Hong Kong’s Chief Executive John Lee on Friday ordered urgent action to address black particles found in tap water at two housing estates in Fanling, directing officials to replace a 400-meter steel water pipe lined with bitumen, identified as the likely source of the contamination.
Following a high-level government meeting, Lee announced the formation of an expert group to investigate the freshwater supply at Queen’s Hill Estate and Shan Lai Court. Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn will lead a team from the Water Supplies Department to the sites on Saturday for a detailed probe.
“The incident must be dealt with promptly, to completely eliminate residents’ concerns and ensure the water supply is safe,” Lee said in a social media post.
The government suspects the black particles stem from flaking bitumen coating in the upstream pipe. Lee instructed the Development Bureau to task the Water Supplies Department with a risk-based review to assess whether other areas need water filters and to develop a long-term plan for pipe replacement.
Additional measures include twice-daily inspections of the filtration systems at the affected estates, cleaning water tanks in all blocks, daily publication of water sample test results, and outreach to residents to address their needs.
Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong has been appointed to oversee the response efforts, ensuring swift implementation of the corrective actions.
The government’s rapid response underscores its commitment to resolving the water quality issue and restoring public confidence in the safety of the city’s water supply.
