Special emphasis is placed by the Mechanical and Electrical Branch on upgrading waterworks plants for reliability and efficiency, so as to ensure a continuous and wholesome supply of water.
To achieve this, comprehensive programmed maintenance is carried out and prompt attention is given to repairs of faults. Plant conditions are kept under review and components are regularly tested and monitored to achieve energy efficiency. In addition, a scheme has been underway for the gradual replacement of old and obsolete plant and equipment, such as diesel engine driven pumpsets and outdated control panels, with a view to improving our environment, safety and efficiency.
The Branch is headed by an Assistant Director, and comprises two divisions - Projects and Maintenance - and two units - Safety and Administration.
The Projects Division plans and designs mechanical and electrical systems. It also administers engineering contracts, deals with procurement and installation of plant and equipment and monitors the work of consultants engaged for specific tasks.
It was engaged during the year in the continuing responsibility for reinforcing the water supply and distribution systems to provide a more reliable and secure supply of both potable and flushing water to meet development.
Among its other activities were the uprating and electrification of pumping stations, the replacement of old and inefficient pumping plant and equipment, and extension of the water supply to remote villages, as well as the sea water flushing supply zone.
Modern treatment technology including ozonation plants and biological filters were introduced in the design of treatment works. Distributed Control Systems (DCS) were adopted to enhance operational efficiency in treatment works.
Work was done also in improving facilities at treatment works for mechanisation and sludge processing, replacing gas chlorination plants by electrochlorinators at salt water pumping stations and automation of existing installations.
The Maintenance Division carries out all repair and maintenance work to ensure optimal reliability and availability of plant for the pumping, treatment, control and monitoring of the water supply systems at all times. It also provides services for the testing and repair of water meters, mechanical, electrical and electronic equipment.
Apart from formulating policies, standards and procedures on maintenance work to enhance reliability and efficiency of plant, the division also advises on operational procedures of mechanical and electrical installations and tenders expertise comments on new projects in relation to design issues.
It repaired and overhauled some 43,000 items of mechanical, electrical and instrumentation equipment during the year.
Major improvement works included the reprovisioning of the control and monitoring instruments and essential auxiliary plant in the older treatment works, electrification of Tai Tam Tuk, North Point and Telegraph Bay Pumping Stations, as well as retrofitting of telemetry facilities at service reservoirs. Work was also done in upgrading the monitoring and control equipment in the waterworks installations for Y2K compliance by June 1999.
There is also a programme underway to replace the older water meters with new ones.
The Safety Unit is concerned generally with the occupational health and safety of departmental staff.
In doing this work, it examines and comments on specifications and design drawings of new projects on safety aspects and organises training sessions for the promotion of safety awareness among staff.
It monitors safety at construction sites, and comments on safety plans submitted by contractors on waterworks contracts. This is followed up by on-site inspections to ensure conformity with statutory requirements.
In supporting the Works Bureau, it takes part in working group discussions for the establishment of safety policies and safety systems. It also comments on proposed draft legislation and practice codes.
General administrative matters of some 1,000 branch staff are handled by the Administration Unit.