Water from Guangdong

To solve the water shortage problem and to meet the increasing demand, Hong Kong began to receive raw water from the Shenzhen Reservoir in Guangdong in 1960 when a scheme was completed for receiving a supply of 22.7 million cubic metres a year. The scheme was expanded in 1965 by constructing an 80-kilometre transfer system (the Dongshen Water Supply System) to deliver water from Dongjiang (East River) to Hong Kong via the Shenzhen Reservoir.

Dongjiang water is Hong Kong's major source of raw water. Under the current agreements, the supply of Dongjiang water to Hong Kong in the long term is guaranteed.

The Dongshen Water Supply System initially had an open channel design. To eliminate the water pollution problem, a closed aqueduct system was built. Since complete system started to operate in June 2003, there has been noticeable improvement in the quality of Dongjiang water supplied to Hong Kong.

Water Storage and Consumption

Full supply was maintained throughout the year. At the end of 2005, 461 million cubic metres of water were in storage, compared with 411 million cubic metres a year earlier. Hong Kong's two largest reservoirs, High Island and Plover Cove held a total of 414 million cubic metres. Rainfall of 3 215 millimetres, 45 per cent higher than the annual average of 2 214 millimetres, was recorded in 2005.

A peak daily consumption of 2.82 million cubic metres was recorded on September 15, 2005, compared with the 2004 peak of 2.79 million cubic metres. The average daily consumption throughout the year was 2.65 million cubic metres, compared with the 2004 average of 2.61 million cubic metres. The consumption of potable water totalled 968 million cubic metres, compared with 955 million cubic metres in 2004. In addition, 263 million cubic metres of sea water was supplied for flushing, compared with 255 million cubic metres in 2004.

Total Water Management

As part of the Total Water Management Programme, the Government is implementing pilot schemes on sea water desalination and the use of reclaimed water employing advanced technologies with a view to exploring the technical feasibility and cost-effectiveness of utilising different water resources to meet part of the future water demand. It is also carrying out a study, based on the outcome of the various pilot schemes, which aims to map out long-term strategies and implementation plans for the Total Water Management Programme. The study is due to be completed in 2007.

Water Works

Work is progressing on the first stage of the programme for the replacement and rehabilitation of some 3 050 kilometres of water mains which began in December 2000. The detailed design of works for the second stage started in mid 2005 and construction is scheduled to begin in January 2007. Planning of the third stage is under way for works to be carried out from late 2008 to 2013.

Yau Tong No. 2 Fresh Water Service Reservoir for augmenting fresh water supplies to Yau Tong area was completed and the construction of Ping Che Fresh Water Service Reservoir for augmenting fresh water supply to Sheung Shui and Fanling was started during the year. Other construction works in progress include the rehabilitation/replacement or improvement of water mains in various urban and rural districts and the building of new service reservoirs to serve Central, Mid-Levels, Eastern Hong Kong and Sheung Shui/Fanling.

Continuing planning work is in hand to enhance the reliability of water supply systems and to increase the water supply capacity to meet fresh and salt water demands from new developments and redevelopments in Central, Wan Chai, western and southern areas on Hong Kong Island; Sham Shui Po and Kwun Tong in Kowloon; and Sha Tin, Yuen Long, North Lantau, Tseung Kwan O, and the northern New Territories.

Major design works continue to focus on the provision of additional service reservoirs, pumping stations and water supply networks in Wan Chai, Kowloon East, West Kowloon Reclamation, Cha Kwo Ling, Tuen Mun, Sha Tin, Yuen Long, Tai Po, Tin Shui Wai, Tseung Kwan O and North Lantau.

Water Accounts and Customer Relations

The number of consumer accounts continues to rise at a rate of about 0.2 per cent per year and the consumer account base expanded to approximately 2.63 million accounts at year-end. To provide greater convenience to customers, applications for change of consumership, mailing address and water bill language for domestic accounts can be made on-line. The Water Supplies Department continues to act as an agent to collect general sewage charges on behalf of the Drainage Services Department.

The core features of the Customer Care and Billing System were launched in December 2004 and its full production commenced in January 2005. The Water Supplies Department continues to monitor the performance of the new system.

The voluntary Fresh Water Plumbing Quality Maintenance Recognition Scheme, launched in July 2002 to encourage proper maintenance of internal plumbing systems in buildings, continues to receive positive public support. By the end of 2005, more than 4 000 certificates of compliance were issued under the scheme, benefiting more than 1 million families.