1963 — Page 108

of 194

LE

Page 108 of 194

198

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL,

MR. BERNACCHI:-Well, I will frame my question differently. Is this situation working satisfactorily?

COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:-As far as I am aware, it is working satisfactorily.

MRS. E. ELLIOTT asked the following question:

In view of the recent upsurge in cholera and typhoid cases in

the Colony-

(a) What precautions are being taken by Government in respect to water collected from streams and wells

in the New Territories and transported into the urban areas, with regard to

(i) the way in which it is transported.

(ii) the purity of the source of the water.

(iii) the destination and uses to which the water is

being put?

(b) Is it safe to wash the hair, body, or clothing, in water

obtained from a doubtful source?

(c) Is Government satisfied with the state of the water- pipes, having regard to the fact that no water is going through them for more than 34 out of 4 days? Have any tests been made to see if there is con- tamination from the pipes?

THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES replied as follows:-

(a) In reply to the first part of the question, wells in the Sha Tin Valley constitute the main source of the water referred to. These are all shallow wells, many of them ill constructed, and the water from them is presumed to be polluted bacteriologically though it is physically clear and inoffensive. There were known to be 20 such wells in use at the end of October this year, producing about 100,000 gallons daily.

Some 150 lorries and other motor vehicles are at present being employed to transport this water to Kowloon where the main customers are construction companies, small factories and dyeing works, restaurants, cooked food stalls, and barbers shops. The water is transported mainly in large rectangular metal containers with a cover, though diesel oil drums are also used.

Į

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

199

There is no control over the manner in which the water is transported, but reliance is placed on chlorination of the wells twice daily. This precaution has been in operation since 2nd July this year. Regular testing of the water has shown effective levels of free chlorine content.

It has not been possible to control the safety of water from sources other than wells by means of chlorination, but such water, if used in restaurants and other food premises, is subject to the precautions in force in these establishments. A copy of the instructions issued by the Urban Services Department listing these precautions is already in the hands of Members.

(b) In regard to the second part of the question, I would say that it is safe to wash the hair, body or clothing in water from such sources as have been described. Water for cleaning teeth, however, should come from a safe source or be rendered safe before use.

(c) I have consulted the Water Authority concerning the third part of this question and he has informed me as follows:-

While the alternate changing and emptying of distribution mains undoubtedly accelerates the rate of corrosion, there has been no evidence of unacceptable formations of bacteria, and normal chlorination processes should ensure that the quality of the water does not deteriorate on this account. The principal risk of pollu- tion lies in the possibility of the ingress of ground water through defective joints. As a precaution against this, the normal chlorination dosages have been increased.

Daily sampling at service reservoirs is carried out to ensure that chlorine residuals are maintained at a high but not objectional level, and bacteriological samples are taken from consumers' taps each supply day and for- warded to the Government Pathologist for analysis. The normal high standard in the quality of the water has been maintained, and where bad samples have occurred, these have been traced in nearly every case to dirty household storage tanks or defective inside services. In such cases, the tanks are cleaned, inside services flushed and chlorinated, and notices served on the consumers to rectify the defects. Subsequent checks are carried out until satisfactory samples are obtained.

MR. BERNACCHI:-I would ask a supplementary question of the Deputy Director of Medical and Health Services and that concerns the last part of his answer to paragraph (a). Does he consider that