【明報專訊】Water comes out as we turn on the tap. However, do you know where water in Hong Kong comes from? Water from Dongjiang (東江), a tributary (支流) of the Pearl River (珠江), is the main source of our freshwater supply, which accounts for 70%-80% of the local consumption.

The Hong Kong Government has imported water from Dongjiang since 1960 under the Dongjiang Water Supply Agreement. The Agreement was renewed in late November. It has been agreed that Hong Kong will pay 14.42 billion dollars to the Guangdong Provincial Government for water supply in 2018-2020. It is 7% more expensive than the original deal.

Under the Agreement, Hong Kong pays a packaged lump sum. Some groups have suggested that the Hong Kong government should be charged for the exact amount of water actually used. In response, the Development Bureau has said that the Guangdong government had agreed that it would revise the Agreement in the 2020 renewal.(Source: Ming Pao)

■English highway﹕Reported speech

When we quote something said by others, we used the reported speech. As the message was already delivered before it is reported, the verb forms and tenses should be changed in the reported speech. Pay attention to the change of pronouns too.

e.g. "I am reading a book," said Sam.

→ Sam said that he was reading a book.

■Game １

Water is delivered to us through pipes. However, some pieces have been stolen by Eason! Can you help the Smarties to put them back?

(Answers on next text)

■Game ２

Water is treated before it is delivered to households and other users. Put the steps of the water treatment process in the correct order. Write your answers on the droplets.

a. Large particles are removed by sedimentation (沉澱法).

b. Bacteria are killed by adding chlorine (氯氣) and ozone (臭氧) in the water.

c. Various chemicals are added to adjust the acidity and remove dissolved chemicals.

d. Small particles are removed by filtration (過濾法).

(Source: Water Supplies Department)

■Glossary

account for (phr v) (數量)佔

deal (n) 協議

lump sum (n phr) 一次付清的總額

revise (v) 修訂；檢討

[Smarties' Power English 第201期]