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Infrastructure Development and Heritage Conservation
and urinal equipment, and engaged studies to extend its coverage. Based on the domestic water consumption survey, the government has drawn up target measures to appeal to the public to adopt proactive water conservation practices.
The government continued the feasibility study for a proposed desalination plant at Tseung Kwan O as a new source of fresh water supply. It also continued studying a proposal to supply reclaimed water to the north-eastern part of the New Territories for non-potable uses. The government has completed a consultancy study on promoting the re-use of grey water and rainwater harvesting.
Water Works
The replacement and rehabilitation programme involves some 3,000 kilometres of old water mains. The works have considerably reduced the number of mains bursts from around 2,500 cases in 2000 to about 260 cases in 2013. The leakage rate has also been significantly reduced from 25 per cent in 2001 to 17 per cent in 2013. The entire works programme is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2015.
The first part of the works to expand Tai Po Water Treatment Works and its ancillary water transfer facilities was completed in 2011 and the second part of the works commenced in early 2013. The detailed design for the re-provisioning of the South Works of the Sha Tin Water Treatment Works is progressing.
Water Accounts and Customer Relations
The number of water consumer accounts rose to approximately 2.85 million at the end of 2013. An average of 130,000 transactions per month used convenience stores for payment, a new payment option launched in 2012.
A voluntary Flushing Water Plumbing Quality Maintenance Recognition Scheme was launched. in July to encourage proper maintenance of internal flushing plumbing systems.
Construction Industry
Construction Industry Council
The Construction Industry Council (CIC) continued its initiatives to raise standards in the industry, including construction site safety, subcontracting, environment and technology, procurement, and manpower training and development. The CIC's training centres provide training and trade testing services for the construction industry.
In 2013, 570 applications were received for registration in the Subcontractor Registration Scheme and 515 were approved, bringing the totals to 7,601 and 7,109 respectively since the scheme was introduced in 2003.
Construction Workers Registration
The government plans to introduce amendments to the Construction Workers Registration Ordinance to the Legislative Council in 2014. These will facilitate the prohibition of anyone from undertaking construction work of designated trades unless they have been registered for
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