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Water supply free from insects and bacteria
A detailed examination by the Department of Ecology and Biodiversity of the University of Hong Kong of insect samples collected by residents of Tsing Yi and Kwai Chung housing estates handed to the Water Supplies Department last week has confirmed that the water supplied to consumers is clean and free from insects and bacteria.
A spokesman for the department said of the five samples collected by the residents, only one consisted of fabric and organic debris which did not resemble an aquatic animal.
Two other samples are larva of moth flies which are commonly found in damp areas in toilets. Another one was a caterpillar and the last one was a centipede, both non-aquatic in nature.
He stressed that the results indicated that the insect samples could not have come from the water supplied by the department.
The spokesman assured the public that the water supplied to consumers was fully treated and disinfected.
"Its quality is closely monitored by regular and frequent testing of water samples taken from all strategic points of the water supply system including the pumping stations, service reservoirs, sump and roof tanks of buildings and consumer taps and complies fully with the World Health Organisation's Guideline Standards for drinking water," he added.
He also reminded consumers to keep their own plumbing system including roof tanks and associated taps and sinks clean to prevent contamination of water.
End/Friday, June 30, 1995