1,500 Kwai Chung households now affected in contaminated water scandal
Another 1,500 Hong Kong households are now affected by the public housing tap water contamination scandal, after officials confirmed that excessive lead had been found in samples taken from two residential blocks in Kwai Chung.
Another 1,500 Hong Kong households are now affected by the public housing tap water contamination scandal, after officials confirmed that excessive lead had been found in samples taken from two residential blocks in Kwai Chung.
It came four days after the government admitted that levels of lead exceeding the World Health Organisation standard were found in tap water in Kai Ching Estate in Kowloon City - home to around 5,000 families - following an exposé by the Democratic Party.
The latest residents affected live in Luen Yuet House and Luen Yat House in Kwai Luen Estate, a public rental housing development completed last year.
Tap water samples from five flats were found to contain lead at levels ranging from 10.4 to 23.3 micrograms per litre - higher than the WHO guideline of 10.
The discovery came as the Government Laboratory extended tests to four estates that used the same licensed plumber as Kai Ching Estate. The 1,400 households in Cheung Sha Wan Estate, Sham Shui Po, and 1,000 households in Lung Yat Estate, Tuen Mun, were relieved as the laboratory found no water sample with lead levels contravening the international standard, although their pipes were also handled by plumber Lam Tak-sum.
Housing minister Anthony Cheung Bing-leung announced he would recommend a Housing Authority review of the monitoring system for building quality.