LAND, PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES
210
Planning studies were completed for the improvement of fresh water supplies to the mid-levels of Hong Kong Island Central, areas in Kowloon West and Cha Kwo Ling and for the increase of water treatment capacity at Ma On Shan and Sheung Shui. Major studies in hand include the increase in water treatment capacity for the western urban areas of Kowloon and Hong Kong Island by providing a new treatment works at Pak Ngau Shek, Tai Po, and the improvement of system capacity in meeting the demand generated from the developments in Ap Lei Chau, Kowloon East and Tseung Kwan O.
A China Water Supply Branch was established in February to undertake planning, design and construction of the reception and distribution system for the additional water supply from China beyond 1994-5. Agreement on this with the Chinese Authority in December ensures adequate supplies for Hong Kong's expanding needs well beyond the year 2000, to a maximum supply of 1 100 million cubic metres per year.
During the year, commissioning of the eastern cross-harbour main and Stage 1 of Pak Kong Treatment Works and the associated transfer system marked a significant step forward in supplying water to Tseung Kwan O New Town, Kowloon East and Hong Kong Island East. The new treatment works and service reservoir at Cheung Sha on Lantau Island were put into service. The submarine pipeline from the mainland to Ma Wan was also completed.
Major construction works in progress were the Au Tau Treatment Works and Lung Cheung Road Central Workshop. The latter, which has been scheduled for completion in early 1990, will accommodate all the facilities presently provided at Bullock Lane and -Argyle Street workshops, Yau Tong meter workshop and the temporary electric motor workshop at Lok On Pai. Major design works in progress included a new treatment works at Sham Tseng, extensions of Yau Kom Tau Treatment Works and Sheung Shui Treatment Works. Design of additional service reservoirs and pumping stations at Tuen Mun, Ma On Shan and Tseung Kwan O continued.
The distribution system was continuously extended and enlarged to meet urban and rural demands in the territory. Expansion of the distribution network to supply remote villages in the New Territories continued. Salt water for flushing was supplied to most areas on Hong Kong Island and in the Kowloon peninsula, as well as Tsuen Wan, Kwai Chung, Tsing Yi and Tuen Mun in the New Territories. Design works are in hand for imple- menting flushing supply systems in Sha Tin, Ma On Shan and Tai Po.
Several mechanical and electrical installations were commissioned during the year. These included Cha Kwo Ling Salt Water Pumping Station, Siu Lek Yuen Pumping Station, New Sai Wan Pumping Station and seven village supply pumphouses. The pumping plants at Au Tau Raw Water Pumping Station, Cheung Chau Pumping Station and Brick Hill Salt Water Pumping Station were uprated to improve water supply to the areas. The Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition system for monitoring water distribution systems on Hong Kong Island (Central and Western Districts) and Lantau Island were commissioned.
A new consumer enquiry centre was opened in Shau Kei Wan, joining the existing centres in Causeway Bay, Stanley, Mong Kok, Kwun Tong, Sai Kung, Sha Tin, Tai Po and Tsuen Wan. The network continued to prove useful and plans are in hand to provide similar centres in the regional depots throughout the territory.
Satisfactory progress was made in the construction of the regional office for Hong Kong and Islands Region. Planning of new offices and depot facilities for the other four Mainland Regions was completed. Works are in hand to construct the regional office in San Po Kong for Mainland South East Region.