The breakthrough of all the sewage tunnel sections under the Harbour Area Treatment Scheme (HATS) Stage 2A has marked another milestone for the project and further improvement of the water quality of Victoria Harbour. The 21-kilometre sewage tunnel is the deepest one in Hong Kong with the lowest point being 163.8 metres below sea level and one section crossing the Harbour connecting both sides of it.
     
Officiating at the breakthrough ceremony today (October 6), the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, said upon commissioning of Stage 2A, all the sewage generated from both sides of the Harbour will be treated at a daily capacity of up to 2.4 million cubic metres under the Scheme, further improving the water quality of the Harbour. Moreover, when the Sludge Treatment Facility in Tuen Mun commence operation early next year, the sludge generated during the sewage treatment process will be transferred to the facility for high temperature treatment, turning waste into energy and reducing the burden on landfills. 

Since their opening in late 2001, the facilities under HATS Stage 1 have provided daily treatment for about 75 per cent of the sewage generated from both sides of Victoria Harbour, significantly improving the water quality in the eastern and central parts of the Harbour. Stage 2A will mainly collect sewage from the northern and southwestern parts of Hong Kong Island and convey it to the Stonecutters Island Sewage Treatment Works for treatment and discharge.
    
The works under Stage 2A have commenced since July 2009, comprising the construction of a 21-kilometre sewage tunnel with sections of depths varying from about 70 to 160 metres below sea level. A drill-and-blast method has been adopted for shaft excavation works and deep tunnel construction. With the completion of the section crossing Victoria Harbour connecting Sai Ying Pun and Stonecutters Island on September 1, the 21-kilometre tunnel was entirely broken through. 

Also officiating at the ceremony, the Director of Drainage Services, Mr Daniel Chung, said the main works of HATS Stage 2A will be completed by the end of this year and a crucial 6-month testing and commissioning stage will immediately follow. Last year, the HATS was elected one of the Hong Kong People Engineering Wonders in the 21st Century, showing the public’s recognition of the Department’s efforts.

Other officiating guests at today's ceremony included the Deputy Director of Drainage Services, Mr Mak Ka-wai; the Chairman of the Sham Shui Po District Council, Mr Kwok Chun-wah; the Vice-Chairman of the Central and Western District Council, Mr Chan Hok-fung; the District Officer (Sham Shui Po), Mr Benjamin Mok; and the Assistant District Officer (Central and Western), Mr Winston Chan.


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