Archives - Details
Record ID
HKRS287
Title
Files Relating to General Business of the Waterworks Office of the Public Works Department and its Successor
Date
1995 - 2003
Level
Series
Archival History
The series was maintained in the custody of the creating and successor agencies until transfer to the PRO
Creating Agency
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT, GENERAL SECTION
Transferring Agency
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT, GENERAL SECTION
Administrative / Biographical History
A Surveyor General was first appointed on 9.5.1844. In 1869 the Surveyor General's Department contained, inter alia, an overseer of waterworks and overseer of Polfulam reservoir. In 1883 the Department changed its name to Public Works Department and in 1892 the postion of Surveyor General was retitled Director of Public Works. By 1930 the Department had expanded to a Head Office and 13 sub-departments, including Waterworks (Construction) and Waterworks (Maintenance). In 1946 the Department resumed its functions on the re-establishment of British civil administration. It was organised into a Head Office and six functional Offices, including Waterworks, later renamed Water Supplies. The Public Works Department was abolished on 1.4.1982 and the Water Supplies sub-department was reconstituted as an independent Water Supplies Department. Its responsibilities were the supply, distribution and maintenance of quality of water in Hong Kong. It was organised into a Headquarters and 13 Divisions. In 1983 a Planning Division was added, followed by a Safety Division in 1985. In 1987 the Department was reorganised into Branches: Supply and Distribution; New Works; Administration and Planning; and Mechanical and Electrical. A China Water Supply Branch was added in 1989.
Scope and Content
The series relates to water supply functions and activities. The subjects dealt with include management consultants, water emergency 1963 and 1967, water restriction, squatters, water schemes at Plover Cove, Shum Chun and Shek Pik, fire service reservoirs, use and conservation of the countryside, and government offices and buildings. The files contain minutes, memoranda, maps, location plans, telegrams, letters, bore records, reports, agreements, reports, photographs and pamphlets.
Physical Description
Soft and hard cover folders, 31 x 22.5 x 1-3 cm. Papers attached using Treasury tags.
Arrangement System
Modified year and multiple number system with a 'WWO' (Water Works Office) prefix. Range of control symbols WWO 357/68 I - WWO 4533/310(72)/140.
Conditions Governing Access
Public Records (Access) Rules 1996
Language and Scripts
English
Note
Former series title "General Correspondence Files" up to 8 January 2026.