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Saturday, Feb 22, 2025
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Disclosing the location of "lead water” may hinder monitoring program
Director of Water Supplies Lo Kwok-wah said that disclosing the specific location of the lead-contaminated water supply may hinder its water monitoring program as participants joined on a voluntary basis.
This came after water samples from a non-domestic premise in Wan Chai were found to contain lead levels exceeding Hong Kong safety standards for drinking water – the first time since December 2017.
The department drew criticism for not telling the public exactly which building it was.
Lo said naming the location may affect operations of the Enhanced Water Quality Monitoring Programme, which premises join on a voluntary basis. But he stressed that if public safety was involved, they would announce the specific location.
The WSD said earlier that they had contacted the people in charge of the premises and requested them to inform all users in the building and take appropriate preventive and mitigation measures, including the use of alternative drinking water sources and posting notices at conspicuous places in the building.
The department also said it will continue to closely follow up on the implementation of these measures and provide assistance when necessary.
The department drew criticism for not telling the public exactly which building it was.
Lo said naming the location may affect operations of the Enhanced Water Quality Monitoring Programme, which premises join on a voluntary basis. But he stressed that if public safety was involved, they would announce the specific location.
The WSD said earlier that they had contacted the people in charge of the premises and requested them to inform all users in the building and take appropriate preventive and mitigation measures, including the use of alternative drinking water sources and posting notices at conspicuous places in the building.
The department also said it will continue to closely follow up on the implementation of these measures and provide assistance when necessary.
