Government looks at water resources reuse
Press Release

     Research studies on the reuse of water resources such as rainwater of reservoir for irrigation and water from water treatment stations for cleaning streets are one of the Government's priorities for tackling water salinity and shortage.

Seac Pai Van Park

     The Division of Nature Studies and Conservation of Department of Gardens and Green Areas of Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau use water from the reservoir located in Seac Pai Van for irrigation of green zones in that area and cleaning of zoological premises in times of greater water salinity so as to rationalize waters resources of Macao.

     Two reservoirs of Seac Pai Van, with total capacity for 1.300m³ of natural water, are completely full almost reaching its water capacity. As of 2005, the Division of Nature Studies and Conservation started studies and works for installing a network of water supply, which pumps water (with water flow of 20 m³/h) to a deposit of 8 m³ at the height of 80 meters for irrigation of green areas and cleaning zoological premises.

     All these works were completed in the middle of 2006 and thus the system became operational, maintaining so far a high level for the lower reservoir and keeping higher-level deposits always full so that the system might ensure the reuse of water. Public departments are planning an enlargement for the system so as to cover further areas as well as the construction of a new one in Taipa Grande as a means to use water resources and cope with salinity.

Cross-border Industrial Park

     Water resources scarcity and the impact of water salinity have seriously affected sustainable development in Macao. As a result, Infrastructure Development Office seeks to introduce new means and treatment technologies for water reuse so as to cope with current situation. Thus, the wastewater treatment plant at Cross-border Industrial Park was equipped with the most advanced technical means for water reuse. The wastewater treatment plant will also be able to treat wastewater from new surrounding districts after starting operations in the middle of next year.

     The government defined standar level IA as the criterion for the quality of water treated by the plant at Cross-border Industrial Park, that is higher than national standard level IB, which means that water is totally reused for irrigation of green areas and cleaning of premises for a further environmental protection and water resources conservation of Macao.