ENG-1962 — Page 277

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PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES

the Colony's network of distribution mains varying from two inches to 18 inches in diameter was extended to meet the demand created

by development.

Because of the heavy demand for potable water and the limited resources available, filtered water is made available for flushing in exceptional circumstances only. In the past the yield from wells was generally adequate to meet this requirement, but with much of the population now housed at densities exceeding 2,500 persons to the acre, the yield from wells is bound to be inadequate. For this reason increasing use is being made of sea water. This involves a completely separate system of pumps, reservoirs and distribution mains, while private builders must ensure when constructing new property that the inside services and the sanitary fittings can carry highly corrosive sea water. The close of 1962 saw the substantial completion of six sea water flushing schemes at Chai Wan and North Point on Hong Kong Island, and at Kwun Tong, Jordan Valley, Wong Tai Sin and Sham Shui Po on the mainland.

To encourage economy in the use of water almost all fresh supplies are metered and consumers are charged $1 for 1,000 Imperial gallons. Overhaul and maintenance of meters forms a large part of the work of the waterworks workshops, and in addi- tion all castings made by local firms for the waterworks are tested and machined by the waterworks staff.

During the year the Water Authority again improved and ex- tended the traditional irrigation systems on which New Territories farmers depend. A total of 21,000 feet of irrigation channels were lined with concrete and 28 diversion dams constructed. These works have reduced wastage and made possible more effective distribution of water from storage reservoirs built in previous years. Such reservoirs serve as insurance against delay in spring planting if the rains are late and can also be drawn upon by farmers during the dry weather to irrigate an additional crop of vegetables in fields which would otherwise have to be left fallow.

The year was one of drought and increased demand, with the result that supplies fell far short of expectation. However it was not entirely without compensation, for the dry weather enabled better progress to be made on new works with the result that the