-
14 -
Ceiling seepage problem in buildings
In response to today's (Monday) newspaper reports regarding the problem of water leakage on ceiling causing nuisance to residents and the methods used by the Water Supplies Department (WSD) to detect such leaks, a spokesman for the department said:
"The principal duty of WSD is to provide fresh and flushing water for the community. WSD's involvement in leakage complaint cases is to avoid water wastage and pollution and is not responsible for resolving the nuisance caused by leakage of all types. The inspections by WSD staff in these ceiling seepage cases serve such purpose. The complainant should seek assistance from other authorities to deal with nuisance problem.
"The water pipes and fittings are part of the properties of building owners who are responsible for their proper maintenance. WSD has been issuing leaflets to the public advising people on how to deal with leakage problem in buildings.
"WSD has scientific equipment for detecting leakage from city water mains, but these equipment are not suitable for detecting small leakage causing nuisance inside buildings. The pressure test method as suggested by a political party is equally not possible to confirm the leakage location and may even cause unnecessary leakages at the weak points of the plumbing system, which would further enlarge the leakage problem and complicate the issue."
The spokesman also pointed out that less than 10 per cent of the ceiling seepage cases inside flats were caused by water mains leaking and the remainder were due to problems in the waste water and rain water drainage system.
"Prevention is always better than cure. The best long term solution to tackle the problem of ceiling seepage is to have good plumbing design, material of better quality and better workmanship in the construction stage," the spokesman stressed.
End