XN000022-1994-12-21 — Page 13

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Mr Telford welcomed the MTA's support for electronic road pricing, but noted that pending the introduction of such a system it would be necessary to limit the growth in new car registrations, otherwise there was a real risk of traffic gridlock.

He said the Government looked forward to early meetings with the MTA representatives to discuss these matters further.

End/Wednesday, December 21, 1994

Use of unlined galvanised steel water pipes banned

With the introduction of corrosion resistant pipe materials in plumbing systems, home owners and residents should not have to worry any more about yellowish water, a spokesman for the Water Supplies Department said today (Wednesday).

A new requirement, approved by the Governor-in-Council last week, has been introduced by the Water Authority with amendments to the Waterworks Regulations which ban the use of unlined galvanised steel pipes for use as fresh water plumbing installation in new buildings or where buildings undergo refurbishment.

The spokesman said in recent years, people had become more conscious of the water quality and the number of complaints of discolouration of the drinking water had increased by more than four times over the past two years.

He pointed out that the cause of discoloured water was mainly attributed to the corrosion of the unlined galvanized steel pipes, commonly used in the plumbing systems.

Although the existing Waterworks Regulations also allow the use of alternative pipe materials such as PVC pipes and copper pipes, these are seldom used in the building industry because unlined galvanized steel pipes are relatively cheap and easier to install than the other pipes.

The Regulations will be applicable to the plumbing installations in all new buildings and upon renewal of the plumbing in existing buildings but are not applicable to fire service installations in new buildings nor to the repair of plumbing systems which are of a minor nature.