People's Government of Nanshan District

An underground water tunnel connecting Xili Reservoir with Nanshan Water Plant has been put through recently, allowing next-step work, such as installing pipes and pumps, to continue.

Construction workers pose for a photo to mark the breakthrough of the underground water tunnel. File photos

Extending 5.3 km with a diameter of 5.4 meters, the tunnel runs underground at depths ranging from 51 to 201 meters.

This is the first deep underground water tunnel ever built in Shenzhen. Construction began in January 2024.

With an investment of 1.09 billion yuan (US$161 million), the project also includes building a raw water intake structure, three vertical shafts, and a pump station. When completed, the system will be able to transport 1.3 million cubic meters of water per day.

A view of Xili Reservoir.

Nanshan Water Plant is currently supplied by Tiegang Reservoir with water from the Xijiang River. When the new water tunnel is put into use, the water plant will be able to also source water from Xili Reservoir, which receives most of its water from the Dongjiang River, along with water from several local rivers.

An aerial view of Nanshan Water Plant.

The rapid growth of the Qianhai, Houhai and Liuxiandong areas in the district has raised the demand for tap water, and Nanshan Water Plant is also being upgraded with the target of a daily water supply of 1.2 million cubic meters.

The largest water plant in Shenzhen, Nanshan Water Plant serves a population of over 1.8 million.