exceeds this filtration capacity. To improve on the present slow sand filters and provide a further 3.5 million gallons per day filtration it is planned to install a 7 million gallons per day rapid gravity filter station on a site adjacent to the existing slow sand filters and so situated that it can take surplus water from either Shing Mun or Kowloon Reservoirs. An indent for the filtration plant was prepared and forwarded.
219. Kowloon Tong Balance Tank. Consequent on the industrial development that has taken place post-war in the Shamshuipo district, complaints from this district of poor pressure had become very numerous and serious. In order to improve the supply it was decided to repair and put back into service the Kowloon Tong Balance Tank which, due to a bad leak, had not been in use since 1938. The repair work involved the construction of an inner reinforced concrete wall 6 ins. thick about 10 ft. inside the existing walls, backed with consolidated earth filling. An asphalt membrane was inserted between the concrete and the fill, and over the existing floor. Work was started in late November and was practically completed by the end of the year.
220. Deep Well Boring. Reports on the geological strata of the New Territories indicate that in certain localities water may be available at a depth of approximately 1,000 ft. In order to provide a better water supply to certain areas in the New Territories it was decided to undertake test bores to ascertain what quantities of water may be derived from such sources. Inquiries were made in the United Kingdom for the necessary equipment and indents forwarded in June for the drilling rig and steel casing required. Only a few small items had been delivered before the end of the year.
221. Tai Lam Chung Valley Scheme. By far the most important extension of the Waterworks commenced during the year was the Tai Lam Chung Valley Scheme. This is a new
Page 58
Page 71