Construction and practice of Hong Kong's modern water supply system
HUANG Ennuo
YANG Fang
HUANG Nanbing
LIU Jin
Abstract：The unique natural condition of Hong Kong,being"surrounded by the sea on three sides",determines that its hydrological situation is highly susceptible to climatic conditions.Coupled with the high-intensity water demand resulting from rapid economic and social development over the years,the contradiction between water supply and demand in Hong Kong is particularly prominent.There is an urgent need to strengthen the construction of a modern water supply system to drive the high-quality economic and social development through high-quality assurance of water supply security.In recent years,through engineering construction,water quality control,technological iteration,and institutional innovation,Hong Kong has gradually formed a multi-source water supply pattern and a modern water supply system with"local water collection as the foundation,cross-border water diversion as the mainstay,and unconventional water sources as a supplement",relying on a circular water supply network composed of 17 major reservoirs,184 pumping stations,and 18 water treatment plants across the territory.This system has achieved high-standard water quality monitoring and risk prevention and control throughout the entire process of"source,water conveyance,water treatment,and water distribution".Practice has proven that this system has significantly enhanced the level of water supply security in Hong Kong,providing crucial resource support for sustaining its long-term prosperity and stability.It also injects enduring impetus into the deepening of collaborative water resource governance in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the promotion of high-quality regional development.In particular,the historic measure of supplying water from the Dongjiang River to Hong Kong has,over the past six decades,brought a continuous flow of"water of life,political water,and economic water"to the city,vividly demonstrating the remarkable institutional advantages and strong vitality of the fundamental national policy of One Country,Two Systems.Its experience holds significant reference value for coastal high-density cities worldwide in addressing water resource challenges under climate change.
Keywords：Hong Kongmodern water supply systemDongjiang–Shenzhen Water Supply Projectcross-boundary water resources governancecomprehensive benefitwater supply security
Publication Date：2026-02-12
Online Publishing Date：2026-03-12(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：8( 13-20 )