About 1,100km of water mains have been upgraded since the Government's replacement and rehabilitation programme started in late 2000, accounting for 30% of the project.

Secretary for Development Carrie Lam today told lawmakers the work completion rate has been maintained at 30km per month on average.

"The programme comprises the replacement or rehabilitation of 3,000km of water mains in four stages, originally in a 20-year period from 2000 to 2020. In 2005, we decided to compress the programme to a 15-year period from 2000 to 2015.

"Stage 1 of the programme has been substantially completed. Site works of Stage 2 and Stage 3 as well as the investigation and design works of Stage 4 are actively underway."

She said the rise in cost estimate for the proposed Stage 4 works was due to several reasons. They include:

* the recent upsurge in tender prices;

* anticipated traffic, environmental and road opening constraints, requiring more sections of the works to adopt the more costly trenchless method; and,

* anticipated extra co-ordination for resolving interfacing issues arising from the works.

"We consider there will be adequate local professional and skilled construction personnel for delivering the programme and we do not foresee the need for hiring skilled construction personnel from overseas."