As all Government departments work together to spruce up the city through the Keep Clean 2015@Hong Kong: Our Home campaign, the Drainage Services Department was recently doing its part at a wet market in Sham Shui Po.
The drainage system is an essential part of living in a city or urban area, as it reduces flood damage by carrying water away, so it is vital that drains are kept clean and unblocked. Drainage Services workers use high pressure water jets to make sure nothing is left behind.
Pipes in areas with a high concentration of restaurants, cooked food centres and wet markets are prone to becoming clogged with oil and grease. The department has found that high pressure water jets are the ultimate tools for this job too.
The department has designated 41km of pipelines that run through these areas as “red routes” along which they carry out scheduled clearance works to prevent them from blockage.
Once they have cleared the drains, staff plug manhole keyholes with sand to keep mosquitoes out.
Underground sewers and drains that run near hospitals and clinics are scheduled to be thoroughly cleaned as well, to tie-in with the Clean Hong Kong campaign.
Drainage Services workers also carry out frequent inspections and cleaning at major channels and intakes in areas that have recorded a high ovitrap index. They spray larvicidal oil over the areas to prevent mosquitoes breeding there.
Cleaning works have been carried out in Yuen Chau Kok and Ma On Shan, which recorded a high ovitrap index in July.
The department plans to clean around 86km of underground pipelines as part of the Clean Hong Kong campaign.
It reminded people to call the 24-hour 2300 1110 hotline to report drain blockages.
