1948-1949 — Page 39

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210. Service Reservoirs and Mains:- General maintenance and washing out of all service reservoirs and mains was continued. On the Island 5,040 feet of mains were realigned for various reasons, 1,944 feet of new mains were laid to improve distribution and 1,983 feet of old mains were removed or abandoned. On the Mainland 125 feet of new mains were laid, and 722 feet removed or abandoned. Repairs numbering 1,534 to mains, hydrants and valves on the Island and 429 on the Mainland were undertaken.

211. Waste Detection and Prevention: The preparation of detail plans for waste detection areas was continued and the repair of all waste detection meters was completed. House to house inspection continued and 1,430 notices to alter defective inside water services were issued. Fittings totalling 30,164 to be used on inside water services by Licensed Plumbers were tested and stamped in the Workshops and 6 new licences and 208 renewals of old licences were issued to plumbers after investigation of their knowledge and workshop facilities.

212. Maintenance of Buildings:- General maintenance of Water Works Quarters and other buildings was carried out by the Architectural Office.

213. Maintenance of Water Meters:- At the end of the year there were 15,611 meters in use on the Island and 12,418 on the Mainland. The number of meters repaired and tested was 16,040 on the Island, and 7,778 on the Mainland. Of these 7,229 on the Island and 1,855 on the Mainland were repaired on site without removal, the remainder being repaired in the Workshops. Eight meters on the Island and eight on the Mainland were tested under Regulation 7 of the Water Works Ordinance, 73 on the Island and 3 on the Mainland were found to be unfit for further service and 19 Kent M2 meters were assembled from available parts and from bodies which were found, presumably having been discarded during the Japanese occupation. Details of the number of meters in use in the Colony are given in Table VI.

214. Maintenance of Workshops: The manufacture and repair of various articles required for the maintenance of water works pumping plant, machinery, valves, hydrants etc., and for other Sub-Departments and Departments was continued. A total of 730 orders was dealt with, 684 being for water works. In addition 8,811 meters were repaired in the Island Workshop and 5,923 in the Mainland Workshop. The annual inspection and overhaul of boilers in Government buildings was continued.

215. Minor Works:- Boring work at Wong Nei Chong Reservoir, referred to in para. 211(a) (viii) of last year's report, was continued and the probable leakage planes were traced. Enquiries were made in regard to suitable plant for grouting. Electric meters were fixed at Tytam Tuk, Bullock Lane and Bowen Road Quarters in connection with domestic services charges for fuel, light and water. A new raingauge with protective housing was fixed at Fanling. A concrete wall and channel was built at Albany Filters and the embankment of North Point Service Reservoir was made good where it had been damaged by squatters.