Limited Wan sampling point was cancelled. Therefore, analysis and formed the Promotional Team for Water Conservation, which evaluation was based on statistics from 12 sampling points aims to strengthen citizens’ awareness of protecting water only in 2006. resources, as well as conserving water through a series of long- term, sustainable and extensive educational programmes. According to the SSM’s 2006 Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Report on Macao Waters, based on monitoring In 2006, the IACM also completed improvement work results collected since 1996, Macao’s quality of coastal waters on two raw water reservoirs in Seac Pai Van Park on Coloane has shown a worsening trend. The average pollution index island. Restoration work on two reservoirs on Taipa Grande in 2005 was 1.38, the highest in the last decade. This was was also planned, which will improve the reservoirs’ capacity mainly caused by pollution from high concentrations of nitrogen upon completion. Water from the two reservoirs can be used and phosphorus. There was a slight decrease in the average for green area irrigation and street cleansing on Taipa and pollution index in 2006, down to the level of 1.20. Coloane, achieving the resource and cost-saving objectives. Macao’s coastal waters have always recorded a high At the same time, to satisfy the increasing demand for eutrophic index. Under the conditions of high eutrophic levels in water in Macao, Macao Water started to expand the Coloane the water body, especially when concentration levels of nitrogen, Water Treatment Plant in 2006. Upon project completion, the phosphorus and organic waste are high, red tides can easily plant’s daily water treatment capacity will be doubled from occur. In October 2006, a small-scale red tide was detected 15,000m3 to 30,000m3. at Hac Sa Beach. Another red tide was detected in November 2 2006 near the sampling point at the Macao International Airport, 0 Salinity which lasted much longer, spreading from the waters near the 0 Friendship Bridge south-eastward for several kilometers along 6 Due to recent anomalies in the global climate, rainfall the runway. levels during autumn, winter and spring have fallen. Due to natural tides, the regional economic development and the As for heavy metal pollution, monitoring results showed that significant increase in water consumption due to a booming the pollution levels of arsenic, cadmium, chromium, mercury, selenium, nickel and zinc were from mild to normal. However, 32 Water Resources

in 2005, Pac On Sampling Point recorded a severe level of un-ionised ammonia concentration was relatively high. As the lead pollution, with average concentration levels exceeding concentration of un-ionised ammonia was too high, the water the maximum permissible value given in the Sea Water Quality might become poisonous for marine life. Therefore, the sudden Standards in China. In 2006, both Pac On Sampling Point massive death of fish might be related to a high concentration and Reference Point recorded exceptionally high readings of un-ionised ammonia and low concentration of dissolved that exceeded the maximum permissible value. In addition, oxygen. in November 2006 the Airport Sampling Point also recorded an average concentration level of copper that exceeded the Currently, most of the water hyacinths entering Macao’s maximum permissible value. waters are cleared manually from the sea. The Water Hyacinths Working Group under the Guangdong-Macao Also of concern is the sudden massive death of fish at North Environmental Coopertaion Task Force of the Guangdong- Patane Bay in late April and early May of 2006. According to Macao Cooperation Joint Conference attempts to look into the Port Authority (CP) data, about 20 tons of dead fish were ways to control water hyacinths and reduce their inflow. On salvaged. The Environment Council conducted data analysis this problem, the communication mechanism is enhanced to on the water quality in response to this incident, and the results liaise for opening the sluices at Qianshan River and to reinforce showed that the concentration of dissolved oxygen in this clearing work. The Port Authority estimated that the inflow of area was relatively low, and the concentration for un-ionised water hyacinths has reduced in recent years. During 2005 and ammonia (NH3) even exceeded the maximum level of the 2006, the administration cleared approximately 688 tons and Sea Water Quality Standards in China - Category 4 and the 616 tons of water hyacinths respectively. Water Quality Standard for Fisheries of China, clearly indicating that the region’s water body was primarily polluted by human At the same time, according to Decree-law No. 35/97/M, emissions of un-ionised ammonia. Analysis results on the water dumping and disposal of harmful substances in the maritime quality of this incident aligned with the monitoring results of the governing area are strictly forbidden. Prosecution and penalty drainage system from the Health Bureau’s 2006 Water Quality systems were also devised to prevent pollution in the maritime Monitoring and Assessment Report on Macao Waters and governing area and to strengthen maritime environment the assessment conducted by the IACM. This showed that the protection. According to statistics provided by the Port water body’s dissolved oxygen concentration between the North Authority, no violation of the decree-law was recorded in

