LAND, PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES
Water Supplies
Water from Guangdong
The rivers in Guangdong are Hong Kong's major source of raw water. Hong Kong began to receive raw water from Guangdong when a scheme was completed in 1960 for receiving a piped supply of 22.7 million cubic metres a year.
In 1989, an agreement was concluded with the Guangdong provincial authorities for a long-term water supply. Dongjiang (East River) water is now delivered to Hong Kong via the Shenzhen Reservoir through a transfer system, covering about 80 kilometres, which is commonly known as the Dongshen Water Supply System.
In recent years, due to rainfall being much above average together with the declining demand from local industry, the demand for raw water from Guangdong has decreased. The Government reached an agreement with the Guangdong provincial authorities in July 1998 whereby the annual increase stipulated in the 1989 agreement was to be reduced from 30 million cubic metres to 10 million cubic metres for the years from 1998 to 2004. As a result, the total intake for the seven years will be reduced by 560 million cubic metres. Under the agreement, the supply quantity for 2003 was 810 million cubic metres, rising to 820 million cubic metres in 2004, compared with the system's present designed maximum capacity of 1 100 million cubic metres per year. The annual supply quantity beyond 2004 will be subject to further review.
The Dongshen Water Supply System initially had an open channel design. However, to eliminate pollution of the water within the system, a closed aqueduct was built. The first section of the closed aqueduct was commissioned in January, and resulted in a significant improvement in the raw water quality. The completion of the entire closed aqueduct in June was a milestone in the work to improve the quality of Dongjiang water. The raw water quality data obtained after the full commissioning indicated further improvements.
Water Storage and Consumption
Full supply was maintained throughout the year. At year-end, the water in storage amounted to 446 million cubic metres, compared with 442 million cubic metres a year earlier. Hong Kong's two largest reservoirs, High Island and Plover Cove, held a total of 402 million cubic metres. Rainfall of 1 942 millimetres 12.29 per cent lower than the annual average of 2 214 millimetres - was recorded in 2003.
A peak daily consumption of 2.91 million cubic metres was recorded on July 14, compared with the 2002 peak of 2.83 million cubic metres. The average daily consumption throughout the year was 2.67 million cubic metres, compared with the 2002 average of 2.6 million cubic metres. The consumption of potable water totalled 974 million cubic metres, compared with 949 million cubic metres in 2002. In addition, 241 million cubic metres of sea water were supplied for flushing, compared with 235 million cubic metres in 2002.
Water Works
The first stage of the Tai Po Water Treatment Works, with a daily capacity of 250 000 cubic metres, was commissioned in June. Work is progressing on the first stage of the 20-year programme for the replacement or rehabilitation of some 3 050 kilometres of watermains. This work began in December 2000. Construction is under way for the
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