LAND, PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES
Water Works
Full supply was maintained throughout the year. At the beginning of 1992, there were 177 million cubic metres of water in storage, compared with 179 million cubic metres at the start of 1991. The combined storage of Hong Kong's largest reservoirs, High Island and Plover Cove, was 133 million cubic metres. Rainfall for the year was 2 679 millimetres compared with the average of 2 214 millimetres. Water piped from China during the year totalled 668 million cubic metres.
A peak consumption of 2.82 million cubic metres per day was experienced, compared with the 1991 peak of 2.76 million cubic metres. The average daily consumption throughout the year was 2.43 million cubic metres, an increase of 0.6 per cent compared with the 1991 average of 2.42 million cubic metres. The consumption of potable water totalled 889 million cubic metres compared with 884 million cubic metres in 1991. In addition, 127 million cubic metres of salt water for flushing was supplied, compared with 123 cubic metres in 1991.
With reliable supplies available from China, it was decided by the Executive Council in July 1989 to dispose of the Lok On Pai Desalting Plant. The site of the decommissioned plant has been handed over to the Provisional Airport Authority as a trans-shipment centre for the construction of the new airport.
Planning studies were completed during the year for the improvement of water supply to Tseung Kwan O, Tuen Mun, Tai Po, Sheung Shui, Fanling, East Kowloon and West Kowloon including the new reclamation area. These included the provision of salt water supplies to Tseung Kwan O and Tai Po. Planning is in hand for the major new treatment works at Tai Po (formerly at Pak Ngau Shek) and Ngau Tam Mei. Further planning for the improvement of system capacity to meet the demand arising from new developments in Yuen Long, Tin Shui Wai and the metropolitan south-eastern area of Kowloon, the central, western mid level and high level areas of Hong Kong Island and the Northwest New Territories is also in progress. A planning study on the treatment and disposal of sludge generated from the existing treatment works was also completed.
Regarding water supply to the new airport at Chek Lap Kok and other developments in North Lantau associated with the Port and Airport Development Strategy, works for the permanent water supply system will be implemented in stages with the Stage I works to be commissioned by mid-1996 to phase in with the commissioning of the new airport. The Stage I works include submarine and land mains, a water treatment works, pumping stations, a fresh water service reservoir and a raw water aqueduct between Siu Ho Wan and Silvermine Bay. Part of the design work was in an advanced stage. Mainlaying work along the North Lantau Expressway commenced in June 1992. The bulk of the works will commence by the end of 1993. The temporary water supply system providing water supply to construction activities for the new airport and other infrastructural projects was completed.
Consultants have completed the investigation for the Ma On Shan Treatment Works and proceeded with the detailed design. Design work by in-house staff has been completed on the Sham Tseung Treatment Works Stage I and continued on the extension of Sheung Shui Treatment Works. Other major design works in progress included the flushing water supply system in Ma On Shan and Tai Po, additional service reservoirs, pumping stations and water supply networks in Tuen Mun, Yau Kom Tau, Tsuen Wan, Tsing Yi, Tseung Kwan O, Hong Kong west mid level, Ap Lei Chau and Repulse Bay. Design works for the
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