Peak Water and Hong Kong

Hong Kong SAR is a study in miniature for Peak Water problems.  As discussed in Peak Water Threshold has passed, it has many of the key issues confronting the rest of the world in its fight for water.

First its water is transboundary with its “motherland” mainland China.  It has almost no intra border water resources of its own.  It uses highly sophisticated water purification methods to cleanse its water.  It relies on aging infrastructure to deliver its water.  And it has a thriving and growing population density so growing demand, the latter being one of the highest in the world.  

It is also one of the most wonderful cities in which to live. Vibrant, contemporary, funny, with magnificent culture of the people.  As many an expatriate will tell you of which I was one for many years.  

As an aside, I will also mention another experience with Hong Kong and water.  After a deluge, walking to work in your v expensive suit along the cramped sidewalks,  avoid all puddles near the curb.  The taxis and buses are sure to drive through it at speed spraying water all over your business garb.  Anyway......

However overtime it became increasingly obvious that you could not eat the food with security as to its source, you could not breathe the air for pollution, and this raised questions about the water.  All of this especially so when SARS, the terrible epidemic, became apparent (but before the known source) in 2003.  

When researching Peak Water thresholds, I came across this report from China Water Risk called 8 Things You Should Know about Hong Kong Water.  It is a great read, but here are the headlines:

1. Hong Kong uses more water per capita than most first world cities
2. Hong Kong Water Tariffs are one of the Lowest in the World
3. Hong Kong relies on mainland China for 70-80% of its Water
4. Hong Kong’s Water (supply) is only Guaranteed to 2014
5. Hong Kong will face increasing Competition for Water (from mainland China)
6. Hong Kong’s Water is good enough to Drink
7. Hong Kong drinks enough bottled water per year to fill IFC Two (an Hong Kong landmark tower) and pays 1,000 times more for the privilege
8. Water embedded in Hong Kong’s meat imports from China is greater than water suppled by Guangdong (the supplier of the water as mentioned in 3. above)

This report has extensive details and graphs with international comparisons and I would recommend it.  And it shows that Hong Kong is facing all the challenges for water, notwithstanding price, that it stands out as a microcosm of coming water wars elsewhere in the world.

It appears that were it not for the political stance of mainland China to protect its high profile and internationally renowned finance and trade protectorate, then Hong Kong would be in severe water shortage and fighting to survive.