A Precious Resource

BOOK 1

Book

Water: Learn & Conserve
Teaching Kit for Liberal Studies

Water: Learn & Conserve

Teaching Kit for Liberal Studies

Design

The Design Associates

7 48
http://www.wsd.gov.hk

Publisher Water Supplies Department of

the Government of the Hong Kong SAR
48/F, Immigration Tower, 7 Gloucester Road,
Wan Chai, Hong Kong.
Website address: http://www.wsd.gov.hk

2011
2011
First published in 2011
2011 Water Supplies Department of the Government of the Hong Kong SAR

All rights reserved. Other than for teaching and studying purpose, no part of this publication
may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means
electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written
permission of the Water Supplies Department.

Printed by the Government Logistics Department

Printed on environmentally friendly paper

Book

Water: Learn & Conserve
Teaching Kit for Liberal Studies

 Foreword

1 2005

The Report The New Academic Structure for Senior Secondary Education and Higher

Education Action Plan for Investing in the Future of Hong Kong by the Education and Manpower

Bureau1 in 2005 stipulates that Liberal Studies is a core subject to be assessed like other subjects

in the three-year senior secondary curriculum. This subject, comprising six modules, aims to

broaden students knowledge base and to enhance their social awareness through the study

of a wide range of issues. Against this backdrop, the Water Supplies Department (WSD) has

compiled a teaching kit entitled Water : Learn and Conserve to help students gaining a better

understanding of the subject of water from the perspectives of the environment and sustainable

development. The set consists of five booklets of different themes covering a full spectrum of water

supply issues from the water resources in Hong Kong, water supply development, waterworks

infrastructures from source to tap, water treatment, water quality control, customer services and
public education. Each booklet contains discussion forums, questions, case studies, illustrative
diagrams and photographs to help stimulate the students independent thought in fostering a
balanced consideration of water conservation, social development and the importance of water
resource sustainability.
The first booklet, A Precious Resource gives an overview of the two main fresh water

sources of Hong Kong viz rainwater collected from the local catchment and water imported

from Dongjiang. These two main sources are conducive to sustaining Hong Kongs growth and

development for generations to come. In this regard, the Total Water Management strategy

being implemented in Hong Kong is also included in the booklet to help readers understand

how the government strives to achieve an optimal balance between water demand and water
supply and ensure a sustainable use of our water resources.

2011 9

Water is our lifeblood and a scarce resource. Without the threat of water shortages that still
persist in many other parts of the world, citizens in Hong Kong often take an uninterrupted water
supply for granted. Only by a thorough understanding of the efforts and challenges behind the
science, production and transportation of clean water can people appreciate the true value of
water and take conscious steps to conserve it carefully. We hope this teaching kit will become a
useful tool for teachers and students to learn and conserve water, our vital ingredient for survival,
in a sustainable manner.

Water Supplies Department

1
200771
The Education and Manpower Bureau was renamed the Education Bureau (EDB) on 1 July, 2007.

September 2011

 Essentials of Learning

This teaching kit contains information relevant to some modules, themes and questions
for enquiry of the Liberal Studies: Curriculum and Assessment Guide (Secondary 4 6).
It is designed to help students understand the role of individuals in environmental protection,
as well as issues on water including water supply, treatment, conservation, pollution,
sustainability and the relationship between water and public health.

Book 1: A Precious Resource

Module

Theme

Questions for Enquiry

Module 5:
Public Health

Theme 2:
Science, technology
and public health

What challenges do different sections of

society, the government and the international
organisations have in maintaining and
promoting public health?

Theme 2:
The environment
and sustainable
development

How do the living styles of people and social

development affect the environment and the use
of energy?

Module 6:
Energy
Technology and
the Environment

What responses could be made by the public,

different sectors and the government regarding
the future of sustainable development?

Examples of Questions for Enquiry in Relation to the Curriculum of

Liberal Studies
Why is it important to maintain a continuous supply of clean water to people?
Energy is consumed for every drop of water conveyed from source to taps. How will our
attitude of using water affect the energy consumption as well as carbon emission?
What is the importance of Dongjiang water in Hong Kongs sustainable development?
What is the relationship between implementing Total Water Management strategy and
sustainable development in Hong Kong?

 Contents

Introduction

p.3

Hong Kongs Fresh Water Resources

p.5

Dongjiang Water Supply

p.7

The History

Increasing Capacity

The Supply Agreements

Improvements in Quality and Quantity

Allowing Supply to Meet Demand

Efforts towards Safeguarding Water Quality

Significance of Dongjiang Water

Hong Kong Installations Built to Receive
Dongjiang Water

Water is now described as blue gold to show its

preciousness.

