1
Fresh water is a precious and scarce natural
resource.
Only 2.5% of the world’s water is fresh water; the
rest is seawater.
70% of fresh water is locked in the polar ice caps.
2
Source: World Business Council for Sustainable
Development
http://www.unwater.org/downloads/Water_facts_and
_trends.pdf
3
•2012入夏以來，作為世界玉米、大豆及小麥主產區的美國，遭遇六十年來最嚴重的
“世紀大旱”，引發了世界糧食危機再度來襲的擔憂。
Source:
http://hk.news.yahoo.com/%E7%BE%8E%E4%B8%AD%E8%A5%BF%E9%83%
A8%E5%A4%A7%E6%97%B1%E4%BE%9B%E6%B0%B4%E5%90%83%E7%B7%8A%E8%BE%B2%E4%BD
%9C%E5%82%B7-093200955.html
•2005 / 2012: 亞馬遜雨林鬧乾旱 面積加州兩倍大
Source: http://www.lalulalu.com/viewthread.php?tid=2862869
•2012: 巴西最大城聖保羅 嚴重乾旱
Source: http://www.lalulalu.com/viewthread.php?tid=2529786
•2007: 歐洲最乾旱國家西班牙對抗沙漠化
Source:
http://tw.myblog.yahoo.com/jw!uF1wLFGBBxb.riX5116dcG2oyRv1/article?mid=81
8
•2010: 中非乾旱 老天爺的詛咒？
Source: http://www.npf.org.tw/post/1/10600
•2011: 東非洲雨量不足造成嚴重乾旱饑荒，影響超過一千萬人的生計。
Source: http://k-review.com.tw/2011/09/01/1032/
•2010 / 2013: 中國西南地區遭遇歷史罕見的特大旱災，影響人們生活和經濟。雲南、
貴州部分地區旱情超過或達百年一遇，很多地區人畜飲水困難，經濟損失嚴重，部分
地區甚至準備大規模移民。
Source:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/zhongwen/trad/china/2010/03/100326_china_droughtreport.
shtml
4
http://www.lalulalu.com/viewthread.php?tid=3243315
http://satis.ncdr.nat.gov.tw/ndd/PDF/DR.pdf
•2007: 澳洲乾旱空前嚴重 灌溉用水面臨切斷 年底３００萬人無水可用 無尾熊恐絕跡。
Source:
http://www.chinareviewnews.com/doc/1003/5/3/8/100353884.html?coluid=7&kindi
d=0&docid=100353884
4
50-100L equals 25-50 bottles of 2L soft drink.
About “50L to 100L of water per person per day is
required”，Original Article：“The Assembly
recognized the right of every human being to have
access to sufficient water for personal and domestic
uses (between 50 and 100 litres of water per person
per day), which must be safe, acceptable and
affordable (water costs should not exceed 3 per
cent of household income), and physically
accessible (the water source has to be within 1,000
metres of the home and collection time should not
exceed 30 minutes). ”
Source：http://www.un.org/en/globalissues/water/
5
In Wanchai Sports Ground each lap is 400m long,
hence 6km equals 15 laps.
About the concept of “6km run for water”：
http://forum.eyankit.com/viewthread.php?tid=82912
6
§Number of people without access to improved water
sources: 780 million
(Source: UNICEF, Progress on Drinking Water and Sanitation 2012)
Water scarcity affects both developed and developing
countries. For example, water is scarce in the southern
and middle western part of USA.
Water scarcity also affects China. The Central
Government has spent billions to tackle the problem.
7
Number of people without access to basic sanitation
facilities: 2.5 billion
(Source: UNICEF, Progress on Drinking Water and Sanitation 2012)
Water scarcity affects both developed and developing
countries. For example, water is scarce in the southern
and middle western part of USA.
Water scarcity also affects China. The Central
Government has spent billions to tackle the problem.
8
Nowadays, we enjoy a reliable, round-the-clock water supply. Have you ever wondered where water comes from? The heat from the sun causes the water in oceans, sea, lakes, rivers, trees evaporate and become water vapour.
•Water vapour rises to the sky where cool temperatures cause it to
condense into clouds.
•When clouds heap up, they can no longer stay in the sky as they
are too heavy. They will fall as rains.
•Rainwater falls to rivers or flows from water gathering grounds to
impounding reservoirs.
•Both Dongjiang water and the water in local reservoirs will be
transferred to Water Treatment Works for purification. The treated
water will be delivered to service reservoirs.
