Survey says most customers satisfied with tap water quality (with photos)
An opinion survey commissioned by the Water Supplies Department on water quality in buildings, showed that more than 90% of the interviewees were satisfied with the tap water quality, the Director of Water Supplies, Mr Chan Chi-chiu, said today (September 5).
Speaking at the Fresh Water Plumbing Quality Maintenance Recognition Scheme's certificate presentation ceremony, Mr Chan said the survey, targeting domestic customers and property management companies, was conducted between the end of 2006 and early 2007.
The survey found that the interviewees were aware of the importance of regular maintenance of fresh water plumbing system in buildings. They were also less likely now to attribute water quality problems to the department's water treatment capabilities or Dongjiang water quality.
Mr Chan said the quality of treated water in Hong Kong was as good as that of the other well-developed countries, and one could drink water direct from the tap if the internal plumbing system was maintained properly.
Chairman of the Advisory Committee on the Quality of Water Supplies, Professor Ho Kin-chung, said at the ceremony that the opinion survey had shown that both domestic customers and property management agents had a positive perception of tap water. When compared with a similar survey conducted in 2002, domestic customers' satisfaction level had increased significantly in the three aspects of odour, clarity, and purity.
However, he added that domestic customers living in buildings 10 to 20 years old were generally less satisfied with the overall quality of tap water or the individual aspects of the tap water quality. This was probably due to rusting and corrosion of their water supply installations or facilities, which, however, had not yet gone completely obsolete for replacement.
Meanwhile, nearly 40% of domestic customers perceived the renovation of water supply installations or facilities as the most important building rehabilitation task.
At today's ceremony, 1,804 certificates were awarded by the department to property owners, owners' corporations and property management agents in recognition of their efforts to properly maintain their fresh water plumbing systems. The awardees also included the building service management of hospitals, hotels, schools, universities and public institutions.
The number of certificates awarded this year is higher than the figure of 1,714 certificates presented last year.
The Water Supplies Department launched the Fresh Water Plumbing Quality Maintenance Recognition Scheme in July, 2002. Since then, the property management agents joining the scheme have properly and regularly maintained their plumbing systems in good condition to provide value-added services to their customers.
In the survey,most domestic customers who were aware of the scheme were in support of their buildings joining it. Nearly two-third of them believed that the scheme could ensure the water quality of buildings.
The voluntary scheme aims to encourage property owners, owners' corporations and management agents, hospitals, hotels, schools, universities and public institutions to carry out regular maintenance of the fresh water plumbing systems in their premises. Under the scheme, fresh water plumbing systems are required to be inspected every three months by licensed plumbers or qualified building services surveyors or engineers and confirmed to be in good condition.
All defects identified in the inspections should be promptly rectified. The water tanks also need to be cleaned every three months.
Water samples are taken in accordance with the recommended procedure and tested for items specified, once a year for new applications and once every two years for renewal applications. The water samples should be taken within three months from the date of submission of the application or renewal and the test results should comply with the acceptable limits of these water quality indicators.
Details of the scheme and application procedures are available on the department's website http://www.wsd.gov.hk/. Information can also be obtained from the department's 24-hour enquiry hotline: 2824 5000.
Ends/Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Issued at HKT 17:51
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