Waterworks (Amendment) Ordinance 2018 comes into force

The Waterworks (Amendment) Ordinance 2018 (the Ordinance) was gazetted and came into force today (February 15). The Ordinance better reflects the policy intent and industry practice of the provisions in the Waterworks Ordinance (Cap. 102) (WWO) in relation to plumbing works on fire service and inside service.

"The Ordinance stipulates which persons are allowed to carry out plumbing works and specifies the responsibilities of these persons and of licensed plumbers in carrying out the works. It also enhances the effectiveness of monitoring waterworks by amending the time limit of prosecution by the Water Authority (WA) and empowering the WA with the authority to inspect and question in premises where plumbing works are being carried out," a spokesperson for the Development Bureau said.

In relation to the permission of the WA for plumbing works, permission for plumbing works granted by the WA before the commencement of the Ordinance will continue to be valid; applications for such permission made before the commencement of the Ordinance will be processed in accordance with the existing WWO. The liabilities of licensed plumbers and persons involved in carrying out plumbing works under the Ordinance do not apply to plumbing works granted with permission before the commencement of the Ordinance. Also, the new time limit for prosecution under the Ordinance does not apply to contraventions committed before the commencement of the Ordinance.

The Government will commence shortly the publicity work for the Ordinance, including issuing a practice guide to the trade and printing leaflets.
 
Ends/Thursday, February 15, 2018
Issued at HKT 11:00

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