XN000022-1977-10-31 — Page 6

MONDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1977

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HE SAID THAT THE ENTIRE INDIRECT CATCHMENT AND THE EIGHT LOWLAND PUMPING STATIONS WERE BROUGHT INTO SERVICE PROGRESSIVELY DURING THE SUMMER.

WHEN COMPLETED IN 1979, THE HIGH ISLAND WATER SCHEME WOULD BE THE BIGGEST SEABED FRESHWATER RESERVOIR IN THE WORLD. IT WOULD BE CAPABLE OF STORING MORE THAN 273 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, NEARLY DOUBLING HONG KONG'S PRESENT STORAGE CAPACITY.

FROM HIGH ISLAND RESERVOIR, THE PARTY PROCEEDED TO TUI MIN HOT IN SAI KUNG.

THE DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR THE AREA PROVIDES FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF HOUSING ACCOMMODATION FOR A GROUP OF FISHERMEN DISPLACED BY THE HIGH ISLAND WATER SCHEME AND A SMALL PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE TO CATER FOR DEVELOPMENT CLEARANCES AND VILLAGE TYPE DEVELOPMENT.

THE GOVERNMENT ENGINEER (NEW TERRITORIES), MR. B. H. NEWMAN, TOLD THE VISITORS THAT THE TOTAL DEVELOPMENT AREA COVERED 33 HECTARES.

ENGINEERING WORKS NOW IN HAND INCLUDED SITE FORMATION FOR HOUSING AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE ACCESS ROAD FROM HIRAM'S HIGHWAY.

+EXCAVATED MATERIAL IS BEING USED FOR RECLAMATION IN THE SAI KUNG TUK AREA FOR SUBSEQUENT LIGHT INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT,+ MR. NEWMAN SAID.

+MEANWHILE, TENDERS HAVE BEEN INVITED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF FISHERMEN'S HOUSING. WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN DECEMBER FOR COMPLETION BY APRIL 1979.+

HE SAID THAT THE TOTAL COST OF THE DEVELOPMENT WAS ABOUT $30 MILLION.

MEMBERS OF THE P.W.S.C. AND UMELCO OFFICE NEXT STOPPED AT THE SECOND LION ROCK HIGH LEVEL SERVICE RESERVOIR, WHICH FORMS PART OF THE HIGH ISLAND WATER SCHEME.

THERE, MR. E. BOWLER, SENIOR ENGINEER FOR NEW WORKS, TOLD THE VISITORS THAT WORK ON THE RESERVOIR WAS PROGRESSING SATISFACTORILY AND WAS SCHEDULED TO BE COMPLETED EARLY NEXT YEAR.

ON COMPLETION, THE SERVICE RESERVOIR WOULD PROVIDE ADDITIONAL PRIMARY STORAGE CAPACITY TO ACCEPT THE INCREASED OUTPUT OF SHA TIN TREATMENT WORKS THE DAILY CAPACITY OF WHICH HAS BEEN INCREASED TO 1.09 MILLION CUBIC METRES.

MR. BOWLER SAID THAT THE SERVICE RESERVOIR WOULD BE FED BY TRUNK MAINS LAID IN THE SECOND LION ROCK TUNNEL AND WOULD SUPPLY WATER TO OTHER SERVICE RESERVOIRS IN KOWLOON AND ON HONG KONG ISLAND VIA THE CROSS-HARBOUR MAIN.

/BEFORE TAKING