WATERWORKS OFFICE.
144. Since 1939 the Waterworks have operated as a self-supporting service, and revenue and expenditure are therefore shown separately in the Annual Estimates.
145. The Waterworks did not suffer very severely as a result of the Japanese Occupation. There was a certain amount of looting, some plant was removed and not recovered, but the principal damage was caused by neglect and lack of maintenance.
146. Good progress was made with the work of rehabilitation and by the end of the year nearly all damaged or looted mains had been replaced, catchwaters repaired, and the water supply re-established almost to the pre-war standard.
147. The rainfall recorded at the Royal Observatory for the twelve months ending 31st March 1947 was 81.15 inches, or 4.90 inches below average, and 31.92 inches more than in 1938-39.
148. Low rainfall in the Spring of 1946 had necessitated restricted hours of supply from 27th April, but heavy rain in May and early June enabled full supply to be given from 8th June. On 12th September restricted hours of supply were again imposed owing to low rainfall in August, increased population, the high rate of consumption, and to ensure that the water then in storage would be sufficient to provide for the ensuing dry season. The restrictions were in force at the end of the year, except on Chinese New Year in January, when a full supply was given for three days.
149. Water consumption since 1922 for the Island and the Mainland is shown in Appendix II, the war years being omitted. The average daily consumption for 1946-47 was 28.18 million gallons compared with 26.82 million gallons for 1939.
150. The standard of purity aimed at in the earlier part of the year was B. Coli absent in 50 c.c., and in October it was possible to raise this standard to B. Coli absent in 100 c.c., in accordance with the Ministry of Health's recommendation in "Bacteriological Examination of Water Supplies". With the exception of an area in Shaukiwan, where local pollution occurred as a result of war damage to house service connections, the results have been very good.
151. Waste detection was proceeded with principally by house to house inspection of inside services, but owing to the non-arrival of spare parts for waste detection meters...