Patane Bay and the Inner Harbour was relatively low, while the 2005. Report on the State of Environment Macao

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33 Water Resources

Wastewater management

Macao has been treating wastewater since the 1990s to secure the quality of coastal waters. In 2005 and 2006, the daily capacity of the wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in Taipa and Coloane was 152,388m3 and 151,833m3 respectively, while the water treatment plant at Macau International Airport Indicator treats about 145m3 and 111m3 of sewage discharged by the airport daily.

To maintain the efforts to upgrade Macao’s wastewater treatment facilities, the MSAR government is constructing a WWTP in the Macao zone of the Macao-Zhuhai Trans- border Industrial Park (TIP) to process sewage generated in that region. Following the launch and construction of various large-scale tourism and gaming sites in Cotai, the area is expecting to see increased volumes of wastewater. To step up wastewater management in Coloane and Cotai, plans were developed to expand the water treatment plant in Coloane so that it can handle sewage generated in that area more comprehensively. The plan also utilises water processed by the WWTPs in Coloane and the Macao-Zhuhai TIP for street cleaning, irrigation and facility cleaning at the treatment plant, so as to achieve a more effective use of water resources. Report on the State of Environment Macao

Currently, Macao’s drainage network serves almost the entire Macao peninsula, Taipa except Cheok Ka Village and Coloane excluding Ká Hó Village. However, it is worth noting that old town areas like the Inner Harbour on the Macao peninsula are still using combined drainage where both clean water and sewage share the same pipes. These drainage systems lead to sewage discharges along the coastal waters causing water pollution.

In 2005 and 2006, the IACM continued to monitor the exits of the storm water drainage system of the Macao peninsula via the nine sampling points. Water samples were Indicators for environmental analysis in this chapter collected for laboratory testing and the relevant data were analysed. The monitoring work is conducted according to the Environmental Quality Standards for Surface Water • Quality of potable water of the People’s Republic of China (GB3838-2002), which • Potable water consumption classifies pollutant concentrations into six classes. During the • Average pollution index of coastal waters same period, certain sampling points showed relatively high • Wastewater treatment concentrations of phosphorus, and all sampling points detected high concentrations of ammonia and chemical oxygen that exceeded the concentration level of class 5, illustrating that the water body is considerably polluted. 2 0 0 6

34 Water Resources

Quality of potable water

DPSIR Framework

Driving Force Pressure State Impact Response Indicator

The potable water quality indicators are analysed by the monthly rainfall, the chloride concentration (mg/l) of the potable water supplied by the Ilha Verde Water Treatment Plant and the percentage of the samples collected from the water supply network being found containing excessive coliform bacteria.

3,000 700 600 2,500 500 2,000 400 Precipitation (mm) Precipitation 1,500 300 1,000 200 500 100

0 0 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 Report on the State of Environment Macao 1/2/04 3/2/04 5/2/04 7/2/04 9/2/04 1/2/05 3/2/05 5/2/05 7/2/05 9/2/05 1/2/06 3/2/06 5/2/06 7/2/06 9/2/06 11/2/04 11/2/05 11/2/06 Chloride concentration of treated water Chloride concentration of treated Plant (mg/l) Treatment Water the Ilha Verde from

Figure 3.1 Figure 3.2

Monthly mean value of precipitation in Macao from 2000 to 2006 Evolution of chloride concentration of treated water from the Ilha Verde (Data source: Annual Meteorological Observation Report, SMG, 2007) Water Treatment Plant from 2004 to 2006 (Data source: IACM, 2007)

1.8%

1.5%

1.2%

Excessiveness (%) 0.9%

0.6%

0.3%

0.0% 1998 1999 2000 2001 20022003 2004 2005 2006 2 Macao peninsula water supply network Taipa water supply network 0 Coloane water supply network 0 Figure 3.3 6

