San Tin Flood Protection Scheme
San Tin Flood Protection Scheme
Floating Photovoltaic System and Ecological Floating Island at San Tin Polder
Transportation
| Starting Point | Transportation |
|---|---|
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Bus 76K, 276B, 976 |
|
Lok Ma Chau (San Tin) Public Transport Interchange |
Minibus 78 |
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Walk about 13 minutes to reach the San Tin Stormwater Pumping Station |
| Ending Point | Transportation |
|---|---|
|
(same as above) |
Walk about 40 minutes to reach the Lok Ma Chau (San Tin) Public Transport Interchange |
The above transportation traffic routes are for reference only. Actual time required may vary depending to the pace, update/ temporary traffic arrangement of the public route, weather and actual traffic conditions.
Aerial Photo of San Tin Flood Protection Scheme
Some villages in Hong Kong are located in low-lying areas that flood water cannot effectively be drained by gravity to the primary drainage network, leading to potential floods during heavy rainstorms. To reduce the impact of floods on these villages, the DSD has been implementing Village Flood Protection Schemes. Embankments are constructed around low-lying villages where flood storage ponds and stormwater pumping stations are built in the villages for temporary storage of rainwater during heavy rainstorms and for subsequent discharge of rainwater by pumping after heavy rainstorms. 27 Village Flood Pumping Schemes are currently in operation, providing flood protection for 38 low-lying villages.
Completed in 1999, San Tin Flood Protection Scheme aims at reducing the flood risk of 7 low-lying villages including Tsing Lung Tsuen, Fan Tin Tsuen, On Lung Tsuen, San Lung Tsuen, Tung Chun Wai, Wing Ping Tsuen, and Yan Shau Wai. The scheme covers area of about 510,000 square metres, and protect about 1,200 households with a population of 3,500 at that time against the risk of flooding.
San Tin Flood Protection Scheme constructs the embankment surrounding the villages to keep floodwater away from the village. A stormwater drainage system is also provided within the village area to collect and convey stormwater to a stormwater storage pond. Area of the storage pond is about 16,400 square metres. When the water level in the pond reaches pre-set levels, the pump in the stormwater pumping station will start automatically, water in the pond will be pumped to the adjacent channel outside the embankment.
Illustration of Village Flood Protection Scheme
Kiu Tau Wai Village Flood Protection Scheme
Pok Wai Village Flood Protection Scheme
Chuk Yuen Village Flood Protection Scheme
San Tin Stormwater Pumping Station
There are four duty water pumps and one standby water pump in San Tin Stormwater Pumping Station (STSmPS). Pumping rate of each water pump is 2 cubic metre per second (m3/s). Total pumping rate of STSmPS is 8 m3/s, which is equivalent to filling-up a standard swimming pool within around 4 minutes.
All pumps in STSmPS are Archimedes’ screw pump (screw pump). Screw pump is commonly used in stormwater pumping stations and sewage pumping stations in Hong Kong due to its low pump head and high pumping rate. The design of screw pump is robust and simple. It allows passage of large debris and thus does not need complicated screening system. These make screw pump a reliable choice for a pumping station. Screw pump also has an additional feature of self-regulating flow control without any variable speed device, it is a simple and efficient design at times when variable speed device was not yet popular.
STSmPS is operated by automatic system. When water level in the pond rises to pre-set levels, the pumps will start automatically to lower the water level. When water level in the pond lowered down to pre-set levels, the pumps will stop automatically. Thanks to the automatic system, operating staff do not need to stay in the pumping station. Operating staff stay in a remote control centre and monitor the pumping station by remote monitoring and control system. Operating staff will only need to reach the pumping station to perform operation/maintenance work during situations when the automatic system cannot handle. This is essentially a modern operation style to manage large number of facilities with only small number of staff.
San Tin Flood Prevention Information Corner in San Tin Stormwater Pumping Station provides scheduled guided tours for schools and community through a prior application. Through short videos, photos, display panels and physical model, visitors can gain better understanding about Hong Kong’s history and causes of flooding and flood prevention strategies.
San Tin Stormwater Pumping Station
Screw Pump
San Tin Flood Prevention Information Corner
Floating Photovoltaic System and Ecological Floating Island at San Tin Polder
In 2022, the Drainage Services Department set up its first pilot floating solar power system at the San Tin Polder. Through continuous monitoring, the system has demonstrated good operational performance. The flood control scheme revitalisation project also won two major awards at the UN SDG Achievement Awards Hong Kong 2023: the Scalability Award and the SDG Award – Goal 13: Climate Action. To further make good use of the polder's space and promote the concepts of carbon reduction and sustainable development, the team expanded the scale of the floating solar system to 350 kilowatts and arranged the solar panels into the shape of a "purple flower blooming on the water surface."
This system is currently the largest floating solar power system in Hong Kong. Combined with other solar power systems installed inside the San Tin Stormwater Pumping Station, it is expected to generate up to 350,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity annually—equivalent to the annual power consumption of approximately 106 three-person households—reducing carbon dioxide emissions by about 245 metric tons each year. The electricity generated not only supports the operation of the stormwater pumping station and other facilities to achieve energy self-sufficiency, but over 90% of the power is also transmitted to the grid for public use.
Since the San Tin Polder is adjacent to the Mai Po Nature Reserve, the team specifically built an ecological floating island covering an area of about 100 square meters in the center of the floating solar system to further beautify the rural environment and achieve ecological integration. They planted over 1,500 flowering plants—such as Plumbago auriculata (Cape leadwort) and Alternanthera dentata ('Red Dragon')—to attract butterflies and dragonflies with nectar. The floating island also offers an ideal habitat for various bird species, promoting biodiversity.
Additionally, the engineering team constructed a viewing platform alongside the polder, featuring custom seating and solar trees to provide a quality leisure space for the public. This initiative aims to promote a water-friendly culture and encourage citizens to experience the multi-functional value of waterscapes. The revitalised flood control facility has been completely transformed, integrating aesthetics, flood prevention, environmental protection, and education. It has attracted many visitors to appreciate the polder scenery and has earned praise from the San Tin Rural Committee and nearby residents.
Floating Photovoltaic System and Ecological Floating Island at San Tin Polder
Steppable Photovoltaic System
Flexible Photovoltaic System
Solar Tree
San Tin Polder Viewing Point
The Drainage Services Department (DSD) has specially built a viewing platform with seats for visitors to rest and enjoy the beauty of the San Tin Polder.