•The water in the service reservoirs will then be distributed to
customers by gravity via extensive networks of water mains.
•Used water will be conveyed to the Sewage Treatment Works.
•After treatment, the water will be discharged to the sea / Recycled
back to Consumers for non-drinking usage.
•With the sun’s heat, the water in the sea will evaporate as vapour
again… and this is the water cycle.
9
As mentioned, both Dongjiang water and the water
in local reservoirs will be transferred to Water
Treatment Works.
What is being done in the Water Treatment Process?
10
First of all, with alum, small dirt will cling to each other to become thick and solid floc. The floc will then rest on the floor of the clarifier in the form of thick and greasy mud called sludge. Then, the sludge is collected at the clarifier. It is thickened and finally compressed into sludge cakes. The sludge cakes will then be taken to landfill sites.
Afterwards, in filter plant, finer dust, dirt and mud are taken away by anthracite and sand layers. 3 important chemicals are added to the filtered water:
Lime helps neutralise the water since it is a bit acidic after taking alum. Chlorine is added for disinfection. Fluoride is also added to minimise the risk of dental 11
decay.
Finally the water goes into the Clear Water Tank and is ready for supplying to the public.
11
Besides using sophisticated analytical instruments for
monitoring water quality, WSD has recently developed a
“Biosensing Alert System” to further safeguard the quality of
water supply.
This system has received a Silver Prize in the
Team Award (Internal Service) of Civil Service Outstanding
Service Award Scheme 2013.
Our latest water monitoring partner, zebrafish, is deployed to help monitor the water quality round the clock.
Zebrafish is chosen because it is highly sensitive to pollutants in water and its DNA is very similar (about 70%) to human being’s.
The computer system developed by WSD can intelligently detect abnormal activity of Zebrafish, such as swimming too fast or too slow, avoidance to the water inlet, etc. The system will issue an onsite alert and collect water samples automatically and also inform our colleagues immediately by 12
email, SMS or even by direct phone calls. When the water quality is in doubt, another water monitoring partner,
the light-emitting bacteria, which is capable of screening over 1,000 harmful substances in water within a short time (about 60 minutes) will be introduced. Then we could cope with the problem accordingly and secure the safety of drinking water.
[Bacterial Bioluminescent Technology (the light-emitting bacteria) : Vibrio fischeri normally produces light from metabolic activity. The presence of harmful substances in water can inhibit the bacteria from producing light. As such, measurement of the luminescence intensity of the bacteria could be used to monitor water quality. The reduction in the luminescence intensity could give a quick alert for water contamination. This rapid toxicity testing system is recognised by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and has been commonly adopted by the Olympic Games, Asian Games and United States Department of Defense] 12
Do you know what is fresh water supply system ?
It includes:
 Water pipes
 Roof tank
 Sump tank
 Pump
 Water meter
Proper Maintenance of Fresh Water System
 The drinking water provided by the Water Supplies Department (WSD) first enters the water treatment works for a series of stringent and advanced treatment and disinfection processes. The treated water fully complies with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Guidelines for Drinking‐water Quality. [source: “Hong Kong's Water Supply Reducing Lead in Drinking Water”, P.1]
 Should clean the water tanks (roof tank and sump tank) regularly to prevent accumulation of dirt, rust, etc. which may lead to discoloured water. [source: “Fresh Water Plumbing Maintenance Guide “, P. 3, Clause 2.1]
13
Reasons for Contaminated Water
• Substandard pipes and fittings [source: “Hong Kong‘s Water Supply Reducing Lead in Drinking Water”, P.5]
• Old and worn‐out inside service systems [source: “Hong Kong‘s Water Supply
Reducing Lead in Drinking Water”, P.5]
• Aged or rusted pipes [source: “Hong Kong‘s Water Supply Reducing Lead in Drinking Water”, P.5]
• Inadequate cleaning to roof tanks and sump tanks [source: “Fresh Water Plumbing Maintenance Guideline”, P.3, Clause 2.1 Intro  Rephased]
14
How to Maintain Quality Water ?
1. Employ licensed plumbers to inspect the plumbing system regularly. Engage licensed plumbers to examine the inside service system regularly. [source: “Hong Kong’s Water Supply Reducing Lead in Drinking Water”, P.4, Clause 2.2(a)]
2. Clean the fresh water tanks at least once every three 3 months. [source: “Hong Kong’s Water Supply Reducing Lead in Drinking Water”, P.3, Clause 2.1(a)]
3. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the use and maintenance of water filters, including the frequency of cleaning and replacement of major parts. Water filters may become an ideal breeding ground for bacterial. [source: “(a) Hong Kong’s Water Supply Reducing Lead in Drinking Water”, P.11 & (b) Fresh Water Plumbing Maintenance Guideline”, P.7, Clause 2.4 ]
15
How to Maintain Quality Water ?
