supply was given from 6.30 a.m. on the 30th to 10.00 p.m. on the 31st January. This was the only public holiday when a relaxation of the water restrictions was permitted.
Distribution.
290. The very short hours of supply made it extremely difficult to ensure a reasonably equitable distribution of the water. To improve the situation and remedy complaints, a large number of mains and submains was laid to enlarge or to replace old and encrusted ones.
Water Analysis.
291. During the year the Government Pathologist and the Government Chemist regularly sampled and tested water taken from service reservoirs and consumers' taps. The standard of purity was generally satisfactory and in the few cases where it was not reached the causes were traced and remedial action taken.
292. A total of 302 samples was taken from service reservoirs and of these 293 or 97% were up to standard, that is to say, they showed an absence of coliform organisms in 100 c.c. The cause of only one of the 9 unsatisfactory samples from service reservoirs was not traced and the inlet and outlet valves at the reservoir from which this sample was taken were sterilized as a precaution. A check sample was found to be satisfactory.
293. A total of 977 samples was taken from consumers' taps and 870, representing 89%, were found to be satisfactory. Of the 107 unsatisfactory samples 4 were probably due to contamination at service reservoirs, and the portions of the distribution system affected were chlorinated at a higher rate than normal until the pollution was cleared. One bad sample was traced to contamination in a little used main at Mount Cameron and 9 to newly laid mains in Kowloon; after flushing and chlorinating, repeat samples were found to be satisfactory. Thirty-three of the unsatisfactory samples were found in Kowloon Tong where there was persistent pollution in the Cumberland Road area. Consumers in this area were warned to boil their drinking water and an examination of all premises in the area was put in hand to determine the source of the pollution. The remaining samples were traced to local defects in inside services which were chlorinated and repairs as necessary.
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