Treasure our Precious Water Resources

p.26

Total Water Management Strategy in

Hong Kong

p.28

Summary

p.32

How much do you know about

the TWM strategy?

p.34

Suggested Answers

p.37

 Introduction

75% 1%

2006
8.84 2

The Earths water is in constant motion on, above and below the surface of the planet.
During the process, it can change state, appearing as liquid, vapour or ice. The energy from
the sun is the primary driving force for the changes.
Though water covers 75% of the worlds surface, only 1% of the water mass is accessible
by mankind in the form of fresh water. Hence fresh water is a precious commodity.
The geographical distribution of fresh water is highly uneven. Supply of clean and safe
drinking water is a problem in many parts of the world. Every society shares the global
responsibility of promoting sustainable use of fresh water resources. Climate changes
due to global warming will make the situation worse. The World Health Organization
estimated that in 2006, 884 million people lacked access to safe fresh water supplies,
amounting to approximately one in every eight people2. Population growth, climate
changes, unco-ordinated water usage and increasing contamination have combined to
put unprecedented pressure on water resources.

2
2008
World Health Organization, 2008, Progress Report on Drinking Water and Sanitation, http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_
health/monitoring/jmp_report_7_10_lores.pdf

A Precious Resource

 Hong Kongs Fresh Water Resources

Introduction

884

million

2000

2025

2 383 1 104

2000

people lack access to

safe fresh water supplies

2015

With no natural lakes, large rivers or underground water, Hong Kong, a densely
populated centre of trade and industry, faces the daunting task of securing a stable and
adequate supply of water to meet its development needs. Despite healthy, though erratic,
rainfall which averages 2 383 mm a year, the undulating nature of much of the territorys
1 104 km2 of land has made collection and storage of the precious rainwater a challenge.

2 100 30%
64% 19%

The imminent water crisis has called for concerted global effort to tackle the issue.
The United Nations Environment Programme forecast in 2000 that if the current trend of

Rainfall (mm)
583.1

600

water consumption continued, two-thirds of the worlds population would live in areas with
moderate to high water stress by 2025. In the United Nations Millennium Development Goals

500

474.9 469.4

established also in 2000, a target was set to halve the number of people without access to
safe drinking water by 2015.
Among others, China also faces an acute water supply situation. The annual per
capita water availability in China is 2 100 m3, which is only 30% of the worlds average.
Besides, the water resources are highly unevenly distributed. The area north of the
Yangtze River covers 64% of the total area of the country and yet accounts for only 19% of

400

350.3

300
200

176.6

the water resources. Water demand has increased sharply in the past few decades due
to population growth and rapid economic development. The potential climate changes

113.1

100

78.9
24.6

in the coming decades may aggravate the situation.

0

22.7

17.5
2

10

42.2
11

18.4
12

Month
2010
Record of Hong Kong Rainfall 2010

A Precious Resource

 Hong Kongs Fresh Water Resource

2010 9.36

2.4
25% 70% 70
11
2030
In 2010, the total fresh water consumption was 936 million m3. Over the years Hong Kong

Dongjiang Water Supply

Dongjiang is one of the three tributaries of the Pearl River the other two being Xijiang
which rises in the Yunnan Province and Beijiang which originates in the Jiangxi Province.
It starts its course from the Xunwu county in Jiangxi and flows from northeast to southwest
direction into Guangdong Province.

has developed an extensive surface water collection and storage system. About one third

1960

of Hong Kongs land is used as water gathering grounds where surface runoff is collected

1960 11 15

for storage. Most of these areas are also designated as part of the territorys Country

50 2 270 48

Parks, helping conserve the precious natural environment of Hong Kong. Despite all

1 200 12

these efforts, only about 25% of our water demand can be met by the water collected
from the local water gathering grounds (local yield). The average annual local yield is
only 240 million m3. More than 70% of our fresh water supply is imported from Dongjiang
(East River) in the Guangdong Province over a long distance of more than 70 km. The agreed
ultimate maximum share of Dongjiang water for Hong Kong is 1 100 million m3 per year,
enough for meeting the local demand beyond 2030.

The History
After the Second World War, the population in Hong Kong increased rapidly. There
were water rationing periods every year. In the early 1960s, a period of low rainfall placed
severe pressure on Hong Kongs domestic water supplies. On 15 November 1960, the
Government reached an agreement with the Guangdong authorities to take 5 billion gallons
of water a year (22.70 million m3) from the Shenzhen Reservoir. A connecting pipe of 48
inches (1 200 mm) was expeditiously constructed to bring the water into Hong Kong. The
supply commenced in December.

High Island Reservoir

A corner of Dongjiang

A Precious Resource

 Dongjiang Water Supply

1963

In 1963, a consensus was reached to construct the

Dongshen Water Supply Scheme and the supply and

distribution project began on the banks of Dongjiang. The

works were a daring engineering challenge. The Shima

1964 54 1 370

River was converted into an artificial canal by pumping

1965 1 3 1

Dongjiang water successively upstream through a series

of dams built across the river in a southerly direction,

reversing the rivers natural direction. The water was

A closed aqueduct section of the Dongjiang water

supply dedicated aqueduct

fed into the Yantian Reservoir from where it flowed by gravity via a 6 km long aqueduct into

the Shenzhen Reservoir. The water was then supplied to Hong Kong through two connecting
pipes (the second pipe of 54 inches (1 370 mm) diameter was constructed in 1964) built over the

1974 1978 1981 1987

Shenzhen River, crossing the border into a reception tank at the Muk Wu Pumping Station. The

construction works for the Dongshen Water Supply Scheme were completed in January 1965. The

6.2

scheme was put into operation on 1 March 1965 to supply water to Hong Kong.

