Water Supplies Department

Water Utility Serviceswsd.gov.hk

Water Supplies Department (水務署) is the Hong Kong SAR Government's statutory sole water utility, supplying fresh and salt water to all residential, commercial, and industrial customers across Hong Kong's 18 districts through reservoirs, treatment plants, and the Tseung Kwan O Desalination Plant.

Company typePublic
Founded1982
HeadquartersWan Chai, Hong Kong SAR China
Headcount1,001–5,000
GTM typeB2C
OfferingServices

What Water Supplies Department does

Water Supplies Department (水務署) is a department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the statutory sole provider of water supply services for all of Hong Kong, including outlying islands. It serves residential, commercial, and industrial customers across the territory's 18 District Council districts, supplying both fresh water and salt water for flushing. The department manages an integrated infrastructure base comprising 17 reservoirs, multiple treatment plants, the Tseung Kwan O Desalination Plant (135,000 cubic meters/day, expandable to 270,000), and an extensive distribution network supported by a 60-year Dongjiang water supply arrangement.

Its technology portfolio centers on AMI smart water meter systems, desalination, water quality monitoring, pipeline inspection robotics, and AI-powered leak detection and customer water conservation tools. The Digital Water Office, established June 2024, oversees digital transformation strategy and infrastructure. Product offerings include the eWater mobile app (水務易), Electronic Services Portal, Building Water Safety Plan services, the Quality Water Supply Scheme for Buildings (Blue/Silver/Gold tiers), Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme, and licensed plumber licensing services. Recent launches include a Pipe Robot Joint Laboratory (September 2025), Wireless AMI Smart Water Meter System (November 2025 acceptance), and the AI Water Conservation Team (January 2025).

WSD operates as a publicly funded government agency earning revenue through regulated water supply tariffs (usage-based, billed every 4 months), license fees (Level 1 Plumber License at HKD 105, fishing licenses at HKD 33 for 3 years), and government budget allocations. It is led by the Director of Water Supplies and structured across Development, Finance, Mechanical and Electrical, Design and Construction, Supply and Distribution (New Territories), Supply and Distribution (Urban), and Digital Water Office branches. Partnerships span the World Health Organization, International Water Association, Shenzhen Water Affairs Bureau, South China University of Technology, Vocational Training Council, and the Property Management Industry Authority.

Water Supplies Department firmographics

Firmographics

Name: Water Supplies Department
Legal name: Water Supplies Department (水務署)
Website: https://wsd.gov.hk
Company type: Public
Founded year: 1982
Operating status: Operating
Headcount range: 1,001–5,000 employees
Short description: Water Supplies Department (水務署) is the Hong Kong SAR Government's statutory sole water utility, supplying fresh and salt water to all residential, commercial, and industrial customers across Hong Kong's 18 districts through reservoirs, treatment plants, and the Tseung Kwan O Desalination Plant.
Ownership category
akta.pro rank

Water Supplies Department industry classification

Industry

Product category: Water Utility Services
NAICS: Water Supply and Irrigation Systems (22131), Water, Sewage and Other Systems (2213)
SIC: Water Supply (4941), Electric, Gas & Sanitary Services (4900)
akta.pro primary industry: Water Supply & Wastewater Utilities Administration (BPAIACAG)
akta.pro secondary industries: Water Sourcing & Abstraction (Surface Water, Groundwater, Intake Works) (EUANAAAA), Water Resources Administration (Watersheds, Rivers, Groundwater) (BPAIAMAE)

Keywords

Water supply services
Drinking water infrastructure
Seawater desalination
Water quality monitoring
Water utility management

Where Water Supplies Department is headquartered

Location

Headquarters

HQ city: Wan Chai
HQ country: Hong Kong SAR China
HQ region: Asia

Offices12 records

Markets served

Water Supplies Department business model

Business model

GTM type: B2C
Offering type: Services
Cost components: Infrastructure, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

Water Supply Tariff Revenue: Water supply charges to residential, commercial, and industrial users across Hong Kong. Tariffs are regulated by the Hong Kong government and include fresh water and salt water (for flushing) charges.

