Representatives of the Drainage Services Department (DSD) met with Living Islands Movement (LIM) volunteers in May to discuss the long-awaited public sewerage system for South Lantau, parts of which are now under construction.
As there is currently no public sewerage system available in South Lantau, most of the local premises are equipped with septic tanks or other private sewerage facilities. A public sewerage system for proper collection, treatment and disposal of sewage will result in more hygienic conditions in the villages and improved sea water quality, as ‘gray’ water will no longer flow in open channels to the sea.
“The construction of a new sewer treatment plant between Pui O and San Shek Wan is underway, as is the construction of a pumping station in Ham Tin that will serve the Pui O villages. The sewer network for the first village (Lo Uk) has also commenced, as has the construction of trunk sewers along South Lantau Road in this area. The completion of Phase 1 is scheduled for mid-2026,” says LIM Chair Louise Preston.
Phases 2 and 3 involve the construction of pumping stations in Shui Hau, Tong Fuk and Cheung Sha, sewer networks in these villages (and the remaining villages of Pui O not included in Phase 1), and 13 kilometres of trunk sewers along South Lantau Road. These phases are scheduled to commence in 2024/25 for completion in 2028/29.
“It is an ambitious and complex project – the hilly terrain requires pumping stations to push flows in rising mains to the treatment plant, and land resumption will be necessary to build the networks throughout the villages,” says Louise. To find out more, email info@livingislands.org.hk.
[ILLUSTRATION COURTESY OF Environmental Protection Department.]