Department during the preparation of an earlier roadworks and drainage contract. They therefore assumed that this criterion would be adhered to. In the event the roadworks consultants' assumption was wrong. The Director of Water Supplies has commented that as the roadworks consultants had not supplied the road details when the mainlaying works were designed, the roadworks consultants could not assume that the watermains had been laid in position correctly in relation to something which was not known or given to his department.
210.
It was also found in July 1982, when
ascertaining the full extent of the remedial works necessary, that the levels of the watermains on drawings provided by the mainlaying consultants, were at variance with the trial holes which had been excavated by the roadworks contractor. The Director of Water Supplies is seeking an explanation from the mainlaying consultants for the differences in level between the as-constructed drawing and the findings of the roadworks contractor, but to date has not received a satisfactory explanation.
211.
I have invited the attention of the Director of Water Supplies and the Director of New Territories Development to the unfortunate circumstances which culminated in the need to have the watermains re-laid within a year of their being first laid. I have expressed the view to the Director of Water Supplies that had the watermain level been determined by his department during the design stage for laying the watermains, or had the mainlaying consultants sought necessary clarification concerning the watermain level during the construction stage, the need for re-laying the mains and the resultant nugatory expenditure could have been obviated. I have also expressed the view to the Director of New Territories Development that had the roadworks consultants sought confirmation of the level of the newly laid watermains at the design stage for the roadworks, the claims for disruption and delay by the roadworks contractor could have been substantially reduced.
212.
To prevent a recurrence of similar cases in future I have recommended to the Director of New Territories Development that information on the vertical profile of utilities should be obtained at the design stage of a new road project and that necessary checks should be carried out to confirm the actual vertical level of watermains (and other utilities) prior to tendering of a roadworks contract. I have recommended to the Director of Water Supplies that the present working procedures regarding mainlaying projects should be reviewed with a view to ensuring adequate and effective co-ordination with the road authority, that changes in the management of a contract after commencement should be avoided, that the vertical level of the watermains should be determined with
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