The growth in population and of the economy of Hong Kong has caused a significant increase in the demand for fresh water. To secure sufficient water supply and to reduce reliance on imported water from Dongjiang (East River) in Mainland China, the Hong Kong Special Administration Region (HKSAR) government has implemented a wide range of water conservation measures which include the use of seawater for toilet flushing, metering and a tiered water tariff, large-scale replacement and rehabilitation of ageing pipelines to reduce leakage, valve-type toilet flushing apparatus and education and publicity programmes. To ensure sustainable and safe water supply, the HKSAR government is actively exploring alternative water resources including the treated effluent from sewage treatment plant, desalination of seawater and the extension of water-gathering grounds in the territory. © 2009 The Authors. Water and Environment Journal © 2009 CIWEM.