XN000022-1973-11-21 — Page 9

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Wednesday, November 21, 1973

SAI KUNG VILLAGERS GET NEW IRRIGATION SYSTEM

A complex system of irrigation channels and diversion weirs

has been built in the valleys behind Sha Kok Mei near Sai Kung to provide

better irrigation facilities for villagers in the area.

The project, which cost more than $600,000, is part of a $7 million

scheme to improve irrigation facilities in the cultivated areas affected

by the High Island Water Scheme.

The work was necessary to ensure that the long-term effects of

the tapping of water did not adversely affect normal water supplies for

domestic and agricultural use in the area,a spokesman for the New Territorios

Administration explained today.

In planning the project, he said allowance had to be made to take

into account not only the current consumption for irrigating the 165 acres

of cultivated land in the valley, but also possible future and more intensive

cropping which would need increased supplies.

"This necessitated a distribution system which will not only make

more efficient use of the water available, but will ensure that only water

surplus to requirements is syphoned off to the intakes of the new reservoir."

Altogether, 10,000 feet of concrete irrigation channels and

11 diversion weirs were built.

Representatives of the 2,700 Sha Kok Mei villagers have expressed

their satisfaction with the scheme.

Note to Editors: Copies of a photograph of one of the diversion weire constructed in the Sha Kok Hei Valley are boxed

for collection.

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