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[Overview of Flood Prevention in 2018-19] [Overview of Sewage Treatment and Sewerage System in 2018-19]
DSD is committed to providing professional sewage treatment and stormwater drainage services to the public so as to protect the quality of Hong Kong waters and protect citizens against flooding. Since our establishment in 1989, we have been endeavouring to build excellent sewerage and drainage facilities to make Hong Kong a more liveable city.
In view of flood prevention, DSD makes reference to international standards for the design and construction of drainage facilities, and carries out regular inspections and maintenance works to ensure proper operation of our facilities. In 2018-19, DSD continued to implement various flood prevention projects. In addition, we are reviewing the Drainage Master Plans (DMPs) of various districts in stages, as to upgrade their flood protection level and tie in with Hong Kong’s future development.
There were drastic climate changes in 2018, with frequent typhoons and rainstorms. The storm surge caused by Super Typhoon Mangkhut, which hit Hong Kong in September, led to severe flooding in many coastal areas of the city and posed new challenges to our flood prevention works.
The annual total rainfall in 2018 was about 2,163 millimetres, slightly lower than the mean annual total rainfall of about 2,400 millimetres by approximately 10% between 1981 and 2010. In 2018, the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) issued four Red and 19 Amber Rainstorm Warnings Signals. During the year, six tropical cyclones necessitated the issuance of tropical cyclone warning signals, similar to the long-term average in a year. HKO issued tropical cyclone warning signal No. 10 during the passage of Mangkhut in September, while issued five tropical cyclone warning signals No. 3.
The severe storm surge brought by Mangkhut raised the water level generally by more than two metres, resulting in unusually high water levels in many places in Hong Kong. On the afternoon of 16 September 2018, the water level at Quarry Bay rose to a maximum of 3.88 metres above Chart Datum (mCD), the second highest since instrumental water level measurement started in 1954, and only lower than the record high of 3.96 mCD set by Super Typhoon Wanda in 1962.
To minimise the flooding risk arising from Super Typhoon Mangkhut, DSD stepped up inspections and clearance of major drainage channels and inlets, particularly at flooding blackspots, to ensure the drains were free from obstructions. DSD had identified several low-lying coastal areas that are susceptible to tidal back flow, such as Tai O, Lei Yue Mun and Nam Wai in Sai Kung. DSD worked with other government departments and installed flood prevention facilities, such as installation of flood barriers and non-return flap valves, and construction of flood walls, etc. The Government had also established an early alert system for the above locations. When storm surge alerts were issued by HKO, DSD immediately implemented emergency flood relief measures at relevant locations with an aim to alleviate the flooding impact. Taking an example in Tai O, before the arrival of the typhoon, DSD deployed over 10 staff in Tai O for the installation of demountable flood barriers overnight in order to enhance the flood protection capacity of the river wall and to handle the emergency situation.
During the severe weather and before the Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 was in force, we activated the Emergency Control Centre. Contingency teams were also deployed by DSD to stand by at the locations prone to flooding, to ensure that inspections and drain clearance would be conducted in time to reduce flooding risk. Around 120 staff in 30 teams were mobilised.
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Last year, we implemented various drainage improvement works, evaluation was done on the effectiveness of each completed drainage improvement works at the beginning of 2019. At present, Hong Kong still has six flooding blackspots have not been removed, two of the remaining six flooding blackspots have had drainage improvement works commissioned and the effectiveness is being monitored. In order to remove all the flooding blackspots as early as possible, the first stage improvement works for the other four blackspots was completed while the next stage improvement works are under planning and design. We will closely monitor the drainage condition in these areas during the rainy season.
Based on records, DSD has identified seven Storm Surge Spots, which are vulnerable to seawater inundation due to rise of sea level caused by storm surge during typhoon and three Overtopping Wave Spots, which are vulnerable to flooding due to wave overtopping the seawall. DSD has formulated measures to combat the problems with other departments.
Compounded by urbanization, increase in surface runoff and reduction of flood plains, flooding may happen at certain districts in low-lying areas and coastal areas. To address the flooding problem in various places, we have developed a “three-pronged flood prevention strategy”, i.e. stormwater interception, flood storage and drainage improvement, which has been proven effective in mitigating the flood risk arising from heavy rain.
To support the sustainable development of Hong Kong and respond to rising challenges of climate change, we introduced the “Sponge City” concept of “following the nature with resilience” to facilitate stormwater infiltration and reduce surface runoff through flood storage and retention. Part of the stormwater is collected and reused in an attempt to optimise water recycling across the city and enhance the flood resilience level of the city.
