WSD promulgated the Total Water Management Strategy (the Strategy) in 2008 mapping out the strategy for sustainable use of water resources to ensure water security and support the development in Hong Kong. WSD completed a review on the Strategy in 2019 and updated the Strategy which adopts a two-pronged approach, with emphasis on containing fresh water demand growth and building resilience in fresh water supply catering for extreme effects of climate change with diversified water resources.
Currently, the sources of Hong Kong water supply comprise rainwater from local catchments, imported water from Dongjiang and seawater for flushing. With these three water sources, Hong Kong has been enjoying a stable and reliable water supply in the past several decades. In face of uncertainties of climate change effects on water resources, WSD is developing seawater desalination to build resilience in fresh water supply and expand the use of lower grade water (including seawater and recycled water) for flushing and other non-potable purposes to save fresh water resources. In the future, water sources in Hong Kong will be more diversified, comprising rainwater from local catchments, imported water from Dongjiang, seawater for flushing, desalinated seawater and recycled water for flushing and other non-potable uses, to allow more flexibility as well as to ensure security in Hong Kong's water supply.
*viz. reclaimed water, treated grey water and harvested rainwater
Through the completion of the 15-year programme to replace and rehabilitate 3,000 km of aged water mains, Hong Kong has reduced water main leakage rate from over 25% in 2000 to about 15% in 2021. We are progressively establishing a Water Intelligent Network (WIN). Under WIN, the fresh water distribution network will be divided into about 2,400 District Metering Areas (DMAs) within which monitoring and sensing equipment will be installed. The essence of WIN is to divide the vast fresh water distribution network in the territory into DMAs of manageable size for continuous monitoring of their performance so as to prioritise them for taking effective network management actions. We are promoting wider use of smart water meters and Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) System and they are planned to work in conjunction with WIN to help identify problems. Moreover, we are exploring the use of AMR coupled with mobile app to enhance consumers’ awareness of their water consumption on a timely basis thereby facilitating behavioural changes to save water. We are also making efforts to facilitate stakeholders to properly maintain their underground inside service including detection and rectification of leaks in their private mains.
WSD has been taking a multi-pronged approach of both software and hardware measures to promote water conservation. For detailed information, please visit Water Conservation website.