Percentages of exceedance in coliform bacteria in the water supply networks of Macao (Data source: IACM, 2007) 35 Water Resources

Quality of potable water

Results of analysis

Due to the decrease of rainfall in Macao and nearby In 2006, laboratory tests on the micro-organism Indicator regions in 2006 and the impact of natural tides, the chloride parameters of the water supply networks found that the pass concentration (salinity) of tap water from all water treatment rate of Escherichia coli content of samples collected from the plants in Macao increased during the dry season. In February Macao peninsula was 99.8%, while the Taipa and Coloane 2006, Ilha Verde Water Treatment Plant even recorded a samples achieved 100%. chloride concentration of 655 CI mg/l, more than two times over the maximum concentration limit. Report on the State of Environment Macao Salinity Scale for Potable Water

Salinity Level Salinity Index Conditions of Water Quality Health Implications and Advices Suggestion for Dilution*

Water quality meets with the WHO Low 10 – 250 Guideline Standard for potable •None expected No recommendation water

•May cause taste discomfort for the general public as salinity increases All parameters meet with the • People with existing hypertension, Moderate 251 – 400 standard except chlorides and heart or chronic disease should seek sodium ions for doctor’s advice or refer to the recommendation by the Health Bureau

All parameters meet with the • Follow the recommendation by the Health Fairly High 401 – 600 standard except chlorides and Bureau and consider diluting potable sodium and potassium ions water with bottled water

All parameters meet with the • Follow the recommendation by the Health standard except chlorides and High > 600 Bureau and increase the proportion of sodium, potassium and magnesium diluting potable water with bottled water ions

*The health implications and advices are provided by the Health Bureau. The above recommendations should be adjusted according to individual needs. The above information is for reference only. Bottled water Potable water

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36 Water Resources

Potable water consumption

DPSIR Framework

Driving Force Pressure State Impact Response Indicator

The potable water consumption indicators are analysed using the following data: total annual water consumption index (base year: 1998); total annual household water consumption index (base year: 1998); annual GDP index (assuming constant prices since 2002; base year: 1998); annual total population index (base year: 1998); total annual volume of water flowing through the water supply networks; annual billed water consumption in all districts of the Macao peninsula, Taipa and Coloane; and the values in percentage of the total water consumption representing the consumption by government departments, public facilities, ports and piers, commercial sector, industrial sector and households. ) 220 3 80 70 200 60 180 50 Index (1998 = 100) 160 40

30 Report on the State of Environment Macao 140 volume (million m Water 20

120 10

100 0 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

Total water consumption Domestic water consumption GDP (based on the constant prices in 2002) Population Volume flowing through the networks Billed water Figure 3.4 Figure 3.5

Annual change in water consumption Volume of water flowing through the water supply networks and billed (Data Source: DSEC, 2007) water (Data source: DSEC, 2007) ) ) 3 3 50,000,00050.000.000 650

45,000,00045.000.000 550 40,000,00040.000.000

35,000,00035.000.000 450 Billed water (m

30,000,00030.000.000 Index (1990=100)

25,000,00025.000.000 350

20,000,00020.000.000 250 15,000,00015.000.000 Volume de água facturado (m Volume 10,000,00010.000.000 150 5,000,0005.000.000

0 50 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 20022003 2004 2005 2006 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 20022003 2004 2005 2006 2 MacaoPenínsula peninsula de Macau Taipa Coloane Macao peninsula Taipa Coloane 0 0 Figure 3.6 6

Evolution of billed water consumption by geographical area (Data source: IACM and DSEC, 2007)

