Author Archives: hksar gov

     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 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.
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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. read more

     The Secretary for Development, Mr Michael Wong, will lead a delegation to Guiyang tomorrow (July 22) to attend the 2018 Mainland and Hong Kong Construction Forum. The theme of the forum is “Integrating into the Development of the Country, Facilitating High-quality Development of the Construction Industry”.
      
     Co-organised by the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, the Guizhou Provincial People’s Government and the Development Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, the forum aims to promote exchanges between the construction industry and related engineering industries of the Mainland and Hong Kong on professional services and project management. It also seeks to foster ties and co-operation between the two places.
      
     Mr Wong will deliver a speech at the forum’s opening ceremony on July 23. During the forum, speakers from the Mainland and Hong Kong will share their experiences on building design and project management, innovation and the passing on of building technology, as well as assembly construction and green buildings. The Permanent Secretary for Development (Works), Mr Hon Chi-keung, will deliver a concluding speech at the closing ceremony of the forum on the following day.
      
     The Hong Kong delegation will comprise about 150 members including government officials, members of the Construction Industry Council and representatives from construction trade associations and professional institutions, as well as construction industry personnel, legal professionals and a Legislative Council member.
      
     Accompanying Mr Wong to the forum will be Mr Hon; the Director of Civil Engineering and Development, Mr Lam Sai-hung; the Director of Water Supplies, Mr Wong Chung-leung; the Director of Architectural Services, Mrs Sylvia Lam; the Director of Drainage Services, Mr Edwin Tong; the Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services, Mr Alfred Sit; and the Deputy Secretary for Development (Works), Mr Francis Chau.
      
     Mr Wong will return to Hong Kong in the evening on July 23. During his absence, the Under Secretary for Development, Mr Liu Chun-san, will be the Acting Secretary for Development. read more

     A man who went missing in Tai Po has been located.      Wong Hong-chin, aged 29, went missing after he was last seen in MTR Tai Wo Station on July 13 afternoon. His family made a report to Police on July … read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (July 21) reminded members of the public, particularly those undertaking outdoor activities, to take heed of necessary measures against heat stroke and sunburn in very hot weather.

     “The public should carry and drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration while engaging in outdoor activities,” a spokesman for the CHP said.

     “Those engaged in strenuous outdoor activities should avoid beverages containing caffeine, such as coffee and tea, as well as alcohol, as they speed up water loss through the urinary system,” the spokesman explained.

     “The obese, the sick, including those with heart disease or high blood pressure, the old and the young are more vulnerable to heat-related illnesses. They should pay special attention,” the spokesman added.

     The public should adopt the following precautions:
 

• Wear loose and light-coloured clothing to reduce heat absorption and facilitate sweat evaporation and heat dissipation;
• Avoid vigorous exercise and prolonged activities like hiking or trekking as heat, sweating and exhaustion place additional demands on the physique;
• Perform outdoor activities in the morning or late afternoon;
• For indoor activities, open all windows, use a fan or use air-conditioning to maintain good ventilation; and
• Reschedule work to cooler times of the day.

     If working in a hot environment is inevitable, introduce shade in the workplace where practicable, and start work slowly and pick up the pace gradually. Get into a cool area for rest at regular intervals to allow the body to recuperate.

     The public should also note the latest and the forecast Ultraviolet (UV) Index released by the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO). When the UV Index remains high (6 or above):
 

• Minimise direct exposure of the skin and the eyes to sunlight;
• Wear loose long-sleeved clothing made of close-woven fabrics;
• Wear a wide brim hat or use an umbrella;
• Seek a shaded area or put on UV-blocking sunglasses;
• Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen lotion with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or above. Apply liberally and reapply after swimming or sweating; and
• While using DEET-containing insect repellents for personal protection against mosquito-borne diseases, apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent.

     If symptoms develop, such as dizziness, headache, nausea, shortness of breath or confusion, rest and seek help immediately, and seek medical advice as soon as possible.

     The public may get more information from the DH’s Health Education Hotline (2833 0111), heat stroke page and UV radiation page; the HKO’s Dial-a-Weather (1878 200), latest weather and forecast, UV Index and weather information for hiking and mountaineering; and press releases of the Labour Department on precautions against heat stroke for outdoor workers and their employers when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force. read more