The Salinity Response Task Force today (January 3) said that the salinity level of potable water in Macao continued to remain at green level, despite the threat of salt tide and drought in the Mainland, whereas the reservoir storage of raw water supplied to Macau was basically full.

According to the latest information on water transfers, the Pearl River Water Resources Commission will conduct drainage area water transfers on 10 January 23 January. By that time, all of the water pumping stations in Zhuhai would have in store enough fresh water to ensure the water demand in Macao is met. The task force appeals to the population not to be overworried.

The SAR Government is very concerned about the impact of salt tide on the population and therefore the Salinity Response Task Force has made early arrangements, which included measures to relieve the burdens of the community.

Meanwhile, the task force has had close contacts with the water resources departments in the Mainland, discussing the present situation of water, adjusting and refining the drainage area water transfer project and boosting the effect of water transfer, to cope with the influence caused by the high tide of salt water intrusion during the drought period. The salt water intrusion has occurred since last November.

The Pearl River Water Resources Commission carried out four drainage area water transfers on 11th and 25th of November and the 12th and the 25th of December last year respectively, with which the safety of water supply between Zhuhai and Macau was effectively secured.

With reference to the past experience of water transfers, the Pearl River Water Resources Commission conducted water transfers twice a month, which basically relieved the salt tide threat. Looking at the present situation of water transfers, as salt water intrusion occurs three days before and after the 1st as well as the 15th of every lunar month, the high tide period, and during these 15 days salinity is more severe.

The fresh water pumping stations in Zhuhai and Macau failed to draw up-to-standard fresh water and the supply of daily fresh water could only be met through dilution with the stored fresh water. The salt water intrusion is less severe three days before and after the 7thor the 8th and the 22nd or the 23rd of every lunar month, which means the low tide period with around 15 days long.

Through the calculation and coordination, the Pearl River Water Resources Commission will transfer fresh water from the key upstream reservoirs, which will arrive in the territorial zone of Zhuhai just within the low tide period. The water pumping stations in Zhuhai will work hard to get enough water, not only satisfying the supply of daily water consumption, but also refilling the reservoirs so that there will be high quality fresh water for dilution and the safety of water supply to Macao will also be guaranteed.

In recent years, Macau has been affected by the salt tide in winter and spring, thus emphasising the importance of water resources. For this, the authorities appealed to the public to treasure and conserve water resources.