Pricing tiers

Model	Billing	Price
Usage-based	Pay-as-you-go	Standard water supply tariff rates
One time/ perpetual license	Pay-as-you-go	Level 1 Plumber License Fee
Unit Pricing	Pay-as-you-go	Fishing License Fee

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Water Supplies Department product offering

Product offering

Core offering

The Water Supplies Department is the Hong Kong SAR Government's sole water utility authority, providing reliable potable water and salt water for flushing to residential, commercial, and industrial customers across all 18 districts of Hong Kong. It operates comprehensive water infrastructure including 17 reservoirs, treatment plants, the Tseung Kwan O Desalination Plant, and an extensive distribution network, while also administering licensed plumber certification, water efficiency labelling, and building water safety programs.

Product overview

Water Supplies Department operates as Hong Kong's government water authority providing integrated water services through a multi-channel delivery model. Core services include drinking water supply, saltwater for flushing, and wastewater management. The department's digital portfolio centers on the water務易 eWater mobile app and electronic services portal, supplemented by physical customer enquiry centers and a 24/7 hotline. Key programs include the Quality Water Supply Scheme for Buildings (QMS) with Blue/Silver/Gold certification tiers, the Enhanced Water Quality Monitoring Programme, the Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme (WELS) covering six product categories, and the Building Water Safety Plan framework. Infrastructure assets include the Tseung Kwan O Desalination Plant, multiple filtration plants, and reservoir monitoring systems with unmanned vessels. Recent initiatives include the Digital Water Office for transformation, wireless AMI smart meter systems, a Pipe Robot Joint Laboratory, and AI-powered customer engagement tools. Licensed plumber services, water meter testing, educational facilities (H2OPE Centre), and fishing licenses complete the service ecosystem.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

Water Services Easy (水務易/eWater): Comprehensive mobile application for water services
H2OPE Centre (水知園)

Products and services

水務易 eWater Mobile App Comprehensive integrated mobile application providing 24/7 access to water account management, bill payment, meter reading submissions, service applications, and water supply information for Hong Kong consumers.
Water Supply and Distribution Services Core government service providing reliable drinking water and salt water for flushing to residential, commercial, and industrial customers across Hong Kong, with 100% compliance with drinking water standards.
Quality Water Supply Scheme for Buildings - Fresh Water Voluntary certification program recognizing buildings that implement water safety plans and maintain internal plumbing systems, offering Blue, Silver, and Gold certificate tiers based on participation duration.
Tseung Kwan O Desalination Plant Seawater desalination facility producing up to 135,000 cubic meters of drinking water daily, with expansion capacity to 270,000 cubic meters, using advanced desalination technology.
Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme (WELS) Voluntary scheme covering showers, taps, water closets, urinal equipment, flow controllers, and washing machines to promote water-efficient products among consumers and manufacturers.
Water Safety Plan Subsidy Scheme Financial subsidy program supporting building owners to implement water safety plans and improve internal plumbing systems.
Electronic Services Portal Online platform (esd.wsd.gov.hk) for account management, license applications, meter testing bookings, and various water service requests.
Licensed Plumber Licensing Services Licensing, regulation, and directory services for licensed plumbers including online application, renewal, replacement services, and continuing education programs.
Educational Visits and H2OPE Centre Public education facilities including the H2OPE Centre and guided tours of water treatment facilities for schools and community groups.
Customer Service Hotline 2824 5000 24-hour automated and live customer service hotline providing water supply inquiries, bill payments, account services, and emergency reporting.
Enhanced Water Quality Monitoring Programme Water quality monitoring initiative testing drinking water at consumer taps for six metals (antimony, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, nickel) using two-tier sampling methodology, covering all 18 District Council districts.

Quantifiable outcome

100% compliance with Hong Kong drinking water standards
+3 more outcomes

Companies that use Water Supplies Department

Customer profile

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Water Supplies Department technology and API

Technology

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API: No
API docs
API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability1 record

Feature7 records

Water Supplies Department partnerships and signals

Strategic signal

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered major and core.

