Secretary for Development Carrie Lam has declared 41 waterworks structures within six pre-war reservoirs as monuments to recognise their high historic value.

The monuments are located within Pok Fu Lam, Wong Nai Chung, Kowloon, Aberdeen, Shing Mun (Jubilee) and Tai Tam Group reservoirs.

Wong Nai Chung Reservoir has been a popular boating park since 1986.

Storing history: Secretary for Development Carrie Lam declares Tai Tam Tuk Reservoir's masonry bridge and Wong Nai Chung Reservoir's valve house as monuments.

Officiating at a ceremony in Tai Tam Tuk Raw Water Pumping Station this afternoon, Mrs Lam said the monuments - which include bridges, dams and valve houses - have witnessed the changes of society and the development of the water-supply system in Hong Kong over the past 150 years.

"The declaration of these historic 41 waterworks facilities as statutory monuments demonstrates not only the Government's commitment to heritage conservation, but also our determination to provide a reliable and quality water supply to the people of Hong Kong," she said.

To promote appreciation of the monuments and the history of Hong Kong's water supply, Mrs Lam also performed a plaque-unveiling ceremony at Tai Tam Tuk Reservoir to open the Tai Tam Waterworks Heritage Trail.

Along this scenic 5km trail in the Tai Tam Group of Reservoirs there are 21 waterworks monuments ranging from valve houses to bridges, to staff quarters. Ten information stations are en route to introduce the monuments' function and historic value.