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December 2000, January 2007 and September 2008. Detailed design of the final stage is under way, and work on it will be carried out from 2011 to 2015.
Remedial work on the protective rock rip-rap at Plover Cove Reservoir main dam was completed during this year.
The investigation consultancy to expand the Tai Po Water Treatment Works and Ancillary Raw Water and Fresh Water Transfer Facilities commenced in June 2008 followed by design and construction consultancy in June 2009. The construction works are targeted to commence in February 2010 for completion in September 2014.
The Water Supplies Department continues to work on plans to provide a reliable supply of fresh and salt water to new developments and redevelopments taking place in Chai Wan on Hong Kong Island, Sham Shui Po and West Kowloon Reclamation in Kowloon, and Yuen Long, Tin Shui Wai, Sheung Shui, Tai Po, Ma On Shan, Sai Kung and Lantau in the New Territories.
Water Accounts and Customer Relations
The number of consumers with water accounts continues to rise gradually. At year-end, the department was handling approximately 2.73 million accounts. To provide greater convenience to customers, the paying of water bills and other matters such as change of addresses can be done online. The Water Supplies Department also continues to act as an agent for collecting sewage charges and trade effluent surcharges on behalf of the Drainage Services Department.
To enhance the accuracy of water meters, a territory-wide five-year programme, launched in 2006 for replacing 1.3 million ageing domestic water meters, continued in 2008.
The voluntary Quality Water Recognition Scheme for Buildings (known as the Fresh Water Plumbing Quality Maintenance Recognition Scheme before 2008), which was launched in July 2002 to encourage proper maintenance of internal plumbing systems in buildings, continues to receive public support. Renewal certificates are now valid for two years instead of one year.
Construction Industry
Construction Industry Council
Since its formation on February 1, 2007, the Construction Industry Council (CIC) has established a close partnership with the Government. The CIC has made steady progress in taking forward improvement initiatives to raise standards in the construction industry in the major areas of construction site safety, environment and technology, manpower training and development, procurement and subcontracting. The CIC uses its website at www.hkcic.org to keep industry stakeholders informed of the latest developments.
The CIC amalgamated with the former Construction Industry Training Authority on January 1, 2008. Upon amalgamation, the Construction Industry Training Board was formed under CIC to continue to provide training and trade testing services for