SETW speaks on watermain burst, the MTRC incident and HATS Stage 2.

Following is a transcript of the Secretary for Environment, Transport and Works, Dr Sarah Liao's meet-the-media session after officiating at the kick-off ceremony of the environmental education programme on Stage 2 of the Harbour Area Treatment Scheme today (July 21):

Reporter : Water pipe renewal process for the commercial area?

Secretary : We have a set of guidelines from the engineering point of view. First of all, we need to look at the record, whether the materials of the pipes are made of cast iron, or asbestos cement pipes. We need to change those first. That is the priority. Apart from that, we also want to look at the history of these pipes, whether they have a record of leakage and bursting, and above all, whether they are functioning properly. We need to look at them very carefully, and not simply based on the area so that we won't choose to change something which is brand new. This is not logical either.

Reporter : Yesterday there is a huge impact on the commercial area. Is there anything to improve the situation?

Secretary : We will have to conduct better surveying to find out the conditions of the pipes underneath, and not to wait for accidents to happen. However, what I am saying is, we can't just go ahead and change everything - every pipe under the commercial area. That is not reasonable either.

Reporter : Are you going to update underground data, and enhance better communication?

Secretary : The system we have, the database we have now has more current information than past data. To go back to history and find out what exactly is underground will take much longer. Computer system has been set up and we are now beefing up the data. With respect to procedure, I have made an enquiry. They have followed the procedures. I felt that it is also necessary to improve the culture of communication among departments, so that they can get together and formulate strategies much more quickly than what is now.

Reporter : Are you taking any preventive measures to prevent it (MTR incident) from happening again...?

Secretary : Certainly we will update the preventive measures. Every time they have an incident like this, they need to do a thorough review and recommend and implement methods to prevent it from happening.

Reporter : Today MTR has another railway incident again. It seems that it happens quite frequently this year.

Secretary : I think the rate of happening has been quite normal. But we are not complacent on this. They certainly need to look into what has happened. We asked for an investigation report to make sure they learn from it and take appropriate action to prevent it.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion)

End/Wednesday, July 21, 2004

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