Hong Kong 2006 - Land, Public Works and Utilities

Hong Kong began receiving raw water from the Shenzhen Reservoir in Guangdong in 1960 under a scheme that provides it with 22.7 million cubic metres of water a year. The infrastructure for channelling water to Hong Kong was expanded in 1965 with the building of an 80-kilometre transfer system known as the Dongshen Water Supply System to deliver water from Dongjiang, or East River, to Hong Kong via Shenzhen Reservoir.

Dongjiang is the major source of raw water for Hong Kong. The new agreement signed in April 2006 guarantees long-term supply of Dongjiang water to Hong Kong.

Full supply was maintained throughout the year. At the end of 2006, some 435 million cubic metres of water was in storage, compared with 461 million cubic metres a year earlier. Hong Kong's two largest reservoirs, High Island and Plover Cove held a total of 387 million cubic metres. Rainfall of 2 628 millimetres, 19 per cent higher than the annual average of 2 214 millimetres, was recorded in 2006.

The average daily consumption of water in 2006 was 2.64 million cubic metres, compared with 2.65 million cubic metres in 2005. Some 963 million cubic metres of potable water was consumed in 2006, compared with 968 million cubic metres in 2005. In addition, 260 million cubic metres of sea water was used for flushing, compared with 263 million cubic metres in 2005.

The Government is proceeding with the Total Water Management Programme for rational utilisation, protection and management of water resources and for exploring new water resources. The Government has completed the testing of the pilot desalination plant in Tuen Mun and is now carrying out further tests on the pilot plant in Ap Lei Chau to determine different coastal seawater conditions. On the question of water reclamation and reuse, the Government has commissioned two pilot schemes for using reclaimed water in Ngong Ping and Shek Wu Hui. In addition, the Government is conducting a study on long-term strategies to be adopted under the Total Water Management Programme in Hong Kong. The study will take into account the findings of the various Hong Kong pilot schemes and those of similar schemes overseas. The study will be completed by the end of 2007.

Work on the first and second stages of the programme for the replacement and rehabilitation of some 3 050 kilometres of water mains began in December 2000 and January 2007 respectively. Work on the third stage will be carried out between late 2008 and 2013. Planning of the final stage is under way, and work on it will be carried out from early 2011 to 2015.

The construction of Magazine Gap Road No. 3 Fresh Water Service Reservoir and Quarry Bay Salt Water Service Reservoir, and remedial works to the High Island Reservoir's West Col Dam were completed during the year. The contract for remedial work on the rip-rap at the Plover Cove Reservoir's main dam has been approved and work on the project has begun. Building of a new reservoir to serve Sheung Shui and Fanling is progressing.

The department continues to work on plans for providing a reliable supply of fresh and salt water to new and redeveloped buildings springing up across Hong Kong. The districts where these developments are taking place include Central, Wan Chai, and western and southern areas on Hong Kong Island; Sham Shui Po and Kwun Tong in Kowloon; and Sha Tin, Tuen Mun, Yuen Long, Tseung Kwan O, Lantau and Cheung Chau in the New Territories.

The plans provide for the building 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.

The number of consumers with water accounts continues to rise by about 0.2 per cent per year. At year-end, the department was handling approximately 2.67 million accounts. To provide greater convenience to customers, the paying of water bills and other matters such as change of addresses can now be done online. The Water Supplies Department also continues to act as an agent for collecting sewage charges and trade effluent surcharges on behalf of the Drainage Services Department. The Customer Care and Billing System went into operation in June.

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 public support. People taking part in the scheme may now renew their participation certificates every two years instead every year.