Project Background
Most of the existing drainage systems in the developed districts of Sham Shui Po, Cheung Sha Wan and Lai Chi Kok were built more than 40 years ago. Owing to rapid developments and changes in land use over the years, the capacities of the existing drainage systems have not achieved the required flood protection standard.
On the other hand, Kowloon Group of Reservoirs (KGR), which located upstream in the Sham Shui Po, Cheung Sha Wan and Lai Chi Kok areas, comprises Kowloon Reservoir, Kowloon Byewash Reservoir, Kowloon Reception Reservoir and Shek Lei Pui Reservoir. During heavy rains, a large amount of surface runoff is collected in these reservoirs with relatively small capacities through their catchment areas, causing a rise in reservoir water level. The overflow enters the urban area of West Kowloon and as a result, Lai Chi Kok, Cheung Sha Wan, and Sham Shui Po are prone to flooding threats.
In this regard, the Drainage Services Department has formulated the Lai Chi Kok Transfer Scheme, which comprises the construction of the Lai Chi Kok Drainage Tunnel and the Inter-reservoirs Transfer Scheme (IRTS) for improving the capacity of the drainage system at the aforesaid districts. The Lai Chi Kok Drainage Tunnel was completed in 2012 to intercept the surface runoff from the uphill catchment areas for direct discharge to the Victoria Harbour. The Inter-reservoirs Transfer Tunnel would transfer the collected surface runoff from the KGR to the LSMR, reducing the overflow entering the drainage system of downstream urban areas and thereby enhancing flood prevention capabilities in Sham Shui Po, Cheung Sha Wan and Lai Chi Kok. At the same time, the overflow transferred to the LSMR can be conveyed to Sha Tin Water Treatment Works for treatment as drinking water, thereby conserving the precious water resources.
The construction of IRTS was commenced in February 2019 and completed in October 2022.
Lai Chi Kok Transfer Scheme – Layout Plan