Tsuen Wan Drainage Tunnel commissioned

2 April 2013

The Tsuen Wan Drainage Tunnel was commissioned today (March 28). The new tunnel will significantly raise the flood protection level of the Tsuen Wan and Kwai Chung areas.

Officiating at the commissioning ceremony, the Permanent Secretary for Development (Works), Mr Wai Chi-sing, said, "The design capacity of the tunnel is over 220 cubic metres per second, which is equal to the rate of filling up an Olympic-size swimming pool in 11 seconds. Such a flow rate is the highest among all drainage tunnels in Hong Kong. The tunnel will considerably alleviate the flooding impact on the Tsuen Wan and Kwai Chung areas during heavy rainstorms."

The 5.1-kilometre tunnel extends from Yau Kom Tau in Tsuen Wan to Wo Yi Hop in Kwai Chung and is one of the large-scale flood prevention projects of the Drainage Services Department. Works for the $1.5 billion project commenced in December 2007. The tunnel will intercept surface runoff from the uphill catchment of Tsuen Wan and Kwai Chung for direct discharge into the sea near Yau Kom Tau, thereby relieving the loading of the existing drainage system in the downstream urban areas.

The Director of Drainage Services, Mr Chan Chi-chiu, who also officiated at the ceremony, said, "In order to maintain a certain stream flow for the sake of ecological balance downstream, all intakes will intercept floodwater only when the amber rainstorm signal or above is in force." He added that the tunnel scheme avoided extensive excavation on busy streets, reducing disturbances to the public.

To further enhance Hong Kong's overall ability to withstand flooding, the Drainage Services Department has completed a number of large-scale projects including the drainage tunnels in Hong Kong West and Lai Chi Kok commissioned last year. The department also launched the Happy Valley Underground Stormwater Storage Scheme in 2011.

Other officiating guests at the ceremony today included the Chairman of the Tsuen Wan District Council, Mr Chan Iu-seng; the Vice-Chairman of the Kwai Tsing District Council, Mr Law King-shing; and the Chairman of Tsuen Wan Rural Committee, Mr Chung Wai-ping.

The Permanent Secretary for Development (Works), Mr Wai Chi-sing (third from right), and the Director of Drainage Services, Mr Chan Chi-chiu (third from left), officiate at the commissioning ceremony of the Tsuen Wan Drainage Tunnel today (March 28).

The Permanent Secretary for Development (Works), Mr Wai Chi-sing (third from right), and the Director of Drainage Services, Mr Chan Chi-chiu (third from left), officiate at the commissioning ceremony of the Tsuen Wan Drainage Tunnel today (March 28).

Mr Wai (third from right) and Mr Chan (third from left) propose a toast.

Mr Wai (third from right) and Mr Chan (third from left) propose a toast.

Back to Top