CO129-562-1 Water supply- report and proposals for additional works 18-5-1937 - 14-7-1937 — Page 16

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PRESENT RESOURCES

14. The present calculated minimum resources of the water supplies for Island and Kowloon have been estimated at the following values:

Island Catchment Areas..

Kowloon

.10.87 M.G./D. (S.P. 1928).

Shing Mun

3.16 9.25

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སྙ

(Binnie (201) in) (0.8.0.9/3245/22)

23.28

Say 23.25 million gallons per day.

15. Details of the capacities and catchment areas of the impounding reservoirs are shown in Appendix II.

PRESENT CONSUMPTION

16. The accompanying graph, Appendix II, shows for the period 1918-1936 the average daily consumptions over a yearly period and the maximum daily con- sumptions over periods of seven consecutive days. The number of days in each year on which full supply was given are also shewn for the City and for Kowloon. The figures for 1936 are based on actual consumptions to the end of October the remain- ing two months being estimated. Restrictions were in force in 1936 in the City for

were These periods 214 days, and in Kowloon for 140 days.

continuous from January 1st except at Chinese New Year.

17. The graphs show a very marked increase in consumption particularly in Kowloon. Had there been full supply for the whole year it is estimated that the average consumption would have been 14.0 M. .D. in the City and 8.5 M.G./D. in Kowloon, a combined total of 22.5 M.G./D. This figure is very little short of the present calculated resources of 23.25 M.G./D. given above.

ISLAND REQUIREMENTS

18. The probable future requirements of the Island cannot be estimated with any great degree of accuracy. An estimate was given by Messrs. Sir A. Binnie, Son and Deacon in their report of 1981 in paragraphs 9 to 12 and for clarity this has also been shown in the form of a graph in Appendix III.

19. It will be observed that the actual consumption for 1936, although restric- tions were in force for 214 days, is approximately the same as that previously estimated for full supply for the same year. Had there been no restrictions the consumption would most probably have been equal to that estimated for 1942 or 14.0 M.G./D.

20. The large increase, which has materialized in spite of a trade depression, may perhaps be attributed to the following reasons :-

(1) The early termination of the rainy season (September 7th) and the subsequent long dry hot period which has continued very late in the year. (2) The cost of excess water per thousand gallons was reduced from 75 cents by a rebate of 15% and later to 50 cents with a similar rebate. After the continuous repression of annual restrictions and the fact that the public appears to be under the impression that there would be no further restric- tions after the completion of the Jubilee Reservoir, the consumers have "let themselves go" in the matter of consumption.

(3) A general tendency to use more water as a result of increasing knowledge

of Western standards of Public Health and Hygiene.

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21. The revenue from water charges, apart from rates, will probably amount to $1,700,000 for 1936 as against about $2,000,000 for 1935 when the rate for excess water was 50% higher than in 1936. The consumer has thus been able to obtain considerably more water for a smaller aggregate cost.

22. An estimate of probable requirements of the City for the next five years is shown in Appendix III, an average annual increase of .5 M.G./D. being allowed. Taking the present consumption (on full supply) at 14.0 M.G./D. this would give the estimated requirements for 1941 as 16.5 M.G./D. This has been based on the assumption that development will continue and the standard of living will rise as envisaged in paragraph 12 of Messrs. Sir A. Binnie, Son & Deacon's report mention- ed above.

MAINLAND REQUIREMENTS

23. The probable future requirements of the Mainland are estimated than those of the Island. Whereas further building development on the even less easily Island is difficult, new areas being somewhat restricted, the reverse is the case in Kowloon with its flatter and more extensive areas available. With a return to better trading conditions development would proceed rapidly and one can visualize that at no great distant date the Kowloon range of hills may become a second "Peak District".

24. The increase in consumption of water this year has also been very marked. Appendix III shows the requirements estimated for Kowloon by Messrs. Sir A. Binnie. Son & Deacon. Although restrictions were in force for 140 days, it will be observed that the actual consumption for 1986 is between that previously estimated for 1937 and 1938 whilst had there been no restrictions the consumption would most probably have been about equal to that estimated for 1939 or 8.5 M.G./D

25. The only reasons that can be given for this increase are those adumbrat- ed for the higher consumption in the City.

28. An estimate of probable consumption Kowloon for the next five years is also shown in Appendix III, an average annual increase of 6 M.G./D. being allowed. A slightly higher rate than that of the City has been assumed on account of more modern sanitary arrangements and the greater probability of industrial development in Kowloon. Taking the 1936 consumption (on full supply) at 8.5 M.G./D. this would give the estimated requirements for 1941 as 11.5 M.G./D.

COMBINED REQUIREMENTS

27. The estimated combined requirements for 1937 are therefore 14.5 M.G./D. for the City and 9.1 M.G./D. for Kowloon making a total of 23.6 M.G./D. or slightly higher than the present minimum resources of 23.25 M.G./D. (see para. 14)

28. The estimated combined requirements for 1941 are 16.5 M.G./D. for the City and 11.5 M.G./D. for Kowloon making a total of 28. M.G./D)., or a deficit of 4.75 M.G./D.

29. Owing to the interval of time which must necessarily elapse between the date of proposal and date of completion of new works and in order to provide against the contingency of the actual rate of increase in consumption being greater than that estimated, it is strongly recommended that an amount of 15% be added to the estimated requirements. The total resources necessary for 1937 would then be 27.14 M.G./D), and for 1941 they would be 32.2 M.G./D.

30. It is therefore obvious that the provision of further supplies must be put in hand as early as possible if restrictions, in the event of low rainfall years, are to be avoided.

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