The Happy Valley Underground Stormwater Storage Scheme came into full operation today (March 16), further enhancing the flood protection level in the Happy Valley and Wan Chai areas.
 
     Officiating at the commissioning ceremony, the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, said that with the concerted efforts of the project team, the Happy Valley Underground Stormwater Storage Scheme was completed about a year ahead of schedule, which, coupled with other cost-saving measures, reduced the construction cost by $60 million or about 5 per cent of the ultimate target cost. The result is encouraging, he added.
 
     He said that the Scheme is a successful example of green living by making use of the underground space for flood prevention and the ground for building recreational facilities in a green area.
 
     Another officiating guest, the Director of Drainage Services, Mr Edwin Tong, said that the groundwater and rainwater harvesting system under the Scheme is the largest of its kind in Hong Kong. It can provide about 220 000 cubic metres of non-potable water annually to the facilities of the Happy Valley Recreation Ground for flushing, washing and irrigation. In 2014, the project was awarded a platinum rating in the BEAM Plus' Provisional Assessment for new buildings in recognition of its remarkable achievement.
 
     Totalling about $1.07 billion, construction works for the Scheme commenced in September 2012 for the building of a stormwater storage tank underneath the Happy Valley Recreation Ground with a capacity of 60 000 cubic metres, which is equivalent to the total volume of about 24 standard swimming pools. It will serve as a temporary storage tank for stormwater runoff collected during heavy rainstorms in a bid to relieve the discharge load of the downstream drainage system and thereby alleviate flooding risks.
 
     The Scheme was implemented in two phases and the first phase was commissioned in March 2015. During the black rainstorm in October 2016, the facilities came into full play in preventing the Happy Valley Recreation Ground and the Racecourse from being flooded.
 
     Other officiating guests of the ceremony included the Secretary for Development, Mr Eric Ma; Member of the Legislative Council, Dr Lo Wai-kwok; and the Chairman of the Wan Chai District Council, Mr Stephen Ng.
 

Ends/Thursday, March 16, 2017
Issued at HKT 17:42

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