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The water in Tytam reservoir-Pokfulam and Wong-nei-chong being empty reached its lowest level on the 10th May, when there remained in it 6,000,000 gallons. At the same rate of draw-off as prevailed during the preceding 10 days, this was sufficient to last for other 18 days, or practically until the end of May. Rain began to fall in appreciable quantity on the 8th May and, on the 13th, a fall of nearly 7 inches occurred, effectually terminating the severe drought which had extended over a period of practically nine months. By the 25th May, the condition of the reservoirs justified a return to the system of constant supply, and this was accordingly put in force after a period of intermittent supply extending over 195 days, or 6 months.
The total expenditure on the works undertaken to supplement the supply was $66,900.
As already mentioned, in consequence of the early cessation of the rains and the exceptionally dry weather during September, recourse was again had to inter- mittent supply on the 1st November. Tytam and Pokfulam reservoirs had ceased to overflow on the 1st September and Wong-nei-chong at an earlier date, the combined contents of all three reservoirs on the 1st November amounting to 354 million gallons. This had been reduced to 2933 million gallons at the close of the
year.
The total quantity of water supplied during the year, exclusive of what was imported or obtained from Messrs. BUTTERFIELD & SWIRE's reservoir, was 947,517,000 gallons filtered and 24,753,000 gallons unfiltered, making a grand total of 972,270,000 or 322 millions less than during 1901.
The average consumption of filtered water per day was 2,595,000 gallons, which, with an estimated population of 214,300, gives an average daily consumption of 12.11 gallons per head for all purposes. The daily consumption per head, during the period of constant supply, amounted to 17.6 gallons and during the latter period of intermittent supply to 10.5 gallons. In consequence of the exceptional conditions prevailing during the earlier period of intermittent supply, no accurate figures for it can be given, but, taking the entire population, the quantity supplied averaged 6.5 gallons, exclusive of unfiltered and imported supplies.
Full details of the consumption, contents of the reservoirs, &c., will be found in Appendices C., D. and E. The analyses made by the Government Analyst showed that the quality of the water throughout the year was excellent.
The water pumped to the High Level District of the City amounted to 30,450,000 gallons over the whole year, equal to an average daily consumption of 83,424 gallons, whilst 17,443,000 gallons were pumped to the Hill District, giving an average daily consumption of 47,788 gallons.
The grand total pumped during the whole year amounted to 47,893,000 gallons.
Tabulated statements containing particulars of the quantity pumped to the Hill District and High Levels respectively, in successive years since 1892, will be found in Appendices F. and G.
The whole of the motors were maintained in a good state of repair. The steam pumping engine at. Bonham Road was maintained in working order, though, in consequence of the great demand for its services, some difficulty was experienced in finding an opportunity to effect repairs when required.
The number of meters in use in the City at the end of the year was 406 and in the Hill District 149.
The quantity of water supplied by meter was:---
Filtered:-Trade,
Gallons.
53,870,000
Domestic (City),
Do. (Hill District),
49,800,000
....
11,472,000
Unfiltered,..
24,753,000
Total......
.139,895,000
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