ENG-1978 — Page 206

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PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES

Work continued on other projects designed to meet increasing demands in existing and new areas of development. During the year, planning studies were completed for a new supply to Lamma Island, together with those for improvement of water supplies to Aberdeen, Shouson Hill, Chai Wan, Beacon Hill, Kowloon Bay and Kat O. New supply proposals were planned for Ma Wan, Cheung Sha and some of the high level areas of North Point. Further water supply proposals were formulated to meet the developing needs of the new towns, market towns and rural townships of the New Territories including new systems to serve the south and west coasts of Tsing Yi, the high level development at Lai King Hill Road, the power station at Tap Shek Kok and the industrial estate at Yuen Long.

Detailed studies were in hand to increase water resources by the development of new catchment areas in the north-east of the Sai Kung peninsula, Nim Wan and northern Lantau. Studies into the possible use of recycled waste-water were also in hand. In order to utilise the additional water obtained by agreement with China, design and construction works commenced on the system for transferring additional water from the East River Scheme. Design works were also in hand for the development of the River Ganges Catchment, together with new water supply systems for the Fei Ngo Shan area and Ap Lei Chau. Design and construction progressed satisfactorily on the new supply systems for the new towns of Sha Tin, Tuen Mun and Tsuen Wan, together with those for Tai Po Industrial Estate, Yuen Long and Tsing Yi. On Hong Kong Island, works were in hand to improve the water supply to Pok Fu Lam, Stanley and Repulse Bay.

The safety of existing reservoirs continued to receive attention, with detailed exami- nations proceeding and remedial works implemented where necessary.

With continuing industrial, economic and social expansion throughout Hong Kong, and the consequent increased demand for water resources, overcommitment of staff resources continued, making it necessary to employ consultants on a number of smaller projects.

Following the successful implementation of the first phase of computerisation of water billing and related procedures for trade consumers, work to extend the scheme to domestic and other consumers was put in hand with a view to starting computerised billing by the middle of 1979.

Public Utilities

Electricity

Hong Kong Island and the neighbouring islands of Ap Lei Chau and Lamma are supplied with electricity by the Hong Kong Electric Company while Kowloon and the New Territories - including Lantau and a number of outlying islands - receive supplies from the China Light and Power Company Limited. The island of Cheung Chau is served by the Cheung Chau Electric Company Limited. The three companies are investor-owned and do not operate under franchise. However, the government does exercise a measure of profit control over the two main undertakings.

The China Light and Power Company supplies electricity to Kowloon and the New Territories, including Lantau and a number of outlying islands. Generation of electri- city is carried out partly by China Light and partly by Peninsula Electric Power