Public Engagement

The DSD is dedicated to taking a public participatory approach. Through organising diverse public engagement activities regularly, we can disseminate the public the latest news about the DSD effectively. During the reporting year, we communicated with the public regarding a number of projects. In addition, we organised a series of community activities and exhibitions as well as educational programmes to foster public understanding of the DSD's services and projects and enhance transparency of our work.

Public Engagement for the DSD Projects

The DSD organised various public engagement activities during the reporting year to share information on our projects, such as Expansion of Sha Tau Kok Sewage Treatment Works Phase I and Village Sewerage in Tong To, as well as Kai Tak River Improvement Works.

Expansion of Sha Tau Kok Sewage Treatment Works Phase I and Village Sewerage in Tong To

To provide the latest project details and construction progress to the public, the Project Team has set up a designated website and publishes newsletters with regular updates to disseminate information. The Project Team has kept close liaison with Sha Tau Kok District Rural Committee to solicit their views and address their concerns by minimising impacts to local residents during construction. We also maintained dynamic interaction with the community. During the reporting year, students from Tin Ka Ping Secondary School were invited to visit the works site to understand the objectives, challenges and outcomes of this project. Moreover, the self-developed mobile app for site digitalisation won the second prize of Construction Sustainability in the CIC Construction Innovation Award 2019. In the prize presentation ceremony, the Project Team shared their experience in implementing innovative site management with the industry. Participants also had the opportunity to learn about and experience the DSD's innovative site management technologies.

Students visiting the Sha Tau Kok works site

The project team has kept close liaison with Sha Tau Kok District Rural Committee

Kai Tak River Improvement Works

To help the public learn more about Kai Tak River Improvement Works and how the project benefits the community, the DSD organised site visits for various organisations and conducted a talk at a secondary school near Kai Tak River during the reporting year. Apart from community and publicity activities, information panels were erected at different locations along Kai Tak River Trail (Wong Tai Sin section) to allow the public to understand Kai Tak River's evolution over the past few decades, the project overview and the local ecology while enjoying the scenic greenery.

Delegates from the Pearl River Water Resources Commission of the Ministry of Water Resources visited Kai Tak River in July 2019

Information panel along the trail

Community Activities and Exhibitions

During the reporting year, the DSD hosted and participated in various community activities and exhibitions:  

The HKIE Engineer Day

The DSD participated in HKIE Engineer Day co-organised by the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University on 13 April 2019. Promoting the theme “From Sewage to Energy: Total Energy Management at Sewage Treatment Works”, the DSD booth presented our utilisation of renewable energy and enhancement of energy efficiency by display panels and videos.

Members of the public visiting the DSD's booth

HK SciFest 2019

To support the theme of “HK SciFest 2019”—STEM (i.e. Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), the DSD arranged visits in April 2019 to arrange the public to visit our Happy Valley Underground Stormwater Storage Tank and Stanley STW to see the facilities and operation of drainage and sewage facilities. Besides, in a science talk under the theme "Adapting to Climate Change—Blue-green Infrastructure Concept", we introduced our efforts in building Hong Kong's capacity for adapting to climate change and creating a liveable and sustainable environment.

Our Engineer, Mr Michael CHAN King-lok, explaining the operation of Stanley Sewage Treatment Works to visitors

The DSD then Engineer, Ms Joy LEE Ching-man, presenting how the DSD tackles the impact of climate change in the science talk

Safer Living 2.0

Launched on 10 June 2019, "Safer Living 2.0" is a year-long inter-departmental public education campaign comprising a series of exhibitions, seminars, tours and competitions, aiming to enhance public understanding of natural disasters. With the aid of videos, display panels, physical models and interactive games, the DSD helped visitors learn more about our efforts in enhancing flood resilience of the city and heightening awareness of flood prevention, such as building flood walls, installing demountable flood barriers, flap valves, setting up flood alert system and stepping up inspection and clearance to minimising casualties and property loss.

Director of Drainage Services, Mr Kelvin LO Kwok-wah, trying his hands at installing demountable flood barriers

Science in the Public Service

As in previous year, the DSD participated in the annual “Science in the Public Service” event. “Science in My City” was the theme for the 2019 event, where we communicated the DSD's scientific work and application of technologies to the general public. The multiple benefits of river revitalisation were also highlighted, including enhancing biodiversity, river greening and beautification, as well as popularising the water-friendly culture and riverside activities.

Mr Keith LEUNG Kin-kei, our Engineer, delivering a presentation on river revitalisation at the forum on 10 August 2019

Hong Kong Biodiversity Festival 2019

During the “Preservation of Fireflies in River Channels Talk/Workshop” taken place at the Fireflies Education Centre of Firefly Conservation Foundation on 19 October 2019, the DSD shared general knowledge of fireflies with the public and presented our improvement works for river channel aquatic habitats in the New Territories. 

A chance to observe firefly larvae and adults as well as other water insects at close range

Educational Visits and Outreach

Adopting an approach that encourages versatility and diversity, we organise visits and educational outreach activities for schools and public organisations to deepen their understanding of our work.  

Group Visits

In the year under review, we received over 11,000 visitors from primary and secondary schools as well as various mainland and overseas organisations. Tours were arranged to our facilities, including Happy Valley Underground Stormwater Storage Tank, Siu Ho Wan STW, Lai Chi Kok Drainage Tunnel, Sha Tin STW and the engineered wetland of Yuen Long Bypass Floodway, etc.

Education Outreach

As part of our regular educational outreach programmes, the DSD representatives visit schools to present the department's work and projects to teachers and students. In the year under review, we visited 11 schools to explain works about sewage treatment and flood prevention in Hong Kong to about 2,000 teachers and students.

Youth Work Experience Program

During the 2019 summer vacation, the DSD once again supported the “Y-WE” programme organised by the Child Development Initiative Alliance to offer teenagers an opportunity to gain workplace experience and assist them in planning their future career paths.  A secondary school student joined the DSD for a one-week work experience project, working under the guidance of mentors and actively participating in assigned duties. It was a great opportunity for self-discovery.