Sustainability Report

DSD has been incorporating sustainability elements into our facilities at all plants. With the implementation of “Blue-Green Infrastructure”, we actively promote green landscaping, energy conservation and emission reduction. We put environmental management a very high priority in each of our work projects in order to protect the environment and conserve water, etc.

Blue-Green Infrastructure

DSD has been striving to implement the concept of revitalising water bodies by incorporating green and eco-conservation elements into channel and river training works. These include planting in river channels and along river banks, engineering natural stream settings, preserving river ecosystems, enhancing wildlife growth and introducing landscape designs, which not only beautify the environment, but also promote rivers and streams biodiversity.

Revitalising Rivers and Nullahs

Revitalisation of Tsui Ping River

Tsui Ping River was originally a nullah running through Tsui Ping Road and King Yip Street. It has the geographical advantage of being adjacent to residential developments and bustling commercial and industrial areas. Coupled with inherent riverine characteristics, it lends itself very well to being transformed into a precious riverside leisure space for public enjoyment. The Revitalisation of Tsui Ping River involves revitalisation of the existing nullah, beautification of adjoining walkways, as well as enhancement of connectivity and walkability through, for example, providing riverside walkways and landscape decks, turning the River into a new scenic attraction of Kowloon East in the future.

Kai Tak River Improvement Works

In additional to upgrading the drainage capacity of Kai Tak River, the improvement works will also revitalise the river by including aesthetic, greening, landscaping of ecological elements for public enjoyment. Suitable greenery will be planted on both sides of the Rover and the river embankment will also be beautified. Artificial rocks and fish shelters will be installed along the River to transform it into an urban green river corridor.

River Improvement Works in Upper Lam Tsuen

DSD completed River Improvement Works in Upper Lam Tsuen in 2012, alleviating the flood risk in the region. Given the extraordinary conservation value of upstream Lam Tsuen River, we did our utmost to minimise environmental and ecological impacts of our works throughout the design, construction and management stages. Conservation measures adopted in this project included:

• Minimising construction land uptake during river widening in order to preserve its original course
• Building fish ladders at suitable spots, maintaining river flow continuity to allow river organisms to cross sections of the stream
• Using gabion walls to promote plant growth and cultivate a natural ecology
• Restoring the riverbed with original materials upon completion of works to create a natural stream setting and minimise the use of concrete

We observed extensive plant growth on the gabion banks and natural riverbed after the project was completed. In addition to improved water quality, populations of some rare wildlife species, such as the Hong Kong Newt, have increased. The river biodiversity was also enhanced, with an increased number of bird, fish and dragonfly species. To better protect wildlife species in this river habitat, we worked closely with green groups and sought their views and advice.

Roof Greening

Roof greening not only beautifies the building appearance and enhances the biodiversity of the surrounding environment, but also improves the air quality, lowers the indoor temperature and reduces the building energy consumption. When identifying sites for green roofs, we will engage qualified persons to conduct assessments in ascertaining viable locations and design prior to construction. In 2016-17, we completed roof greening for the following 16 DSD projects and facilities:

• Kwun Tong Intermediate Sewage Pumping Station
• Shau Kei Wan Preliminary Treatment Works
• Lok Wo Sha Sewage Pumping Station
• Chinese University Sewage Pumping Station
• Shatin Main Sewage Pumping Station
• Lau Fau Shan Sewage Pumping Station
• Tuen Mun Western Trunk Sewer Sewage Pumping Station
• Stonecutters Island Sewage Treatment Works (Main Pumping Station)
• Happy Valley Underground Stormwater Storage Scheme
• Lam Tsuen Valley Sewerage Stage 1 (Lam Tsuen Valley Sewage Pumping Station, Tong Min Tsuen Sewage Pumping Station, Tin Liu Ha Sewage Pumping Station)
• Sewerage in Ping Kong, Fu Tei Pai and Tai Wo (Ping Kong Sewage Pumping Station, Tai Wo Village Sewage Pumping Station)
• Hung Hom Bay Sewage Pumping Station