Tagged: Yi O
Plan to build fence around Yi O ‘infinity pool’
The Water Supplies Department has proposed installing a fence and CCTV to prevent people bathing in the popular Shui Lo Cho ‘infinity pool’ near Yi O.
The scenic pool on Lantau’s west coast has become a popular tourist spot but, along with the Shek Pik Reservoir, it is the source of Tai O’s drinking water.
In a paper to the Islands District Council, the department noted that since 2014, the council, the Tai O Rural Committee and local residents had become “concerned about the problem of polluted water quality” brought about by illegal swimming.
Swimmer-proof fence (Source: WSD)
It proposed building a fence and installing CCTV to monitor visitors and to aid law enforcement and prosecution.
Under the Waterworks Ordinance any person who enters the water commits an offence, with penalties of up to HK$50,000 and two years’ prison
Since 2014, 15 people have been convicted.
Rock climber airlifted to hospital after 6m fall near Yi O pool
A 41-year-old man is in hospital with serious head injuries after falling six metres while rock-climbing near Yi O.
The man, surnamed Chan, was rescued by a helicopter and sent to hospital on Saturday afternoon, according to a Ming Pao report.
Chan, an experienced rock and canyon climber, went alone to the foot of the Shui Lo Chu Stream, near the so-called infinity pool. The Hong Kong Mountaineering Association rates it a grade 4 in degree of difficulty.
Chan fell, suffering serious head wounds, and was rescued by a passing Water Supplies Department patrol. They called a Government Flying Service helicopter which airlifted him to hospital.
The Shui Lo Cho pool is a popular but illicit tourist attraction. The watercourse supplies Tai O’s drinking water. Tourists who swim in the pool risk a penalty of a $50,000 fine and up to two years’ jail.
Hikers fined for swiming in Yi O infinity pool
Two people have been fined HK$500 for swimming in the Man Cheung Po infinity pool at Yi O.
The site, a 30-minute walk from Tai O, is a popular summer destination for its spectacular waterfall and pool, but is also protected under the Waterworks Ordinance.
The Water Supplies Department (WSD) received a complaint that people had entered the water catchment area in June and worked with police to identify the offenders, the Oriental Daily reports.
Crowds at the pool (Source: Oriental Daily)
The two were convicted in West Kowloon Magistrates Court on July 24 for being in a water catchment area in violation of the Waterworks Ordinance.
Under the Waterworks Ordinance, it is an offence for any person to enter a water facility to swim, with a penalty of a fine of up to $50,000 and two years’ prison.
Lantau Confidential 