The Drainage Services Department recently awarded a $625 million contract for upgrading the preliminary treatment works at North Point, Wan Chai East and Central. The works are scheduled for completion at the end of 2014.
     This was the eighth major works contract awarded under the Harbour Area Treatment Scheme Stage 2A.
     This contract is for upgrading three preliminary treatment works at North Point, Wan Chai East and Central. The works provide preliminary treatment to sewage before it is conveyed through deep tunnels to the Stonecutters Island Sewage Treatment Works for further treatment.
     This contract's major works include upgrading the inlet sewage pumps, and fine-screen and grit-removal systems, enhancing the de-odorisation systems, and landscaping areas of the preliminary treatment works.
     The Harbour Area Treatment Scheme is a major infrastructure project in Hong Kong for improving Victoria Harbour's water quality.
     Stage 1 of the scheme, begun in late 2001, properly treats about 75% of the sewage discharged into the harbour and has significantly improved water quality in the eastern and central parts of the harbour.
     Stage 2A will collect the remaining 25 per cent of the sewage generated from the northern and southwestern parts of Hong Kong Island, and involves constructing 21 kilometres of sewage tunnels, and expanding and upgrading Stonecutters Island Sewage Treatment Works facilities and related preliminary treatment works on Hong Kong Island.