37 6 0 0 2 Macao of Environment the of State the on Report 38 Indicator household consumption, thenapersononaverage used157 average, 333litres and361litres respectively. Ifbasedon 2005 and2006,thewaterconsumption percapitawas,on accordingly. Basedon Macao’s totalwaterconsumption,in Macao’s waterconsumptionin2005 and2006increased consumption, with49.4%increase in2006 compared to2005. is mainlyattributedtoindustrialandcommercial water respectively in2006.Coloane’s increase inwaterconsumption with Taipa andColoanerecording 11.1%and35.0%growth increase inwaterconsumptionthanthe Macaopeninsula, consumption. HoweverTaipa andColoanerecorded afaster accounting forupto76.8%ofMacao’s totalwater Macao peninsulawasstillthehighestintermsofvolume, (Data source: SAAM,2007) Water consumptionbysectorinMacao2005and2006 Figure 3.7 2005 As theeconomy, societyandpopulation hasgrown, S 50.0% 32.9% 5.3% 0.4% 2.8% 7.4% Results ofanalysis imilar toprevious years,waterconsumption inthe Water Resources Water Resources Domestic sector Industrial sector Commercial sector Ports andpiers Public facilities departments Government

50.0%

Billed water (m3) 10,000,000 20,000,000 30,000,000 40,000,000 50,000,000 60,000,000 omrilsco nutilsco Domesticsector Industrialsector Commercial sector oenetdprmns ulcfclte Portsandpiers Publicfacilities departments Government 0 9319 9519 9719 9920 0120 0320 052006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 7.4% 5.3% 2.8% 32.9% 0.4% construction whichtookup43.2% (1,850,208m of thetotal,highestamong allindustries,followedby consumption forfactoriesaccounting for46.5%(1,992,190m laundry, leather, factoriesanddyingindustries, withwater industrial usessuchasconstruction, textiles,garments, compared to2005,withconsumptioncoming from various that industrialwaterconsumptionin2006hasrisen16.9% more waterthanprevious years.Itisworthnotinghowever, these waterconsumptionunitsconsumed,onaverage, department andindustrialsectors.AsMacaodevelops, the totalwaterconsumption),followedbycommercial, public units are households(accountingforapproximately 50%of litres and159litres ofwater in2005and2006respectively. 2006 33.4% 49.4% 0.4% 2.4% 7.2% 5.3% In 2005and2006,Macao’s mainwaterconsumption Domestic sector Industrial sector Commercial sector Ports andpiers Public facilities departments Government Potable waterconsumption 49.4% 7.2% 5.3% 2.4% 3 ) ofthetotal. 33.4% 0.4% 3 ) Report on the State of the Environment of Macao 2 0 0 6 Indicator 39 2003 2005 2006 Water Resources Water Water Resources Water 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2004

1.6 1.4 1.2 1.0 0.8 0.6 0.4 0.2 0.0

The closeness or differential between the actual monitoring average value of between The closeness or differential value. Analysis parameters include the seawater and the maximum permissible oxygen demand, 5-day biochemical pH value, dissolved oxygen, chemical and heavy metal concentrations. phosphorus oxygen demand, nitrogen, pollution index. The arithmetical average of the specific Pollution index Pollution Figure 3.8 Figure Evolution of coastal water pollution index of Macao SSM, 2007) (Data source: he coastal water quality indicators are analysed using the following data: the analysed using indicators are he coastal water quality T arithmetic mean of pollution indices obtained at the 12 sampling points each year; arithmetic mean of pollution indices obtained the and the APIs by geographical area, the water quality APIs at all sampling points; and the heavy metal per litre of chlorophyll-a indices (E), the concentration eutrophic all sampling points each year. at pollution indices recorded index Index Definition index (I) Specific pollution Average pollution Average DPSIR Framework DPSIR Framework Driving Force Pressure State Impact Response Average pollution index of coastal waters of coastal index pollution Average 6 0 0 2 Macao of Environment the of State the on Report 40 Indicator (Data source: SSM,2007) Evolution ofpollutionindexTaipa, SanitaryLandfillandColoane Figure 3.10 (Data source: SSM,2007) Water pollutionindexbysamplingpointin2005and2006 Figure 3.9 Note: ThesamplingpointofPraiadoBomPartohasbeencancelledin2006. Pollution index Pollution index 2005 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 ap aiayLnfl Coloane SanitaryLandfill Taipa 1995 Water Resources Taipa Water Resources Sanitary Landfill 1996

