Macau (MNA) – The Marine and Water Bureau (DSAMA) director Wong Soi Man (pictured) said the design for the construction of the tidal gate along the Inner Harbour has entered its final stages, although she was unable to reveal a timetable for when the government will commence a public tender for the project.
Speaking on a sideline of an event on Wednesday, Ms. Wong said drainage facilities are to be developed in conjunction with the tidal gate, saying that the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau (IACM) has already been working on the construction of a pump station near the Municipal Market of Patane.
“We are currently working with the Land, Public Works and Transport Bureau (DSSOPT) and IACM on the details of the tidal gate building design,” remarked the DSAMA head.
She said the discussion of details about the construction include their recent acknowledgement concerning the water leakage at the embankment.
“Over the past two recent flooding instances, leakage at the bottom of the embankment are quite serious and as such the construction might require to build mini piles [along the bank],” revealed Ms. Wong.
On Wednesday, the DSAMA held a session and a ceremony to introduce the new water management plan in buildings and awarded several managing companies who pledged to participate the plan.
According to Ms. Wong, there are some 255 residential buildings and 18 management companies which expressed their willingness to take part in the plan, which accounted for 20 per cent of the city’s total high-rise buildings.
The plan encourages owners of buildings to follow the water management guidelines as to ensure the cleanliness of water for residents’ consumption, such as cleaning the water tanks once in half a year and regular check-ups over water supply facilities.
Paul Tse, President of the Macau Association of Building Contractors and Developers, said owners of buildings would generally be willing to pay a bit extra in the regular management fee for a lab test of the water from their buildings’ water tanks.
“[Owners] would be happy to pay since it is ensure good health and good hygiene,” said Mr. Tse.
He pointed out that the amount that each owners need to pay for a lab test – usually a few thousands patacas – would depend on the number of owners within a building.
