Macao Water Executive Director Nacky Kuan Sio Peng yesterday announced during the water utility’s routine meeting of its Customer Liaison Group at Macau Tower that Macau’s water usage in the first quarter increased by 1.7 pct year-on-year.
Kuan said in a speech that water consumption in the first quarter reached 22 million cubic metres, driven mainly by the increase in visitors during the Spring Festival holiday and the commencement of operations at new hotel projects.
Macao Water expects an annual growth rate of around 3.0 percent for the whole year, Kuan said, adding that household water consumption was forecast by her company to decrease slightly.
Kuan told reporters on the sidelines of the meeting that construction of a photovoltaic power generation system at the Seac Pai Van Water Treatment Plant has begun, with the installation of solar panels expected to be completed before the summer break. The system is projected to generate about 250,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, accounting for 3 percent of the plant’s total energy consumption, Kuan said. She also said that following the completion of the Seac Pai Van Reservoir expansion project, the local government plans to install a photovoltaic system above the water surface to supply electricity to the water treatment plant. In addition, the Coloane Reclaimed Water Station currently supplies around 1,500 cubic metres of reclaimed water per day to the Seac Pai Van public housing complex and the University of Macau.
Marine and Water Bureau (DSAMA) Director Susana Wong Soi Man told reporters that upon the completion of the Seac Pai Van Reservoir expansion project, Macau’s total reservoir capacity will increase from the current 10-day water supply to a 12-day supply.
Wong also said that the authorities are planning the second phase of the Coloane Reclaimed Water Station and the design of a reclaimed water* station on the man-made island where the Macau checkpoint of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) is located, with both expected to be operational by 2030.
In 2030, Wong said, the supply of reclaimed water will be extended to Zone A. Discussions are also underway with the city’s six integrated resort operators to introduce the use of reclaimed water for cooling purposes and other applications, Wong said, adding that the medium-term target is for reclaimed water to account for 5.0 percent of total water consumption by 2030, and 10 percent by 2035.
*Reclaimed water (also known as recycled water or water reuse) is former wastewater that has been treated to remove solids and certain impurities. Instead of being discharged into natural water bodies like rivers or oceans, it is reused for a variety of beneficial purposes. The level of treatment required depends on the intended “end use,” ranging from basic irrigation to high-grade industrial processes or even indirect potable reuse. – Gemini
Macao Water Executive Director Nacky Kuan Sio Peng poses during yesterday’s routine meeting at Macau Tower in Sai Van.
Marine and Water Bureau (DSAMA) Director Susana Wong Soi Man poses during yesterday’s routine meeting. – Photos: Armindo Neves