4. Engage an accredited laboratory to take water samples and carry out testing. [source: “Hong Kong’s Water Supply Reducing Lead in Drinking Water”, P.12]
5. If water has not been used overnight, run water taps for one to two minutes in the morning before taking any water for drinking or cooking. When you run a water tap to flush out water that has been standing in the pipes, remember not towaste this water and use a container to collect it for non‐
drinking purposes, for example, floor cleaning. [source: “Hong Kong’s Water Supply Reducing Lead in Drinking Water”, P.11]
6. As hot water may increase the amount of lead leached from pipe materials, use only cold water from taps for cooking and drinking. [source: Press release
‐ http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201509/25/P201509250651.htm]
16
The two main water sources in Hong Kong are Rainwater and Dongjiang water.
Do you know the respective percentage? The answer is:
20-30% Rainwater
70-80% Dongjiang water
Note: Hong Kong is using water resources of neighbouring regions. Water has to run over mountains to Hong Kong. When we save water, we not only contribute to conserving water of the neighbouring regions but save the energy for transporting the water to Hong Kong.
17
Do you know what they were doing?
What was the use of those buckets?
Those buckets were used for carrying water.
Severe water rationing was imposed in Hong Kong
in the 1960s. During the time, water was supplied
only 4 hours in every 4 days.
The water supply system was not as good as
nowadays’ and the water pressure was often weak.
Families had to queue up for water during the time
when water supply was restricted.
If you were in the same situation, how would you
feel about it?
This happened to the whole city, not only to a few
buildings…
18
Let us show you some video footage of the water
shortage situation in 1960s.
19
Nowadays, we have continuous water supply
round the clock because we have built 2 important
reservoirs in the 1980s, namely, the Plover Cove
Reservoir (1967) and the High Island Reservoir
(1978). The combined storage capacity of the two
reservoirs is 87% of the total storage capacity of all
reservoirs in Hong Kong.
We started using seawater for toilet flushing to
conserve fresh water in late 1950s.
Most importantly, an agreement was signed with
Guangdong for the importation of Dongjiang water
to Hong Kong.
As a result, we have not suffered from water
rationing since 1982.
20
Even though our forecast water demand will be met by
current water supply arrangement, the Hong Kong
government introduced a Total Water Management
Strategy in 2008. Why?
•The first reason is to better prepare for uncertainties –
Even though we enjoy continuous water supply
nowadays, the acute climate changes in the coming
years might result in lower rainfall. Therefore we had
better prepare for the uncertainties.
•The second reason is to join hands with other
municipalities in the Pearl River Delta – Dongjiang
water is also the water source of cities and towns
alongside Dongjiang. Hong Kong should enhance its
role as a good partner of other municipalities in the
Pearl River Delta in promoting sustainable use of water
resources in the light of the rapid growth in water
demand in the region.
21
The TWM strategy aims to manage the demand and
supply in an Integrated, Multi-sectoral and
Sustainable manner.
22
Water Supplies Department (WSD) promotes Water
Conservation through different means including
video production. Have you watched this video
before?
23
The Government has formulated a TWM strategy for
the period up to 2030.
•The strategy puts emphasis on containing growth
of water demand through conservation.
•The Government will also strengthen water supply
management.
24
WSD has been promoting water conservation through various
channels, such as
•Broadcasting Radio/ TV APIs (Announcements in Public Interest)
•Advertisements on public transport such as buses and MTR
•School campaigns
•The use of water bill inserts
•Exhibition panels named “Little Drop’s Marvellous Journey” and
“Quality Water Recognition Scheme for Buildings” for loaning to
schools and buildings
•Various promotional materials for distribution to the public: leaflets,
posters and brochures to promote water conservation.
•A dedicated webpage
•Furthermore, WSD organises large-scale promotional and
educational events every year, for example, World Water Day,
World Water Monitoring Day, Water Treatment Works, Seminars
and Open Day, etc.
