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Eddie Lee

Hong Kong’s water authority required developers and contractors to ensure materials used in waterworks met specific standards, a top official told an inquiry into the tainted water scandal on Monday.
Director of Water Supplies Enoch Lam Tin-sing, the first official from the authority to testify before the inquiry commission, stressed all parties were tasked with different responsibilities.
He said the department, as regulator, had made specifications for materials, to prevent contamination.
The scandal broke in June last year when tests showed tap water at Kai Ching Estate in Kowloon City contained amounts of lead exceeding World Health Organisation standards.
Government tests later found similar levels at 10 other public housing estates.

Mr Justice Andrew Chan Hing-wai, the commission’s chairman, asked whether the Water Supplies Department was responsible for ensuring water safety.
“Our duty to ensure water safety had its limitations,” Lam replied.
He said construction of waterworks required supervision by authorised personnel like licensed plumbers, a practice in line with those of many Western countries.
He added that tenants had a duty to maintain and clean the inside service of their public housing units, and that the department had put in place measures to help them.
Excessive lead was found in materials used to solder pipes in flats on the 11 public housing estates, prompting the government to set up the commission to investigate.
The inquiry, which began in early November, will ascertain the causes of excess lead found in drinking water and make recommendations to ensure water safety.


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No Caption Available.

Residents collect fresh water at one of the temporary distribution points at Kai Ching Estate, a public housing estate in Kai Tak. 29JUL15

Enoch Lam Tin-sing arrives at the former Court of Final Appeal Photo: Nora Tam

News

Hong Kong

Health & Environment

Enoch Lam Tin-sing is the first official from the authority to testify before the inquiry
