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Weiyuan Lake : Perfect Mix of Form and Function
The Chinese University has the largest campus in Hong Kong at 134 hectares. Satellite images indicate that approximately 77% of this area is covered by vegetation. Protecting such a large area is not easy X watering it alone is enough of a challenge. As using fresh water would go against both economic and greening principles, the University had always used nullah water to irrigate its campus. However acquiring water from outside entails high maintenance costs for the supply system as well as an unsteady or inadequate water supply. The University soon found an ideal solution within its walls X in its very own Weiyuan Lake, Chung Chi College.
The University began by clearing away the mud and silt in the lake to increase its water storage level; it also improved its pumping system. In addition, an automatic watergate was installed in the lake in 2003 to manage the water level. At present, the lake supplies a decent 700,000 litres of water to the University per day, which is not only sufficient for watering the whole campus, but leaves enough for cooling its air-conditioning systems and flushing. This is a story of how a scenic lake has been turned into a sustainable source of life.
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