Tai Tam Reservoirs


The Tai Tam Reservoirs, also known as Tai Tam Reservoir Group, is a group of reservoirs located in the Tai Tam Country Park in the eastern part of Hong Kong Island in Hong Kong.
The reservoirs consist of:
The upper and byewash reservoirs are jointly known as Tai Tam Reservoir.
The planning of the reservoirs is known as Tai Tam Scheme which was started early in 1872 and was shelved 1874 because of economic depression. The scheme was continued later in 1882 and virtually completed in 1888. Yet again, the supply was proved insufficient and the building of the Tai Tam Tuk dam began in 1912. The four reservoirs have a total storage capacity of 6.2 million cubic metres.
The reservoirs are surrounded by Mount Butler, Jardine's Lookout, Violet Hill and Mount Parker, with an extraordinary environment of peace and quiet.
The reservoirs are managed by Water Supplies Department of Hong Kong Government.
In September 2009, the Tai Tam Waterworks Heritage Trail was opened, touring the architectural landmarks of the reservoir system. Placards in describe the features, giving insights into the work involved in the construction of what the source of most of Hong Kong Island's fresh water supply.
A restricted road, Tai Tam Reservoir Road, links reservoirs from Wong Nai Chung Gap to Tai Tam.

Tai Tam Tuk Reservoir

As part of the Tai Tam scheme, the colonial government commenced the construction of Tai Tam Tuk Reservoir in 1912, the project was completed in 1917, cost 2.46 million Hong Kong dollars and had a 1.42 - billion - gallon capacity upon completion. The dam, designed by Daniel Jaffe, was 60 feet tall and 800 feet wide, 12 arches supported by half round granite columns were also built to prop up the Tai Tam road connecting Stanley and Chai Wan. Governor Henry May officially announced the completion of the reservoir on 2nd February 1918 and the reservoir operates until now.

Declared Monuments

Twenty two facilities surrounding Tai Tam Tuk reservoir were declared as monuments in 2009, including pumping stations, masonry bridges, the memorial stone, the value house and the dam itself.
A list of the facilities declared Monument:
Name of StructurePhotoYear BuiltLocationNoteReference
Tai Tam Upper Reservoir Masonry Bridge1888Tai Tam Upper ReservoirDeclared Monument in 2009
Tai Tam Upper Reservoir Masonry Aqueduct1888Tai Tam Upper ReservoirDeclared Monument in 2009
Tai Tam Upper Reservoir Dam1888Tai Tam Upper ReservoirDeclared Monument in 2009
Tai Tam Upper Reservoir Valve House1904Tai Tam Upper ReservoirDeclared Monument in 2009
Tai Tam Upper Reservoir Tunnel Inlet and Recorder House1888 & 1917Tai Tam Upper ReservoirDeclared Monument in 2009
Tai Tam Byewash Reservoir Valve House1904Tai Tam Byewash ReservoirDeclared Monument in 2009
Tai Tam Byewash Reservoir Dam1904 - 1907Tai Tam Byewash ReservoirDeclared Monument in 2009
Tai Tam Intermediate Reservoir Dam1904 - 1907Tai Tam Intermediate ReservoirDeclared Monument in 2009
Tai Tam Intermediate Reservoir Valve House1904 - 1907Tai Tam Intermediate ReservoirDeclared Monument in 2009
Tai Tam Tuk Reservoir's Four Masonry Bridges1907Tai Tam Tuk ReservoirDeclared Monument in 2009
Tai Tam Tuk Reservoir Dam1912 - 1917Tai Tam Tuk ReservoirDeclared Monument in 2009
Tai Tam Tuk Reservoir Valve House1917Tai Tam Tuk ReservoirDeclared Monument in 2009
Tai Tam Tuk Reservoir Memorial Stone1918Tai Tam Tuk ReservoirDeclared Monument in 2009
Tai Tam Tuk Raw Water Pumping Station Staff Quarters1907Tai Tam Tuk Raw Water Pumping StationDeclared Monument in 2009
Tai Tam Tuk Raw Water Pumping Station No. 2 Staff Quarters1936Tai Tam Tuk Raw Water Pumping StationDeclared Monument in 2009
Tai Tam Tuk Raw Water Pumping Station1907Tai Tam Tuk Raw Water Pumping StationDeclared Monument in 2009
Tai Tam Tuk Raw Water Pumping Station Chimney Shaft and its Flue1907Tai Tam Tuk Raw Water Pumping StationDeclared Monument in 2009
Tai Tam Tuk Raw Water Pumping Station Senior Staff Quarters1907Tai Tam Tuk Raw Water Pumping StationDeclared Monument in 2009