1990
17.43 11
4.93 1.5

Increasing Capacity
The Dongshen Water Supply Scheme has been expanded several times. Its capacity
has been increased significantly since the first scheme.

1964

The Director of Water Supplies, T.O. Morgan

and Guangdong representative signed the
second agreement on Dongshen-Hong
Kong water supply in 1964

The first stage of extension works was planned in 1974 and completed in 1978. Between
1981 and 1987, additional pumping stations and dam works on both sides of the border were
built as part of a further extension programme.
The annual volume of water pumped across the
border was then increased to 620 million m3.
Another round of major extensions
began

in

1990.

Pumping

stations

at

Dongjiang, Shima, Matan, Zhutang and

Shaling were upgraded. The annual volume
of water supply across the entire Dongshen
48 1 200

Hong Kong laid water pipelines

of 48 inches (1 200mm) diameter for reception
of water from the Shenzhen Reservoir

Dongjiang water transfer pipelines located at Sheung Shui

Water Supply System was increased to 1 743

million m3 of which 1 100 million m3 went to

Hong Kong, 493 million m3 to the rapidly growing Shenzhen and 150 million m3 was used
for irrigation along the banks of the river.
A Precious Resource

 Dongjiang Water Supply

Discussion Forum

1982 24

The Thirsty City

1960

These figures show the percentages of the imported Dongjiang water under different years against the
total water consumption in Hong Kong:

1965 20%
1985 50%

% 100

198912
The fifth water Supply Agreement signed in December 1989

50

2005

2005 80%
0

2010

1965

1985

2005

Year

Dongjiang water has by now become the main source of Hong Kongs water supply. Please analyse the
pros and cons to this issue from the following aspects.

Analysis from the aspect of:

Explanation

Water supply

Pros:

Cons:

Livelihood

Pros:

Cons:

Implementation of
water conservation

Pros:

Cons:

Water quality
in Hong Kong

Pros:

Financial expenditure

Pros:

80 90

The Supply Agreements

Cons:

Cons:

Hong Kong has enjoyed 24-hour uninterrupted water supply since 1982. This is achieved
through the Agreement for the supply of Dongjiang water to Hong Kong (Supply Agreement)
with the Guangdong Provincial Peoples Government. The first Supply Agreement was signed
in 1960 and up to 2010, eight Supply Agreements had been signed. All Supply Agreements
were based on consumption projections made by the Water Supplies Department. These
projections took into account population growth, industry and commercial demands and
predictions on local yields from Hong Kongs gathering grounds.
Up until 2005, Guangdong supplied water to Hong Kong based on a unit price that was
set for a fixed quantity of water set for every year under the Supply Agreements, irrespective
of the varying needs. There was no flexibility to reduce the quantity of water should Hong
Kongs consumption drop or the rainfall exceed projections. The relocation of much of Hong

Cost-effectiveness

Conclusion:

Pros:

Cons:

Kongs manufacturing industries to the Pearl River Delta in the 1980s through to the early 1990s
had a major impact on demand
scenarios, resulting in a slower
growth of water demand than
expected.
2008
The signing of the latest
agreement in 2008

10

A Precious Resource

11

 Dongjiang Water Supply

Improvements in Quality and Quantity

Dongjiang water is fed into reservoirs such as

Plover Cove, along with the surface water taken from

Hong Kongs own catchments. During a number of wet

Taiyuan Pumping Station

seasons when reservoir storage was high, overflows did occur in the past. To avoid wastage,

90

a flexible arrangement for the quantity of imported water supply was necessary.

1997
59

Apart from the flow balance, the socio-economic development along the Dongshen water

23.64

supply route in the early 1990s caused concerns over the quality of Dongjiang water. To improve the

1998 2004

quality of the imported water significantly in a long term, the Guangdong authorities proposed the

2003

construction of a 59 km long dedicated aqueduct from Taiyuan along Dongjiang to the Shenzhen

Reservoir in 1997. This would avoid contamination of the raw water being supplied to Hong Kong
along the route. The Hong Kong SAR Government granted a $2,364 million interest free loan to

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

Hydropower Station

Deliver Point to Hong Kong

Shenzhen Reservoir

Biological Treatment Works

Shawan Water Tunnel

59.21
60.75

56.93

Tunnel

Tunnel

5.49

49.52
Canal

Box Culvert

Tunnel

SHENZHEN
RESERVOIR

Tunnel
Box Culvert

XILI RESERVOIR

Yantian Tunnel

Distance (km)

