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The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Housing Authority:
The Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA)'s Review Committee on Quality Assurance Issues Relating to Fresh Water Supply of Public Housing Estates submitted its Final Report to HA Chairman today (January 8).
The Review Committee is of the view that the HA/Housing Department (HD)'s past quality control mechanism had certain inadequacies.
The HA/HD's quality control mechanism is risk-based, and is drawn up having regard to the laws and regulations, industry and trade practices, past experiences and known risks. The Review Committee considers that the HD has the expertise and experience and has put in place a stringent quality control mechanism in aspects where high risks have been identified. However, it had not been conscious of the risks of presence of lead in solder joints and of such presence leading to excess lead in water. Therefore, it had not targeted soldering materials as a high risk item for contractors' checking and monitoring upon delivery to site and during construction, and had not checked the lead content in soldering materials when pipe joints were inspected in the past.
Noting the inadequacies in the HA/HD's past quality control system, the Review Committee earlier recommended the following three measures in its Report on Interim Findings:
1. To require the main contractors to test water samples for lead and other heavy metals for newly established inside service in accordance with the Water Authorityˇ¦s latest requirements;
2. To require the main contractors to submit and comply with a stringent plumbing subcontractor management plan covering supervision and on-site monitoring (including measures such as central procurement of soldering materials by the main contractor or domestic sub-contractor; checking soldering/brazing materials upon delivery to site before putting them under quarantine, and during construction stage; and recording the works completed by individual workers so that they become more traceable); and
3. To use quick test methods to check for the presence of lead in soldering joints.
The Review Committee has made the following additional recommendations in its Final Report:
4. To include soldering/brazing alloys, and copper pipes and fittings in the list of on-site delivery verification items. Soldering/brazing joints should also be included in the list of plumbing items that require checking by the site inspection staff; and
5. To train site inspection staff to inspect whether the main contractors have duly conducted their supervisory checks.
The Review Committee notes that the above enhancement measures have already been put into practice by the HA/HD.
The Review Committee is of the view that there were also some inadequacies at the regulatory and industry-wide levels.
The Review Committee considers that there had been inadequate awareness of the stakeholders in the construction industry, including the HA/HD, on the use of leaded soldering materials and their consequences on drinking water quality. Before the "excess-lead-in-water" incidents, the testing of water samples did not include lead or other heavy metals. The main contractors failed to fulfill the contractual requirement of lead-free solder for copper pipe connections, did not pay due attention to the soldering materials purchased and used, and did not put in place a proper quality control and supervision mechanism. In addition, the plumbing workers on-site lacked the knowledge to differentiate which type of soldering material was "lead free".
The Review Committee sees the need for training institutions to enhance their training programmes for licensed plumbers and workers in the plumbing trade. The Review Committee also agrees that the Water Authority should review the Waterworks Ordinance and Waterworks Regulations to see if improvement is necessary.
Looking ahead, the Review Committee expects the HA/HD to keep in view the developments on the understanding of risks, including the future findings and recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry into Excess Lead Found in Drinking Water, and the latest statutory and administrative requirements, in respect of all aspects of water quality.
An HA spokesman said, "The HA Chairman has received the Final Report today. He will invite the HA members to express their views on the Report at the HA's Regular Open Meeting on January 18."
The English version of the Report have been uploaded onto the HA's website: www.housingauthority.gov.hk/en/about-us/news-centre/press-releases/final_report.html.
Ends/Friday, January 8, 2016
Issued at HKT 17:55
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