97
9. Water is now supplied direct to all rated property, irrespective of the purpose for which that property is used. Each property is entitled to a so-called "Free Allow- ance" in respect of 2% of its rateable value calculated at the rate of 1000 gallons for
40 cents.
Per annum.
For example: rateable value
2% of
$1,000
20
Free allowance
$20.00 40 cents
= 50 thousand gallons per annum.
All water over and above this "free allowance" is described as "excess" water and is charged for at a special rate which was originally 75 cents per 1000 gallons but which has recently been reduced by 15%.
10. An examination of the foregoing summary reveals the existence of certain salient factors, which by their action and reaction on each other create and com- plicate our water problem. Prevention of waste, adequate provision for poor areas, cost and incidence of cost, considerations of health and considerations of revenue, are all inextricably interwoven and no solution can be deemed satisfactory which does not give full weight to each and at the same time provide a balance for the whole.
11. Hong Kong does not at present possess an unlimited supply of water and we are not, therefore, in a position where increased consumption can be regarded with satisfaction as increased revenue. With the completion of the Shing Mun Dam the position will be altered, but until the advent of that happy day prevention of waste is of equal importance with provision of an adequate supply.
12. Unfortunately, it is just in those areas where every law of public health and economics demands as full a supply at as low a rate as possible that waste is most prevalent and considerations of control most important. Moreover, quite apart from any question of waste, the density of population in the poor districts is so great that the normal water consumption of a Chinese tenement reaches a figure far in excess of the "free" allowance, which is based on rateable value and takes no account of the number and needs of individuals in any particular tenement.
13. Special control of these areas by the Rider Main System has been tried and found wanting and in its place the Government has introduced a system which aims at control through economic pressure supplemented by such physical restrictions as may from time to time be applied to the Colony generally.
14. The following tables show the consumption per annum in million gallons of water in Hong Kong and Kowloon during the years 1931-1934 inclusive:
Consumption of Filtered Water.
(in million gallons).
HONG KONG.
City and Hill District.
MAINLAND.
Kowloon. (excluding water boats at Lai Chi Kok).
1931
1932
3,942.65
1,840.39
3,517.00
1,869.15
1933
3,264.75
2,051.84
1934
3,908.50
2,257.55