Hong Kong’s First District-Wide Grey Water Recycling System at Anderson Road Quarry Site
December 7, 2023
ADAPTING TO SITE CONTEXT
While many places in the world are still using fresh water for toilet flushing, Hong Kong has been extensively adopting seawater for flushing since the 1950s, covering about 85 per cent of its population.1 This allows the precious fresh water to be preserved for potable purposes.
However, such a system is not easily applicable for sites at high altitude or remote from the seashore. This is the case for the Anderson Road Quarry (ARQ) site—a former quarry spanning over 40 hectares—set to be redeveloped into a new town to serve a population of about 30,000.
Located 200 metres above sea level and 3.5 kilometres away from the shore, using seawater flushing for the ARQ site would require substantial upgrading to existing supply systems in the vicinity, as well as constructing new pumping stations and water mains. This would incur additional capital and recurrent costs, and more importantly, consume a significant amount of energy.
To minimise the impact upon the environment, the Water Supplies Department (WSD) of the Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China initiated the first ever district-wide grey water recycling system. This system will treat on-site grey water—collected from baths, showers, wash basins, kitchen sinks and laundry machines, etc., within the development area—for non-potable purposes, including toilet flushing, landscape irrigation and street cleansing.
ENERGY-SAVING MEASURES
At the heart of this grey water recycling system is the Anderson Road Grey Water Treatment Plant (GWTP). Its core aims are to promote localised water reuse, reduce sewage discharge and minimise energy consumption; to demonstrate the essential values of sustainable water management in optimising the efficient use of energy and water resources; reduce waste production; and minimise adverse impact on the environment.
The Anderson Road GWTP will house a series of processes, including: pre-treatment; biological treatment using membrane biological reactor technologies; and post-treatment for disinfection. With a design capacity of 3,300 cubic metres per day, the WSD has calculated that it would save energy compared to pumping seawater to the ARQ site.
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PROJECT DATA
Project Name
Grey Water Treatment Plant for Development of Anderson Road Quarry Site
Location
On Kin Road, Kwun Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Status
Under construction
Expected Completion
To be commissioned in phases starting from 2024
Site Area
3,510 square metres
Gross Floor Area
1,760 square metres
Building Height
20 metres (2 storeys)
Client/Owner
Water Supplies Department, The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China
Architecture Firm
A. Lead Architects Limited (Sub-consultant engaged by Binnies Hong Kong Limited)
Principal Architect
Kentis Beh
Main Contractor
Paul Y., Tsun Yip Joint Venture (4/WSD/19)
Civil & Structural Engineer
Binnies Hong Kong Limited (Consultant engaged by the Client)
Images
Courtesy of Water Supplies Department, The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China
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1 https://www.wsd.gov.hk/en/core-businesses/water-resources/seawater-for-flushing/index.html
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