LCQ10: Water supply for irrigation of golf courses

Following is a question by the Dr Hon David Li and a written reply by the Secretary for Development, Mrs Carrie Lam, in the Legislative Council today (February 24):

Question:

In connection with the irrigation needs of golf courses in Hong Kong, will the Government inform this Council whether:

(a) it knows if the existing man-made features (including the reservoir, the irrigation lake and desalination plant) at the Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau Public Golf Course in Sai Kung met all the irrigation needs of the golf course in the past two years; if not, whether the Water Supplies Department (WSD) supplied water to the golf course for irrigation purposes; if so, of the total amount of water supplied in each of the past two years, and the rate at which such supply was charged;

(b) it knows if other golf courses in Hong Kong have alternative or dedicated sources of water supply which significantly reduce or eliminate the need of drawing water from WSD; and

(c) it has formulated any policy or entered into any agreement to encourage the development and continued use of alternative or dedicated sources of water supply for irrigation of golf courses; if so, of the details?

Reply:

President,

Fresh water is a precious and scarce natural resource.  Under the Waterworks Regulation, drawing water from the supply system for use in lawn or playground without the permission of the Water Authority is not allowed.  The Water Supplies Department (WSD) will supply water for irrigation purpose, only when the user proves that there is no other alternative source for watering.

My reply to the three points raised in the question is as follows:

(a) We can confirm that WSD is not supplying water to the Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau Public Golf Course for irrigation purpose and has not received any such application.  We believe that through its own means, the Club has been meeting the Golf Course's irrigation needs.

(b) & (c) On the supply of water for irrigation purposes in golf courses, our current policy is that permission would only be given if there is no practical alternative.  In such case, permission would only be given on concessionary basis when the territory is on full supply, subject to adequacy of the local water supply and distribution system.  Such permission will be withdrawn if, in the opinion of the Water Authority, the supply situation requires it.  According to WSD's record, no golf courses in Hong Kong have permission to use tap water for irrigation purpose.  Similar to Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau Public Golf Course, many other golf courses have developed their own dedicated sources of water supply such as reservoirs, desalination plants, underground water collection systems, non-saline effluent from nearby wastewater treatment plant etc.


Ends/Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Issued at HKT 15:08

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