Advanced air purifying and ozone injected into flushing water among the hi-tech solutions that will give Hong Kong’s public toilets a much needed makeover
- The measures will be first implemented in selected public conveniences in tourist areas
- Government will pour HK$600 million into refurbishing a third of the city’s public toilets
Public toilets in Hong Kong tourist spots are to be made “hi-tech” and will be part of a pilot run that aims to overhaul conditions in the city’s public conveniences and improve their tarnished image.
Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene Vivian Lau Lee-kwan told lawmakers at a special Legislative Council Finance Committee meeting on Tuesday the government was examining different ways to improve conditions in public toilets, such as using advanced air purifying and flushing water treatment technology.
Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po announced in February an injection of HK$600 million (US$76.9 million) to refurbish 240 public toilets – a third of the city’s total number – over the next five years, equivalent to HK$2.5 million per facility.
“When it comes to refurbishing our public toilets, we have four aims: they need to be dry – especially the floors – odourless, spotless and easy to maintain,” Lau said.
Several public toilets on The Peak and in Tsuen Wan, Mong Kok and Lan Kwai Fong will be among the first to try out different hi-tech systems.