Water Analyses
308. Samples of water from service reservoirs and consumers' taps were collected regularly and examined by the Government Pathologist and Chemist. The bacteriological standard of purity specified is high: complete absence of coliform organisms in 100 c.c. Samples which did not meet this standard were investigated and traced to the source of pollution and remedial action taken. Without exception all samples were inorganically satisfactory.
309. The total number of bacteriological samples collected in service reservoirs was 369, of which 351 representing 95% were satisfactory. Seven of the bad samples were taken in conjunction with the testing of a newly constructed service reservoir, and the remainder were considered to be due to inadequate chlorine dosage. In all cases remedial measures were taken and the dosage temporarily increased as a precautionary measure; subsequent samples were satisfactory.
310. 1,423 samples were taken from consumers' taps, of which 1,339 representing 94% were found to be satisfactory: approximately 25 of the bad samples were considered to be due to inadequate chlorine dosage, one was from a street fountain and found to be due to local contamination and the remainder were traced to defects in inside services. In all cases after necessary repairs had been carried out and the services sterilized, subsequent samples were satisfactory.
Pumping
311. Seventeen per cent more water was pumped than in the previous year. Some details follow:
Raw Water million gallons Filtered Water million gallons Total million gallons 1959/60 11,912 8,992 20,904 1958/59 9,801 8,023 17,824 Increase 2,111 969 3,080Consumption
312. The total quantity of water consumed in the urban areas was 21,712 million gallons and in the New Territories 719 million gallons, increases of 2,237 and 122 million gallons respectively. The total number of hours of supply was 3,703 compared with 3,529 in 1958/59, being an average of 10.1 hours per day compared with 9.7.
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