Drought proves HK can’t do without steady stream of Dongjiang water

Monday Vibes

The tropical cyclone appears to have ended a long period of very hot weather for Hong Kong, and eased some of the anxiety in the community over such unusually hot May weather — bringing welcome breezes and long-awaited rainfall. Complaints about grueling hot weather seem to have eased. But questions and concerns about the city’s water shortage remain.

The unusually long period of continuous hot weather, and the fact some of the city’s reservoirs almost dried up, have rekindled debate over the necessity of having a continuous water supply from Dongjiang River in Guangdong province.

This debate — and important issues it raises — have been around for a long time. The history of importing Dongjiang water dates back to 1960s when Hong Kong suffered a severe drought. This drought, which started in June 1963, lasted almost a year and resulted in people being restricted to drawing water for just four hours every four days. Those aged over 60 might still remember the adverse conditions of not having enough water to cook food — not to mention taking showers or washing clothes. The Dongjiang water was pumped into Hong Kong in these extreme conditions, bringing hope to city dwellers. Since then, Dongjiang water gradually became the main water source for Hong Kong — now accounting for as much as 80 percent of usage.

According to the Water Supplies Department, last month recorded less than one fifth of average May rainfall. With the storage of the city’s reservoirs dropping 7.42 percent in the month, it is highly likely Hong Kong will use up its Dongjiang water quota of 820 million cubic meters this year, if the drought continues.

Luckily, these worries have eased before Hong Kong has had to find a long-term solution. But the growing extreme weather should sound an alarm to Hong Kong people. After all, the city is home to 7 million people and one of the most populated metropolitan areas in the world.

Opposition legislators have long been criticizing the Dongjiang water contract with the mainland for fixing the amount of supply. But the recent drought has made Hong Kong residents feel we are lucky to have a water supply contract that guarantees the amount we can get no matter how serious the water shortage along the Dongjiang is.

Indeed, the current drought has again highlighted the importance of Dongjiang water to Hong Kong — even stoking fears of a looming water shortage. But what the public need to know is that rainfall from June to December usually accounts for 70 percent of annual precipitation in Hong Kong. Thus there is really no need for panic now.

Currently, Hong Kong consumes about 980 million cubic meters of water every year. Of this volume, 820 million may come from the Dongjiang while the remaining 170 million comes from local reservoirs — filled by rainfall. The city’s reservoirs normally hold about 350 million cubic meters. That means Hong Kong usually has about 180 million cubic meters of water in backup supply.

Moreover, Hong Kong is building its own sea-water desalination plant, which is expected to be in use in the third quarter of 2022. Once in full operation, it can provide 10 percent of local water usage. This gives Hong Kong “double insurance” on water supplies.

The opposition argues that Hong Kong wastes money by buying more water than it needs from the mainland.

Such arguments reflect their short-sightedness. As the development of the GuangdongHong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area deepens, resources like water will prove to be a gamechanger in future economic development and collaboration among partner cities of the city cluster. Hong Kong is virtually crippling its own competitiveness should it reduce its share/ quota of Dongjiang water. The city simply cannot afford to let politics interfere with its water supply, a matter of people’s livelihoods and economic development.