Join the Quality Water Recognition Scheme for Buildings to enjoy quality tap water (with photos)
Property owners, owners' corporations and building management agents are encouraged to join the Quality Water Recognition Scheme for Buildings (QWRSB) to enjoy quality water provided by the Water Supplies Department and enhance maintenance of fresh water plumbing systems to prevent water wastage due to leakage.
The Director of Water Supplies, Mr Ma Lee-tak, made the remarks at the QWRSB certificate presentation ceremony today (September 11). During the ceremony, 2,144 certificates were awarded by the department to property owners, owners' corporations, property management companies, and management agents of hospitals, hotels, schools, universities and public institutions to recognise their efforts in proper maintenance of their fresh water plumbing systems.
The number of certificates awarded this year is higher than the 1,804 certificates awarded last year.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Ma said the scheme, formerly called the "Fresh Water Plumbing Quality Maintenance Recognition Scheme", has been renamed the "Quality Water Recognition Scheme for Buildings" since January this year to signify the introduction of new enhancement features.
The new features include: (a) classifying the recognition certificates into Gold, Silver and Blue grades to promote continuous participation; and (b) adding the names of incorporated owners and management agents on the certificates to commend their contribution.
"Since the launch of the scheme in July, 2002, numerous buildings have pledged their support with more than 1.1 million households having benefited from the scheme. Whether the certificate is Gold, Silver or Blue, it signifies proper maintenance of plumbing systems and quality building management," Mr Ma said.
The Quality Water Recognition Scheme for Buildings is a voluntary scheme that aims to encourage property owners, owners' corporations and building management agents to regularly maintain their fresh water plumbing systems.
The Chairman of the Advisory Committee on the Quality of Water Supplies, Professor Ho Kin-chung, said at the ceremony that Hong Kong enjoyed one of the safest water supplies in the world. The quality of the water supplied by the Water Supplies Department conformed to the Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality recommended by the World Health Organisation. Water quality is systematically and stringently monitored through examinations of water samples taken at treatment works, supply and distribution systems and consumers' taps.
Professor Ho said the satisfaction rate of domestic and commercial customers with the Water Supplies Department's overall services had substantially increased by 12.1% and 20.8% to 91.9% and 95.1% respectively from 2002 to 2007, according to the "Opinion Survey on Water Supplies Services" conducted by the department recently.
Buildings joining the scheme have to ensure that their fresh water plumbing systems are inspected every three months by licensed plumbers or qualified building services surveyors or engineers and that the systems are confirmed to be in good condition. All defects identified in the inspections should be promptly rectified. The water tanks also need to be cleaned every three months.
Water samples are taken in accordance with the recommended procedures and tested for items specified once a year for new applications and once every two years for renewal applications. The water samples should be taken within three months from the date of submission of the application or renewal and the test results should comply with the acceptable limits of water quality indicators.
Details of the scheme and application procedures are available on the department's website http://www.wsd.gov.hk. Information can also be obtained from the department's 24-hour enquiry hotline: 2824 5000.
Ends/Thursday, September 11, 2008
Issued at HKT 18:24
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