LCQ10: Industrial water supply

Note: Since 2013, the Government has begun introducing seawater for cooling purpose, though it accounts for only a small portion of total industrial and cooling water consumption. The Government also plans to utilise reclaimed water for cooling use in suitable areas in the future.

(2) Over the past decade, the industrial and cooling water consumption of the three InnoParks (i.e. Tai Po InnoPark, Yuen Long InnoPark and Tseung Kwan O InnoPark), the industrial and cooling water consumption in Hong Kong, and the percentages of industrial and cooling water consumption of the three InnoParks in the industrial and cooling water consumption in Hong Kong are listed in the following table:
 

(3) The planning and design of water supply facilities are primarily aimed to meet the population's demand for drinking water and water demand for industrial and commercial use (including industrial areas and InnoParks). During planning of the water supply system for individual development areas, the Water Supplies Department (WSD) will base on the water demands estimated by relevant policy bureaux to plan the required water supply system.

     ​​The Government will continuously review the relevant water demand of each district based on its latest development and planning, and assess the carrying capacity of the water supply system to ensure the provision of stable and reliable water supply to existing users and new users of future development. If necessary, the Government will consider implementing water supply system improvement projects in a timely manner to enhance the capacity of the water supply system to meet the projected overall water demand in the district with due consideration of the projected water demand and its timeline, technical feasibility, cost-effectiveness, the capacity of the existing water supply system, and the priority of overall infrastructure projects.

     ​​In the past few years, the Government has noted that the current water demands in some districts have approached the upper limit of the design capacity of the existing water supply systems. In the event that an applicant applies for large amount of water usage, the Government will provide technical advice to the applicant so appropriate scheme, such as adopting seawater and reclaimed water, could be effected to meet its water demand. For example, a seawater district cooling system has been constructed at the Tseung Kwan O InnoPark to meet its increasing water demand.

(4) The Government has been actively exploring the use of reclaimed water by providing a centralised reclaimed water supply system in those areas where fresh water is being temporarily used for flushing and in new development areas located in inland areas to contain the fresh water demand growth. To further contain the growth of fresh water demand, the Government is exploring the feasibility of using reclaimed water in district cooling systems. The WSD preliminarily considers that the use of reclaimed water for evaporative district cooling systems is generally feasible, and is currently conducting a pilot project to serve as a reference for future cooling system projects.

     In planning reclaimed water supply system, the Government will take into account the actual situation of the areas, considering factors such as cost-effectiveness and technical feasibility, including the construction and operational costs, flushing water demand, proximity to tertiary sewage treatment plants which can provide highly treated discharge water, etc.

     With the upgrading of Shek Wu Hui Sewage Treatment Works to an effluent polishing plant with tertiary treatment level, the Government has constructed the first water reclamation plant in Shek Wu Hui to further process tertiary treated effluent to reclaimed water. This water reclamation plant was commissioned in March 2024 and has begun to supply reclaimed water in phases to certain areas of Sheung Shui and Fanling for flushing purpose. In addition, the Government plans to construct reclaimed water plants and the associated facilities in Yuen Long, Yuen Long South, and the San Tin Technopole. The consultants are currently carrying out the relevant design work. At present, it is anticipated that the reclaimed water plants will be completed progressively starting from 2033.

     Provided that it is technically feasible and economically viable, the Government will continue to expand the application of reclaimed water to other non-potable uses, in order to contain the growth of fresh water demand. The Government will also continue to implement the formulated water resources strategies, encouraging enterprises to adopt water-saving technologies on the one hand, and developing diversified water resources on the other hand, to support the sustainable development of all sectors in Hong Kong.

(5) The Government has rolled out a series of policies and measures to advance new industrialisation and foster the development of AI and data science industries in Hong Kong. As more enterprises and new industries establish a presence in Hong Kong, the demand for resources is expected to grow. In planning industrial land and land for innovation and technology, the Government will carry out feasibility studies, allocate and plan for the necessary infrastructure and facilities (including water for innovative industries process and cooling), to cope with the development of innovations and technologies. The Government will continue to engage closely with the relevant innovation and technology organisations, continue to enhance infrastructure and ancillary facilities, and provide necessary supports for these enterprises (for example, assistance in coordination and liaison with relevant Government departments).