tions were begun for a new source of supply in Tai Lam Chung Valley on the mainland. This work, consisting of extensive drilling and a geophysical survey has now been completed, and it is hoped that it will be possible to make an early start on this new scheme which will approximately double the Colony's water resources within the next ten years. Topographical survey work for the scheme proceeded throughout the year.
Slightly over 40% of the Island's consumption is supplied from the mainland reservoirs, the water being conveyed across the harbour in two 21" diameter submarine pipes. On account of the hilly nature of the Island a big proportion of the water has to be pumped and in some areas re-pumped, necessitating a large number of pumps and service reservoirs. Most of, the water supplied is both filtered and sterilised by chemical treatment and a satisfactory standard of purity is maintained. All water is supplied to consumers through meters, and the charge is based on the total cost of provision including capital charges. Restrictions in the hours of supply have to be imposed throughout the year to keep consumption within the available resources, but daily consumption reached record figures both on the island and mainland during September. The average daily consumption for the year was over 321⁄2 million gallons; peak consumption reached 44.7 million gallons. The maximum amount of water that can be filtered daily is 41 million gallons.
The delivery of pipes ordered from the United Kingdom improved. This enabled the relaying and extension of water mains both in the city and outlying villages to proceed particularly at Tsun Wan, where rapid development is taking place and at Fanling and Stanley where the demands of the Forces are at present heavy. The replacement of ground hydrants by pedestal ones was continued. It has not yet been. possible to operate the waste detection system owing to shortage of staff, although the replacement or repair of the waste detection meters has been completed. Steady improve- ment in the delivery of water meters and spares has enabled the replacement of defective meters to be speeded up. Most of the services are now fitted with meters in good working order. At the end of the year about 30,000 meters were in use.
Plans for a new workshop and depot in Kowloon to replace the existing inadequate and unsatisfactory accommo- dation were completed and approval to proceed is awaited. The erection of the new rapid gravity filtration plant at Stubbs Road was completed and the filters were put into use in December. This plant replaces the old filters at Eastern, Bowen Road and Albany. The replacement of the old brick unfiltered water conduit in Bowen Road (con- structed about 1888) by a 24" diameter reinforced concrete
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