Highlights of the Year

In 2017-2018, DSD progressed well in sewage and flood prevention and garnered remarkable results. The Regulation of Shenzhen River Stage 4 and the first stage of maintenance works of penstocks at the Stonecutters Island Sewage Treatment Works (SCISTW) Main Pumping Station were completed in tandem, reflecting the high efficiency and great dedication of our staff. During the year, we continued to conduct research on various scopes of works and river channel ecology, while sparing no effort in exploring ways to develop our sewage treatment and drainage services, as well as to promote cross-sectoral collaboration and pioneer innovative technologies. This chapter shares our highlights and awards in 2017-18.

The Regulation of Shenzhen River Stage 4 was successfully completed in July 2017 at a construction cost of approximately $0.85 billion. The works involved improving a 4.5 kilometres section of Shenzhen River between the Ping Yuen River estuary and Pak Fu Shan, and constructing a flood retention lake with a capacity of 80,000 cubic metres to upgrade flood prevention capacity of the area. We also introduced greenery and ecological conservation elements into the lake to create a wetland habitat.

Shenzhen River, a boundary river between Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and Shenzhen Special Economic Zone, measures 37 kilometres in length with a catchment area of 312 square kilometres. It is the drainage outlet of Ng Tung River, Ping Yuen River and the San Tin streams on Hong Kong side as well as that of Shawan River, Buji River and Futian River on Shenzhen side. Regional flooding in these river catchments frequently threatened public safety and property on both sides of the river in the past. The HKSAR Government and the Shenzhen Municipal Government are determined to regulate the river; hence set up a Joint Working Group on Shenzhen River Regulation to oversee project implementation.

The entire Shenzhen River Regulation Project was carried out in four stages, costing about $2.65 billion in total. Stage 1, Stage 2 and Stage 3 works of the project were completed in 1997, 2000 and 2006 respectively. The original 18 kilometres Shenzhen River was straightened, widened and deepened into a new river channel measuring 13.5 kilometres long. As flood prevention capacity was significantly improved, regional flooding hazards in the area along the river were effectively alleviated. The works also enhanced river environment and navigation.

Aerial view of the flood retention lake under the Regulation of Shenzhen River Project Stage 4