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The regionalisation plan for the Water Supplies Department makes a big step forward with the official opening of the Kowloon East Regional Building in Kwun Tong today (September 25).

Speaking at the grand opening ceremony, the Director of Water Supplies, Mr Hugh Phillipson, said the regionalisation plan, which aimed at establishing permanent depots within the regions that they serve, would further strengthen the ability of the department in providing a one-stop and more responsive service to its clients.

Under the plan, the department will have five regional buildings serving different parts of the territory. Apart from the Hong Kong and Islands Regional Office, which is popularly serving residents on the island at King's Road, North Point, another new Kowloon West Regional Building in Cheung Sha Wan will be in operation by the end of this year.

Two more regional buildings are on the drawing board. They are the Mainland Northeast Regional Building in Sha Tin and the Mainland Northwest Regional Building in Tin Shui Wai.

The Kowloon East Regional Building is conveniently located at 65, Wai Yip Street, Kwun Tong. The 10-storey purpose-built office-cum-depot building now houses the office of the Mainland Southeast Region which is responsible for both the operation and maintenance of water supply systems and also the provision of customer services for the south-eastern part of Kowloon, Tseung Kwan O and Sai Kung.

Costing $180 million to build on a site of 2,834 square metres, facilities of the new building include offices, emergency centre, water supply system monitoring station and a customer enquiry centre.

Also officiating at today's opening ceremony were Sai Kung District Council Chairman, Mr Ng Sze-fuk; Kwun Tong District Council Chairman, Mr Hau Shui-pui; and Wong Tai Sin District Council Chairman, Mr Lam Man-fai.

End/ Monday, September 25, 2000

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