First TKODP Open Day concludes (with photos)

     The Water Supplies Department (WSD) held the first Tseung Kwan O Desalination Plant (TKODP) Open Day today (November 24) to promote to the public the desalination plant facilities as well as the water treatment process. The event attracted over 1 600 members of the public to visit, including students and professional groups.
      
     This morning, the WSD held a simple but solemn opening ceremony for the TKODP Open Day. At the ceremony, the Permanent Secretary for Development (Works), Mr Ricky Lau, remarked that the opening of the TKODP showcased Hong Kong's achievements as an international infrastructure centre with the introduction of the advance desalination technology through cross-boundary and cross-disciplinary collaborations. Other officiating guests at the ceremony included the Director of Water Supplies, Mr Roger Wong, and the representatives of the consultant and contractor of the TKODP project.
      
     Open Day events commenced right after the opening ceremony. The WSD set up a number of visiting points in the TKODP. The members of the public could visit major facilities including the Reverse Osmosis Building, the ActiDAFF and the Administration Building etc. During the visit, the public learnt about the process of turning seawater into drinking water to produce drinking water that fully meets Hong Kong Drinking Water Standards. Many visitors tasted on-site the output of the TKODP.
      
     Since 1960s, our country has been providing us with uninterrupted supply of Dongjiang water which currently makes up about 70 to 80 per cent of fresh water consumption in Hong Kong to support our sustainable social and economic development. Next year will mark the 60th anniversary of Dongjiang water supply to Hong Kong. To deepen the public's understanding of the history, development and current situation of Dongjiang water supply as well as the nation's immense support and care rendered to Hong Kong, a dedicated exhibition on "Dongjiang Water Supply to Hong Kong" was set up to display precious historical photos showing the situation of water rationing in 1960s and the Dongjiang-Shenzhen Water Supply Scheme, and also the measures and efforts of the governments of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Guangdong to safeguard the quality and security of Dongjiang water supplied to Hong Kong.
      
     Photo spots and interactive game zones were also set up in the TKODP. WSD mascot Water Save Dave posed for photos with visitors who were involved in the interactive games on water conservation.
 
     The first stage of the TKODP was commissioned for supplying water on November 22 in 2023 with a water production capacity of 135 000 cubic metres per day, accounting for around 5 per cent of the overall fresh water demand in Hong Kong. The plant provides Hong Kong with a water source that is not susceptible to climate changes, enhancing resilience and stability in fresh water supply. Looking forward, the WSD will continue to promote sustainable water resources development and enhance other water management initiatives to ensure a sustainable use of valuable water resources in Hong Kong.
 
     Legislative Council members Dr Lo Wai-kwok; Mr Tony Tse; Mr Andrew Lam; the District Officer (Sai Kung), Ms Kathy Ma; Sai Kung District Council members Ms Christine Fong, Mr Yau Ho-lun, Mr Chong Yuen-tung, Mr Chan Kai-wai; the chairman of the Advisory Committee on Water Supplies, Professor Joseph Kwan; and the chairman of the Drinking Water Safety Advisory Committee, Dr Chan Hon-fai and the vice-chairman of the committee, Professor Irene Lo also attended the opening ceremony this morning.