October_1967 — Page 33

Part 1

CIVIL ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS

TH

INTRODUCTION

by C.M. Guilford, MA, AMICE, MASCE

HE Plover Cove water scheme is a large-scale and long term pro- ject for doubling the yield from the Colony's own water resources and for providing storage capacity to maintain an adequate supply through extended dry periods. A report on the feasibi- lity of the scheme, which included preliminary design, hydrological and cost studies, was submitted to the Hong Kong Government in 1959 and site investigation and detailed design work started in the following year.

The extensive nature of the scheme can be readily assessed from fig. 1; a diagrammatic layout is shown in fig. 2 and indicates, in a simple manner, the complex operation of this scheme. From these figures, it will be seen that the works at Tai Po Tau constitute the focal point in the scheme as it is here that the three main aqueduct systems meet.

The approximate cost of the initial investigations and the construction of the first two stages is HK$576 m. A comprehensive schedule of the prin- cipal data of individual portions of the works will be found in appendix 'A' and a list of the main civil en- gineering contractors and plant sup- pliers is given in appendix B`.

Site Investigations

Very extensive site investigations were undertaken prior to the com- mencement of construction. In all, over 450 holes involving some 25,000 ft. of boring, core-drilling and trial- pit excavation were completed in 1960-61. Field investigations for the main dam works alone (including the reservoir bed, perimeter and the asso- ciated borrow areas) involved about 230 holes totalling 12,600 ft. of bor- ing, drilling and trial-pit excavation.

WATER

PLOVER COVE

SCHEME STAGE II

Plover Cove Water Scheme is the largest civil engineering project ever undertaken in Hong Kong. Its main feature is the enclosure of a 32 mile long sea inlet and the replacement of the impounded sea water with about 30,000 million gallons of fresh water, so doubling the Colony's storage capacity. Fresh water is now flowing into the 3,000 acre reservoir to signal the near completion of Stage II of this vast scheme.

With the kind permission of the Engineering Society of Hong Kong, this journal is to publish as a series the four papers presented to the Society (Session 1966-1967) under the title 'Some Aspects of Stage II of the Plover Cove Water Scheme'. A brief description of the scheme and background to the papers is given here by Mr. C.M. Guil- ford, Associate, Scott Wilson Kirkpatrick & Partners.

Of the undisturbed sampling, about View taken earlier this year of emptied Plover Cove

Far East Architect & Builder October, 1967

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