CO129-540-5 Water supply- Shing Mun Valley Waterworks scheme 11-5-1932 - 7-12-1932 — Page 64

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HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

mains after installation but this payment has never been called for and the upkeep has ever since been a matter for the Government. The original rider mains have therefore had a full life and it can fairly be said that the community has had value for its money.

The question of waste has now had twenty-six years in which to be tried out and there can be no hesitation in stating definitely that there is very serious waste through the rider mains, so much so indeed that experience has shown that restriction to anything more than two or perhaps four hours per day does not result in the conservation of water that is called for in times of scarcity. Eight hours supply or more in a day means as much use of water as a 24 hours supply.

From the time of the installation of the rider mains the records show that in only four years was a constant supply possible and three of those were the years immediately following the opening of Tytam Tuk Reservoir. For all the other years restrictive regulations of varying severity were called for and often complete cessation of the rider main system has been imperative. Of late years indeed the rider main system has been out of action for approximately as long in any one year as it has been in action. An improved system of distribution through larger pipes, such as is now in existence, has emphasized the necessity for shorter hours if water is to be conserved in time of shortage, and proves still further that the rider main system is unsuitable to existing conditions.

It is no matter for surprise that from the beginning applications were constantly made for the installation of meters which it was understood would be rarely if at all subject to restriction. Under the conditions the supply through rider mains was to be the first to be restricted and it was always hoped that this amount of restriction would meet the whole case. For many years meters were grudgingly approved, for each new meter tended to destroy the balance of the 1903 arrangement; but Government has consistently made constant and great efforts to increase the supply and relieve the position. The more water supplied however the more has been used, not only as a matter of total supply to an increased population but in gallons per head. There are a number of reasons which force the conclusion that this increased use which is very marked on the Island is to no small extent a matter of avoidable waste: and a comparison of the conditions of Hong Kong and Kowloon-which has the suggested system and no Rider Mains -with a comparison of the average quantity of water per head used on the two sides-Hong Kong being consistently some 30% or more the higher makes it impossible to avoid the further conclusion that the rider main system cannot be absolved from

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