25
WSD has been promoting water conservation through various
channels, such as
•Broadcasting Radio/ TV APIs (Announcements in Public Interest)
•Advertisements on public transport such as buses and MTR
•School campaigns
•The use of water bill inserts
•Exhibition panels named “Little Drop’s Marvellous Journey” and
“Quality Water Recognition Scheme for Buildings” for loaning to
schools and buildings
•Various promotional materials for distribution to the public: leaflets,
posters and brochures to promote water conservation.
•A dedicated webpage
•Furthermore, WSD organises large-scale promotional and
educational events every year, for example, World Water Day, World
Water Monitoring Day, Water Treatment Works, Seminars and Open
Day, etc.
26
WSD has been promoting water conservation through various
channels, such as
•Broadcasting Radio/ TV APIs (Announcements in Public Interest)
•Advertisements on public transport such as buses and MTR
•School campaigns
•The use of water bill inserts
•Exhibition panels named “Little Drop’s Marvellous Journey” and
“Quality Water Recognition Scheme for Buildings” for loaning to
schools and buildings
•Various promotional materials for distribution to the public: leaflets,
posters and brochures to promote water conservation.
•A dedicated webpage
•Furthermore, WSD organises large-scale promotional and
educational events every year, for example, World Water Day, World
Water Monitoring Day, Water Treatment Works, Seminars and Open
Day, etc.
27
WSD has been promoting water conservation through various
channels, such as
•Broadcasting Radio/ TV APIs (Announcements in Public Interest)
•Advertisements on public transport such as buses and MTR
•School campaigns
•The use of water bill inserts
•Exhibition panels named “Little Drop’s Marvellous Journey” and
“Quality Water Recognition Scheme for Buildings” for loaning to
schools and buildings
•Various promotional materials for distribution to the public: leaflets,
posters and brochures to promote water conservation.
•A dedicated webpage
•Furthermore, WSD organises large-scale promotional and
educational events every year, for example, World Water Day, World
Water Monitoring Day, Water Treatment Works, Seminars and Open
Day, etc.
28
WSD has been promoting water conservation through various
channels, such as
•Broadcasting Radio/ TV APIs (Announcements in Public
Interest)
•Advertisements on public transport such as buses and MTR
•School campaigns
•The use of water bill inserts
•Exhibition panels named “Little Drop’s Marvellous Journey”
and “Quality Water Recognition Scheme for Buildings” for
loaning to schools and buildings
•Various promotional materials for distribution to the public:
leaflets, posters and brochures to promote water conservation.
•A dedicated webpage
•Furthermore, WSD organises large-scale promotional and
educational events every year, for example, World Water Day,
World Water Monitoring Day, Water Treatment Works, Seminars
and Open Day, etc.
29
Integrated Education Programme on Water Conservation (IEP)
• Water Supplies Department (WSD) has been promoting water conservation to the young generation, we have been organising different activities including School Roadshow, School Water Audits and Water Conservation Ambassador Selection Scheme etc. among primary school. We integrated these activities and compile a teaching kit for the IEP with an aim to put water conservation theory into practice. • The IEP comprises 3 phases with 21 activities. It emphasised the “Exploring New Knowledge”, “Taking Actions “and “ Knowledge Sharing “ to nurture students' water saving habits • We set up a rewarding mechanism and will present prizes to participating schools as an appreciation for their continuous support and sustainability of the IEP
30
To facilitate an effective implementation of the IEP and promote water conservation, WSD has provided primary schools with free teaching kits to enhance teachers’ understanding towards the programme as well as knowledge of water resources. 31
About “50L to 100L of water per person per day is
required”，Original Article：“The Assembly
recognized the right of every human being to have
access to sufficient water for personal and domestic
uses (between 50 and 100 litres of water per person per
day), which must be safe, acceptable and affordable
(water costs should not exceed 3 per cent of household
income), and physically accessible (the water source
has to be within 1,000 metres of the home and collection
time should not exceed 30 minutes). ”
Source：http://www.un.org/en/globalissues/water/
32
Source:
http://www.iwahq.org/contentsuite/upload/iwa/document/i
wa_internationalstats_montreal_2010.pdf
33
How can we save water in our daily life?
34
By taking a shower instead of a bath.
Try to take shorter showers to save more water.
35
Here comes a video reminding you of taking shorter showers.
Let’s take a look!
36
Don’t wash your hands, brush your teeth, wash
your dishes with a running tap.
Control water consumption by installing a flow
restrictor at the water tap.
37
Do laundry with a full load and cut down the rinse
cycle as appropriate.
This will save water and electricity at the same time.