1997 Coloane

1998 Cheoc Van

9920 0120 2004 2002 2001 2000 1999 Hác Sá

Airport Reference Point

Outer Harbour

0320 2006 2005 2003 Pac On

Areia Preta

Inner Harbour Class 1 Class 2 Class 3 Class 4 Praia Grande Average pollutionindexofcoastalwaters (Data source: SSM,2007) Point Evolution ofpollutionindexCheocVan, HácSá,AirportandReference Figure 3.11 Pollution index Pollution index 2006 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 ho a á áArotReference Point Airport HácSá Cheoc Van

9519 0020 022004 2002 2001 2000 1999 1995 Taipa Sanitary Landfill 1996

1997 Coloane

1998 Cheoc Van

Hác Sá

Airport Reference Point

Outer Harbour

0320 2006 2005 2003 Pac On

Areia Preta

Inner Harbour Class 1 Class 2 Class 3 Class 4 Praia Grande Report on the State of the Environment of Macao 2 0 0 6

Indicator 41

Harbour

Taipa

Outer

Bom Parto Bom

Praia Grande Praia Praia do do Praia

Taipa

Inner Harbour Inner

Landfill

Outer Harbour Outer Sanitary

Point

Airport

Praia Grande Reference

Harbour Pac On Pac

Inner Inner

á

c S c

á H

Areia Preta Areia

Point

Coloane

Reference Reference

Cheoc Van Cheoc Hác Sá Hác Landfill

Inner Harbour

Sanitary

Cheoc Van Cheoc

As Cd Cr Cu Hg Ni Pb Se Zn

Areia Preta Areia

Coloane Airport 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 0 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 in 2006. 2006. 1 0 2 Water Resources Water Water Resources Water

3.5 3.0 2.5 2.0 1.5 1.0 0.5 0.0

2006 Pollution index Pollution Heavy metal pollution index index pollution metal Heavy Chlorophyll-a concentration (μg/l) concentration Chlorophyll-a

Figure 3.15 Figure 2002 to 2006 concentrations from Comparison of chlorophyll-a SSM, 2007) (Data source: Figure 3.13 Figure Praia Grande Evolution of pollution index of Inner Harbour and SSM, 2007) (Data source: Note: The sampling point of Praia do Bom Parto has been cancelled Note: The sampling point of Praia do Bom Parto has been cancelled in Note: The sampling point of Praia do Bom Parto

Taipa Inner Harbour Inner

2006

Bom Parto Bom

Praia Grande Praia Praia do do Praia

Bom Parto Bom

Praia do Praia

Praia Grande Praia

Inner Harbour Inner

2003 2005 2006 On Pac

Outer Harbour Outer

Outer Harbour Outer

Point

Reference

Areia Preta Areia

Pac On Pac

Airport

Hác Sá Hác

Hác Sá Hác Coloane

1998

Cheoc Van Cheoc Cheoc Van Cheoc

1997

Landfill Coloane

Outer Harbour Pac On Preta Areia Sanitary As Cd Cr Cu Hg Ni Pb Se Zn

1996 Landfill

Sanitary Areia Preta Areia

1995 1999 2000 2001 2002 2004

Taipa Airport 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 in 2006. 0 1 0 2 2.5 2.0 1.5 1.0 0.5 0.0 800 600 400 200

