Is PipeHK's flow data measured or simulated?

Entirely simulated. The system calculates theoretical load based on user-selected rainfall scenarios—not real-time monitoring from the Drainage Services Department, and not an official flood warning.

Can I use PipeHK to predict flooding near my home?

No. PipeHK shows theoretical pipe load only. Actual flooding depends on terrain, blockages, tides, and other factors. For flood risk information, consult the Hong Kong Observatory and Drainage Services Department.

Why do some pipes show white pulses?

White pulses highlight the segments carrying the highest flow in the current scenario, helping users quickly identify the most heavily loaded parts of the system.

Can I customize rainfall distribution?

Yes. Enable the rainfall brush feature to manually draw precipitation zones on the map and test how localized storms affect downstream pipes.

PipeHK

PipeHK visualizes all 132,654 stormwater pipes across Hong Kong, calculating real-time network load by rainfall intensity. Click any pipe to trace flow paths and understand drainage system performance during storms.

Visit PipeHK

Summary

PipeHK is an open interactive mapping tool that visualizes Hong Kong's entire stormwater drainage system. Users can simulate network load under different rainfall intensities, trace water flow from upstream to sea, and understand how the drainage infrastructure responds to storm events.

What is PipeHK?

PipeHK integrates data on 132,654 stormwater pipes across Hong Kong into an interactive map. The system calculates simulated flow for each pipe based on user-selected rainfall scenarios (light rain 10mm to black rainstorm 70mm), displaying load levels through color-coded gradients. Users can click any pipe to view its capacity, trace downstream paths, or use a rainfall brush to define custom precipitation zones. This is an educational and planning simulation tool—not real-time monitoring data or an official flood warning system.

Core Capabilities

Territory-wide pipe network: 130,000+ stormwater pipes, zoomable to any district
Rainfall scenario simulation: Four preset intensities (10/30/50/70mm) or follow live weather forecasts
Flow visualization: Color-coded load display (0.02–8 m³/s scale); white pulses mark peak-flow segments
Path tracing: Click any pipe to trace water flow from that point to the sea
Rainfall brush: Manually draw precipitation areas to test localized storm impacts
Multilingual interface: Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, and English

Pros

Open data in action: Transforms government drainage data into accessible interactive experience
Real-time calculation: Drag sliders or adjust rainfall; system updates entire network instantly
Educational value: Ideal for schools and communities to learn urban drainage principles
Planning reference: Helps researchers and engineers assess network performance under various scenarios
No installation: Web-based tool accessible from any device

Positioning & best fit

PipeHK positions itself as a public education and professional reference tool, making Hong Kong's complex stormwater system understandable to non-specialists. It serves users interested in urban infrastructure, climate adaptation, or flood risk.

Educators and students: Teaching resource for geography and environmental science courses
Community groups: Explain local drainage capacity and storm response to residents
Planning and engineering professionals: Preliminary assessment of network load distribution and potential bottlenecks
Data enthusiasts: Explore open data applications and digital infrastructure visualization