Forest Village II: The Reservoir of Mui Tsz Lam

The reservoir located behind Mui Tsz Lam Village is its lifeblood, sustaining the community for generations.

Water supply to remote countryside villages has always been a formidable challenge. Without a connection to the city's water grid, Mui Tsz Lam has long relied on a small reservoir fed by a mountain stream. After heavy rain, sand and debris are washed down from upstream and gradually accumulate at the bottom, reducing the reservoir's capacity.

To ensure a sufficient and clean water supply for Mui Tsz Lam, the villagers gather each year to clean the reservoir. Before the rainy season, the Village Representative leads villagers, volunteers, and project team members in cleaning the reservoir. A ten-minute walk up the path beside the old house leads to a large green nylon net covering two connected small cisterns. Two layers of netting trap falling leaves, while a chest-high concrete dam with a barbecue grill net in front of the outlet filters debris. This simple yet inventive system, designed and refined by villagers over the years, has supplied water to Mui Tsz Lam for decades.

When cleaning begins, ropes tied to trees are first untied to remove the nylon net and drain the reservoir. Once emptied, some remove the silt while others help carry it away bucket by bucket. The final step is unclogging the water pipes. Despite the physical labour, sweat-soaked efforts, and occasional complaints, the task is completed with laughter and chatter.

The continuous flow of mountain water is indeed a blessing, but it's the collective efforts of the villagers and volunteers that truly keep Mui Tsz Lam flourishing.