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The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Housing Authority:
The Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) convened an informal meeting today (June 3) to hear Members' views on the report of the Commission of Inquiry into Excess Lead Found in Drinking Water (COI) and discuss follow-up actions.
The Secretary for Transport and Housing and HA Chairman, Professor Anthony Cheung Bing-leung, said at the meeting that the HA was already implementing all the enhancement measures put forward by the Review Committee on Quality Assurance Issues Relating to Fresh Water Supply of Public Housing Estates to strengthen monitoring of contractors and subcontractors as well as the control and checking of materials (including soldering materials). The measures cover various aspects including contract specifications, delivery and verification of materials, monitoring during construction and testing upon completion. The COI supports these enhancement measures adopted by the HA in its report.
In addition, the Housing Department (HD) will review the monitoring system from time to time to ensure the quality and safety of construction as well as its effectiveness. It will also enhance staff awareness and knowledge of risks in relation to drinking water quality. Professor Cheung also asked the HD to learn from the incident. In addition to putting effort into developing and managing public housing, a culture that emphasises safety and quality control with constant alertness to risks should also be encouraged. All management staff should work as a team to enhance communication and interaction within the department, and to maintain the HD's communication and co-operation with other Government departments.
Members had a thorough discussion of the recommendations in the COI's report. Some of the recommendations involve the HA's participation in the Water Supplies Department (WSD)'s work. The HD's representative said that the HA would actively participate in this aspect, including the establishment of a Water Safety Plan for public rental housing (PRH) estates, and would participate and co-operate with the Government in its follow-up work after WSD has established a suitable water sampling protocol.
The HD's representative also reported on the latest progress of the follow-up actions in relation to the "excess-lead-in-water" incident, including the progress of rectification works, which is a matter of concern for the public and tenants.
The department said that the contractors concerned had started to replace the water pipes in the common areas of the 11 affected PRH estates on March 14 this year. After such works are completed, the HA will announce the arrangements for rectification works inside flats. As works will be carried out inside flats, the various problems that may possibly be encountered must be carefully considered to minimise any inconvenience caused to tenants.
As for the issue of testing the drinking water of all PRH estates again, the Development Bureau and the WSD announced that an international expert panel would be set up. Views on issues such as developing a water quality standard and a water sampling protocol for Hong Kong would be sought from the experts. Subject to the deliberations and recommendations of the international expert panel, the HA would fully co-operate with the Government on this aspect of work.
Members were generally concerned about the issue of holding the contractors accountable. The department said that the HA had all along been taking action against the contractors for their liabilities under the contracts. The HA's Tender Committee took regulatory action against the four contractors concerned last year based on information available at the time. The department is now analysing the parts relating to the contractors in the COI's report. It will collate and submit the information to the Tender Committee at an appropriate juncture for discussion and consideration of whether further follow-up action needs to be taken.
In his concluding remarks, Professor Cheung said that the HA would follow up the COI's views and recommendations comprehensively, and continue to keep Members and the public informed of the progress of follow-up work.
Ends/Friday, June 3, 2016
Issued at HKT 18:52
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