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The Drainage Services Department (DSD)'s relocation of the Sha Tin Sewage Treatment Works to caverns and Lai Chi Kok Drainage Tunnel projects have achieved encouraging results in the 2014 International Water Association Global Project Innovation Awards competition, being named as the Winner in the Marketing and Communications Category and receiving the Honour Award in the Design Projects Category respectively.
Speaking at the awards presentation ceremony held in Lisbon on September 24 (Lisbon time), the Deputy Director of Drainage Services, Mr Mak Ka-wai, said the awards serve as recognition for the achievements of the DSD¡¯s innovative approach in delivering water engineering projects, adding that the department has endeavoured to develop sustainable flood prevention and sewage treatment projects.
The relocation of the Sha Tin Sewage Treatment Works to caverns is an innovative project that makes effective use of underground spaces for sustainable development and enhances the environment for the benefit of the community. At the feasibility study stage, the DSD adopted an innovative "Experiential, Multi-platform and Iconic" approach in conducting public engagement activities by providing multiple platforms and introducing "Ambassador Dr Marmot" to help the public understand the project¡¯s scope and concept. The investigation and design stage of the project will soon commence. The DSD will continue to maintain close contact with stakeholders in refining and taking forward the project.
The Lai Chi Kok Drainage Tunnel is a large-scale flood prevention project with a novel design idea. The tunnel intercepts rainwater from the uphill catchment and bypasses the downstream urban areas to discharge the runoff to the sea directly, thereby significantly alleviating the risk of flooding in northwest Kowloon. During its construction, a specially designed tunnel-boring machine was employed to carry out drilling works in two markedly different ground conditions, thereby avoiding the necessity for an additional machine and saving considerably on construction costs and social resources. Furthermore, it is the first project in Hong Kong to utilise compressed air with a hyperbaric pressure of up to 4.2 bars, and the first tunnel to be successfully constructed in soft ground at a depth of 45 metres in such an operation. The project also achieved a commendable safety record of zero cases of decompression illness. The tunnel was commissioned in October 2012.
For more details of the award-winning projects, please visit the website of International Water Association (www.iwa-pia.org/pia_award_global.html)
Ends/Thursday, September 25, 2014
Issued at HKT 11:31
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