Black & Veatch has won the 2017 Hong Kong Awards for Industries: Innovation and Creativity Grand Award. The award recognises the company’s role as the hydraulic designer of the recently completed Happy Valley Underground Stormwater Storage Scheme (HVUSSS) for the Drainage Services Department of Hong Kong SAR (DSD).
The HVUSS is an example of how Hong Kong is rethinking stormwater management. A 60,000m3 capacity underground storage tank was built below the famous Happy Valley Recreational Ground. The tank temporarily stores stormwater during peak times, relieving pressure on the drainage system and integrating real-time data of water and tidal levels.
“The award reflects how DSD is embracing innovation and smart city technologies to overcome climate change and urban density challenges,” said Andy Kwok, Director, Black & Veatch in Hong Kong. “Rather than digging deeper drains, the scheme integrates real-time data to act like a release valve during rainstorms, and the new thinking saved the city money and avoided major public disruption along a busy highway.”
Over the last 50 years, infill development and extension of the urbanised areas into Hong Kong’s foothills have significantly increased runoff and flood risks while rainfall intensity has become more unpredictable. In August 2000, April 2006 and June 2008 severe flooding occurred in Happy Valley and its adjacent area during heavy rainstorm events.
Black & Veatch and the Drainage Services Department of the Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (DSD) also received the 2012 Planning Award for International Water Association’s East Asia region for the HVUSSS.
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Editor’s Notes:
Black & Veatch was the hydraulic designer on the HK$1 billion HVUSSS. The project commenced construction in September 2011 and the scheme was fully commissioned in March 2017.
The objective of the HVUSSS is to provide off-line stormwater storage in the Happy Valley catchment during a 1-in-50 year rainstorm event. Major components include an inlet structure, twin cells diversion box culvert with overflow side weir system, an underground storage tank of 60,000m3 and a pump house with a pumping rate of 5,400 m3/hr.
During heavy rainstorms, excess runoff in the diversion box culvert will enter the storage tank via the overflow weir system. After rainstorms the storage tank will be emptied to prepare for upcoming rainstorm events.
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About Black & Veatch
Black & Veatch is an employee-owned, global leader in building critical human infrastructure in Energy, Water, Telecommunications and Government Services. Since 1915, we have helped our clients improve the lives of people in over 100 countries through consulting, engineering, construction, operations and program management. Our revenues in 2016 were US$3.2 billion. Follow us onwww.bv.com and in social media.
About the Hong Kong Awards for Industries
Championed by the Government, the HKAI was launched in 2005 by merging the former Hong Kong Awards for Industry and Hong Kong Awards for Services, established in 1989 and 1997 respectively.
The HKAI aims to recognise the outstanding performance and achievements of Hong Kong enterprises in enhancing their competitiveness in various aspects.
The HKAI comprises seven categories, each run by an organiser. The Hong Kong Awards for Industries: Innovation and Creativity category aims to promote a culture of innovation and creativity amongst business sectors, and recognize the achievements of outstanding companies.
The Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce is the Leading Organiser of the Innovation and Creativity category. More information can be found here.
Media Contact Information for Black & Veatch:
KEITH MORRISON | +65 6738-4022 ext 607 p | +65 9666-5214 m | MorrisonKW@BV.com
24-HOUR MEDIA HOTLINE | +1 866-496-9149
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