LAND, PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES
Authority in July 1998 to reduce the supply from 810 million cubic metres to 770 million cubic metres in 1999. It was also agreed that the annual increase in supply quantity would be reduced to 10 million cubic metres from 1998 to 2004, beyond which the annual supply quantity would be subject to a further review. The present designed maximum capacity of the supply system is 1 100 million cubic metres per
annum.
There was a marked improvement in the quality of raw water from Guangdong in 1999 as a result of the commissioning of the Biological Nitrification Plant in Shenzhen Reservoir in January. Further improvement in water quality is expected when the construction of the $4.1 billion closed aqueduct system is completed in 2002.
Water Storage and Consumption
Full supply was maintained throughout the year. At the end of 1999, 501 million cubic metres of water were in storage, compared with 568 million cubic metres at the end of 1998. Hong Kong's two largest reservoirs, High Island and Plover Cove, held 438 million cubic metres. Rainfall of 2 129 millimetres 3.8 per cent lower than the annual average of 2 214 millimetres - was recorded in 1999.
A peak daily consumption of 2.71 million cubic metres was recorded on September 29, compared with the 1998 peak of 2.74 million cubic metres. The average daily consumption throughout the year was 2.50 million cubic metres, compared with the 1998 average of 2.51 million cubic metres. The consumption of potable water totalled 911 million cubic metres, compared with 916 million cubic metres in 1998. In addition, 212 million cubic metres of sea water were supplied for flushing, compared with 199 million cubic metres in 1998.
Water Works
Sham Tseng Treatment Works Stage II was completed in July. Construction work was in progress for the two treatment works at Tai Po and Ngau Tam Mei and for the additional service reservoirs, pumping stations and water supply networks in Kowloon West and South, Pok Fu Lam, Shau Kei Wan, Wan Chai, Western and Central areas on Hong Kong Island, Tseung Kwan O, Sheung Shui, Tuen Mun, Tin Shui Wai, Yuen Long and Ma On Shan. The major improvement works for the sea water supply system for Central Kowloon and Tsuen Wan continued.
Planning work continued for increased capacity to meet the demand from new developments in Central, Western and south-western areas on Hong Kong Island, Kwun Tong, Yau Tong, Tsing Yi, Yuen Long, North Lantau, Tseung Kwan O and the north-eastern and north-western New Territories. Design work has commenced on the first stage of the 20-year programme for the replacement or rehabilitation of some 350 kilometres of watermains. Other major design work concentrated on the provision of additional service reservoirs, pumping stations and water supply networks in Kowloon East, West Kowloon Reclamation, Pok Fu Lam, Western, Central and Wan Chai areas on Hong Kong Island, Yau Tong, Tuen Mun, Yuen Long, Tai Po, Tin Shui Wai and Tseung Kwan O.
All Year 2000 rectification work was completed in June and contingency plans were formulated to ensure a reliable and adequate water supply during the rollover and other critical dates.
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