Planning, Design and Construction of New Drainage Facilities

Revitalization of Tsui Ping River

To complement “Energising Kowloon East” and the initiative put forward in the 2017 Policy Agenda to revitalise suitable existing nullahs, we propose turning King Yip Street Nullah—a 50-year old nullah that is approximately one kilometre in length—into a green and vibrant Tsui Ping River through environmental, ecological and landscaping upgrading works, while enhancing the flood conveyance capability of the nullah at the same time. In addition to enhancing ecological value, greening the environment and promoting water friendliness, the project also brings the channel's prime geographical location and riverine characteristics into play for the purpose of creating a precious public space in urban Kowloon and building a liveable city.

We will construct riverside pedestrian walkways as well as pathways and landscaped decks spanning the river to enhance walkability along the river and its connectivity with surrounding areas. Tsui Ping River will become a green river corridor that links up various leisure and recreational facilities in Kwun Tong. By adopting a design concept of integrating the river with its adjacent leisure facilities, we will also provide public leisure spaces along the river, making Tsui Ping River a new landmark where the public can enjoy waterscape and carry out leisure activities.

To highlight the characteristics of Tsui Ping River as a water body, we plan to install a smart water gate that moves up and down with the tide in downstream areas to regulate the water level and create an eye-catching waterfall effect. The smart water gate will be linked with the Hong Kong Observatory's weather forecast system, such that the gate will be lowered automatically during adverse weather conditions to maintain the discharge capacity of Tsui Ping River. This design utilises the natural tidal cycle to create waterscape, reducing the use of pumping facilities and cutting energy consumption.

Current Progress

We consulted the Public Works Subcommittee of the Legislative Council in November 2019. Subsequent to the funding approval of Finance Committee, the construction works will be commenced.

 

West Kowloon Drainage Improvement – Inter-Reservoirs Transfer Scheme

In an attempt to reduce flooding risks in West Kowloon and increase local yield, we are constructing a water tunnel approximately 2.8 kilometres in length to connect Kowloon Byewash Reservoir and Lower Shing Mun Reservoir. The new tunnel will transfer collected surface runoff from the Kowloon group of reservoirs to Lower Shing Mun Reservoir, reducing the load of surface runoff handled by the drainage system in Sham Shui Po, Cheung Sha Wan and Lai Chi Kok. Generating an annual additional freshwater yield of about 3.4 million cubic metres, the inter-reservoirs transfer scheme serves the dual purposes of improving flood protection capabilities and saving water.

Current Progress

The project commenced in February 2019. Tunnel construction is expected to start in mid-2020. The project is scheduled for completion in the fourth quarter of 2022, with an estimated cost of about $1.22 billion.

 

Drainage Master Plan 2.0 Studies

From 1994 to 2010, the DSD completed Drainage Master Plan (DMP) studies to provide comprehensive solutions to the flooding problems in individual areas. These studies comprehensively examined the adequacy of the existing drainage systems and recommended short- to long-term drainage improvement measures to meet the flood protection standards and future development needs. In order to cope with the latest developments in the community, change of land use in various areas and challenges brought by climate change, we have been reviewing the DMP studies of different districts in phases since 2008 by carrying out DMP 2.0 Studies for 12 catchment areas. The progress is as below:

 

Study Areas		Status
1	Yuen Long and North District	Completed in 2011
2	Happy Valley
3	West Kowloon	Completed in 2015
4	East Kowloon
5	Tai Po	Completed in 2017
6	Sha Tin and Sai Kung
7	Northern Hong Kong Island	Completed in 2019
8	Repulse Bay and Tai Tam	In progress, anticipated to be completed in 2020
9	Lantau and Outlying Islands	In progress, anticipated to be completed in 2021
10	Tuen Mun, Tsuen Wan and Kwai Tsing
11	Southern Hong Kong Island	Anticipated to commence in end 2020
12	Tseung Kwan O	Under planning