Lead content of drinking water of Kwai Tsui Estate within limit

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     In view of recent media reports on excess lead found in the drinking water in four flats in Kwai Tsui Estate, the Water Supplies Department (WSD) has collected five drinking water samples from three of these flats upon obtaining consent from the tenants concerned. Results showed that the lead content of all the drinking water samples was within limit (i.e. lead content not exceeding 10 micrograms per litre).

     A spokesman for the WSD said today (July 21), "The WSD collected six-hour stagnation drinking water samples from the three flats yesterday (July 20). Results showed that for the two flats in Bik Tsui House of Kwai Tsui Estate with tenants newly moved in, the lead content of the drinking water samples was one microgram and four micrograms per litre respectively, while for the flat in Luk Tsui House of Kwai Tsui Estate which is under renovation and with tenants not yet moved in, the lead content of the drinking water sample was four micrograms per litre. The lead content of the six-hour stagnation drinking water samples collected by the WSD from the aforesaid two flats in Bik Tsui House on July 18 was also within limit. The overall test results have shown that the lead content of the drinking water of the three flats are within limit. As for the remaining flat alleged to have excess lead found in drinking water, the WSD was not able to obtain the tenant's consent for conducting water quality tests."

     The spokesman said that the department will continue to keep in view the condition of the drinking water quality of Kwai Tsui Estate.

     When collecting the water samples, the WSD noticed that the tenants of some of the flats had altered the water pipes and replaced the water taps of their flats. The spokesman reminds water consumers that as new fittings will generally have a higher metal leaching rate during their early stage of use, new water pipes and fittings should be thoroughly flushed to ensure drinking water safety.

     "As testing of metal contents in drinking water samples involves measuring trace chemicals, specified sampling procedures and testing protocols shall be followed otherwise any contamination by the surrounding environment may affect the test result. Extra care should therefore be taken during collection of drinking water samples to prevent the samples from being contaminated by the surrounding environment," the spokesman said.

Ends/Saturday, July 21, 2018
Issued at HKT 16:00

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