The following is issued on behalf of the Advisory Committee on Water Supplies:
A delegation of the Advisory Committee on Water Supplies that departed for Guangdong Province to visit the Dongjiang (DJ) Water Supply System and learn about the latest situation of matters in relation to DJ water supplied to Hong Kong concluded its fruitful two-day visit today (November 27).
During the two-day visit, members of the Committee visited the main operation facilities of the DJ Water Supply System, including a section of DJ along the Greenway and the DJ River Basin Water Quantity and Quality Monitoring and Control Centre in Huizhou, the intake point of DJ water supplied to Hong Kong at the Taiyuan Pumping Station in Dongguan, as well as the Shawan River, the Bio-nitrification Plant and the Environmental Water Quality Monitoring Centre next to the Shenzhen Reservoir. Members were briefed by the officers concerned about the operation of these facilities and inspected the quality of DJ water supplied to Hong Kong.
The Committee also visited the operating Integrated Improvement Works for the Water Environment of Shawan River, which mainly included laying of sewers for sewage interception and expansion of the sewage treatment plant. The works have improved the water environment of the Shawan River and its surrounding area, and have greatly reduced pollutants from entering the Shenzhen Reservoir, thereby further safeguarding the quality of DJ water supplied to Hong Kong. The Committee also learned that the Pearl River Delta Water Resources Allocation project was commissioned in January this year. This project diverts water from the Xijiang River to the eastern part of the Pearl River Delta, providing new water sources for Nansha of Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Dongguan to relieve their demand for Dongjiang water, and serving as an emergency backup source of water for Hong Kong. This enhances the water security of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, as well as optimises the water resources allocation capabilities of the area.
The two-day visit, covering several major operation facilities of the DJ Water Supply System, concluded with fruitful results. It deepened members' understanding of the situation of the DJ water supplied to Hong Kong, and allowed members to observe the good quality of the DJ water at a close distance. Members deeply appreciated the country's determined efforts over the past six decades in safeguarding the quality and quantity of DJ water supplied to Hong Kong, supporting the sustained social and economic development of Hong Kong. Noting that next year marks the 60th anniversary of Dongjiang water supply to Hong Kong, members were pleased to know that the Water Supplies Department (WSD) has launched a series of celebration events in phases from September this year to commemorate this remarkable milestone and help the public recognise the country's continuous support and care rendered to Hong Kong. The Committee is fully supportive of the WSD in taking forward the related events.
The terms of reference of the Committee are to advise the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region through the Director of Water Supplies on matters relating to water supplies, including water resources, network management, regulation and control of inside service, water conservation and other operational matters. It comprises members from the academics, green advocates, professionals, trades and officials from related government departments and the bureau.
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