The question lingers: What if I told you this serene reservoir played a vital role in Hong Kong’s survival? Here we are at Qingjia Reservoir in Shenzhen. It may seem like just a peaceful body of water. However, its story is intertwined with the history of Hong Kong’s water supply.
Back in the post-war era, Hong Kong faced rapid population growth. This growth caused a surge in demand for water. The colonial government had to find new water sources. They turned to the mainland and the Shenzhen Reservoir.
In November 1959, Guangdong authorities invited Hong Kong guests to celebrate the new Shum Chun Reservoir. This is now known as Shenzhen Reservoir. The project started immediately in August 1959. Its primary goal was to supply water to “Hong Kong compatriots.” The reservoir had a capacity of 45.77 million cubic meters. It was enough to supply three million people for seven months.
At the time, China was facing famine and challenges from the Great Leap Forward. Water conservation became a priority. The decision was made to construct ten major reservoirs, including the Shenzhen Reservoir. Zhou Enlai, the Premier, closely followed the project and helped secure essential materials.
The Shenzhen Reservoir aimed to irrigate farmland and provide electricity. It also aimed to supply water to the residents. Supplying water to Hong Kong was always a key desire. The area chosen for the reservoir was 3.8km north of Hong Kong. It had a catchment area of about 60.5 hectares. The dam was constructed from compacted earth. The structure is 30m high and nearly 1000m long. It has a total volume of around 1.8 million m3.
With a storage capacity of 45.77 million m3, the reservoir was twice that of Tai Lam Chung. To prevent water overtopping the dam, a spillway was built.
In January 1960, Guangdong officials offered to supply water to Hong Kong. Hong Kong was facing an acute water shortage. The Governor of Hong Kong didn’t want to depend on the Mainland supply. But he agreed to negotiate. He also developed a local water supply plan.
To minimize political risks, the Hong Kong Government took several steps. They ensured a formal agreement with competitive rates. They published the agreement to avoid propaganda. The agreement was signed by water supply departments, not high-ranking officials. It recognized the need for supply only in times of need and with a fixed maximum. There was no reference to enlarging the future supply.
Construction of the Shenzhen Reservoir was a massive undertaking. Over 10,000 migrant workers used simple tools. Progress was slow. The workforce was increased to 40,000 with more equipment.
The migrant workers achieved remarkable feats. The dam was completed in just 100 days. In early June 1960, a typhoon brought torrential rain. The reservoir filled overnight. The army was ready to blow up a temporary dam to protect the main dam. Fortunately, the storm eased.
A pipeline was built to the Hong Kong boundary. The water was then pumped to a Tai Lam Reservoir catchwater.
On November 15, 1960, a formal agreement was signed for the water supply. It provided for the supply of water at a rate of HK$0.234 per thousand gallons.
The Shenzhen Reservoir played a critical role in Hong Kong’s water supply. It helped alleviate shortages and supported the region’s growth. Today, as you stand here, remember the hard work. Also, remember the political complexities. They shaped the creation of this reservoir.
Later the Chinese management team did not fare well. Tao Zhu, the initiator of the reservoir’s construction, was tortured to death during the Cultural Revolution.