DSD's 30th Anniversary Activities

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the DSD, a series of activities were held in 2019 to share our achievements and joy with colleagues, their family members, professional groups and members of the public, allowing them to learn more about the DSD's responsibilities from different perspectives. Some activities have been included in DSD Sustainability Report 2018-19.

12 April 2019

DSD 30th Anniversary Tea Gathering with Academia 2019

Four Assistant Directors of the DSD led a tour of about 60 guests from local universities, research institutes and East Development Office of the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) to the Upper Kai Tak River and Kai Tak River Desilting Compound No.1. During the event, we presented the present and future directions of our research and development projects, as well as the collaboration between the DSD and the CEDD and the project background of Kai Tak River and Kai Tak River Desilting Compound No.1. This event not only enabled the DSD, the CEDD and the academics to gain insight into each other's efforts, but also laid the foundation for future collaborations.

Toasting led by Mr Kelvin LO Kwok-wah (front row, third left), Director of Drainage Services, and Mr MAK Ka-wai (front row, fourth left), the then Deputy Director of Drainage Services

18 May 2019

Staff and Friends Pets Fun Day

The DSD organised the first Pets Fun Day at Butterfly Valley Road Pet Garden above the Stilling Basin of Lai Chi Kok Drainage Tunnel. Staff, relatives and friends were invited to bring along their pets to participate and visit Lai Chi Kok Drainage Tunnel facilities. A pet fashion competition under the theme “Recycling and Reuse” was held to unleash participants' creativity to make best use of recycled materials to make “statement” outfits for their pets. Representatives from The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals were invited to provide health checks for pets and offer tips on healthcare and training of pets.

Group photo of all participants

9 August 2019

Tea Gathering with Green Groups

The DSD organised another 30th Anniversary tea gathering event at Kai Tak River Desilting Compound No.1. Guests from green groups, tertiary institutions and the CEDD participated in the event. Besides touring the Upper Kai Tak River and Kai Tak River Desilting Compound No.1, visitors were briefed by the DSD representatives on the DSD's initiatives and achievements in promoting sustainable development in Hong Kong. Our guests warmly shared their experience of collaborating with the DSD.

Group photo of the participants at Kai Tak River Desilting Compound No.1

30 August 2019

DSD 30th Anniversary cum Annual Dinner

About 380 guests and colleagues joined the DSD 30th Anniversary cum Annual Dinner. The programme included a prize presentation for sports competitions, a lucky draw and a quiz game. Mr Kelvin LO Kwok-wah, Director of Drainage Services, and Mr MAK Ka-wai, the then Deputy Director of Drainage Services, gave a musical performance alongside the DSD Band. “DSD fans” prepared a birthday fruit cake with special well wishes and performed a covered version of the traditional birthday song to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the DSD's establishment which brought joy and laughter.

Mr Kelvin LO Kwok-wah (ninth right), Director of Drainage Services, toasting with the senior management and guests

29 September 2019

DSD 30th Anniversary Fun Run

Over a hundred runners, including a number of DSD retired staff and representatives of trade partners, and over 30 helpers participated in the DSD Fun Run held at Sha Tin Sewage Treatment Works to celebrate the event with great stamina and sweat. Speaking at the event, Mr Kelvin LO Kwok-wah, Director of Drainage Services, compared long-distance running to daily work, encouraging colleagues to cross hurdles at work with steadfast determination.

Group photo of spirited runners and helpers before the start of the race

3 October 2019

Visit to Composting Plant and Drainage Channel Engineered Wetland

Over 30 DSD colleagues signed up for “DSD 30th Anniversary – Site Visit to Composting Plant and Drainage Channel Engineered Wetland” organised by Mainland North Division to see how an engineered channel serves both flood prevention and nature conservation purposes. They visited the engineered wetland at Kwan Tei River and the composting plant at Kwan Tei Depot to understand the production process and application of compost. They were given small packs of compost for trial planting. Improvement works at Kwan Tei River included modification of a section of embankment and river bed to create porous landscape as well as channels of varied water flows and habitats for small creatures. Native flora species were also planted to create suitable habitats of varied temperature, humidity and spacing for aquatic lives.

Over 30 colleagues visiting the engineered wetland at Kwan Tei River

31 October to 2 November 2019

The 8th International Water Association Asia Pacific Regional Group (IWA-ASPIRE) Conference and Exhibition

The DSD has always placed strong emphasis on international technological exchange. The Director of Drainage Services serves as Vice Chairman of the International Water Association (IWA) Regional Committee of Hong Kong, China. During the reporting year, we continued to support and participate in activities organised by the IWA, which included being one of the co-organisers of the 8th IWA-ASPIRE Conference and Exhibition under the theme of "Smart Solutions for Water Resilience". The conference attracted over 1,000 water practitioners, academia and government officials from more than 30 countries and regions. During the conference, participants shared best practices and acquired knowledge and experience of water policy and management, smart water supply, sustainable development and climate change.

Group photo of Chief Executive Mrs Carrie LAM (front row, eighth right) and the officiating guests, including Mr Kelvin LO Kwok-wah, Director of Drainage Services (front row, sixth left), at the opening ceremony of the 8th IWA-ASPIRE Conference and Exhibition

17-20 December 2019

Construction Innovation Expo 2019

The DSD participated in the Construction Innovation Expo 2019 co-organised by the Development Bureau, Centre of Science and Technology Industrial Development, Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of the People's Republic of China and the Construction Industry Council. We showcased a number of innovative projects in our exhibition booth, including the Green AI Egretry Monitoring System of Relocation of Sha Tin Sewage Treatments Works to Caverns project; Food Waste and Sewage Sludge Anaerobic Co-digestion Pilot Trial; tertiary sewage treatment technology - membrane bioreactor; movable weir in the Happy Valley Underground Stormwater Storage Scheme, and the smart technologies applied in Expansion of Sha Tau Kok Sewage Treatment Works project. Our engineers led technical tours to visit Happy Valley Underground Stormwater Storage Tank and Hong Kong West Drainage Tunnel to give participants an on-site experience of the DSD's flood prevention works.

The DSD colleagues presenting the Happy Valley Underground Stormwater Storage Scheme to visitors

Members of the public visiting the DSD's exhibition booth