Date, time & venue 
2011-10-15;8:30am - 12:00pm;Gather at entrance of Romantic Hotel near Kowloon Tong MTR Station

Date & Time

15 October 2011 at 8:30 am to 12:00 pm.

Gather at Entrance of Romantic Hotel near Kowloon Tong MTR station.

Programme Highlights

Plover cove is one of the largest dams in Hong Kong, Construction work commenced in 1960 and was completed in 1968, it provides a capacity of 170 million m^3. Throughout the visit, the participants can understand the history of Plover Cove for water storage and supply for the wellbeing of Hong Kong people in the shortage water periods in1960s. The participants also can learn how the planning, design, construction, and maintenance for the reservoir safety as to arouse young engineer to interest for becoming professional reservoir safety engineer as one of their careers. 

Fee:

Free of charge

Registration & Enquiries

Seats are limited to 40. Please fill the standard application form and email to lamchising@hotmail.com. . For enquiries, please contact Ir. C.S. Lam at 91527659.

The successful applicant would be confirmed on or before 8 October 2011.

Report

By Miss Michelle Fong

During the 1950s, shortage of fresh water was experienced while there were large number of Chinese immigrants and industrialization in Hong Kong. In 1963, there was restriction on 4 hours of water supply in every 4 days. Here came the idea of the Plover Cove Water Scheme by converting Plover Cove and the six villages nearby into a dam to store the fresh water.

Stage 1 of the scheme was launched in early 1960s. It involved the construction of Sha Tin Water Treatment Works and the associated tunnels and pipe works.

Stage 2 of the scheme involved the construction of the reservoir and the main tunnel. Impounding of reservoir began in June 1967 and supply of reservoir water to customers in October 1967. After that, the capacity of the dam was increased by raising the top water level from 8.23m to 13.21m.

A large-scale remedial works to the main dam was carried out in 2006 to 2008. During years of operation, strong waves drove the rip-rap rocks away from their original locations. A barge was used to transport the rip-rap rocks in place.

Nowadays, the Plover Cove Reservoir stores the rainwater from its catchment area It serves as buffer storage for the DongJiang water supply. During the annual shutdown of this sourced water in December, the reservoir becomes a major source of local fresh water.

Regular checking is done and monitored by, the engineers from the reservoir safety group; once in 5-year time, reservoir panel engineers from the UK would come to do the inspection.

The regular inspection works include structure and safety inspection, taking readings of piezometers (instantaneous readings), tilting in shaft from inclinometer, water level, and rainfall; and checking of the settlement marks, slopes, and components of draw off tower.

Finally I take this opportunity to thank the Civil Division to organize the visit on 15 October 2011. The visit can enlighten our young professional engineer on acquiring knowledge and technology in the reservoir safety.

Photo of the event

Please visit photo album 20111015 Plover Cove Visit