Drainage Services Department

The Drainage Services Department has published its Environmental, Social and Governance Report & Sustainability Report 2023-24

"The Drainage Services Department Environmental, Social and Governance Report 2023-24" and "The Drainage Services Department Sustainability Report 2023-24" have been published. Under the theme of "Flood Resilience, Embracing the Future", the report summarises our performance in environmental, social, and governance aspects, as well as its sustainability efforts, during the period of 2023-24 (1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024). Welcome to access our latest reports from the link below : 

《DSD Environmental, Social and Governance Report 2023-24》

《DSD Sustainability Report 2023-24》

Director's Statement of the Report is as follows:

For over three decades, the Drainage Services Department (DSD) has endeavoured to deliver world-class stormwater and wastewater drainage services to the Hong Kong public. As global climate change and extreme weather present new and greater challenges, public demand for the DSD's services continues to grow. In response, the DSD adopts a proactive and innovative approach to strengthen Hong Kong's flood resilience, continuously enhancing flood prevention systems and undertaking large-scale projects in various districts to raise flood protection levels. We uphold an "Advanced Emergency Preparedness, Enhanced Early Warning, Decisive Emergency Response and Speedy Recovery" approach to bolster our emergency response capabilities. In sewage treatment, we leverage advanced technology to upgrade our facilities, meeting urban development needs while incorporating renewable energy technologies to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainability. Additionally, under the "Single Site, Multiple Use" principle, we have transformed green landscape platforms for the community through innovation, fostering the sustainable development in Hong Kong.

To showcase our commitment to sustainable development, the 2023-24 Environmental, Social, and Governance Report as well as Sustainability Report, themed "Flood Resilience, Embracing the Future", reaffirms our steadfast commitment to enhancing Hong Kong's flood prevention capabilities in the face of rapidly changing climate challenges.

A Multi-Pronged Approach: Strengthening Flood Resilience

The DSD has adopted a comprehensive approach to strengthen flood resilience. Currently, we are undertaking 18 major improvement projects for stormwater drainage systems, each particularly designed to address specific flooding risks influenced by geographic and urban factors. Recognising the need for forward-thinking to build a flood-resilient city, we initiated "Strategic Planning Study on Flood Management against Sea Level Rise and Extreme Rainfall – Feasibility Study" in 2022 to develop flood management strategies. This study assessed the impact of climate change on Hong Kong's stormwater drainage systems through the end of the century, enabling us to prepare for increasingly severe climate challenges.

Drawing lessons from past heavy rain events, we have completed over 120 minor drainage improvement works to mitigate localised flooding risks. Adhering to our core principles of "Advanced Emergency Preparedness, Enhanced Early Warning, Decisive Emergency Response and Speedy Recovery", we have increased the number and mobility of our emergency response teams for swift deployment and effective recovery to bolster urban flood resilience.

The DSD recognises that embracing technological advancements is vital for enhancing flood prevention capacity. We continue to explore innovative solutions to enhance flood management efficiency, including piloting artificial intelligence flood detection and monitoring systems and developing robotic tools for inspecting underground pipelines and desilting.

Blue-Green Infrastructure: Creating a Liveable City

The DSD actively promotes the adoption of renewable energy technologies across both existing and new facilities to reduce carbon emissions and protect the environment. For example, Yuen Long Effluent Polishing Plant is the first in Hong Kong to implement Aerobic Granular Sludge technology, significantly lowering electricity consumption. We have also installed solar panels at our facilities and utilised anaerobic digestion technology to generate biogas, converted into electrical and thermal energy for facility use, achieving energy neutrality.

Moreover, we are dedicated to integrating sustainable development concepts such as "Blue-Green Drainage Infrastructure", "Rivers in the City" and "Single Site, Multiple Use" into drainage projects. The Enhancement Works for Kwun Tong Sewage Pumping Station include transforming the roof into a landscaped platform, creating approximately 1.1 hectare of public recreational space for community use in 2023. The "Revitalisation of Tsui Ping River" initiative enhances flood capacity and revitalises this over-50-year-old concrete channel into a new landmark in Kwun Tong, enriching residents' experiences. Additionally, relocating the Sha Tin Sewage Treatment Works to caverns within Nui Po Shan will unlock valuable land resources, paving the way for sustainable long-term development for the community. We remain committed to building diverse and multifunctional drainage facilities that enhance the quality of life for residents.

Collective Strength: Building the Cornerstones of Flood Resilience

Looking ahead, the DSD will continue to enhance Hong Kong's flood resilience, reduce flood risks across various districts, and ensure that society can swiftly return to normal operations after storms. At the same time, we will strive to provide world-class sewage treatment services and lay a solid foundation for building a more sustainable and liveable environment so that the public can enjoy a better quality of life.

I would like to once again express my heartfelt gratitude to all my colleagues who work actively and passionately in their respective positions. The achievements of the DSD are owed to everyone's collective effort and conviction. Looking into the future, we will continue to engage in comprehensive interaction and cooperation with all sectors of society. We will maintain close communication with public utilities and institutions, including organising stakeholder meetings. By exchanging respective experiences and opinions, we aim to provide even better services to the public, and contribute our efforts to Hong Kong's sustainable development.

"The Drainage Services Department Environmental, Social and Governance Report 2023-24"

"The Drainage Services Department Sustainability Report 2023-24"