華南理工大學 (South China University of Technology)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 June 2026Signed cooperation memorandum of understanding in June 2026 for collaboration in water-related research and development, technology exchange, and professional training between WSD and the university.
Pipeline Robot Joint LaboratorymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2025WSD established a pipeline robot joint laboratory in September 2025 for developing advanced pipeline inspection and maintenance robotics technology.
深圳市水務局 (Shenzhen Water Affairs Bureau)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 March 2023Established the 'Joint Water Affairs Working Group' with Shenzhen Water Affairs Bureau in March 2023 to promote water development cooperation between Hong Kong and Shenzhen.
賓尼斯工程顧問有限公司 (Binnes Engineering Consultants)coreTechnology or IntegrationProject consultant for the Tseung Kwan O Desalination Plant Phase 1 (contracts 13/WSD/17), responsible for engineering design, construction and operation oversight.
世界衞生組織 (World Health Organization)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWHO welcomed WSD's development of building water safety plan guidelines and templates based on WHO recommendations. These guidelines were published on WHO and International Water Association's co-managed website.
國際水協會 (International Water Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with IWA on publishing building water safety plan guidelines and templates on their joint platform.
物業管理業監管局 (Property Management Industry Authority)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIn March 2026, WSD and Property Management Industry Authority jointly awarded certificates to property management companies for effective protection of drinking water safety.
VTC 職業訓練局 (Vocational Training Council)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerWSD collaborates with VTC for plumber licensing qualification - VTC issues the plumbing trade certificate required for Level 1 plumber license applications.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Water Supplies Department competitors and assessment

Company assessment

Direct peers

Public Utilities Board (PUB) Singapore: Singapore's national water agency operating as the integrated water authority with desalination (NEWater/tuas), distribution, and digital water management — the closest structural analog to WSD's full-vertical monopoly role serving a dense city-state.
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Bureau of Waterworks: Government-operated water utility serving the Tokyo metropolitan area with full source-to-tap responsibility, advanced leak management programs, and quality compliance comparable to WSD's operational model.
San Francisco Public Utilities Commission: Municipal department operating water and wastewater infrastructure for San Francisco — directly comparable as a public-sector water utility with full source-to-tap responsibility and innovative infrastructure programs.
Shenzhen Water Affairs Bureau (深圳市水务局): Greater Bay Area partner and counterparty water authority; an existing Joint Working Group partner with WSD since March 2023, operating a comparable source-to-tap water utility in a tier-1 Chinese city.

Broad incumbents

Sydney Water: State-owned corporation providing water and wastewater services across Greater Sydney — comparable in scope, regulatory oversight, and scale of operations, though Australia-based rather than Asia.
Thames Water: UK's largest water utility serving London — comparable in scale of water supply operations though operating under a privatized regulated model rather than direct government administration.
Beijing Enterprises Water Group: One of China's largest water utility platforms operating municipal water supply and sewage projects across mainland China — a much larger commercial-scale incumbent in the adjacent mainland water utility market.

Regional players

Guangdong Water (粤海水务 / Guangdong Water Affairs): Mainland Chinese water utility operated under Guangdong provincial administration — the supplier-side counterparty for the Dongjiang arrangement that supplies the majority of Hong Kong's fresh water.
Metropolitan Waterworks Authority (Bangkok): Thai state enterprise providing water supply in the Bangkok metropolitan area — comparable as a regional Asian government water utility with similar mandate and scale.
Macao Water (SAAM): Concession holder operating the integrated water supply system in Macao SAR under a government concession; comparable in scale and geographic concentration to WSD's Hong Kong franchise.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Water Supplies Department financial estimates

Financial estimate

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Water Supplies Department leadership team

Management profile

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Water Supplies Department funding detail

Funding detail

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Water Supplies Department M&A and investment

M&A and investment

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Water Supplies Department

What does Water Supplies Department do?

Is Water Supplies Department a public or private company?

Water Supplies Department is a public company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.

When was Water Supplies Department founded?

Water Supplies Department was founded in 1982. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.

Where is Water Supplies Department based?

Water Supplies Department is headquartered in Wan Chai, Hong Kong SAR China, in the Asia region.

How does Water Supplies Department make money?

One revenue line is on record: water Supply Tariff Revenue.

Who are Water Supplies Department's main competitors?

Direct peers on record are Public Utilities Board (PUB) Singapore, Tokyo Metropolitan Government Bureau of Waterworks, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission and Shenzhen Water Affairs Bureau (深圳市水务局). Broad incumbents are Sydney Water, Thames Water and Beijing Enterprises Water Group. Regional players are Guangdong Water (粤海水务 / Guangdong Water Affairs), Metropolitan Waterworks Authority (Bangkok) and Macao Water (SAAM).

Does Water Supplies Department have an API?

No public API is recorded for Water Supplies Department.

What industry is Water Supplies Department in?

Water Supplies Department's product category is Water Utility Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAIACAG, Water Supply & Wastewater Utilities Administration, with a secondary code of EUANAAAA, Water Sourcing & Abstraction (Surface Water, Groundwater, Intake Works). Its NAICS code is 22131 and its SIC code is 4941.