Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Following is a question by the Hon Holden Chow and a reply by the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, in the Legislative Council today (July 2):
Question:
The Government indicated in its reply to a question from a Member of this Council on May 14 this year that the Water Intelligent Network (WIN) implemented by the Water Supplies Department has completed the establishment of all 2 400 district metering areas (DMAs) by the end of March this year to help strengthen the management of leakage in water supply networks. However, it has been reported that incidents of underground water mains burst still occurred frequently, and multiple incidents of water mains burst even occurred in Tuen Mun District within a week in early June this year. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) whether it has examined the reasons for the occurrence of underground water mains burst incidents one after another after the completion of the establishment of WIN, and whether it has explored improvement proposals;
The reply to the questions raised by the Hon Chow is as follows:
However, the DMAs of WIN currently do not cover the fresh water trunk mains and approximately 20 per cent of the fresh water distribution network. We have to extend its coverage. Additionally, some aged water mains, such as those made of cast iron and asbestos cement, have relatively fragile exteriors. Even the water mains laid within the DMAs of WIN, they may suddenly burst upon external force impact, so we need to schedule the replacement of these water mains taking into account risk factors.
In addition, the WSD has been collaborating with local and Mainland academic and research institutions to study the application of other advanced technologies, such as sonar surveys and fibre-optic technology, to detect pipe leakage early. The WSD will collaborate with the Hong Kong Polytechnic University to establish a joint laboratory of “In-line Robot” in August this year to conduct high-precision inspections of water mains.
From 2015 to March 2025, about 240 kilometres long water mains have been replaced or rehabilitated. The WSD obtained funding approval from the Legislative Council last year to replace or rehabilitate about 20 kilometres of large steel water mains. These improvement works, including about four kilometres in Tuen Mun District, are preliminarily expected to be completed by 2029 progressively.
???Thank you, President.