Canal

TIEGANG
RESERVOIR

Jinhu Pumping Station

10

YANTIAN TUNNEL

Elevated Aqueduct

YANTIAN
RESERVOIR

Channel & Culvert 33.91

BOUNDARY LINE OF THE SAR

20

Open Aqueduct

30

PINGHU

Tunnel

PUMPING STATION

50

Culvert

YANTIAN TUNNEL

40

Elevated Aqueduct

FENGGANG

Tunnel

OPEN CHANNEL

SHIYAN
RESERVOIR

0.00

DEDICATED AQUEDUCT

JINHU PUMPING STATION

14.76

GUANLIAN

LEGEND

Dongjiang Water Supply Route

TANGKENG
RESERVOIR

Canal

XIAGONGYAN
RESERVOIR

QINGXI

Box Culvert

LUOTIAN
RESERVOIR

Qiling Pumping Station

HUANGNIUPO
RESERVOIR

Hong Kong showed remarkable improvement.

HUANGSHA
RESERVOIR

Open Aqueduct

QILING PUMPING STATION

commissioning of this dedicated aqueduct in 2003, the quality of Dongjiang water supplied to

Linhu Pumping Station

TONG HU
LINHU PUMPING
STATION

CHANGPING

water demand as a result of the migration of industry from Hong Kong to the Mainland. Upon

Dongjiang

annual increase in water uptake from 1998 to 2004 so as to tally with the diminishing growth in

TAIYUEN PUMPING STATION

Taiyuan Pumping Station

DONGJIANG

12

the Guangdong authorities for the project. The Guangdong authorities also reduced Hong Kongs

GUANGDONG
RESERVOIR

Longitudinal Section of the Dongjiang Water Supply System

A Precious Resource

13

 Dongjiang Water Supply

2009
The fixed annual water price of
Dongjiang water from 2009 is:

2009: $2,959
2010: $3,146
2011: $3,344

million

million

million

Allowing Supply to Meet Demand

2006 2008

Unlike previous Supply Agreements, the 2006 and 2008 Supply Agreements started

to adopt a package deal lump sum approach under which fixed annual water prices were

2009

specified. The fixed annual water prices for 2009 to 2011 were HK$2,959 million, HK$3,146 million

2011 29.59

and HK$3,344 million respectively. Moreover, there was no pre-determined supply quantity

31.46 33.44

specified in the Supply Agreements. The Guangdong side would supply water to tie in with the

actual needs of Hong Kong subject to an annual ceiling of 820 million m3, which is equivalent

to 3% of Dongjiangs average annual flow volume. The Supply Agreements also specified an

8.2

ultimate quantity of 1 100 million m3 to be supplied to Hong Kong a year to meet our long-term

3% 11 2030

estimated demand in 2030 and possibly beyond.

This arrangement has improved Hong Kongs ability to control the amount of water
stored in its reservoirs. It helps reduce wastage and save the cost of electricity required to
pump the water into Hong Kong. More importantly, it also ensures more efficient use of
Dongjiangs water across the Pearl River Delta.

To Do

Xinfengjiang
Reservoir

Please take out the geographical map of China. Can you identify the three tributary rivers that flow into
the Pearl River Delta on the map?

Fengshuba Reservoir

14

Baipenzhu Reservoir

A Precious Resource

15

 Dongjiang Water Supply

2008
11

2009 2010

19.4 138.96 12.2

Do you know...

Discussion Forum

http://www.pearlwater.gov.cn/http://www.gdwater.gov.cn

China has introduced and implemented relevant laws and regulations to ensure the sustainability of
Dongjiang and the Pearl River. To learn more, please browse the websites of the management of water
resources http://www.pearlwater.gov.cn/ and http://www.gdwater.gov.cn/. Please discuss the advantages of
preserving Dongjiang in the environmental, ecological, economical, political, and social contexts.

Advantages of preserving Dongjiang

Explanation

Environmental context

Living environment:

Personal health:

Ecological context

Vegetation nearby:

Soil and bio living:

Economical context

Navigation:

Supply of electricity:

Political context

International status:

Country development:

Social context

Awareness of conservation:

Productivity:

2 840 7 200

2008 2007
The Pearl River Basin has total water resources of 284 billion m3 of surface water and 72 million m3 of
ground water. (Source: Pearl River Water Resources Commission Water Resources Report 2007 published
in 2008)

In 2008, The Guangdong Provincial Peoples Government promulgated the Guangdong

Province Dongjiang Basin Water Resource Distribution Plan. The Plan stipulated the distribution
of the raw water extracted from Dongjiang amongst the 8 cities that received Dongjiang
water including Hong Kong. According to the Plan, Hong Kongs share of 1 100 million m3 of
Dongjiang water was re-affirmed.
The Guangdong authorities also formulated a scientific plan making use of the storage
of the three reservoirs along Dongjiang, namely the Fengshuba Reservoir, the Xinfengjiang
Reservoir and the Baipenzhu Reservoir to meticulously regulate the river flow to ensure
sufficient supply of raw water to Hong Kong and other cities along Dongjiang for potable
uses even under severe drought conditions such as those encountered in late 2009 and
early 2010. The capacities of the Fengshuba Reservoir, the Xinfengjiang Reservoir and the
Baipenzhu Reservoir are 1 940 million m3, 13 896 million m3 and 1 220 million m3 respectively.

