Hong Kong's unsustainable water policies
Mayling Chan says complacency has led Hong Kong to rely too much on water from the Dongjiang - itself facing increasing stresses - while failing to push for better conservation measures and seek alternative sources
Interdependence is a human condition while total dependence is not sustainable in the long run. The Dongjiang, or East River, is part of the extensive river system of southern China, together with the Xijiang (West River) and the Beijiang (North River). These water sources are valuable assets of the Pearl River Delta.
The water from the Dongjiang sustains more than 40 million people in the cities of Heyuan, Huizhou, Dongguan, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Hong Kong. There is no reason why a sustainable water policy could not be a shared objective. Although we do not share the same system or procedures of managing potable water, authorities on both sides of the border must at least share principles and best practices on preserving water sources and improving water quality.
Globally, 780 million people - or one in nine of the world's population - lack access to a safe water source. This includes the 119 million in China who, according to the World Health Organisation, did not have access in 2010. Given that Macau and Hong Kong residents enjoy safe drinking water from their taps while those in Zhuhai and Shenzhen do not, there is an obvious gap in managing, monitoring and reporting on water quality.
The thousands of pig carcasses found in the waterways of Shanghai and Jiaxing recently raised worries about the water quality and food safety, and became a public health scare. Repeated scandals such as this do not help to build trust in official water quality standards.
China has yet to adopt the stringent standards of many developed nations. People mistrust official data that emphasises that things are "normal" even when the seriousness of a situation isn't fully known. So far, no city in China can say its water is safe to drink straight from the tap. One solution is to seek verification from a third party to enhance credibility and win back trust by disclosing information.
Macau's water company is quoted in the Chinese media as an example for the rest of China to follow, Hong Kong included.