Pok Fu Lam Reservoir

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Pok Fu Lam Reservoir (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 km³.

[edit] 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 a urgent solution to the problem. Thus, it prepared a reward of 1000 pounds to any one who provided a solution at 14th October, 1859. It also allocated a budget of 25000 pounds.

At 29th February, 1860, S. B. Rawling, a clerk from Royal Engineers suggested to build a dam across the valley of Pokfulam to collect rain water.

The reservoir is completed in 1863. The construction was much reduced because of a budget-cut and became far from adequate.

Another reservoir above the original was built to meet the need in 1877.