The Water Supplies Department is the first government department in Hong Kong to have been awarded the ISO 50001 certification for energy-management systems, demonstrating its achievement in the area.
Introduced in 2011, ISO 50001 is an international standard that provides a model of energy-efficiency management to upgrade energy-efficiency levels.
Organisations are required to identify the aims and applicable areas for their energy-management systems, set up and implement systems for energy management according to statutory requirements and regulations, and make continuous improvement.
The department began following ISO requirements early this year by establishing clear energy policies and targets, compiling a detailed manual on the energy-management system, formulating a comprehensive energy-measurement plan, and setting up a mechanism for continuous monitoring and improvement. It completed a system audit at the end of November.
The department operates more than 140 waterworks and provides reliable potable and flushing water to more than 7 million people in Hong Kong every day.
To reduce energy consumption, it established the Energy Management Committee in 1998 to oversee the energy-management system and put forward measures for energy conservation and carbon dioxide reduction.
