The re-provisioning works of the service reservoirs into caverns were the first-of-its-kind in Hong Kong. The completion within two and a half years was a very challenging task. In this issue, Mr. Ma Lee Tak, Director of Water Supplies, shares his views on the project as well as the future Centennial Campus.

Q: The reservoir re-provisioning project was successfully completed in September 2009. What do you think about the whole project?

A: I am very satisfied with the whole project. The project was a very challenging one but only took a few years from design through to construction and completion. At the first meeting on the feasibility of the project held in January 2006, both HKU and WSD colleagues felt that the completion of the whole project in 30 months would be a very difficult, if not an impossible task. Fortunately, with the joint effort of various parties, including HKU, consultants, contractors and our colleagues, I am pleased to see that the project was completed on time and the quality was excellent.

Hong Kong has entered a new era in which large-scale site formation is no longer the only way of development. This project has indeed demonstrated the important principles of our future development, including nature conservation, heritage conservation, sustainable development and efficient land utilisation. For example, the future landscape garden that will be atop the new freshwater reservoirs built on space vacated by the re-provisioning work is a good example of “efficient land utilisation”. I am also glad to know that the three heritage buildings will be preserved.

Q: What is so special about the design of the reservoirs and how will it facilitate repair works in the future?

A: We needed to fulfil a number of requirements in the reprovisioning of the saltwater reservoirs into caverns, including the stability of water supplies, minimal disturbance
to users, and no extra maintenance costs. HKU did a good job in achieving all of these. Additionally, in order to minimize subsequent maintenance, we paid special attention to the layout, ventilation, lighting and the automated data collection system of the reservoirs. We also built an elevated walkway for visitors to visit the two saltwater reservoirs inside the caverns.

The construction of a “Pipe Gallery” was another key feature of this project. The “Pipe Gallery” gathers all the relevant pipes to facilitate easy maintenance and repair. In the remote event that leakage occurs in the pipes in the future, the water would be carried away through the gallery, and the adjoining facilities of the University would not be affected.

Q: You are an alumnus of the university. Do you have any special feelings towards this project and the future Centennial Campus?

A: Many alumni were very happy to learn about the plan to build the Centennial Campus. I am also very honoured to have been able to contribute my part. As HKU has been
successful in engaging the community, this project has gained the support of not only the alumni, but society at large.

Finally, I would like to see more collaboration between the WSD and HKU in the future, including in scientific research. For example, we are now working with the University’s Civil Engineering Department to examine how our existing saltwater supply system could be improved. We are also working with the Department of Earth Sciences to study ways to detect underground voids near water mains more efficiently, so that water disruption incidents due to ground subsidence will be minimized.