LCQ22: Rectification works to replace water pipes in PRH estates affected by excess lead found in drinking water
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     Following is a question by the Hon WU Chi-wai and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Professor Anthony Cheung Bing-leung, in the Legislative Council today (May 18):

Question:

     The Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) announced in March this year that it would arrange contractors to carry out rectification works to replace the non-compliant water pipes in the 11 public rental housing estates affected by excess lead found in drinking water (the affected estates).  The contractors would first replace the water pipes in the common areas (common pipes) and then those installed inside the domestic units (domestic unit pipes).  HA also indicated that the actual time required for replacing the water pipes would depend on factors such as the number and design of the blocks of the respective estates, the weather conditions as well as the deployment of workers and other resources.  In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) of the current progress of the works to replace the common pipes in respect of each of the affected estates, including (i) the commencement date, (ii) the total length of the common pipes, (iii) the total length of the pipes requiring replacement and, among them, the length of the pipes which have been replaced and its percentage in the total length, (iv) the original anticipated date of completion, and (v) the latest anticipated date of completion;

(2) whether HA has agreed with the contractors concerned on the deadlines for completion of the works to replace the common pipes; if HA has, of such deadlines and the penalties for failure to meet the deadlines; if not, how HA monitors the progress of the works concerned;

(3) of the earliest time expected by HA when the contractors may commence the works to replace the domestic unit pipes; for those estates having fewer blocks and for which the works to replace the common pipes requiring a shorter time to complete, whether HA will require the contractors concerned to commence the works to replace domestic unit pipes expeditiously; and

(4) whether it knows the exact date on which the independent Commission of Inquiry into Excess Lead Found in Drinking Water set up by the Government will publish its investigation findings; whether the Government has plans to make monetary compensation to the residents of the affected estates?

ReplyˇG

PresidentˇG

     My reply to the Hon WU Chi-wai's questions is as follows:

(1) The rectification works to replace water pipes in the common areas of domestic blocks in the 11 public rental housing (PRH) developments affected by excess-lead-in-water started on March 14, 2016.  The contractors will replace the non-compliant water pipes in the common areas first, while those inside individual units will only be replaced at the next stage.  The time required for replacing the non-compliant water pipes in the common areas in each estate varies, depending on the number and the design of the blocks involved.  The Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) has posted notices in the lobbies of the affected estates to inform tenants of the estimated time required for replacement of water pipes in the common areas of each block.  However, the actual time required for the works would be subject to weather conditions, allocation of manpower and other resources, etc.  The contractors would also need to make work arrangements from the works perspective of each estate.  

     We do not have information regarding part (ii) and (iii) of the question, namely the total length of the common pipes and the total length and the percentage of the pipes requiring replacement.

(2) HA has requested the contractors to replace the non-compliant water pipes in the common areas of the 11 affected PRH developments as soon as possible.  However, as mentioned in (1) above, the actual time required for replacing the non-compliant water pipes in the common areas in each estate would depend on factors such as the number and the design of the blocks involved, weather conditions, allocation of manpower and other resources.  Hence, we have not set a deadline for the completion of works.  HA has been maintaining close communication with the contractors to closely monitor and follow up the progress of works.  In addition, regular communication meetings are held among the contractors, estate management staff and the Housing Department (HD)'s project team to enhance communication and to work out how to minimise nuisance and inconvenience to tenants.

(3) To enable tenants to have access to safe drinking water, HA has requested the contractors to replace the non-compliant water pipes as soon as possible.  As mentioned in (1) above, the contractors will basically replace the non-compliant water pipes in the common areas first, while those inside individual units will only be replaced at the next stage.  As the actual time required for replacing the non-compliant water pipes in the common areas in each estate would be affected by a number of factors and thus be different, the timing for commencement of rectification works inside individual units would also vary from one estate to another.  Regarding the detailed work plan and timetable for rectification works inside individual units, HA will announce the arrangements after the works in the common areas have been completed, prior to the commencement of works inside individual units.

(4) The Commission of Inquiry into Excess Lead Found in Drinking Water submitted its report to the Chief Executive on May 11, 2016.  The Government is consulting the Department of Justice on the manner of the publication of the report and other relevant matters (including whether any redaction is necessary).

     Since the discovery of the "excess-lead-in-water" incident, the Government and HA have taken a series of follow-up measures according to priority.  In the previous period of time, the most urgent and important task was to ensure the supply of safe drinking water to affected tenants.  Various measures that have been implemented include: water sampling tests conducted by the Water Supplies Department and HD for all PRH estates; in respect of the 11 affected PRH developments, the Government and HA have provided water wagons or tanks as well as standpipes, supplied bottled water, and requested the contractors concerned to install temporary water points by connecting pipes from the roof-top tank to each floor, as well as to install water filters and replace filter cartridges for two years for the affected domestic households free of charge.  In order to rectify the problem thoroughly, the contractors are replacing the non-compliant pipes in the affected estates.  We will closely monitor and follow up with the contractors in this regard.  In addition, the contractors have provided each household in the 11 affected PRH developments with a subsidy of $660 for paying water and sewage charges within three years starting from January 1, 2016.

Ends/Wednesday, May 18, 2016
Issued at HKT 12:55

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