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Hong Kong Government Addresses Concerns Over Drinking Water Testing Methods
Development Bureau clarifies standards following media report on impurities found in tap water
The Hong Kong Development Bureau has responded to a media report concerning impurities detected in drinking water samples from various districts.
The bureau stated that the testing methods used in the report did not follow the international standards adopted by Hong Kong's official drinking water testing programme.
According to the bureau, the media organization primarily collected samples from aerators, or strainers, of household water taps and shower heads.
These devices are designed to block impurities, and the presence of particles such as resin, plastic, and silicone is considered a result of their normal function.
The bureau noted that these substances are not soluble in water and may originate from aging pipes or internal fittings.
Water quality testing in Hong Kong is conducted under strict protocols, referencing ISO 5667 for sampling procedures and testing methods from Chinese National Standard GB/T 5750 and the American Public Health Association.
Valid testing requires actual drinking water samples, not materials collected from aerators, to ensure the accuracy and representativeness of the results.
The Water Supplies Department (WSD) runs a routine water quality monitoring programme that includes annual testing of samples from more than twenty-eight thousand publicly accessible taps in shopping centres, community facilities, sports venues, and government buildings.
Additionally, around six hundred seventy residential and non-residential water accounts are selected each year for testing of six metals—antimony, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, and nickel—to verify compliance with the Hong Kong Drinking Water Standards.
The WSD has also received past inquiries related to impurities in tap water and has responded with on-site inspections, flushing of meters, and advice on cleansing strainers.
Testing results from previous years confirmed that samples met drinking water standards.
The department advises property owners and management offices to maintain internal plumbing systems by cleaning tanks, flushing pipes, and servicing filters to reduce sediment buildup and ensure water quality.
The WSD has requested additional information from the media organization regarding the sample locations but has not yet received a response.
It stands ready to deploy staff for further investigation and testing if more details are provided.
For enquiries, the public may contact the department’s twenty-four-hour hotline.
The bureau stated that the testing methods used in the report did not follow the international standards adopted by Hong Kong's official drinking water testing programme.
According to the bureau, the media organization primarily collected samples from aerators, or strainers, of household water taps and shower heads.
These devices are designed to block impurities, and the presence of particles such as resin, plastic, and silicone is considered a result of their normal function.
The bureau noted that these substances are not soluble in water and may originate from aging pipes or internal fittings.
Water quality testing in Hong Kong is conducted under strict protocols, referencing ISO 5667 for sampling procedures and testing methods from Chinese National Standard GB/T 5750 and the American Public Health Association.
Valid testing requires actual drinking water samples, not materials collected from aerators, to ensure the accuracy and representativeness of the results.
The Water Supplies Department (WSD) runs a routine water quality monitoring programme that includes annual testing of samples from more than twenty-eight thousand publicly accessible taps in shopping centres, community facilities, sports venues, and government buildings.
Additionally, around six hundred seventy residential and non-residential water accounts are selected each year for testing of six metals—antimony, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, and nickel—to verify compliance with the Hong Kong Drinking Water Standards.
The WSD has also received past inquiries related to impurities in tap water and has responded with on-site inspections, flushing of meters, and advice on cleansing strainers.
Testing results from previous years confirmed that samples met drinking water standards.
The department advises property owners and management offices to maintain internal plumbing systems by cleaning tanks, flushing pipes, and servicing filters to reduce sediment buildup and ensure water quality.
The WSD has requested additional information from the media organization regarding the sample locations but has not yet received a response.
It stands ready to deploy staff for further investigation and testing if more details are provided.
For enquiries, the public may contact the department’s twenty-four-hour hotline.
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