1,200 1,000 2005 Pollution index Pollution Heavy metal pollution index index pollution metal Heavy Eutrophic index Eutrophic Note: The sampling point of Praia do Bom Parto has been cancelled Note: The sampling point of Praia do Bom Parto has been cancelled in 2006. Figure 3.16 Figure Heavy metal pollution indices in 2005 and 2006 SSM, 2007) (Data source: Figure 3.14 Figure index by sampling point Eutrophic SSM, 2007) (Data source: Evolution of pollution index of Outer Harbour, Pac On and Areia Preta Pac On and Areia Evolution of pollution index of Outer Harbour, SSM, 2007) (Data source: Figure 3.12 Figure Average pollution index of coastal waters of coastal index pollution Average 6 0 0 2 Macao of Environment the of State the on Report 42 Indicator sampling point,theAirportpointandOuterHarbour Apart from theconsistentlyhighreadings attheInnerHarbour for monitoringthegrowth andreproduction ofalgaeinwater. to 174.1in2006.Chlorophyll-a isanindicatorcommonlyused at theAirportsamplingpoint,whichjumpedfrom 34.5in2005 in 2006.Anotherarea worthyofnotewastheeutrophic index which exceeded1,000recorded in2005andfellbackto663 Harbour recorded thehighestreadings ineutrophic index, worsening waterquality. that of2005,highlightingtheneedforattentiontoarea’s showed apollutionindexof1.46,whichwas71.8%higherthan 2005 and2006respectively. In2006,theAirportsampling point among allsamplingpoints,withreadings of3.04and2.48for The pollutionindexoftheInnerHarbourwasstillhighest Macao’s coastal waterscontinuedtoworseninwaterquality. B Similar toprevious years,thesamplingpointinInner ased onthewaterpollutionindicesofprevious years, Results ofanalysis Water Resources Water Resources Average pollutionindexofcoastalwaters index at1.53in2006. Airport samplingpointalsorecorded ahighcopperpollution pollution indicesashigh1.52and1.54respectively. The Pac OnsamplingpointandReference pointrecorded lead situation forleadandcopperpollutionwasevenworse,as points recorded anincrease inzincpollutionlevels,butthe highest levelofleadpollutionat1.03.In2006,allsampling the readings recorded atPacOnsamplingpointreached the situation ofleadpollutionwasmore serious,especiallyfor copper, nickel,mercury andzincwere medium.However, the and seleniumwere mild,whereas thepollutionlevelsof that thepollutionlevelsofarsenic,cadmium,chromium respectively. – annualaverageconcentrationsof68μg/land74 sampling pointalsoshowedrecord highreadings in2006 As forheavymetalpollution,figures in2005showed Report on the State of the Environment of Macao 2 0 0 6 Indicator 43 80.5% 80,5% 5.5% 5,5%

14.0% 14,0% Precipitation (mm) Precipitation 3,000 2,500 2,000 1,500 500 0 1,000 Macao WWTP WWTP Taipa Coloane WWTP ETAR Macau ETAR Taipa ETAR Coloane ETAR Taipa WWTP Taipa Precipitation 5.5% 5,5% Water Resources Water Water Resources Water 80.5% 14.0% 80,5% 14,0% 2006 2006 2003 2005 2006 81.6% 1998 Macao WWTP Coloane WWTP 1997 1996 1999 2000 2001 2002 2004

4.6% 0

80,000 60,000 40,000 20,000

180,000 160,000 140,000 120,000 100,000

) (m Inflow 3 13.8% astewater treatment indicators are analysed using the following data: the total analysed using indicators are astewater treatment W wastewater inflow at the three WWTPs on the Macao peninsula, Taipa and Coloane; Taipa WWTPs on the Macao peninsula, the three wastewater inflow at the inflow at each WWTP in inflow representing of the total the values in percentage index (base year: 1996); the annual inflow 2005 and 2006; the annual mean inflow WWTP (base the annual inflow at Taipa index at Macao WWTP (base year: 1996); year: 1996) and the annual total rainfall. Macao WWTP WWTP Taipa Coloane WWTP DPSIR Framework DPSIR Framework 4.6% Wastewater treatment Wastewater 81.6% 13.8% 2005 Driving Force Pressure State Impact Response Daily mean inflow and percentages of total treated volume by wastewater treatment plant volume by wastewater treatment of total treated Daily mean inflow and percentages GDI, 2007) (Data source: Figure 3.17 Figure Water Resources

Wastewater treatment

300 280 260 240 220

Index (1999=100) 200 180 160 140

Indicator 120 100 80 60 1999 2000 2001 20022003 2004 2005 2006

Macao WWTP Taipa WWTP Coloane WWTP Total mean inflow volume Precipitation

Figure 3.18

Daily mean inflow index by wastewater treatment plant (Data source: GDI, 2007)

