The Drainage Services Department (DSD) is holding open days at Sha Tin Sewage Treatment Works today (January 19) and tomorrow (January 20). Under this year's theme, "30 Years of Groundwork, Embracing a New Age", the event features various activities such as thematic exhibitions and guided tours with the aim of enhancing public understanding of the department's development and efforts over the years, as well as the work done in combating and mitigating climate change.

     Speaking at the opening ceremony today (January 19), the Director of Drainage Services, Mr Edwin Tong, said that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the DSD's establishment. The department is committed to providing professional sewage treatment and stormwater drainage services to the public.

     He said, "We adopted a three-pronged strategy in flood prevention i.e. stormwater interception at upstream, flood storage at mid-stream and drainage improvement at downstream, and eliminated 125 flooding blackspots over the years. There remain only six flooding blackspots in Hong Kong. In respect of sewage treatment, the largest sewage treatment infrastructure project, the Harbour Area Treatment Scheme (HATS), was completed in 2015. With the water quality of Victoria Harbour greatly improved, the Harbour Race was resumed in 2011 and in 2017 it followed its original race route of some 40 years ago.

     "Looking forward, the DSD not only has to tackle the challenges brought by climate change and continue to enhance the drainage facilities, but will also carry out pipe rehabilitation, river revitalisation and relocation of Sha Tin Sewage Treatment Works to caverns to vacate land for more suitable purposes to cope with the overall development of Hong Kong."

     Along with the theme for this year the DSD introduced its "4Rs" at the open days. The first "R" stands for reviewing the achievements in flood prevention and sewage treatment of the DSD over 30 years, while the other three "R"s represent the iconic future projects of the department, namely river revitalisation, rehabilitation and relocation of Shatin Sewage Treatment Works to caverns.

     A prize presentation ceremony for the Manhole Cover Design Competition is also being held during the open days. With the theme of "4Rs", the competition received an overwhelming response with more than 1 400 designs received. All entries are on display to the public during the open days.

     The department continued to organise the Blue Green Ambassador Programme this year, with a view to deepening students' knowledge of the work of the DSD and the importance of environmental protection. Among the some 200 ambassadors recruited, 24 were selected as docents for the open days.

     Other highlights include stage performances, game booths, a kids fun area and a parent-child planting activity. Members of the public are welcome to join the wide range of entertaining and educational programmes. Admission to and activities at the open days are free of charge.

     Free shuttle bus services are provided at the following locations from 9.15am to 4pm at intervals of 10-15 minutes:

* Pick-up/drop-off area near MTR University Station Exit B bus terminus
* Pick-up/drop-off area at Pai Tau Street near MTR Sha Tin Station Exit B

     More information is available at the department's website (www.dsd.gov.hk).

        

      The Civil Aviation Department (CAD) handled 2 342 flights yesterday (January 18), setting a new single-day record.

     The Director-General of Civil Aviation, Mr Simon Li, today (January 19) expressed his gratitude to the CAD staff for their dedication despite the heavy work pressure, providing quality service, and ensuring that aviation safety remains at its highest level.
    
     "In the past, record movements were usually set before or after long holidays and festive occasions, or after typhoons due to traffic backlogs. This time, a record was set even though there was no overnight operation of both runways yesterday, which attests to the strong demand for air traffic. The total number of aircraft movements handled by the CAD in 2018 increased by 7.1 per cent as compared with 2017. I would like to thank all air traffic control officers who discharge their duties faithfully round the clock. The CAD has been recruiting additional staff. On the other hand, we are exploring ways to increase the existing dual runway capacity progressively in order to cope with the increasing demand for air traffic before the completion of the three-runway system," he said.

     A total of 1 202 flight movements were handled at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA). The CAD also provided air traffic control services for 1 140 overflights, which do not take off or land at HKIA. In other words, the CAD handled 2 342 aircraft movements in a 24-hour period. The previous single-day record of 2 341 flight movements was recorded on August 24, 2017, after HKIA recovered from the impact of Super Typhoon Hato.

     The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health today (January 19) reported that the suspected case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) involving a 66-year-old male patient which was pending results yesterday (January 18), upon preliminary testing, tested negative for MERS Coronavirus. 
 

     The latest test results of the opening-up investigation in the second stage of the holistic assessment strategy for the Hung Hom Station Extension under the Shatin to Central Link (SCL) project (as at January 18) are now available at the Highways Department's website for the SCL project (www.hyd.gov.hk/en/road_and_railway/railway_projects/scl/index.html) for reference by the public.
 

The following is issued on behalf of the Road Safety Council:

     The Road Safety Council (RSC) and Kowloon East Traffic Headquarters of the Hong Kong Police Force jointly held Join Hands for Road Safety cum Sau Mau Ping Road Safety Town Open Day this morning (January 19) in Sau Mau Ping Road Safety Town.

     Messages on road safety were successfully disseminated to the public through fun-filled game booths. The ceremony featured a magic show by the Po Leung Kuk Vicwood K T Chong Neighbourhood Elderly Centre, a singing performance by Shin Yat Tong On Yat Kindergarten and a drama performance by Hong Kong Kindergarten Association Pre-School.

     Today's ceremony was officiated by the Chairlady of the Road Safety Campaign Committee of the RSC, Ms Rebecca Ma; the Acting Regional Commander of Kowloon East Region of the Hong Kong Police Force, Mr James Betts; Senior Superintendent of Police of Traffic Kowloon East of the Hong Kong Police Force Mr Thomas Yu; the Chairlady of the Traffic and Transport Committee of the Kwun Tong District Council, Ms So Lai-chun; the Kowloon East Regional Commander of the Hong Kong Road Safety Patrol, Mr Samson Chu; and the Sau Mau Ping Regional Commander of the Hong Kong Road Safety Patrol, Ms Sophia Lee.