Cheung Sha Service Reservoir and Treatment Works

Gazing at the Cheung Sha Service Reservoir and Treatment Works, have you ever considered its vital role in quenching the thirst of Hong Kong’s islands? This unassuming structure holds a story of ingenuity and adaptation. Cheung Sha Service Reservoir and Treatment Works, nestled on Lantau Island, wasn’t always the quiet servant of local farms. It began its life in 1955 as a beacon of hope for the burgeoning population of Cheung Chau, Peng Chau, and Hei Ling Chau. These islands, separated from the mainland’s water network, relied on groundwater, which often proved insufficient. The construction of the Cheung Sha Service Reservoir, then known as Shap Long Reservoir, marked a turning point. Imagine the celebration in August 1955, as water sprayed from the newly built fountain at the Cheung Chau Ferry Pier, a symbol of the reservoir’s completion. The reservoir, with its 91.1-meter-long and 15-meter-high dam, held 130,000 cubic meters of precious water. A six-inch submarine pipe carried this lifeline to the islands, a modern marvel compared to the water-carrying junks employed during dry seasons. This lifeline pulsed until the 1970s. With Cheung Chau’s integration into Hong Kong’s main water supply, the Cheung Sha Service Reservoir transitioned from a primary source to an irrigation reservoir. Today, it continues its service, ensuring the land remains fertile. The Cheung Sha Service Reservoir’s story is a testament to the ever-evolving relationship between human needs and the environment, a quiet reminder of the ingenuity that brings water to our taps and crops to our tables.