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PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES
The most significant event during 1980 was the signing, in May, of a supplementary water agreement with the provincial authorities of Guangdong (Kwangtung) Province. Under the terms of the previous agreement, 168 million cubic metres of water is currently supplied annually and this will be increased to 182 million cubic metres in 1982. The new agreement provides for subsequent annual incremental increases rising to a total supply of 620 million cubic metres in 1994, when it will represent about 60 per cent of the forecast demand. A total of 172 million cubic metres of water was piped from China in 1980.
Water consumption showed a marked increase, and a new peak of 1.60 million cubic metres per day was reached, an increase of 5.3 per cent over the 1979 peak of 1.52 million cubic metres per day. The average daily consumption throughout the year was 1.39 million cubic metres, an increase of 8.6 per cent over the 1979 average of 1.28 million cubic metres. A total of 508 million cubic metres of potable water was consumed, compared with 467 million cubic metres in 1979. In addition, 77 million cubic metres of salt water for flushing was supplied, 1.3 per cent more than in 1979.
The 'mothballing' of the 181,850 cubic metres-per-day sea water desalter was completed and the plant is now in a 'care and maintenance' state.
During the year, investigation and design for the reception and distribution systems for future increases in the water supply from China progressed steadily and several contracts for the supply of essential plant and pipelines were let. Planning studies on the introduction of new treatment facilities at Sheung Shui and Tsuen Wan, as well as for new supply systems for Stonecutters Island and for development at Tai Tam Reservoir Road, were completed. Other studies in hand included those for the improvement of water supplies to Shek O, Chai Wan, Shau Kei Wan, Quarry Bay and Aberdeen; a new treatment works at Sai Kung; improvement of the trunk feed system to various service reservoirs in Kowloon East District; and for a new cross-harbour submarine main between the Kowloon peninsula and Hong Kong Island.
Construction progressed satisfactorily on the new supply systems for Sha Tin, Tuen Mun and Tsuen Wan new towns, together with those for Yuen Long, Tsing Yi, and the Tai Po Industrial Estate. On Hong Kong Island, works continued to improve the water supply to Pok Fu Lam, Chai Wan, Stanley and Repulse Bay. In the New Territories, works were in hand to improve the supplies to Sai Kung, Tai O, Cheung Chau and Cheung Sha. Construction work on a new tunnel and pipeline system, as a further development of the East River Scheme, was delayed because difficult ground conditions were encountered. On February 9, 1980, Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra officiated at a ceremony to mark the start of pumping into supply from 'the High Island Reservoir.
Implementation of the computerised water billing and information system progressed steadily. Domestic and other consumers were being converted to computerised billing with the first of the accounts being despatched on March 20, 1980, and full implementation is planned for June, 1981.
Electricity
Hong Kong Island and the neighbouring islands of Ap Lei Chau and Lamma are supplied with electricity by the Hongkong Electric Company Limited, while Kowloon and the New Territories - including Lantau and a number of outlying islands - receive supplies from the China Light and Power Company Limited. The island of Cheung Chau is served by the Cheung Chau Electric Company Limited. The three companies are investor-owned and do not operate under franchise. However, the government does exercise a measure of control over the tariff charges and profit of the two main undertakings.