Current condition
In use
Date completed
(Day, Month, & Year are approximate.)
The rooftop of the reservoir is being used for recreational purposes (tennis courts) by the Ladies' Recreation Club, under a tenancy agreement ($250 per year, renewable annually, agreement in place since 1966).
Source: https://gia.info.gov.hk/general/201807/04/P2018070400776_287511_1_15307…
Comments
Earlier construction date?
On hkmaps.hk, the service reservoir appear already on the 1889 map. Possibly the tank was built at the same time as the filter beds.
1896 Public Works Department Annual Report
79. Covered Reservoir, Bowen Road
This work was carried out for the purpose of rendering a supply of water from Albany Nullah available for the public gardens. The reservoir is situated at the junction of Garden and Bowen Roads and has a capacity of 50,000 gallons
The works carried out include the construction of the reservoir and re-arrangement of the water service to the Public Gardens and the grounds of Government House, so as to substitute this unfiltered water supply for that previously obtained from the mains in connection with Albany Filter Beds.
Historic Building Appraisal
See details about the reservoir here, e.g. that it was an open reservoir and the cover was added in 1953/55.
It looks as though the 1896…
It looks as though the 1896 Public Works Department Annual Report quoted above is describing a different reservoir: it refers to a covered reservoir with a capacity of 50,000 gallons, but the Historic Building Appraisal says the Albany Service Reservoir reservoir was initially uncovered, and had a capacity of 5.7 million gallons.
Re: 1896 reservoir
Yes David, you're right. I should read my posts more carefully. The 1896 reservoir collects water from the Albany Nullah and is not connected to the Albany Filter Beds. Probably further downhill, possibly somewhere between Bowen and MacDonnell Roads at the Albany Nullah.