The Housing Department said today that it will replace all the water pipe joints in Kai Ching Estate, after lead was found in the solder materials used in the joints.
The use of these solder materials violated both the water supply legislation and the housing contract.
But all tap water samples taken from Kai Ching Estate do meet the World Health Organisation’s lead content standard, meaning that lifetime consumption does not represent any significant risk to health and drinking it is unlikely to cause acute toxicity.
Infants and young children under six, pregnant women and lactating mothers are however advised to take additional precautions by flushing each tap before using the water for drinking or cooking, or preferably, use alternative drinking water sources.
Priority will be given to families with children under six, pregnant women and lactating mothers when replacing the pipe joints. If these families have concerns, they will be provided with an alternative drinking water supply before replacement work is completed.
Checks throughout the estate will be extended to ensure the water quality complies with WHO standards.