16

A Precious Resource

17

 Dongjiang Water Supply

Efforts towards Safeguarding Water Quality

The Guangdong authorities attach great importance to the protection of Dongjiang and
have implemented a series of measures on the prevention and control of water pollution
ensuring that the raw water delivered to Hong Kong fully complies with the requirements
set out for Type II waters (applicable for the abstraction for human consumption in first class
protection area) in the Environmental Quality Standards for Surface Water GB3838-2002.
The authorities constructed sewage treatment plants in the vicinity of Dongjiang, removed
factories that may pollute Dongjiang and built bio-nitrification plants at the Shenzhen
Reservoir. A dedicated aqueduct from Dongjiangs intake point to the Shenzhen Reservoir
provides a further safeguard against contamination risk. A project to intercept waste water
flowing into the Shenzhen Reservoir has also been completed and the polluted water coming
mainly from the Shima River has been diverted away from Dongjiang.
Once the Dongjiang water reaches Hong Kong, its quality is monitored through a
comprehensive water quality monitoring programme at the Muk Wu Pumping Station and

Water samples are regularly collected for chemical, physical, bacteriological, biological and radiological examinations

the water treatment works in Hong Kong. Samples are collected and tested through a series
of chemical, physical, bacteriological, biological and radiological examinations. Moreover,
the Water Supplies Department exchanges monitoring information with its counterpart in

GB3838-2002II

18

Guangdong regularly. Apart from the Guangdong authorities, the people residing around
the catchments of Dongjiang and the associated reservoir sites are playing a very important
role in protecting the quality
of this important water source
contributing to its sustainability.
Their living places are restrained
from various kinds of development
and industrial undertaking that

may be prone to polluting the

water. This limits the economic

growth of their living areas. These

people they have made a great

contribution for the betterment of

all people relying on Dongjiang

for water supply.

Dongjiang water firstly reaches Muk Wu Pumping Station of Hong Kong

A Precious Resource

19

 Dongjiang Water Supply

Dongjiang provides a large amount

of water required in the
generation of electricity.

Dongjiang

80% 1982

It provides water for

drinking and washing.

It also supplies water to

thousands of Hong Kongowned factories in the Pearl
River Delta, meeting their daily
demand for production.

i
ii
iiiiv

Its water irrigates land

that is used to grow
food and rear animals.
These products arrive
in Hong Kong each
day by lorries and river
trade vessels.

The P
earl
River
Delta

Hong Kong is no longer threatened by water rationing with the

import of Dongjiang water

Significance of Dongjiang Water

Water from Dongjiang plays a significant role in Hong Kong life. In a dry year, it accounts
for about 80% of our fresh water supply. There has been no water rationing since 1982.
Hong Kong residents, unlike many of their regional neighbours, are fortunate in that they
have supplies of wholesome fresh water that are reliable, accessible and efficiently distributed.
To Guangdong as a whole, Dongjiang serves four primary functions: (i) maintaining
the ecology along the river; (ii) navigation; (iii) hydropower generation; and (iv) water

Dongjiang is important to Hong Kong,

in more ways than most people may think.

supply. In fact, a significant portion of the food originating from the Pearl River Delta
is exported to Hong Kong. Hong Kong also gains from the financial returns on its
investments in the businesses and factories in the region that operates on Dongjiang
water. Hence protecting the quality of water in Dongjiang is essential for the sustainable
development of both Hong Kong and its neighbouring areas.

Main Functions of Dongjiang

20

A Precious Resource

21

 Dongjiang Water Supply

Discussion Forum

Hong Kongs water supply is closely linked to the conditions of hydrological system in the Mainland. What
measures will you suggest for preserving the well-being of this system? Please analyse the responsibilities
shared by the upstream, mid-stream and downstream areas and the co-operation required by them for
sustaining the four major functions of Dongjiang.

Aim

*
Your suggestion*

Share of responsibilities

Upstream area

Middle stream area

59

Hong Kong Installations Built to Receive Dongjiang Water

The Dongjiang water supply system between Dongjiang and Hong Kong involves the
pumping of water through a 59 km long dedicated aqueduct built from the Taiyuan Pumping

Downstream area

Preserving the
ecology along
the river

Station, i.e. the intake point on Dongjiang, to the Shenzhen Reservoir. The water in the
Shenzhen Reservoir is fed by pipelines across the border to Hong Kong at Muk Wu, and then
delivered along three aqueduct systems to territory-wide storage and treatment facilities.

