Hong Kong leader orders ageing water pipes lined with bitumen to be replaced
John Lee outlines 10 measures to address concerns over black particles found in water supply at two public housing estates
Hong Kong’s leader has ordered authorities to replace hundreds of metres of bitumen-lined pipes as one of 10 measures to address residents’ concerns over black particles dirtying the water at two public housing estates.
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu weighed in on Friday, a week after initial reports of the particles emerged, as he tasked Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong Wai-lun with supervising the implementation of the measures.
Government test results on Thursday confirmed that the particles found in the freshwater supply at Queens Hill Estate and Shan Lai Court in Fanling were bitumen, a substance produced through the distillation of crude oil and known for its waterproofing and adhesive properties.
It has been banned from use in water pipes since 2005, but authorities have stressed that the water remains safe to consume.
“I am highly concerned about the freshwater incident at Queens Hill Estate and Shan Lai Court, and I convened a high-level meeting [on Friday] afternoon,” Lee wrote on his social media page.
“The government is responsible to ensure the public can safely consume freshwater, and the incident must be handled quickly and the public concern can be thoroughly eased.”