| In this annual report
we would like to inform the community of what we are doing, and what has
been achieved in the past year. The year 2000 was an important year for
Drainage Services Department, especially for the staff working on the Harbour
Area Treatment Scheme Stage I (formerly SSDS). The major milestone reached
was the completion of excavation of the six deep sewage collector tunnels
which will convey the sewage to Stonecutters Island for treatment. We were
also successful in the arbitration against the original tunnel contractors.
The completion of this most challenging infrastructure project is a major
achievement and I have every confidence that the Stage I Scheme will be
fully commissioned by the end of 2001. This will give immediate benefit
in terms of water quality for Victoria Harbour and will set the scene for
the implementation of Stage II of the Scheme which is currently under detailed
review.
Hong Kong is reasonably well protected from major floods when compared
to many other places in the world. However in recent years which have
seen particularly heavy rainfall, flooding incidents in the Northern New
Territories and Mong Kok in West Kowloon have become a public issue and
it is apparent that the community have a high expectation for flood protection.
To keep pace with urban development and this enhanced expectation we need
to continuously upgrade the drainage systems especially in the older urban
areas.
In the past year with the progressive completion of flood prevention projects
in the Northern and Western New Territories, we observed significant improvements
in flooding situations in some areas such as Tin Shui Wai, Yuen Long and
Kam Tin and we added to the number of dedicated village protections schemes
which now benefit directly some 20,000 villagers. Many major projects
are still underway including a tunnel and storage scheme for West Kowloon
and we shall continue to see further improvement in flood prevention as
these projects are progressively completed.
In being able to report on these achievements I am very grateful to have
presided over an excellent team of loyal staff in Drainage Services Department.
Without their unquestionable dedication and professionalism the significant
progress recorded would not have been possible.
Much work remains for us to bring reality to our vision of world class
sewerage and drainage services for the city of Hong Kong delivered with
quality and efficiency. With the continued dedication of our staff, I
feel sure our goals will be attained.
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John Collier
Director of Drainage Services
November 2001
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