A clear and well maintained drainage system is a prerequisite to flood prevention. There are about 2,400 kilometres of underground stormwater drains, 360 kilometres of engineered channels, 21 kilometres of drainage tunnels, and four underground stormwater storage tanks in Hong Kong, all managed by DSD. During the year, we inspected over 2,310 kilometres of drains and rivers, which is about 23 kilometres longer than the total length of drains and rivers planned for inspection in 2018-19. Apart from regular inspections and preventive maintenance works, we also conduct regular functional and structural checks and clear blockages before and after the rainy season.
To tie in with Hong Kong’s future development and adapt to rising challenges of climate change, we have conducted DMP review studies and drainage studies on the whole territory of Hong Kong. The review studies of DMPs for Yuen Long and North District and the drainage study for Happy Valley were completed in 2011, whereas the improvement works at Happy Valley have been fully commissioned since 2017. The studies for West Kowloon and East Kowloon were also completed in 2015 and the proposed improvement works are under planning. The review studies for Tai Po, Shatin and Sai Kung and the review study for Northern Hong Kong Island were also completed in 2017 and 2019 respectively.
At present, the improvement works proposed on the studies for Yuen Long and North District in the New Territories are under the design stage. The proposed improvement works for West Kowloon and East Kowloon are also under the planning stage. The investigation of the proposed improvement works in Sha Tin and Sai Kung commenced in 2019 while the investigation of the proposed improvement works in Tai Po and Hong Kong Island is targeted to commence in 2020. The two DMP review studies of Lantau and Outlying Islands, and Tuen Mun, Tsuen Wan and Kwai Tsing, and the drainage study for Repulse Bay and Tai Tam, are currently underway.
To improve the flood protection levels of East Kowloon, the improvement works of reconstructing and rehabilitating the 1.1 kilometres section of the Kai Tak River from Po Kong Village Road to Prince Edward Road East have been completed. The works involved deepening of the riverbed and constructing a 400 metres long box culvert underneath Choi Hung Road.
The improvement works commenced in stages since October 2011 and were completed in June 2018. The project cost is about $2.8 billion. At present, Kai Tak River meets the latest flood prevention design standards, alleviating the flood risks in Wong Tai Sin and San Po Kong areas.
DSD has also taken this opportunity to inject various greening and ecological elements into Kai Tak River, thus revitalising it into an urban green river corridor. The living environment has been improved through enhancing the townscape of the area, provisioning of a scenic and leisure place for enjoyment of the public, as well as fostering closer connection between river and adjacent areas.
In an attempt to enhance the flood prevention capacity of West Kowloon to cope with the challenges posed by climate change, we are constructing a water tunnel with a total length of about 2.8 kilometres connecting Kowloon Byewash Reservoir and Lower Shing Mun Reservoir, which will transfer the surface runoff collected from the Kowloon group of reservoirs to Lower Shing Mun Reservoir. The Inter-reservoirs Transfer Scheme will generate an annual additional fresh water yield of about 3.4 million cubic metres with a view to achieving dual purposes in flood protection and water conservation.
The project commenced in February 2019 and is scheduled for completion in 2022. The estimated project cost is about $1.22 billion.
Situated right at the heart of Kwun Tong, Tsui Ping River is a nullah running along Tsui Ping Road and King Yip Street. It is set in close proximity to residential, commercial and industrial areas. Given its unique waterscape, Tsui Ping River is well-positioned to become a valuable urban riverside leisure space for public enjoyment. In addition to enhancing flood prevention capacity, we are transforming the existing nullah into Tsui Ping River through environmental, ecological and scenic enhancement. The project also beautifies adjoining pavements as well as improves connectivity and walkability by providing riverside walkways and landscaped decks. We aspire to turn the existing nullah into a new landmark where the public can enjoy the river view and leisure activities.
We conducted the Stage 2 Public Engagement exercise in mid-2018 to collect public views on the project and the latest revitalisation plan. The detailed design of the project was substantially completed in early 2019.^
| ^ | Subject to funding approval, the works will commence in the early 2020 and target for completion in early 2024. The estimated project cost is about $1.76 billion. |
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[Executive Summary] [Traditional Chinese Version] [Simplified Chinese Version] [Graphical Version] [Verification Statement] [Feedback Form] [Meeting the Targets] [Key Statistics and Data] [GRI Content Index] [Sitemap]
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