Drainage Services Department

The ‘Yuen Long Effluent Polishing Plant’ project was awarded the 2022 Edmund Hambly Medal of the Institution of Civil Engineers, U.K.

The ‘Yuen Long Effluent Polishing Plant’ (YLEPP) project of the Drainage Services Department (DSD) has been awarded the 2022 Edmund Hambly Medal of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), U.K. on 14 October 2022 for its outstanding performance in adopting innovative design to tackle climate change.

In combating climate change, the design of YLEPP has taken multiple measures to minimise energy consumption of the treatment plants and maximise the use of renewable energy, striving towards energy neutrality. YLEPP is the first wastewater treatment plant in Hong Kong adopting the advanced treatment technology of aerobic granular sludge for biological treatment which require lower energy demand than traditional biological treatment process.  Moreover, the project will install more than 5,000 nos. PV panels on the rooftop of most of the buildings, utilising solar energy to generate electricity for use by YLEPP. Furthermore, the biogas generated from the anaerobic digestion process of sewage sludge will be harvested and turned into electricity and heat to support the daily plant operation of YLEPP. YLEPP also adopts green building design, with high glass walls and solar pipes introducing natural daylight into the operational and working spaces, minimising the dependency on artificial lighting, thereby reducing electricity consumption. YLEPP also has incorporated extensive greening features and provision of public co-use facilities for use by local community, including riverside promenade, viewing deck and education corridor to promote sustainability. YLEPP had also reached the BEAM Plus Neighbourhood Version 1.0 Platinum rating and BEAM Plus New Buildings Version 1.2 Provisional Platinum rating.

YLEPP will be upgraded from the existing Yuen Long Sewage Treatment Works to cope with the population growth and future development needs. The plant will be upgraded from its treatment capacity of 70,000m³/day to 150,000m³/day in stages and from secondary treatment level to tertiary treatment level within the same tight footprint to meet the more stringent discharge requirements. YLEPP, being recognised by international and local professionals, had demonstrated DSD's efforts in combating climate change and DSD's achievements in enabling sustainable development over the years.

DSD Engineer, Ms Stephanie LEUNG (right) received the 2022 Edmund Hambly Medal from the President of the Institution of Civil Engineers, Mr. Ed McCann (Left)