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The Director of Water Supplies, Mr Enoch Lam, said today (August 21) that participation in the Quality Water Recognition Scheme for Buildings (QWRSB) has continued to grow and that the Flushing Water Plumbing Quality Maintenance Recognition Scheme (FWPQMRS), launched last year, has also received strong support. More than 1 million registered water accounts are now benefiting under the schemes. He encouraged property owners and management companies to join these schemes and work together to provide reliable quality water to the public.
The Water Supplies Department (WSD) held the annual certificate presentation ceremony for the QWRSB and the FWPQMRS today. As at the end of July, 3,888 certificates had been awarded under the QWRSB, representing an increase of 206 from last year's figure. Even though the FWPQMRS was only introduced in July last year, nearly 1,000 certificates have been issued under the scheme so far. More than 1.17 million water accounts have benefited from the QWRSB and 190,000 accounts have benefited from the FWPQMRS.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Lam said that well-maintained water plumbing systems help to create a healthy and environmentally friendly environment for water consumption. He expressed the hope that property owners and property managers would continue their support for the Government's measures for water supply management and protection of water resources.
The two schemes are run on a voluntary basis. Gold, silver and blue certificates are awarded according to the number of years of continuous participation. Buildings joining the schemes have to ensure that their fresh water/flushing water plumbing systems are inspected at least every three months by licensed plumbers, qualified building services surveyors or engineers, and that the systems are confirmed to be in good condition. All defects identified in the inspections should be promptly rectified. Also, the fresh water tanks need to be cleaned at least every three months and the flushing water tanks every six months.
Under the QWRSB, water samples are taken in accordance with recommended procedures and tested for specified items - once a year for new applications and once every two years for renewal applications. The water samples should be taken within three months before the date of submission of the application. Certificates are awarded when test results meet the acceptable limits of water quality indicators.
Details of the two schemes and application procedures are available on the WSD's website (www.wsd.gov.hk) and from the WSD's 24-hour enquiry hotline, 2824 5000.
Ends/Thursday, August 21, 2014
Issued at HKT 18:11
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