269. Cheung Chau Island. This is one of the more important fishing ports in the Colony and has a population of approximately 20,000. The only source of water, however, is from a few small wells in the low-lying parts of the Island. The supply from these wells is totally inadequate and water has to be brought to the Island from Hong Kong and elsewhere by water boats.
There is no site on the island for an impounding reservoir but a survey on the nearby island of Lantao revealed a suitable location for one at a sufficiently high level to enable the water to gravitate to Cheung Chau. Pumps, however, will be required to lift the water to a service reservoir situated on high ground to enable a supply to be given to the town. An indent was accordingly prepared for two diesel pumping units and the necessary piping which includes 4,000 ft. of steel pipe coated with bitumen for the underwater section between the two islands.
270. Ping Chau Island. This is an island in Mirs Bay with a population of approximately 3,000. It is very low lying and has no water resources except for a few shallow wells sunk in rock. During the dry season water is brought to the island by sea from Taipo, a distance of approx. 14 miles. Five bore holes 1" in diameter were drilled through rock to various depths ranging between 60-100 ft. The bore holes revealed that a certain amount of underground water existed and it was decided to enlarge and deepen 3 existing wells and also to sink two new ones. The sinking of the wells was started in February and was in progress at the end of the year.
271. Yuen Long District. This area is fed from an old intake in a perennial stream. There is, however, practically no storage at the intake with the result that the night flow as well as part of the day flow during periods of small draw-off runs to waste. The area supplied has at present a population of approx. 22,000 and this is increasing rapidly. During the last few years, numerous complaints were received of a poor supply. The construction of a mass concrete dam approx. 35 ft. high at the intake was therefore commenced. This dam when completed will not only catch all the night flow but will also provide a storage of approx. 2 million gallons.
59