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The Director of Water Supplies, Mr Ma Lee-tak, said today (August 21) that the Quality Water Recognition Scheme for Buildings (QWRSB) has been well received by the community over the past decade and the number of participants has kept growing. The QWRSB has benefited over 1.11 million registered consumers (in terms of accounts) throughout the territory, covering 86 per cent of public housing and nearly 30 per cent of private residential buildings.
Speaking at the annual presentation ceremony for the QWRSB, Mr Ma commended participants for their contribution to the proper maintenance of internal water supply systems. He also encouraged more property owners, owners' corporations and property management companies to join the QWRSB and arrange regular check-ups for their water supply systems in order to provide quality tap water for their clients.
"The Water Supplies Department (WSD) strives to ensure that both fresh and flushing water systems meet the needs and expectations of customers. Beyond the QWRSB, the WSD and the Advisory Committee on Water Resources and Quality of Water Supplies are enthusiastically studying how to strengthen the management of the flushing water system, including assisting the industry in providing a better quality water supply to customers and reducing the chances of breakdowns of the fresh water system and secondary pollution of the system through proper maintenance," Mr Ma said.
The WSD launched the voluntary QWRSB in 2002 and this year 3,475 certificates have been awarded. The numbers of gold, silver and blue certificates have each reached more than 1,000 for the first time since the introduction of the three grades in 2008, indicating continual and widespread support from the industry.
Buildings joining the QWRSB have to ensure that their fresh water plumbing systems are inspected at least every three months by licensed plumbers, qualified building services engineers or building surveyors, 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 at least every three months.
Water samples are taken from the buildings in accordance with recommended procedures and tested for specified items - 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. Certificates are awarded when test results comply with the acceptable limits of water quality indicators.
Details of the QWRSB and application procedures are available on the WSD's website (www.wsd.gov.hk) and from the WSD's 24-hour enquiry hotline, 2824 5000.
Ends/Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Issued at HKT 18:00
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