Shenzhen Resevoir

SHENZHEN
Muk Wu P/S
Sheung Shui WTW

River Indus P/S

Fanling P/S

Navigation

Tai Mei Tuk P/S

Tai Po Tau P/S

Ngau Tam Mei WTW

Au Tau WTW

Au Tau P/S

Tai Po Tau
WTW

SAI O P/S

Tai Lam Chung Sham Tseng

WTW
Reservoir

Tsuen Wan
WTW

Yau Kom Tau WTW

Ma On Shan WTW

Sha Tin WTW

Pak Kong

WTW
High Island P/S

Siu Ho Wan P/S

Lower Shing
Mun P/S

Hydropower
generation

Harbour Island P/S

Tuen Mun WTW

Tai Po WTW

Shek Lei Pui WTW Tai Po Road WTW

Siu Ho Wan WTW

Hong Kong
International Airport

Sandy Bay P/S

Eastern WTW

Silver Mine Bay WTW

Pui O P/S

Tai O WTW

Cheung Sha WTW

Aberdeen WTW

LEGEND :

WATER GATHERING GROUNDS

Red Hill WTW

IMPOUNDING RESERVOIR

Water supply

WATER TREATMENT WORKS

PUMPING STATION

MAJOR WATER SUPPLY ROUTE

Western Route

Central Route

Eastern Route

Tips: Make suggestions by considering the water resource distribution, pollution prevention, maintenance of water flow, etc.

22

Principal Water Supply System in Hong Kong

A Precious Resource

23

 Dongjiang Water Supply

a.
b.

c.

12

Think about this

Dongjiang is also an important source of water to cities in Guangdong other than Hong Kong. The
demand for water is growing in these cities. Do you know the reasons behind? Please collect the
relevant information and fill in the table.

Hong Kong

Dongguan

Population statistics

Industrial development

Shenzhen

Plover Cove Reservoir

a. Western Route to Ngau Tam Mei Water Treatment Works or via Au Tau Pumping Station to
Tai Lam Chung Reservoir;
b. Central Route via Tau Pass Culvert to Tai Po Tau Pumping Station, and thence to Tai Po
Water Treatment Works, Sha Tin Water Treatment Works or Plover Cove Reservoir; and
c. Eastern Route via Nam Chung Aqueduct to Plover Cove Reservoir, and thence to High
Island Reservoir, Ma On Shan Water Treatment Works or Pak Kong Water Treatment Works
via Harbour Island Pumping Station, Tolo Channel Aqueduct, Sai O Pumping Station and
High Island Tunnels.

Agricultural development

What can Hong Kong do to contribute to the adjoining municipalities ?

The Central and Eastern Routes clearly illustrate the importance of the Plover Cove
Reservoir and the High Island Reservoir as holding tanks for Hong Kongs fresh water
storage. All the three routes are inter-connected through the Tai Po Tau Pumping Stations
complex, ensuring there is maximum flexibility in the transfer in terms of reservoir storage
throughout the year. This is particularly crucial during the annual shutdown period of the
Dongjiang system (normally in December) for maintenance. Water stored in the Plover Cove
Reservoir and the High Island Reservoir ensures the uninterrupted supply in the territory.

24

A Precious Resource

25


Treasure our Precious Water Resources

Hong Kong, despite its lack of major rivers, lakes and underground water sources,
through decades of persistent efforts, has now secured a reliable and sufficient water
supply using a combination of sources. Wherever viable we adopt sea water for toilet
flushing. We also work locally and globally on the development of sustainable water
technology.
As a city that has evolved into a service and financial centre, the demand for water by
the agriculture and manufacturing sectors has diminished. Domestic use now accounts
for over 50% of all fresh water use in Hong Kong. This is equal to 220 litres per capita per
day (including 90 litres of water for flushing) which is higher than the global average of
170 litres per capita per day 3. The International Water Associations global survey in 2008
showed that Hong Kongs consumption is higher than most of the global cities surveyed4
including London, Amsterdam, Vienna, Lisbon, Paris and Singapore.
To meet the demand from the growing population and a flourishing economy, Hong
Kongs future is firmly bound to the principles of conservation and the sustainable use
of its precious water resources. To this end, Hong Kong has developed a Total Water
Management (TWM) strategy for effective management of its water resources.

Tai Tam Tuk Reservoir Main Dam

50% 220 90
170 3
2008 4

2009-10
Water Supplies Department Annual Report 2009-10

4
2008
International Statistics for Water Services 2008

26

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27


Total Water Management Strategy in Hong Kong

TWM is a modern concept for managing water resources in

all aspects. TWM seeks to achieve an optimal balance between

water demand and water supply in a bid to ensure sustainable

2003 2005 10

use of water resources. The Hong Kong Governments TWM

strategy aims to manage the demand and supply in an

integrated, multi-sectoral and sustainable manner. In the

2003 Policy Address, the Government pledged to implement

2008 5

a TWM programme. In October 2005, the Water Supplies

Department (WSD) commissioned a study to examine the

fresh water demand and supply situations in Hong Kong and
to evaluate all major options of water supply and demand
management measures in terms of water conservation,

supply quantity, cost effectiveness, environmental impact and public acceptance. Based

on the findings of the study, the current directions of water management are reaffirmed.

