The Water Supplies Department (WSD) unveiled a Total Water Management (TWM) strategy yesterday that targets the sustainable use of water resources in the future.

WSD Assistant Director Bobby Ng pointed out that the government previously adopted various measures to increase the water supply, including reservoir constructions, using seawater in toilets and increasing the Dongjiang water supply from the mainland.

"Supply from Dongjiang and local yield will meet our forecast demand ... until 2030," Ng said. "Yet Total Water Management is necessary to better prepare Hong Kong for uncertainties such as climate changes and low rainfall."

The scope of TWM includes leakage control, seawater flushing and promotion of water-saving devices.

To prevent leakage and wasting water, the WSD will launch a territory-wide project to replace or rehabilitate 3,000 kms of water mains by 2015.

The WSD is also actively planning a "Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme", similar to the existing "Energy Efficiency Labelling Scheme".

And to promote water efficiency, the WSD has identified a number of appliances, such as shower heads, washing machines and dishwashers, that have high water efficiency. If the products pass tests at approved laboratories, the manufacturers will be allowed to include the approved products in the scheme and to adhere water-efficiency labels on the products for the benefit of consumers.

Manufacturers who successfully apply for the labels will enjoy early market opportunities, Ng said.

(HK Edition 11/13/2008 page1)