Sha Tau Kok Village Sewerage, Hong Kong

The HK$272 million (£22 million) village sewerage project in Sha Tau Kok, New Territories, Hong Kong is the Hong Kong government’s second NEC pilot project.

Due for completion in 2017, the project aims to improve the water quality of Deep Bay and the local environment by providing a public sewer to collect sewage from nine unsewered areas.  The sewage will then be conveyed to the Sha Tau Kok sewage treatment works for treatment and disposal.

The 5 year project includes construction of a 2km long trunk sewer along Sha Tau Kok Road, around 7.5km long of branch sewers serving the nine unsewered areas and a sewage pumping station near Wu Shek Kok with associated twin rising mains.

Framework contract

Riding on the success of the first NEC pilot project in Hong Kong, the Fuk Man Road nullah improvement works, this project − awarded in mid-2012 − is the second NEC pilot project to be undertaken by the Hong Kong government’s Drainage Services Department.

The NEC3 Framework Contract was chosen in this case to implement the works due to the flexibility it provides in terms of timing of instructions. 

Package orders for sewerage works in the different unsewered areas are instructed according to an implementation schedule, with each one adopting an NEC3 Engineering and Construction Contract.

Joint problem soliving

According to DSD senior engineer Thomas Wong, "The NEC provisions of early warning and risk reduction meetings have greatly enhanced the problem-solving process, with any issues arising on site being jointly and quickly resolved."

A common office, in which the staff of project manager DSD, supervisor Black & Veatch Hong Kong Limited and contractor Kum Shing (K.F.) Construction Co. Ltd., were seated closely together, was established at the outset of the project to facilitate effective communication.

"Given the NEC’s embedded ethos of mutual trust and cooperation, the parties are working with a collaborative mindset," says Wong. 

DSD also engaged an NEC adviser to assist the project team in monitoring performance in respect of NEC use.

"Good relationships among the employer, consultants and contractor are continually reflected in quarterly perception surveys of the project team," says Wong. "Our project team members are proud to be participating in this project."

Benefits of using NEC

• NEC3 Framework Contract provides flexibility in terms of timing of instructions.
• Early warning and risk reduction meetings promote joint problem solving. 
• Contracts improve communications among parties. 
• Contracts promote a partnering spirit and a collaborative working culture.