Location Hong Kong Volume 260 km³ | Type reservoir | |
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Water volume 260,000 m (210 acre·ft) Similar Hong Kong Trail, Pok Fu Lam Country P, Aberdeen Reservoirs, High West, Tai Tam Reservoirs | ||
Pok Fu Lam Reservoir (Chinese: 薄扶林水塘) is the first reservoir in Hong Kong. It is located in a valley in Pok Fu Lam. It is actually two reservoirs with capacity of 260,000 m3.
Contents
Map of Pok Fu Lam Reservoir, Hong Kong
History
Before the completion of the reservoir in 1863, the people in the city got their water by nearby streams or wells. These methods however were unable to support rapid growth of population since 1841. Diseases were caused by polluted water.
The Hong Kong Government needed an urgent solution to the problem. Thus, it prepared a reward of 1,000 pounds to anyone who provided a solution to disease on 14 October 1859. The colonial government also allocated a budget of 25,000 pounds for the project.
On 29 February 1860, S. B. Rawling, a clerk from Royal Engineers suggested the construction of a dam across the valley of Pokfulam to collect rain water.
The reservoir was completed in 1863. The construction did not meet the needs of the population because of budget-cuts, which left the dam to be far from adequate.
Another reservoir above the original was built to meet the needs of the growing colony in 1877.
Monument declaration
6 Historic Structures of Pok Fu Lam Reservoir were declared as monuments in 2009. These include 4 masonry bridges, gauge basin and the Former Watchman's Cottage which is now Pok Fu Lam Management Centre