Results of analysis Report on the State of Environment Macao

In 2005 and 2006, the average total volume of wastewater 8,388m3 of wastewater each day, at the highest increase treated per day at the Macao, Taipa and Coloane WWTPs were rate of 19.9%, bringing the treatment plant’s daily treatment 152,388m3 and 151,833m3 respectively. As with previous years, volume to 4.6% and 5.5% of the total respectively. The Macao WWTP treated the majority of the wastewater generated significant increase in wastewater treatment is closely related from the Macao peninsula. It treated 124,318m3 of wastewater to the vibrant economic development of Coloane and COTAI. in 2005 and 122,167m3 in 2006, accounting for approximately 80% of Macao’s daily wastewater treatment volume. In 2005 and 2006, Coloane WWTP respectively treated 6,997m3 and

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44 Water Resources

Conclusion and recommendations

Along with the growth of the world’s population and resources should be conducted; feasibility studies on socio-economic development, the lack of water resources water conservation measures such as water recycling and continues to worsen and has become a global concern. It is seawater desalination should be considered; and medium forecast that by the middle of this century, seven billion people to long-term strategies for freshwater supply and resources from up to 60 countries will suffer from water scarcity. Even should be sought. At the same time, efforts to enhance with a more optimistic estimate, two billion people from 48 public awareness about saving water should be widely countries will still be affected. The forecast reveals the fact that promoted, and high water-consuming businesses should insufficiency of water resources has become a vital global issue. be encouraged to implement environmental management so that water resources can be more effectively protected. With a lack of sufficient water resources, Macao depends on the mainland’s supply to satisfy 98% of its raw water All coastal water sampling points showed different eutrophic demand. As the gaming and tourism industry continues levels and heavy metal pollution, and there were signs that to drive the rapid economic development of Macao, water this might worsen. Therefore we should further our research consumption by both residents and tourists is increasing. In on the causes of pollution, such as conducting research on 2006, Macao’s water consumption level jumped almost 8.0% the nitrogen and phosphorus pollution of the Inner Harbour’s compared to 2005; added to that is the salinity problem, again water body, as well as the lead and copper pollution of the highlighting the importance of water resources. As a result, peripheral area of Pac On and the airport. The water quality the MSAR Government set up the Salinity Response Task monitoring network should be progressively enhanced to Force to enhance its contingency management during salinity develop long-term strategies for improving coastal water periods, and the Promotional Team for Water Conservation quality. Relevant laws and regulations should further be to promote long-term and sustainable water conservation amended to govern the discharge of pollutants into the water Report on the State of Environment Macao and water saving education. At the same time, certain body or drainage system. Furthermore, regional cooperation government projects were introduced with water recycling should be enhanced to protect coastal waters’ quality and designs and measures for the more efficient use of water ensure effective information exchange and contingency resources. Furthermore, the Guangdong-Macao Cooperation coordination in case accidental water pollution occurs. Joint Conference has set up the Guangdong-Macao Water Supply Working Group and Water Hyacinths Working Group Regarding wastewater management, work should be to look into water supply issues and conduct research on continued to improve the coverage and management of relevant solutions to the pollution of the water environment. Macao’s drainage system, with the priority on the drainage system of the densely populated old town areas. Separation On the protection of coastal waters’ quality, the MSAR of the combined drainage system should be progressively Government aims to protect Macao waters through continuous implemented so that clean water and sewage are transferred monitoring and improvement of drainage and wastewater separately to minimise the impact of wastewater pollution on treatment facilities. the quality of Macao’s coastal waters. Apart from continuing the efforts in monitoring water quality of the drainage systems, To more effectively protect water resources, measures law enforcement against illegal discharge of pollutants into on water conservation and the wise use of water resources the storm water draining system and relevant educational are suggested to be included in the overall socio-economic activities should be strengthened to ensure that the quality development and urban planning strategy; research and of coastal waters is not affected by the misconnection assessment of future growth and consumption of water of drainage pipes or the illegal disposal of pollutants.

References Further Information Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Report on Macao Waters 2005 http://www.ssm.gov.mo/ 2 Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Report on http://www.dsec.gov.mo/ 0 Macao Waters 2006 http://www.iacm.gov.mo/ 0 Environment Statistics 6

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