Sessional_Paper_1902 — Page 609

No. 1902

20

HONGKONG.

REPORT

ON THE

WATER-SUPPLY OF HONGKONG.

MAINLY WITH REGARD TO THE FULL DEVELOPMENT

OF THE SUPPLY FROM THE TAITAM-TUK VALLEY.

Inid before the Legislative Council by Command of His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government.

SIR,

PUBLIC WORKS OFFICE,

HONGKONG, 18th April, 1902.

511

1. The reasons which led to the conclusion that the Taitam-tuk Valley is Reasons for the most suitable one for development, are as follows:-

developing Taitam gathering

Other gathering-grounds exist, but their areas, above the level which would ground. admit of the delivery of the water, by gravity, into the general system is but small. As far as can be seen from existing maps, no good reservoir-sites exist within them. To get any large quantity of water, the reservoirs must be put low down, and pumping must therefore be resorted to. A long length of conduit or pipe would be required, to bring in the water from them. The conduit from Taitam exists, and is capable of conveying a far larger quantity of water, than it is now called upon to deliver. Therefore, though it will be well to examine other gathering-grounds, and even to reserve them for future use, if any favourable conditions be found to exist, the Taitam Valley should be the scene of immediate operations.*

for resorting

at first.

2. The original project, drawn up by Mr. COOPER was firstly, to construct two The reasons reservoirs, having a joint capacity of 110 millions of ga' ns, fed by, and placed to pumping within, the Taitain gathering-ground, and above the existing reservoir. Then, later on, to construct, lower down the valley, a further reservoir, having a capacity of 100 millions at a level of 180 above O.D., so that the contents thereof would have to be pumped up to the Tunnel. Since this project was submitted, events have occurred, which point to a reversal of the policy. Taitam Reservoir never filled, during the rainy season of 1901, and it is doubtful whether 100 millions escaped collection in 1900, in which year the rainfall was also below the average. Therefore the gathering-ground should be increased, as well as the reservoir- capacity, and this can only be done by going further down the valley, and resorting Another great to pumping, consequently let pumping be resorted to at once. advantage of this arrangement is that the supply could be materially increased, at an early date. During the exceptional drought of 1901-02, the stream, below Taitam, yielded at least 45 millions of gallons, in September and October, which would have been a valuable addition to the general water-supply.

* Vide Report on the Sanitation of Hongkong dated 10th April, 1902, 3 page et seq.