Task force wraps up 4-month investigation into water scare at estates, confirming lead in pipe joints to blame
Task force wraps up investigation, calling on construction industry to be better aware of risks
A final investigation report has confirmed that lead in solder material in pipe joints was the cause of excessive lead found in drinking water in two public housing estates.
The Task Force on Investigation of Excessive Lead Content in Drinking Water submitted its final report to the Development Bureau yesterday, nearly four months after the tainted water scare first broke.
"Lead contents of the solder in the joints were up to 16-42 per cent, well above the limit stipulated in the British Standard of 0.07 per cent," the report said.
The test results came after the committee dismantled more than 100 pipe and fitting components from water supply chains in Kai Ching Estate and Kwai Luen Estate Phase 2 - the first two estates involved in the scandal.
"Copper alloy fittings also leached lead but did not result in excess lead in drinking water," the report said.
It said the test results could be applicable to nine other housing projects with excessive lead in water, including Tung Wui Estate in Wong Tai Sin and Yan On Estate in Sha Tin, as they were using similar pipes and fittings.