First it was lead, now legionella bacteria found in Kowloon City estate’s water supply

The water scare at a Kowloon City public housing estate deepened yesterday after officials said apart from the excessive lead discovered in tap water, legionella bacteria were also traced at several locations in one of the six blocks.

But a health official said it was premature to conclude that the two incidents were connected, and the Housing Department would be disinfecting all blocks in Kai Ching Estate to put residents' minds at ease.

READ MORE: Lead in pipes and banned material ‘probably to blame’ for Kowloon City estate water scare, CY Leung says

The latest development emerged as the government announced it would set up a task force to investigate why the poisonous metal was found in tap water. Its source remains unknown.

A plumber at the centre of the tainted water scare, Lam Tak-sum, yesterday also said he could not be held fully responsible for what had happened, as he was not in charge of the materials pre-fabricated outside Hong Kong.

It was revealed at a government press conference yesterday that a man, 72, was admitted to Prince of Wales Hospital in late May with respiratory problems. He was later diagnosed with what was thought to be legionnaires' disease. The bacteria were found in his kitchen and bathroom in Mun Ching House.

"We immediately arranged to have the pipes replaced, and normally the problem would have been solved," said Dr Regina Ching Cheuk-tuen from the Centre for Health Protection.