PWSC(97-98)105
For discussion
on 21 January 1998
ITEM FOR PUBLIC WORKS
SUBCOMMITTEE OF FINANCE COMMITTEE
HEAD 709 - WATERWORKS
Water Supplies - Fresh water supplies
186WF - Improvement to chlorine facilities at Aberdeen, Eastern, Shek Lei Pui and Tai Po Road treatment works
Members are invited to recommend to Finance Committee the upgrading of 186WF to Category A at an estimated cost of $25.8 million in money-of-the-day prices to carry out improvement works to the chlorine facilities at Aberdeen, Eastern, Shek Lei Pui and Tai Po Road treatment works.
PROBLEM
We need to improve the chlorine facilities at Aberdeen, Eastern, Shek Lei Pui and Tai Po Road water treatment works to meet the present day safety requirements.
PROPOSAL
2. The Director of Water Supplies (DWS), with the support of the Secretary for Works, proposes to upgrade 186WF to Category A at an estimated cost of $25.8 million in money-of-the-day (MOD) prices to carry out improvement works to the chlorine facilities at the Aberdeen, Eastern, Shek Lei Pui and Tai Po Road water treatment works.
PROJECT SCOPE AND NATURE
3. The scope of the project comprises the following -
- at Aberdeen and Eastern water treatment works
- conversion of the existing chlorine storage facilities from one tonne in drum to 50 kilograms cylinder installations; and
- construction of lime slurries injection systems, fire hose reel systems and ancillary civil works.
- at Shek Lei Pui and Tai Po Road water treatment works
- construction of chlorine scrubbing systems, fire hydrant and fire hose reel systems and ancillary civil works.
JUSTIFICATION
4. We use chlorine in the water treatment processes for disinfection. The Aberdeen, Eastern, Shek Lei Pui and Tai Po Road water treatment works currently store and use liquefied chlorine in 1 tonne drums. In view of the close proximity of these water treatment works to the surrounding settlements, we engaged a specialist consultant in April 1994 to carry out a hazard assessment study with a view to formulating the risk mitigation measures for the four water treatment works. The consultant completed the study in April 1996 and recommended the necessary improvement works to the chlorine facilities for the four water treatment works, including conversion of existing one tonne chlorine drum at the Aberdeen and Eastern water treatment works to 50 kilograms cylinder installations; construction of chlorine scrubbing systems at the Shek Lei Pui and the Tai Po Road water treatment works; and improvement on fire services equipment at all the four locations. These modifications will enhance the safety standard of these treatment works to meet the present day safety requirements.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
5. We estimate the capital cost of this project to be $25.8 million in MOD prices (see paragraph 6 below), made up as follows -
|
$ million
|
|
|
(a) Aberdeen and Eastern water treatment works
|
|
|
|
(i) conversion of the existing chlorine storage facilities
|
7.6
|
|
|
(ii) construction of lime slurries injection system, hose reel systems and the ancillary works
|
1.7
|
|
|
(b) Shek Lei Pui and Tai Po Road water treatment works
|
|
|
|
(i) construction of chlorine scrubbing systems
|
5.2
|
|
|
(ii) construction of fire hydrant and fire hose reel systems and the ancillary works
|
4.1
|
|
|
(c) Contingencies
|
1.8
|
|
|
_____
|
|
|
Sub-total
|
20.4
|
(at December
1996 prices) |
|
(d) Inflation allowance
|
5.4
|
|
|
_____
|
|
|
Total
|
25.8
|
(in MOD prices) |
|
_____
|
|
6. Subject to approval, we will phase the expenditure as follows -
|
Year
|
$ million
(Dec 1996)
|
Price
adjustment
factor
|
$ million
(MOD) |
|
1998 - 99
|
1.8
|
1.16358
|
2.0 |
|
1999 - 2000
|
16.5
|
1.2683
|
20.9 |
|
2000 - 01
|
2.1
|
1.38244
|
2.9 |
|
_____
|
|
_____ |
|
20.4
|
|
25.8 |
|
_____
|
|
_____ |
7. We have derived the MOD estimates on the basis of the Government's forecast of trend labour and construction prices for the period 1998 to 2001. We will tender the supply and installation of electrical and mechanical plant as a lump sum contract and the civil works under a standard re-measurement contract. We will not provide for inflation adjustment in the contracts because the construction period is less than 21 months.
8. The proposed works will not give rise to any additional recurrent expenditure.
9. This project by itself will not lead to an increase in water charges.
PUBLIC CONSULTATION
10. We consulted the Health and Environment Committee of the Sha Tin District Board, the Environment and Planning Committee of the Kwai Tsing District Board and the Sham Shui Po District Board on 7 March 1996, 12 April 1996 and 18 April 1996 respectively about the improvement works at the Shek Lei Pui and the Tai Po Road treatment works. They had no objections to the project. We consulted the Environmental Improvement Committee of the Wan Chai District Board and the Environment Committee of the Southern District
Board on 10 September 1996 and 28 October 1996 respectively about the modification works at the Eastern and the Aberdeen treatment works. The two committees had no objections to the proposed works.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS
11. We completed a hazard assessment study in April 1996 on the storage and usage of chlorine in the four water treatment works. The study recommended the necessary improvement works to the chlorine facilities to meet the latest safety standards. We will control noise, dust and site run-off nuisances during construction and installation to within established standards and guidelines through the implementation of appropriate mitigation measures in the works contract.
LAND ACQUISITION
12. The project does not require land acquisition.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
13. We upgraded the project to Category B in September 1993. DWS has substantially completed the detailed design of the proposed works with a target to invite tenders for the supply and installation of electrical and mechanical plant in March 1998. We will start the proposed works in September 1998 for completion in February 2000.
Works Bureau
January 1998
(EE1151)
