97
The Tai Lam Chung Valley, lying a few miles East of Castle Peak is known to possess considerable water possibilities and to contain a basin which might be found suitable for a very large storage reservoir.
In view of the present position, the investigation of this valley, with a view to ascertaining its storage possibilities water value etc. is recommended.
Increasing and safeguarding the delivery from the mainland to the island.
Paras. 50 and 51 of Mr. Woodward's report deal with this matter and stress the vital importance of the cross harbour mains to the island supply.
I agree that a 2nd 18′′ main in substitution for the original 12′′ main should be provided as soon as possible and that a more permanent protection for both mains
is very necessary.
The existing mains are much too vulnerable to corrosion from salt water action and also to damage from dragging anchors; whilst the Government diver reports that owing to corrosion it would be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to effect repairs to the 12" main were a length carried away.
Lack of facilities on the Island for taking fuller use of Mainland water.
At present, mainland water can only be delivered into the Gardens Service Reservoir, which is approx. 240 feet A. O D. Therefore only the low lying position of the City can be supplied from the mainland.
The middle levels of the City, e.g. below Caine Road level, are supplied from the Tytam Source via the Bowen Road Conduit which for a certain period of every year is worked to its utmost capacity.
For a good many years, difficulty has been experienced in delivering sufficient Tytam water to the central part of the City, owing to increasing demands in the Eastern district.
As the island resources are not capable of further development, the proposals outlined in Para. 52 of the Report shew the only course by which it is possible to deliver additional water to a higher level of the City.
Pumps capable of delivering 5 M. G. P. D. to the Albany Service Reservoir are contemplated but a portion of this delivery could be diverted westwards by convert- ing the existing unfiltered Albany-Elliot main to a filtered water main and connect- ing it to the proposed pumping main.
The question of augmenting the supply to the upper levels of the City, i.e. above Caine Road, is also one which cannot remain for long in abeyance and is referred to in Paras. 85 and 105 of the Report.
Additional Filtration Plant.
Not only are the existing filters on the island insufficient to cope with summer requirements, but the location of the various installations throughout the City is not ideal.
There is ample filtration capacity in the Western District and a reasonable amount in the Central District, which is augmented by filtered water from the main- land.
In the Eastern District, however, there is a deficiency and it is in this district that most future development is likely to occur.