'Craters' form part of new water supply

I refer to the letter from R. Cullmann headlined 'Nobody looking into three big holes' (South China Morning Post, September 11). The 'three huge crater-like holes' referred to are in fact trenches for the laying of water pipes and the installation of valves. These are not associated with water-pipe repair work, as assumed in the letter, but are for the laying of new water pipes to supply water to developments in the Pokfulam area. These pipes are one metre in diameter and have to be laid at least 1.5 metres below the carriageway to accommodate a leakage collection system as well as to prevent damage to the pipes by the passage of heavy vehicles. Hence the trenches resembling 'crater-like holes'.

To avoid inconvenience to the public and for proper traffic management, the contractor is allowed to open only five workfronts at a time. Thus the scheduled completion date of the whole project is January 9, 2004, which is the date indicated on the publicity board. However, this does not mean that the works at Sha Wan Drive, referred to by Mr Cullmann, will only be completed by that date. We have already instructed the contractor to increase his resources on site so that the section mentioned by Mr Cullmann could be completed early.

I would like to inform Mr Cullmann that notwithstanding the fact that we have a statutory duty to supply water to new developments, we have taken serious note of his complaint. We appreciate the fact that these works are carried out in a highly residential area in a tranquil setting and as such have already initiated action to ensure that the contractor expedites the works. I also take this opportunity to express my sincere apologies for any inconvenience caused by these works to residents.

KWAN SEK-YIU

Chief Engineer/Construction

Water Supplies Department