The delegation of the Legislative Council Panel on Development departed for Singapore this afternoon (20 March) to begin a four-day duty visit.

The purpose of the visit is for members of the delegation to study Singapore's experience, policies and strategies on water supply management.  They will visit several facilities in the country to gain first-hand information on the development, operation and cost-effectiveness of seawater desalination and water reclamation.  Delegation members will also exchange views with the relevant parties involved in the formulation, implementation and monitoring of strategies on water supply management in Singapore to obtain useful knowledge for consideration of water resources development in Hong Kong.

In light of the occurrence of the incidents last year in which the drinking water at consumers' taps in some residential buildings and schools were found to have a lead content exceeding the World Health Organization's standard, delegation members will also take the opportunity to learn about the measures taken by the Singapore government to safeguard the quality of piped drinking water. 

The itinerary of the visit is as follows:

20-23 March 2016 (Sunday-Wednesday)

• Meet with representatives of the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources; the Public Utilities Board ("PUB"); and the National Environment Agency of Singapore
• Visit to Tuaspring Desalination Plant
• Visit to Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park, a flagship project under Singapore's ABC (Active, Beautiful and Clean) Waters Programme
• Meet with members of the Government Parliamentary Committees for National Development and the Environment and Water Resources 
• Visit to Bedok NEWater Factory
• Meet with representatives of Water Quality Office and Water Supply (Network) Department of PUB

The delegation is led by Hon Tony TSE Wai-chuen, Chairman of the Panel on Development. Other members include Hon LEUNG Che-cheung (Deputy Chairman of the Panel), Hon Cyd HO Sau-lan, Hon IP Kwok-him, Hon Alan LEONG Kah-kit, Hon LEUNG Kwok-hung, Hon Albert CHAN Wai-yip, Hon James TIEN Pei-chun, Hon CHAN Chi-chuen, Hon CHAN Yuen-han, Dr Hon Helena WONG Pik-wan, as well as Hon Kenneth LEUNG, who is a non-Panel Member.

Ends/Sunday, 20 March 2016
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