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38. Other projects to augment general water resources in the Colony are
being undertaken. A water resources survey team has been formed jointly
by Government Water Works Staff and Consultants.
The team will
investigate additional natural resources and also report on the
possibilities and economics of desalination.
The study is expected to
take at least 3 years before the final report is ready. A report from
the Consultants (Binnie and Partners) has recently been submitted to the
Hong Kong Government.
39. Over the past few years Hong Kong has taken a close interest in
desalination, but has hitherto decided that the amounts of water that
can be obtained from the plants to be had commercially do not justify
entry to this field at present since other cheaper sources of supply are
still available. It is likely, however, that natural sources of water
will in the not too distant future become increasingly expensive to
develop to the point where desalination's cost disadvantage is more than
offset by the insurance it affords against prolonged drought.
40. In 1967/68 capital expenditure on water supplies is estimated at
over £7.4 m.
Hong Kong Department,
October, 1967.
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