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The Drainage Services Department today (September 29) awarded a $533.8 million contract for constructing the diaphragm wall and foundation of a new main pumping station and an interconnection tunnel at Stonecutters Island Sewage Treatment Works (SCISTW).
Speaking after the contract signing ceremony, the Acting Director of Drainage Services, Mr W H Ko, said this was the fourth works contract awarded for Harbour Area Treatment Scheme (HATS) Stage 2A.
"In the past two months we have awarded three contracts for construction of the deep sewage conveyance system with a total value of about $6.5 billion," he said.
The contract comprises the construction of the diaphragm wall and foundation for a new underground pumping station which has an internal diameter of 55 metres and a depth of more than 40 metres, and a four-metre diameter interconnection tunnel about 30m deep and 260m long for connecting the new and the existing main pumping stations at SCISTW. The works will involve deep excavation and foundation construction, and the use of a soft ground tunnel-boring machine for the interconnection tunnel construction.
HATS is a major sewerage infrastructure project in Hong Kong to improve the water quality of Victoria Harbour. The commissioning of HATS Stage 1 in late 2001 has provided proper treatment to about 75% of sewage discharged into Victoria Harbour, and has significantly improved the water quality in the eastern and central parts of the harbour.
To further improve the water quality of the harbour, HATS Stage 2A will collect the remaining 25% of sewage generated from northern and southwestern parts of Hong Kong Island. The sewage will be conveyed through the deep tunnel system to SCISTW for chemical treatment and disinfection before discharge.
"To cope with the increased flows, SCISTW and the upstream preliminary treatment works will be expanded and upgraded under HATS Stage 2A," Mr Ko said.
The contract, scheduled for completion in early 2012, will create 410 jobs in the construction industry. The whole of HATS Stage 2A is targeted for commissioning at end 2014.
Ends/Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Issued at HKT 12:13
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