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Public Works and Utilities
THE Government's biggest single financial commitment is the pro- gramme of public works, which ranges from the formation and reclamation of land, the building of resettlement and low-cost hous- ing estates, schools and hospitals to the construction of roads, sewers, piers and reservoirs. Capital expenditure on the programme for the financial year 1971-2 is estimated at $508 million, or about 17 per cent of the total expenditure envisaged in the annual estimates. Of this sum $110 million is to be spent on resettlement and govern- ment low-cost housing, $68 million on roads and $95 million on water supplies.
WATER SUPPLIES
For the fourth year in succession Hong Kong enjoyed a continuous water supply, but with demand continuing to grow at a high rate, the risk of having to impose restrictions during periods of drought is increasing to an undesirably high level.
On January 1, 47,014 million gallons of water were held in storage, compared with 37,903 million gallons in January 1970. Rainfall over the Colony was considerably below average (1,903.8 mm compared with 2168.8 mm) and rainfall in waterworks catchment areas was lower still, resulting in only 35,317 million gallons being held in storage at the end of the year. ]
At the beginning of the year, 34,685 million gallons were stored in Plover Cove, and during the summer months the inflow reduced the salinity of the impounded water from 430 parts per million to 260 parts per million by November-well below the normal taste threshold of 330. For the second year running, marked chemical and thermal stratification occurred during the summer months, but although there was complete overturn and mixing during typhoon Rose in August, the quality of the water remained good.
The Chinese Authorities continued the supply from the Shum Chun reservoir and during the period from October 1970 to June 1971, 14,791 million gallons were obtained. The supply was resumed on October 1, 1971, in accordance with the agreement with the Peoples Council of Kwangtung Province.