Beneath the Hong Kong skyline, the Tsing Yi Preliminary Treatment Works plays a vital, if unseen, role. Ever wonder what happens before our wastewater reaches the main treatment plant? The Tsing Yi Preliminary Treatment Works offers a glimpse into that crucial first step. This facility, operated by the Drainage Services Department, is part of a larger network that pre-treats sewage before sending it to Stonecutters Island. The Tsing Yi Preliminary Treatment Works is a key player in the Harbour Area Treatment Scheme (HATS) Stage 1. This ambitious project, launched in 1994, aimed to significantly clean up Hong Kong’s harbor. The scheme involved upgrading several preliminary treatment works, including the one here on Tsing Yi. It also included constructing tunnels to transport the pre-treated wastewater to the main treatment plant. This network of tunnels and plants helps process around 75% of the harbor area’s sewage. The results of HATS Stage 1 have been impressive. Since its full commissioning in 2001, dissolved oxygen in the harbor has increased by about 10%. Pollutants such as Unionised Ammonia, total inorganic nitrogen, and Orthophosphate have decreased by 31%, 16%, and 36% respectively. Even E.coli levels have been reduced by about 50%. So, the next time you enjoy Victoria Harbour, remember the unseen work of facilities like the Tsing Yi Preliminary Treatment Works. They play a crucial role in keeping our waters clean and healthy.
Sai Wan Shan
Considering a hike today? Sai Wan Shan is calling us. Sai Wan Shan is a hill within Sai Kung East