Hong Kong water authorities confirmed late Tuesday that black particulate matter discovered in the drinking water across several apartment blocks in Taikoo Shing was inert asphalt sediment, assuring deeply concerned residents that the supply remains safe for consumption.
The Water Supplies Department (WSD) announced the findings following urgent testing of water samples collected from residential units, rooftops, and ground-level storage tanks in the residential estate. While acknowledging the presence of the sediment, the agency asserted that all tested samples met Hong Kong’s stringent drinking water safety standards. Experts believe the particles were stirred up by a recent change in water pressure during supply reallocation work conducted by the WSD near Taikoo Shing the previous night, which dislodged existing asphalt deposits inside the water mains.
Investigation Traces Source and Scope
The investigation isolated the inert sediment as asphalt, a material confirmed to pose no threat to human health upon ingestion. However, the visual abnormality prompted widespread alarm among residents, many of whom ceased drinking or cooking with tap water.
The WSD identified 14 blocks primarily within the fourth and fifth phases of the estate, constituting roughly 20% of the complex, as the most affected areas. Officials quickly traced a contributing factor to a deteriorated filter screen at the intake point of the estate’s communal water system, which has since been repaired.
A spokesperson for the department confirmed that public flushing of the water pipes has been initiated, alongside a comprehensive cleaning operation targeting the affected buildings’ storage infrastructure.
Phased Cleaning Targets Reservoirs and Mains
To mitigate the inconvenience, the WSD, in coordination with the property management, launched an intensive cleaning schedule throughout the night and the following day.
- Ground-Level Tanks: Cleaning of the underground fresh water storage tanks in affected buildings commenced late Tuesday night during off-peak water usage hours (around 12:30 a.m.) and was expected to conclude by dawn.
- Rooftop Tanks: Cleaning of rooftop water storage tanks is scheduled to begin Wednesday morning, immediately following the morning peak usage period, with the entire cleaning operation anticipated to finish within the day.
Authorities expressed confidence that these measures would significantly resolve the issue of black particles appearing in the water supply.
Assistance and Future Safeguards Implemented
Complementing the infrastructure cleaning, the department dispatched personnel to assist residents directly. By Tuesday evening, the WSD had arranged and completed flushing the water meters of approximately 100 premises. Additionally, over 20 technicians were deployed to assist in flushing the inlets of electric water heaters—a process scheduled to continue throughout Wednesday.
To ensure continuous, safe access to water, the WSD has deployed water tankers and temporary storage tanks across the estate. A service station has also been established jointly with property management to address immediate resident inquiries and concerns. The WSD has urged residents who notice any further abnormalities in their water supply to immediately notify the property management or call the department’s customer service hotline.
To prevent recurrence, the WSD announced enhanced procedural controls. Beyond routine checks of filter screens at the entry points of residential complexes, the agency will institute mandatory pre- and post-maintenance inspections of the screening facilities during any future water main repair work. This measure aims to guarantee that the filters are in optimal condition to effectively trap any sediment dislodged by maintenance activities, thereby safeguarding the quality of the public water supply.
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