Total yield from the catchments was 29% lower than last year. 15,491 million gallons of water was received from China during the year and an agreement was reached with the People's Council of Kwangtung Province in January 1972 for the supply of an additional 3,000 million gallons during the current supply period.
10.12 The Colony's major reservoirs did not fill during the year. Tai Tam Upper reservoir overflowed following Typhoon Freda in June, and Typhoon Rose, which brought 13.4 inches of rain between 14th and 17th of August, resulted in Jubilee Reservoir reaching spillway level and several of the smaller reservoirs overflowing.
10.13 The 24-hour supply continued throughout the year and apart from some minor intakes in the New Territories, unrestricted supply has been maintained since 1st October, 1967. The average daily consumption was 183.1 million gallons with a peak demand of 214.9 million gallons. These figures are respectively 6.1% and 4.6% higher than the corresponding figures for 1970-71.
Headworks Sub-Division
10.14 The maintenance of a balanced draw-off between the reservoirs was difficult due to shut-downs at Tai Po Tau Pumping Station and Sha Tin Treatment Works in connection with the Plover Cove Water Scheme extension works. Draw-off from Plover Cove Reservoir was stopped completely during October to enable temporary bulkheads to be installed in the tunnel linking the reservoir to Tai Po Tau to permit work on the construction of gate-shafts at the portals at each end of the tunnel. Filtration at the Sha Tin Treatment Works was completely stopped from 7th to 13th March while inter-connecting works between the existing clear water tank and the extension works were carried out. During this period, chlorinated but unfiltered water was pumped directly to supply.
10.15 Weekend patrols of Mainland catchment areas by Waterworks staff accompanied by police were continued, with a view to discouraging the indiscriminate disposal of litter and other activities which might lead to pollution of the reservoirs. It was concluded that the establishment of a permanent group engaged on these activities was necessary and recommendations for its formation were in hand.
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