Arup is strengthening Hong Kong’s water resilience with the commencement of construction on the Ngau Tam Mei Water Treatment Works (NTM WTW) Extension, a major infrastructure project supporting the development of the Northern Metropolis. Appointed by the Water Supplies Department (WSD) of the HKSAR Government, Arup is delivering technical expertise across design, supervision, and future capacity upgrades.
Construction of the extension is set to begin in October, following the successful completion of design, tendering, and funding approval for the Package One works. Arup has deployed a resident site team to oversee construction while continuing design development for a further expansion that will ultimately increase the plant’s capacity to 640,000 cubic metres per day.
Targeted for completion by 2030, the project will boost the NTM WTW’s treatment capacity from 230,000 m³/day to 440,000 m³/day, ensuring a reliable and sustainable water supply to meet the long-term demands of urban growth in the Northern Metropolis.
Key components of the project include the construction of new water treatment facilities within the existing site, installation of approximately eight kilometres of freshwater trunk mains to Tan Kwai Tsuen in Yuen Long, a 0.6-kilometre tunnel for raw water mains and associated chambers, and the extension of the Ngau Tam Mei Fresh Water Primary Service Reservoir to provide an additional 54,000 m³ of storage capacity.
To enhance efficiency and sustainability, Arup is integrating advanced water treatment technologies that optimise land use, improve energy and process performance, and reduce both operational costs and carbon emissions. In alignment with WSD’s Smart Water Strategy, the project also incorporates digital twin technology for both the existing and expanded treatment works, enabling real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and scenario-based planning.
The Ngau Tam Mei Water Treatment Works Extension represents a critical investment in smart, sustainable infrastructure, reinforcing Hong Kong’s capacity to support future development while safeguarding water security for generations to come.