38
Water can be used again.
Water plants with the same water used for washing
vegetables and fruits.
39
Inspect plumbing regularly to prevent water leaks.
Repair dripping taps immediately.
If you discover a dripping tap in school, what
should you do? Yes, tell your teachers
immediately so that they can have it fixed.
40
Use dual flush cistern
Avoid flushing unnecessarily (especially for toilets
using fresh water for flushing)
41
Wash cars with a bucket of water and the towel,
instead of a running hose.
42
Use water saving devices.
43
Then, how do we select water saving devices?
WSD has launched a voluntary Water Efficiency
Labelling Scheme (WELS) which helps consumers
choose water saving devices:
•Similar to EMSD’s Energy Efficiency Labelling
Scheme
•The labels Indicate the level of water consumption
and efficiency rating of plumbing fixtures and
appliances
•Water Efficiency Grade ranges from Grade 1 to
Grade 4 with Grade 1 the most water-efficient
•Covers washing machines, showers for bathing ,
water taps, urinal equipment and flow controllers
44
WSD has started the installation of flow controllers at non-drinking water
taps in government buildings and schools to promote the use of flow
controllers as a means of water conservation.
45
The Water Supplies Department also works hard to minimise water leakage.
A major factor of leakage is ageing of water mains. Among the 7,800 km water mains in Hong Kong, about 45% of them were laid more than 30 years ago. The Department is carrying out a territory-wide “Replacement and Rehabilitation Programme of Water Mains”, which commenced in December 2000, to replace and rehabilitate about 3,000 km of water mains by 2015.
46
The Government will further reduce water leakage
through enhancing leakage detection and
monitoring by adopting new technologies, and
implementing pressure management in water supply
zones by phases.
47
Let’s watch another video.
What is the message of this video? “Inspect and maintain plumbing regularly to prevent water leaks”
48
We adopted all the above methods to achieve water
conservation.
In addition, the Government also strives to
strengthen water supply management by protection
of water resources and exploration of new water
resources.
49
WSD plans to strengthen the current practice of
protecting local water resources.
It has developed a water pollution risks and impacts
assessment framework for protection of water
resources from developments in water gathering
grounds.
It will carry out works to improve the existing
catchwater system for safe and effective collection
of surface water.
In addition, the Government will continue close
dialogue with the Guangdong Authorities to ensure
the imported Dongjiang water to Hong Kong is of
the highest quality.
50
Water Reclamation is to use lower quality water to
replace high quality water currently used for nonpotable purposes such as toilet flushing, irrigation
and street cleaning.
•The Government has conducted pilot schemes in
Ngong Ping and Shek Wu Hui. The Government is
looking into the feasibilities of providing reclaimed
water from Shek Wu Hui Sewage Treatment Works
to consumers in Sheung Shui and Fanling for toilet
flushing and other non-potable uses.
•The Government is promoting the reuse of grey
water and rainwater harvesting in both public and
private development. Grey water is collected from
baths, wash-basins and kitchen sinks and can be
treated for toilet flushing and irrigation. Rainwater
can be harvested for similar purposes.
51
•WSD conducted a pilot desalination plant study in
2003 using reverse osmosis* (RO) technology in
Tuen Mun and Ap Lei Chau.
•The pilot study has confirmed that RO desalination
technology is viable for Hong Kong.
•WSD will closely monitor the technological
advancement and develop the option of seawater
desalination when the production costs and energy
consumption have become acceptable.
*Reverse osmosis is the process of forcing water from
concentrated solution to less concentrated solution through a
semi-permeable membrane under high pressure. The
membrane allows fresh water to pass through while it retains
salts and other impurities.
52
In conclusion, every drop counts!
Be prudent when we use water.
Share water conservation message to friends and family.
53
 22 March is the World Water Day, on which the Water Supplies
Department (WSD) also launches its “Let’s Save 10L Water” Campaign
this year
You can participate in this large scale water saving campaign to reduce
daily water consumption by 10 litres per capita as a first step to establish
good habits of conserving water
Let’s log onto the webpage of “Let’s Save 10L Water – Joint Declaration”
(www.wsd.gov.hk/save10litres), and sign a “Commitment Certificate” online to pledge your support for using precious water wisely
54
After signing, you can print such a beautiful “Commitment Certificate
"online
 if you wish to get a complimentary flow controllers provided by WSD,
please return a completed form to us
The flow controllers are for first come, first served, don’t hesitate, act now!
55
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