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‘We need an answer’: concerns rise over Hong Kong report on lead-in-water scandal

Lawmakers and residents question whether parts of water scare report were redacted

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Edmond Ng Yat-long, 8, fetches water from temporary pipes on a floor at Sheung Ching House in Kai Ching Estate during the water scare last year. Photo: May Tse

The government is considering whether to release a full report on last year’s tainted water scare that affected about 29,000 households on 11 public housing estates, or if it should redact certain information before release.

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The move has prompted concern that possible concealment could help officials and building contractors involved in the water safety scandal shirk responsibility.

Some worried residents also questioned the need to withhold the findings from the public.

The incident happened in June last year when tests showed tap water at Kai Ching Estate in Kowloon City contained amounts of lead exceeding World Health Organisation standards. Government tests later found similar levels at several other public housing estates, where pipes in flats were soldered with materials containing lead.

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Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying yesterday received the report compiled by a judge-led commission that had conducted 67 days of hearings from November last year to March this year and examined evidence from 72 witnesses to determine the causes of the contamination.

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