FANLING, Hong Kong — Residents of Queen’s Hill Estate in Hong Kong’s New Territories are grappling with concerns over their tap water quality after discovering black particles in their drinking water. Despite assurances from the Water Supplies Department (WSD) that the water is safe, some tenants remain skeptical and are calling for further action to address the issue, which echoes similar problems faced over two years ago.
Emergence of the Issue
The issue surfaced when residents began sharing photos on social media platforms, showcasing black specks collected by their tap filters. One tenant described the particles as sticky, raising alarms about potential contamination in the water supply at Queen’s Hill Estate, a public housing complex in Fanling (South China Morning Post). The complaints, which began circulating on Friday, May 30, 2025, prompted a swift response from authorities, though some residents criticized the initial lack of public acknowledgment.
Official Response and Actions
The WSD, responsible for ensuring Hong Kong’s water safety, examined a water sample from the estate and declared it safe for consumption (WSD Drinking Water Quality). As a precautionary measure, the department cleaned the public pipes supplying the estate. Concurrently, the estate’s management company initiated a comprehensive cleaning of the internal water supply system, including the water tanks of all seven buildings. The cleaning process began on Saturday, May 31, 2025, and was scheduled to conclude on Sunday, June 1, 2025.
The WSD has a history of maintaining high water quality standards, adhering to the World Health Organization’s Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality. The department’s Enhanced Water Quality Monitoring Programme, launched in 2017, regularly tests for contaminants like metals and bacteria at consumers’ taps (WSD Enhanced Programme). Despite these measures, the persistence of black particles has raised questions about the effectiveness of the recent cleanings.
Resident Experiences
Residents’ experiences with the water quality vary. Lee, a resident of Wong Yet House, expressed alarm after noticing that her filter cartridges turned black within a day, describing the water as appearing dirty and black. Another resident, surnamed Ng, also from Wong Yet House, reported finding black particles while preparing water for her children’s bath, likening them to metal pieces. These accounts highlight the distress among some tenants, with many resorting to purchasing bottled water due to safety concerns.
In contrast, Chong, a resident on the lower floors, reported no abnormalities in her tap water and expressed confidence in the WSD’s assurance of its safety. This discrepancy suggests that the issue may be localized or vary in severity across different parts of the estate.
Calls for Further Investigation
District Councillor Wu King-pang has been vocal about the issue, noting that he has received multiple complaints from residents across all seven buildings in Queen’s Hill Estate. Wu highlighted that the current situation resembles water quality issues from over two years ago, which were mitigated by the Housing Authority’s installation of filters. The recurrence of similar problems has led Wu to urge authorities to conduct a thorough investigation to determine whether the black particles stem from the same issues or if new contaminants have entered the water supply system.
Ongoing Uncertainty
The cause of the particles remains unclear, and it is uncertain whether this is a recurrence of past issues or a new contamination problem. Residents are seeking additional cleanings and a thorough investigation to ensure safe drinking water.
