Improvement of Water Supply to Northern New Territories
LOCATION
Hong Kong
CLIENT
Water Supplies Department
SERVICES
Design & Engineering
Project Duration
2024 - Ongoing (8 Years)
Project Description
The Sheung Shui Water Treatment Works has reached its capacity limit, while Tai Po Water Treatment Works has surplus capacity. This project represents a strategic solution: transferring fresh water from Tai Po to the Northern Metropolis through a 5.2 km-long new trunk main and a new pumping station. Essentially, this initiative is Hong Kong’s version of the South–North Water Transfer Project, representing a smart and forward-thinking approach to rebalance water resources across districts and to foster sustainable urban growth.
Our Role
Asia Infrastructure Solutions (AIS) served as the lead consultant during the design phase, developing multiple options to meet water supply objectives. We provided detailed design services, facilitated collaborative design efforts, and prepared contract documents to ensure a seamless tendering process for the construction contract.
During the construction phase, AIS acted as the Project Manager’s Delegate and Supervisor under Contract No. 6/WSD/25. Our responsibilities included reviewing contractor submissions, overseeing the works, and managing site progress to ensure high-quality and timely delivery.
Key Challenges
One of the most significant challenges we faced was the limited timeframe for land acquisition and the scarcity of suitable public land for the construction of the pumping station. This constraint prompted us to explore innovative design solutions that maximize available space while meeting all operational requirements without compromising functionality or safety.
Another major hurdle was managing the complex array of interfaces within the rapidly evolving Northern Metropolis. With multiple stakeholders and overlapping development timelines, effective coordination was critical. Leveraging our experience and employing proactive communication strategies, we ensured seamless integration across disciplines, minimised potential conflicts, and kept the project on track despite its challenging environment.
Clients Outcomes & Benefits
The successful completion of this project represents a crucial milestone in facilitating the long-term growth of the Northern Metropolis. By establishing a reliable water supply network, the project supports transformative developments such as Kwu Tung North, Fanling North, and the Hong Kong–Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park.
Beyond addressing immediate water demand, this initiative enhances infrastructure resilience and aligns with Hong Kong’s vision for sustainable urban expansion. It exemplifies how strategic planning and engineering innovation can create new opportunities for future communities and economic hubs.
Best Practices & Lesson Learnt
To meet the client’s accelerated programme, we embraced digital transformation by developing automated templates for design and tender documentation. These tools significantly streamlined workflows, minimized manual effort, and enhanced accuracy, allowing us to deliver high-quality results under tight timelines.
The success of this approach underscores the importance of investing in process automation and knowledge-sharing systems. These templates have become reusable assets for future projects, establishing a new standard for efficiency and agility in design and project management.
