Perched here in Ngong Ping, do you smell that? Of course not! That’s thanks to the Ngong Ping Sewage Treatment Works.
Let’s talk about this vital facility. Ngong Ping Sewage Treatment Works is no ordinary plant. It’s the first tertiary sewage treatment plant in Hong Kong. Commissioned in 2006, it addresses sewage needs in Ngong Ping and its surroundings. This was especially important after the Ngong Ping Cable Car and tourism boomed.
Why is this plant so special? Ngong Ping is environmentally vulnerable. It lies within the Shek Pik Reservoir catchment area. Country parks surround it. The Ngong Ping Sewage Treatment Works uses advanced technology. This protects water quality in the water gathering ground. It also safeguards nearby water bodies.
The plant can treat 1,100 cubic meters of sewage per day. It serves 40,000 people. This includes residents and tourists. Currently, it treats about 450 cubic meters daily.
Ever wonder how it works? Large objects and grit are first removed. This protects downstream equipment. Grease separators are crucial. Most sewage comes from Ngong Ping Market restaurants.
Next comes secondary treatment. Micro-organisms break down organic matter. The Ngong Ping Sewage Treatment Works uses Sequencing Batch Reactor SBR technology. SBR involves filling, aerating, settling, and decanting. Micro-organisms grow during aeration. Sedimentation separates sewage and micro-organisms. Cleaned effluent is then drawn off.
Tertiary treatment is next. Dual media filters polish the effluent. These filters use carbon and silicon sands. They remove fine suspended solids.
But the story doesn’t end there. The Ngong Ping Sewage Treatment Works reclaims water. This supports Hong Kong’s Total Water Management Strategy. The plant disinfects the treated effluent using UV light. It then adds chlorination. This reclaimed water flushes toilets in public restrooms. It also serves the Ngong Ping Cable Car Terminal. You might even spot it rearing aquarium fish. Controlled irrigation also benefits. About 150 cubic meters of reclaimed water are used each day.
Want to learn more? The Ngong Ping Sewage Treatment Works has an information center. It’s open to the public. You can visit Tuesdays to Sundays. It is closed Mondays and certain public holidays. You can explore tertiary treatment and effluent reuse.
The plant’s design blends with the environment. This shows great attention to aesthetics.
So, the Ngong Ping Sewage Treatment Works stands as a testament to sustainable practices. It protects our environment. It reuses precious resources. It keeps Ngong Ping beautiful.