Following is a question by the Hon Ma Lik and a written reply by the Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works, Dr Sarah Liao, at the Legislative Council meeting today (June 14):
Question:
Regarding the supply of sea water for flushing, will the Government inform this Council of:
(a) the number of water accounts for which sea water for flushing is currently not provided, with a breakdown by district, as well as by residential and commercial users; and
(b) the projects for the supply of sea water for flushing which are in progress and under planning respectively; as well as the expected completion dates, latest progress and estimated costs of these projects, and the areas which will benefit from these projects?
Reply:
Madam President,
(a) There are currently some 23 000 water accounts (water accounts include those for individual meters and communal meters) of fresh water flushing in the territory, which represents around 20% of the population using fresh water for flushing. The breakdown of the number of the above water accounts by district is shown in Table 1.
We do not have a breakdown by residential and commercial users.
(b) Information on public works projects under construction, involving the supply of sea water for flushing are set out in Table 2. Details shown include project titles, estimated costs, expected completion dates and the areas which will benefit from the projects.
There are also a number of waterworks projects at planning or detailed design stage in various districts. The total estimated costs of those projects involving the supply of sea water for flushing are around $1.1 billion. The programmes of these projects will however be revised regularly based on the development in design, land availability and other administrative and planning considerations. Therefore, the details will only be listed out in the annual Estimates when the projects are scheduled for commencement.
End/Wednesday, June 14, 2006
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