Lawmaker hits out at Hong Kong tainted water action plan

But official counters that taking 670 samples helps city understand general quality of household fresh water

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Tap water samples are taken from a flat at public housing Kai Ching Estate in Kai Tak. Photo: May Tse

Published: 9:30pm, 21 Sep 2017Updated: 8:15pm, 25 Sep 2017

The government’s action plan for enhancing drinking water safety in Hong Kong fails to tackle head-on the root of the tainted water scandal that hit the city two years ago, a lawmaker has argued, while the official overseeing the supply counters it can still detect metal contamination.

Democratic Party lawmaker Helena Wong Pik-wan insisted “first draw” water samples should be collected for testing to find out whether plumbing materials were tainted or not.

What you should know about Hong Kong’s new drinking water regulations

A first draw sample from tap water is one that has stood motionless in plumbing pipes for at least six hours. It is collected without flushing the tap.

Instead, in a multi-pronged plan announced on Thursday for improving drinking water safety, the government decided to collect random water samples annually from consumers’ taps for testing. Those failing to meet the standard in the first stage of testing would be subject to another sampling: still water samples collected 30 minutes after the tap has run for five minutes.

Residents of Kai Ching Estate stocking up on water from a temporary supply tanker in July 2015. Photo: Felix Wong

The action plan came two years after excessive lead was found in tap water in many local housing estates, schools and public hospitals.