Tseung Kwan O Desalination Plant to be commissioned tomorrow (with photo)

     The first stage of the Tseung Kwan O Desalination Plant (TKODP) will be commissioned for supplying water tomorrow (December 22), providing a new and stable water source that is not susceptible to climate change.
      
     A spokesman for the Water Supplies Department (WSD) said, "The TKODP is the first waterworks in Hong Kong to adopt an advanced reverse osmosis desalination technology. Upon entering into full operation, the TKODP will meet around 5 per cent of the overall fresh water demand in Hong Kong with a water production capacity at 135 000 cubic metres per day. The TKODP, together with the Pak Kong Water Treatment Works and the Tseung Kwan O Primary Fresh Water Service Reservoir, will supply drinking water to Sai Kung as well as parts of East Kowloon and Hong Kong Island."
      
     Adopting the reverse osmosis desalination technology, pre-treated seawater will pass through membrane which allows fresh water to pass through but retains salts and impurities. Desalinated seawater will then undergo post-treatment procedures to produce drinking water fully meeting Hong Kong Drinking Water Standards on par with the quality of water supplied by other water treatment works in Hong Kong. There will be real-time monitoring of the whole treatment process.
      
     The WSD has started the preliminary design for the second stage of the plant, and the adjacent site is also earmarked for future expansion, with a water production capacity that will meet around 10 per cent of the overall fresh water demand in Hong Kong.