7 d. ago Hong Kong water safety saga: what happened and how to protect yourself

Hong Kong’s leader has rolled out 10 measures to address concerns over the supply of freshwater containing a banned substance at two public housing estates. The Post unpacks the water safety concerns behind the saga and how people can protect themselves. 1. What’s the scandal about? Residents at two public rental and subsidised estates in Fanling first reported the presence of black particles in their drinking water on Friday last week, prompting some to buy bottled water as speculation mounted...

Politics

7 d. ago Replacement work on water pipe that gave Hongkongers scare to begin this year

Hong Kong will begin replacing a 400-metre (437 yards) section of water pipe lined with bitumen this year before carrying out citywide work, as it is believed to be the source of black particles dirtying the water at two public housing estates. Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn Hon-ho said on Saturday that the government would prioritise the stretch of pipe between Queens Hill Estate and Shan Lai Court in Fanling, the only one lined with bitumen that connects the two sites. She said the...

Politics

7 d. ago Water pipe spewing bitumen in Hong Kong estates to start being replaced this year

Hong Kong will begin replacing a 400-metre (437 yards) section of water pipe lined with bitumen this year before carrying out citywide work, as it is believed to be the source of black particles dirtying the water at two public housing estates. Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn Hon-ho said on Saturday that the government would prioritise the stretch of pipe between Queens Hill Estate and Shan Lai Court in Fanling, the only one lined with bitumen that connects the two sites. She said the...

Politics

9 d. ago Hong Kong leader orders ageing water pipes lined with bitumen to be replaced

Hong Kong’s leader has ordered authorities to replace hundreds of metres of bitumen-lined pipes as one of 10 measures to address residents’ concerns over black particles dirtying the water at two public housing estates. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu weighed in on Friday, a week after initial reports of the particles emerged, as he tasked Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong Wai-lun with supervising the implementation of the measures. Government test results on Thursday confirmed that the...

Politics

1 week ago Banned substance found in water supply of 2 Hong Kong housing estates

Black particles found in the freshwater supply at two public housing estates are mainly bitumen, authorities have said, while stressing that the water is safe to drink. The government said on Thursday that its tests showed the bitumen, which is banned from use in pipes, was mixed with resin. Residents at two public rental and subsidised estates, Queens Hill Estate and Shan Lai Court in Fanling, first reported the presence of black particles in their drinking water on Friday last week. Director...

Events

1 week ago Test results for black particles found in 2 estates’ water supplies due this week

Hong Kong authorities are conducting laboratory tests on black particles found in the water supply of two housing estates to ease residents’ concerns, with the results expected to come back this week, the development minister has said. Tenants at Queen’s Hill Estate in Fanling last week raised concerns about black particles in their freshwater supply, which were followed by similar reports from residents at the nearby Shan Lai Court. Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn Hon-ho sought to...

Politics

1 week ago Worried Hong Kong estate residents buy bottled water as black particles linger

Residents at two Hong Kong public estates whose freshwater supply has been tainted by mystery black particles for five days have resorted to buying bottled water for cooking and feeding their children, while a senior official has said test results are expected this week. Tenants at Queens Hill Estate in Fanling last week raised concerns about the particles in their freshwater supply, which were followed by similar reports from residents of nearby Shan Lai Court. Secretary for Development...

Politics

1 week ago Source of black particles in Hong Kong estate’s water supply remains mystery

Authorities are still investigating the source of black particles detected in the freshwater supply at a Hong Kong public housing estate, while reassuring residents that the water is safe to drink. Tenants of Queens Hill Estate in Fanling had earlier complained about the black particles found in their drinking water and what they called a delayed ­official response to their reports, first filed on Friday last week. Director of Water Supplies Roger Wong Yan-lok said on Monday that samples taken...

Politics

2 w. ago Black particles in water? Hong Kong says supply at public housing estate is safe

The freshwater supply at a Hong Kong public housing estate in the New Territories is safe, authorities have said, after residents voiced worries over black particles found in their drinking water. The Water Supplies Department on Saturday sought to reassure tenants of Queen’s Hill Estate in Fanling following complaints about a delayed official response to reports of impurities in the water supply. Residents on Friday began posting photos to social media of filters fixed to home taps that had...

Politics