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The Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, today (May 15) visited the Drainage Services Department to gain a better understanding of its flood prevention and sewage treatment work. He was pleased to see that the drainage projects for solving flooding in Sheung Wan would become operational as scheduled before the 2009 rainy season and that the department would implement necessary measures to mitigate flood damage before completion of these projects.
The Chief Executive met the department's senior management team and was briefed on flood prevention and sewage treatment work, including action taken after flooding incidents on Hong Kong Island last June.
The Chief Executive listened to the detailed plans for solving flooding in Sheung Wan. These include laying an intercepting drain in Queen's Road Central in March 2006 to intercept and divert about 30% of the upland flows, which are to be drained to the low-lying area around Wing Lok Street for discharge into the harbour.
In addition, the contract for the foundation work of Sheung Wan Floodwater Pumping Station will be awarded next month. It is anticipated that both the intercepting drain and the pumping station will come into operation before the 2009 rainy season, bringing relief to flooding in Wing Lok Street during heavy storms.
The Acting Director of Drainage Services, Mr Lai Fuk-kan, said that before completion of these projects, the department would implement a series of flood mitigating measures that included stepping up the inspection and cleaning of the drainage system in the area and deploying a standby team to Wing Lok Street to respond to any flood relief calls during adverse weather or high tides.
"A local flood message dissemination service entitled 'Sheung Wan Flood Watch' has been in place since early April. SMS or voice message will be sent to residents and shop operators who are subscribers in Wing Lok Street when the weather is bad and the tide will reach certain high levels. This service will remind them to take precautionary measures against any flood damage," Mr Lai said.
Mr Tsang said he hoped residents and shop operators in Wing Lok Street area would benefit from these interim mitigating measures, and described using SMS/voice messages to alert the public to the potential flood risk as an innovative approach. "The information is useful to the people in need and will remind them to take appropriate precautions," he said.
Mr Lai said there had been significant improvements in flood prevention in the New Territories and Mong Kok. In the past 10 years, the department had eliminated 87 flooding black spots in the territory, lowering the number to 38 at present.
"The total areas susceptible to flooding have been reduced from 3,000 hectares in 1995 to 820 hectares now. Before the rainy season, the department will inspect and clear the drainage systems in these flood-prone areas," Mr Lai added.
The Chief Executive expressed his gratitude for the progress made in flood prevention in the New Territories. He encouraged department staff to keep up their good work in solving the flooding problems in the remaining flood-prone areas.
The Chief Executive then visited the Sha Tin Sewage Treatment Works and its state-of-the-art laboratory. He was briefed on the operation of the plant and the tests being carried out to monitor the quality of the treated effluent. This laboratory adopts advanced technologies to conduct various tests to ensure that the quality of the treated effluent meets all requirements in the discharge licence.
Mr Tsang noted the good progress in the plant's extension works which not only increased its overall treatment capacity but also improved the effluent quality. He also saw the deodorisation measures being undertaken to minimise the nuisance to the neighbourhood.
The Chief Executive praised staff for making use of methane gas, a by-product of the sludge treatment process, to generate electricity and help reduce the plant's power cost by 40%, which amounted to about $200,000 per month.
Mr Tsang chatted with staff of different professions and grades about their work and challenges in sewage treatment and flood prevention.
"You have displayed determination to meet the needs of the public and to provide high-quality services to the community. I appreciate your dedication to employing new technologies and methods in increasing your work efficiency," Mr Tsang told the staff.
Ends/Monday, May 15, 2006
Issued at HKT 17:25
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