348. In accepting water from China the following problems had to be overcome:
(1) the border is a good many miles from the centre of distribution and there is a range of hills in between;
(2) the water would have to be pumped, filtered and sterilized before it could be distributed.
349. Fortunately there was a suitable catchwater of the Tai Lam Chung Reservoir system within 10 miles of the point of delivery at the Hong Kong/Chinese border and the filter plant could cope with an additional 15 to 20 million gallons a day during the dry season. It was therefore decided to build a pumping station close to the border and connect it by a 48" steel main to the catchwater. Pipe laying of the 10-mile length of main began from the catchwater at the end of May, and as the line crossed the River Indus an intake and second pumping station were constructed at that point, with pumping from the Indus commencing on 7th October. Meanwhile pipe laying continued to the main border station and the first water was received from the Chinese Reservoir on 5th December.
Shek Pik Scheme
350. Progress on this scheme suffered a little as a result of the heavy rains during the year, but continued to be generally satisfactory. The Shek Pik villagers were evacuated to their new homes in Tsuen Wan at the end of November.
351. With the completion of grouting of the rock at both ends of the dam cut-off, work commenced on building the main embankment; the diversion tunnel was cut through to the sea and the scour pipe laid inside and concreted in position.
352. Excavation of the 6-mile supply tunnel continued and approximately 30% of the whole length was completed. Two vertical shafts sunk to the tunnel level provided additional working faces.
353. The site for the pump house at Pui O was formed and excavation over the site of the treatment works at Silver Mine Bay made good progress, the excavated material being deposited to form a small reclamation in Silver Mine Bay.
354. Orders were placed for the supply of the 35 million gallons a day rapid gravity filtration plant and the 30" diameter steel pipes for the twin submarine pipelines between Silver Mine Bay on Lantau Island and Sandy Bay on Hong Kong Island. Together with the letting