Kowloon Reservoir

Kowloon Reservoir, part of the Kowloon Group of Reservoirs, is a reservoir in Sha Tin District, Hong Kong, located within the Kam Shan Country Park. The total water storage capacity is 353 million gallons and the total cost of construction was $619,000.

Establishment
In 1898, the British took over the New Territories and New Kowloon and the Public Works Department immediately sent engineering teams to explore water sources. However, the team found suitable valleys to build reservoirs in the west of Beacon Hill and south of Needle Hill. Construction for Kowloon Reservoir commenced in 1901 and it was completed in 1910, making it the first reservoir in the New Territories.

Further expansion
Expansion of the Kowloon Reservoir began in 1922. It aimed to expand the filtration plant in order to have a daily output of 3.58 million gallons of water; enlarge the catchment area; and improve the dams’ walls. After the expansion, the Kowloon Reservoir provided 1.5 million gallons of water to the locals daily.

Effect on locals
The completion of the Kowloon Reservoir reduced the locals’ dependence on getting water from wells. The locals got water from the reservoir. This led to the decline of the Yau Ma Tei Pumping Station.