248 Land, Public Works and Utilities
average daily consumption throughout the year was 2.65 million cubic metres, compared with the 2004 average of 2.61 million cubic metres. The consumption of potable water totalled 968 million cubic metres, compared with 955 million cubic metres in 2004. In addition, 263 million cubic metres of sea water was supplied for flushing, compared with 255 million cubic metres in 2004.
Total Water Management
As part of the Total Water Management Programme, the Government is implementing pilot schemes on sea water desalination and the use of reclaimed water employing advanced technologies with a view to exploring the technical feasibility and cost-effectiveness of utilising different water resources to meet part of the future water demand. It is also carrying out a study, based on the outcome of the various pilot schemes, which aims to map out long-term strategies and implementation plans for the Total Water Management Programme. The study is due to be completed in 2007.
Water Works
Work is progressing on the first stage of the programme for the replacement and rehabilitation of some 3 050 kilometres of water mains which began in December 2000. The detailed design of works for the second stage started in mid 2005 and construction is scheduled to begin in January 2007. Planning of the third stage is under way for works to be carried out from late 2008 to 2013.
Yau Tong No. 2 Fresh Water Service Reservoir for augmenting fresh water supplies to Yau Tong area was completed and the construction of Ping Che Fresh Water Service Reservoir for augmenting fresh water supply to Sheung Shui and Fanling was started during the year. Other construction works in progress include the rehabilitation/replacement or improvement of water mains in various urban and rural districts and the building of new service reservoirs to serve Central, Mid-Levels, Eastern Hong Kong and Sheung Shui/Fanling.
Continuing planning work is in hand to enhance the reliability of water supply systems and to increase the water supply capacity to meet fresh and salt water demands from new developments and redevelopments in Central, Wan Chai, western and southern areas on Hong Kong Island; Sham Shui Po and Kwun Tong in Kowloon; and Sha Tin, Yuen Long, North Lantau, Tseung Kwan O, and the northern New Territories.
Major design works continue to focus on the provision of additional service. reservoirs, pumping stations and water supply networks in Wan Chai, Kowloon East, West Kowloon Reclamation, Cha Kwo Ling, Tuen Mun, Sha Tin, Yuen Long, Tai Po, Tin Shui Wai, Tseung Kwan O and North Lantau.
Water Accounts and Customer Relations
The number of consumer accounts continues to rise at a rate of about 0.2 per cent per year and the consumer account base expanded to approximately 2.63 million accounts at year-end. To provide greater convenience to customers, applications for change of consumership, mailing address and water bill language for