80
PRESENT RESOURCES
14. The present calculated minimum resources of the water supplies for Island and Kowloon have been estimated at the following values:-
Island Catchment Areas..
10.87 M.G./D. (S.P. 1928).
Kowloon Shing Mun
3.16
JJ
""
9.25
"J
"
"
23.28
(Binnie (201) in (C.S.O.9/3245/22)
Say 23.25 million gallons per day.
15. Details of the capacities and catchment areas of the impounding reservoirs are shown in Appendix II.
PRESENT CONSUMPTION
16. The accompanying graph, Appendix III, shows for the period 1918-1936 the average daily consumptions over a yearly period and the maximum daily con- sumptions over periods of seven consecutive days. The number of days in each year on which full supply was given are also shewn for the City and for Kowloon. The figures for 1936 are based on actual consumptions to the end of October the remain- ing two months being estimated. Restrictions were in force in 1936 in the City for 214 days, and in Kowloon for 140 days. These periods were continuous from January 1st except at Chinese New Year.
17. The graphs show a very marked increase in consumption particularly in Kowloon. Had there been full supply for the whole year it is estimated that the average consumption would have been 14.0 M. G./D. in the City and 8.5 M.G./D. in Kowloon, a combined total of 22.5 M.G./D. This figure is very little short of the present calculated resources of 23.25 M.G./D. given above.
ISLAND REQUIREMENTS
18. The probable future requirements of the Island cannot be estimated with any great degree of accuracy. An estimate was given by Messrs. Sir A. Binnie, Son and Deacon in their report of 1931 in paragraphs 9 to 12 and for clarity this has also been shown in the form of a graph in Appendix III.
19. It will be observed that the actual consumption for 1936, although restric- tions were in force for 214 days, is approximately the same. as that previously estimated for full supply for the same year. Had there been no restrictions the consumption would most probably have been equal to that estimated for 1942 or 14.0 M.G./D.
20. The large increase, which has materialized in spite of a trade depression, may perhaps be attributed to the following reasons:
(1) The early termination of the rainy season (September 7th) and the subsequent long dry hot period which has continued very late in the year. (2) The cost of excess water per thousand gallons was reduced from 75 cents by a rebate of 15% and later to 50 cents with a similar rebate. After the continuous repression of annual restrictions and the fact that the public appears to be under the impression that there would be no further restric- tions after the completion of the Jubilee Reservoir, the consumers have "let themselves go" in the matter of consumption.
(3) A general tendency to use more water as a result of increasing knowledge
of Western standards of Public Health and Hygiene.