Additional initiatives are proposed. The Legislative Council, relevant advisory committees,

experts and stakeholders have been consulted. Their views have been incorporated, where

appropriate, into the TWM strategy5 promulgated in 2008.

TWM can better prepare Hong Kong for uncertainties such as acute climate changes and
low rainfall. It also helps enhance Hong Kongs role as a good partner to other municipalities
in the Pearl River Delta in promoting sustainable use of water in the light of rapid growth of
water demand in the region.
The TWM strategy puts emphasis on firstly containing the growth of water demand
through conservation. The Government will also strengthen water supply management. The
key initiatives under the TWM strategy are as follows:

http://www.wsd.gov.hk/filemanager/tc/share/pdf/TWM.pdf
Full details of the TWM strategy is available for downloading from the following hyperlink: http://www.wsd.gov.hk/filemanager/en/
share/pdf/TWM.pdf

28

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29

 Total Water Management Strategy in Hong Kong

Water Demand Management

To enhance public education on water conservation

To promote use of water saving devices

To enhance water leakage control through a programme to replace and rehabilitate

aged water mains, and the application of new technology to improve pressure

management and detection of leakage

To extend the use of sea water for toilet flushing

Water Supply Management

To strengthen protection of water resources

To actively consider water reclamation (including reuse of grey water and rainwater

harvesting)
To develop the option of sea water desalination

The TWM strategy forms the foundation for future reviews and continuous monitoring of water

management in Hong Kong. WSD produces annual forecasts of water demand and supply; and

will monitor other critical data such as population and economic growth, social and economic
activities so as to be on the alert to changes of circumstances. The Government will continue to
initiate new measures to meet challenges, and to optimise utilisation and development of water

Normal Osmosis

Membrane

At Osmotic Equilibrium

Modest Pressure

Sea water

Pure
Water

Direction of flow

Under normal osmosis, water diffuses from

a less concentrated solution to a more concentrated
solution through a semi-permeable membrane
to achieve osmotic equilibrium.

Membrane

Pure
Water

Sea water

No flow

Modest pressure is applied to the

sea water side so that fresh water
cannot flow pass through
the membrane.

Reverse Osmosis

High Pressure

Sea water

Membrane

resources. Sustainable use of water resources for our future is our common goal. Hong Kong
needs a new attitude, a new lifestyle that gives high priority to caring for the environment and
preserving precious water resources on our Earth.

Pure
Water

Direction of flow

Reverse osmosis is the process of forcing water from a more

concentrated solution to a less concentrated solution through a
semi-permeable membrane under high pressure. The membrane
allows fresh water to pass through while it retains salts and
other impuriies.

Mechanism of Reverse Osmosls applied to sea water desalination

30

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31

 Summary

75% 1%

Though water covers 75% of the worlds surface, only 1% of the water mass is accessible

2006 8.84

to mankind in the form of fresh water. The World Health Organization estimated that

in 2006, 884 million people lacked access to safe fresh water supplies, amounting to

2010 9.36
2.40 25% 70%

1982 24
11 2030

2006 2008

8.2 3%

approximately one in every eight people.

In 2010, the total fresh water consumption was 936 million m3. The average annual
local yield is only 240 million m3, which can only satisfy about 25% of Hong Kongs
need. More than 70% of our fresh water supply is imported from Dongjiang.
By signing the Agreements for the supply of Dongjiang water to Hong Kong with the
Guangdong authorities, Hong Kong has enjoyed 24-hour continuous water supply
since 1982. The Supply Agreements also specified an ultimate annual supply quantity of
1 100 million m3 to be supplied to Hong Kong to meet our long-term estimated demand
in 2030 and possibly beyond.
Unlike previous Supply Agreements, the 2006 and 2008 Supply Agreements started
to adopt a package deal lump sum approach under which fixed annual water prices
were specified. Moreover, there was no pre-determined supply quantity specified in the

Supply Agreements. The Guangdong side would supply water to tie in with the actual

needs of Hong Kong subject to an annual ceiling of 820 million m3, which is equivalent

to 3% of Dongjiangs average annual flow volume.

To Guangdong as a whole, Dongjiang serves four primary functions: (i) for maintaining
the ecology along the river; (ii) for navigation; (iii) for hydropower generation; and (iv) for
water supply.
The Hong Kong Governments Total Water Management strategy aims to manage
the demand and supply in an integrated, multi-sectoral and sustainable manner.
The strategy puts emphasis on containing the growth of water demand through
conservation. The Government will also strengthen water supply management.

