Water is vital for life and urban development. It is our indispensable and scarce resource.

Each drop of water does not come easily! As there is no natural freshwater lakes in Hong Kong, the exploration and management of water resources has always been at the cornerstone of urban development. Over the years, the Water Supplies Department (WSD) has provided the citizens of Hong Kong with a high-quality, reliable and stable round-the-clock water supply by managing the city’s water resources through careful planning, collection, treatment and distribution.

Since waterworks projects have continuously been launched in Hong Kong, always deploying the most advanced technology of the time. Some of today’s waterworks facilities have been in use since their first commissioning over a century ago. In the 1960s, people badly suffered from water rationing. Nowadays, with the construction of the Dongjiang-Shenzhen Water Supply System, Hong Kong has a stable and reliable water supply sourced from the mainland and serving over 99.9% of its population. Hong Kong people may not be aware of a water shortage crisis. However, it is not just scaremongering in the face of global climate change, but a reality they will eventually face. In 2019, the WSD conducted a review of its Total Water Management Strategy, previously launched in 2008. The key focus of the WSD's work is now a two-pronged strategy that aims to control the growth of fresh water demand while actively exploring new water resources. While Hong Kong is blessed with a stable and efficient water supply, it is also one of the world’s most densely populated cities and there will always be challenges that require solutions.

Water Matters is a publication the WSD team has been working on for over two years, following the 2001 publication, Water for a Barren Rock - 150 Years of Water Supply in Hong Kong. This publication adopts a popular science approach to introduce readers to the WSD's water supply system and how it has evolved over the years. It covers the planning, construction, operation, repair and maintenance of the WSD’s waterworks facilities. It also covers a wide range of topics, from engineering design to the application of technology, accompanied by interviews with frontline professionals for knowledge sharing and fun facts. We hope to deepen the public's understanding of water supply services through detailed and practical stories to illustrate, and raise the community's awareness of water conservation.

I would like to express my gratitude to WSD colleagues for their hard work and dedication over the years. I would also like to thank the public for their trust and support for our work. The WSD will continue to prepare and make improvements to ensure our water supply service meets the challenges of future social development and environmental changes.