ALL New Territories villages will have water supplies by 1995 when a $40 million project to instal standpipes and water tanks in rural settlements is completed.
About 100 remote villages, mostly in less developed rural areas of Yuen Long, Sai Kung, the border, and outlying islands, still rely on streams or wells for water.
Work is being done in 48 of them and officials have promised they can expect water supplies as early as March next year.
But some villagers said yesterday they hoped the Government would speed up the project, while legislators accused it of ignoring villagers' basic needs.
Regional Secretary for the New Territories, Albert Lam Chi-chiu, said his officers were conducting site inspections and the Water Supplies Department would be asked to instal standpipes and meters where possible.
''If it is technically too difficult or it is too costly to provide pipes, we shall build water tanks or wells for the settlers,'' said Mr Lam.
He rejected accusations that the process was taking too long.
