Hong Kong Drainage Services Department to implement first large-scale barrage scheme

On 24 January, the Drainage Services Department (DSD) of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) has appointed Black & Veatch to formulate and design a barrage scheme to improve flood protection levels in the low-lying town of Yuen Long.

The barrage scheme is part of DSD’s strategy to provide world-class wastewater and stormwater drainage services to enable the sustainable development of Hong Kong.

The project aims to optimise the original flood alleviation scheme and identified a favourable site for the stormwater infrastructure.

The barrage scheme will comprise a tidal barrier that prevents backflow of seawater from Deep Bay to the Yuen Long town center during high tides. It will also feature a pumping station that conveys stormwater from upstream of the barrage to Shan Pui River for discharge during high tides and high intensity rainstorm events. The tidal barrier can be raised to cater for rise in sea levels to safeguard the low-lying areas from flooding.

The benefits of the barrage scheme include improving the drainage performance of Yuen Long Nullah—an open concrete stormwater channel—through downstream pumping during severe rainstorm events. Designing the scheme at a downstream location away from the town will greatly reduce disruption to communities and traffic.

The barrage scheme will be designed to align with DSD’s revitalisation of more than two kilometers of the nullah by incorporating a green environment, and promoting biodiversity, beautification and water-friendly activities. — Construction+ Online