32

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33

*
How much do you know about the TWM strategy?*

4.

1.

After the World War II, Hong Kong experienced acute water shortage. Which of the
following were the key measures adopted by the Government to tackle the problem?

A 0-100
C 200-300

5.

(i)

Construction of new reservoirs

(ii)

Negotiation with the Guangdong authorities to increase import of Dongjiang water

A (i), (ii)
C (iii), (iv)

(iv)

Water reclamation

2.

B (i), (ii), (iii)

D All of the above

Which of the following measures are part of water demand management?

(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)

Public education on water conservation

Water Efficiency Labeling Scheme
Sea water desalination
Protection of water resources

A (i), (ii)
C (i), (ii), (iv)

3.

About 1/3 of the land in Hong Kong is designated as water gathering grounds. The
factors that make the option of expanding water gathering grounds and reservoir
storage a lower priority are:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)

A (i), (ii)
C (ii), (iv)

34

B (i), (ii), (iii)

D All of the above

Objections from other land users

High costs
Lack of local construction experts
Negative environmental impacts
B (ii), (iii)
D (iii), (iv)

6.

B 100-200
D Above 300

2003 2007
Hong Kong conducted a pilot desalination study using reverse osmosis (RO) technology
between 20032007 in which of the following two places:
(i)
Tuen Mun
(iii) Tseung Kwan O

(iii)

Use of sea water for toilet flushing

A (i), (ii)
C (i), (ii), (iv)

By implementing water saving tips in a four-member household, the potential maximum

amount of water saved in litres per day will be in the range of:

(ii)
Sha Tin
(iv) Ap Lei Chau
B (ii), (iii)
D (i), (iv)

What is grey water?

A
Wastewater in grey colour
B
Wastewater collected from baths, wash-basins and kitchen sinks
C
Wastewater collected from industrial factories
D
Water for irrigation

7.

In the course of implementing TWM stragtegy, which of the following measures has the
highest potential of saving fresh water?

A
Water conservation
B
Active leakage control
C
Sea water for flushing
D
Water reclamation

A Precious Resource

35

How much do you know about the TWM strategy?*

8.

Comprehensive pressure management is a technology adopted for:

A
Water supply management
B
Water leakage control
C
Protection of water resources

Suggested Answers

10 Page 10

Discussion Forum

Analysis from the aspect of:

Explanation

Water supply

Pros:

Securing a stable and sustainable

source of water.

Cons:

Increasing burden on neighbouring

area with water resource.

Livelihood

Pros:

Enjoying a continuous water supply

and escaping from the inconvenience
of water rationing.

Cons:

Nil.

D
Rainwater harvesting

9.

What are the essential factors for projecting future water demands?
(i)
Population growth
(ii)
Economic development
(iii) Affordability of paying water tariff
A
B
C
D

(i)
(i), (ii)

All of the above

None of the above

10. 2010

In 2010, the percentage of population provided with sea water for flushing in
Hong Kong was:
A
B
C
D

About 50%
About 60%
About 70%
About 80%

Conversion
Table

Implementation of
water conservation
Imperial

inch

foot

yard

1 mile

Water quality

acre
in 1Hong
Kong

1
1

gallon

million gallons

10
Financial expenditure

billion gallons

Pros:
Cons:
Metric

=
25.4 millimetres
Conserving water to reduce burden
Lacking the drive to save water
=
304.8
provides
millimetres whilst enjoying a guaranteed supply.
on neighbouring
area which
us with water
resource.
=
0.914 metres

1.609 kilometres
=
Pros:
=
0.405 hectares

=
4.544 litres

Enjoying when the quality

of the
imported=water4is544
good.
cubic metres

Cons:

Suffering when the quality of the

imported water is deteriorating.

4.544
Pros:
Cons:
=
4.544 million cubic metres

Eliminating the cost for exploring

Reliance on area which provides us
other new water sources. A steady
with water resource in agreeing to a
expenditure without much fluctuation.
reasonable water purchase price.

Cost-effectiveness

1983
10
Pros:
Cons:

17

option while the

purchase price of imported water is
Currency and Exchange Rates being kept reasonably low.

7.8 1
Cost-effective

Tips: Please read the booklet Total Water Management in Hong Kong before answering the questions.

36

Nil.

When dollars are quoted in this booklet, they are, unless otherwise stated, in

Hong
Kong dollars. Since
October 17, 1983, the Hong Kong dollar has been linked
700
Conclusion:
to the US dollar, through an arrangement in the note-issue mechanism, at a xed
Given the blessings of the mother country, importation of water from Guangdong
rate of HK$7.80 = US$1. is so far the most cost-effective way of obtaining raw water to meet the need of
the 7 million population.
A Precious Resource

37


A Precious Resource

BOOK 1

Book

Water: Learn & Conserve
Teaching Kit for Liberal Studies