HONG KONG PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
295
MR. IP KWOK-CHUNG (in Cantonese):—I have two follow-up questions which I hope Mr. Chan will answer. The first point, I am quite interested in the figures quoted in paragraph 6 in the reply. It is mentioned in the paper that since January 1995 to date, a total of 7042 complaints have been received, of which the Department has successfully identified the cause in 2081 cases. In other words, less than 30% has had the cause detected, while nearly 71% has failed to do so. The figures are quite astounding because the cause of water seepage cannot be identified in the majority of cases. As far as this is concerned, I wonder whether the Council or the Department would further examine a more effective way to identify the cause of water seepage, because seepage has a serious effect on environmental hygiene. I would not say any more about this. As far as this is concerned, I hope Mr. CHAN will lead us, especially the Council, in handling this question more effectively. This is the first point.
The second question, paragraph 7 in the reply document mentions that further action will be taken, that is, if the cause of seepage cannot be detected, the complainant will be informed. How many cases are there in which the Department subsequently ends the tests and informs the persons concerned in writing? We often receive complaints saying that the complaints are not solved and no results are secured. Could Mr. Chan tell us the number of cases in which the complainants are informed in writing?
Mr. Joseph Chan Yuek-sut (in Cantonese):~Mr. Chairman, there are many factors leading to water seepage in buildings, such as leakage on external pipes, rainstorm pipes, sewage, flushing systems, bathtubs, sinks, water heater connections or floor slabs, or cracks in the building structure (cement structure). These may all result in water seepage. As I mentioned just now, the Buildings Department is now coordinating a study on the most effective ways to find out the causes of water seepage and on remedial measures. The Buildings Department will submit an investigation report in due course. The Buildings Department is now following up this issue. It is hoped that a comprehensive report will be available in future to solve and ease the problem.
As for the figures, the Department definitely would refer those cases of which the cause cannot be identified to the Water Supplies and Buildings Departments for further investigation. We would inform the complainant concerned, saying that the case has been referred to the departments concerned. If even the above two departments cannot find out the cause, we would provide the complainant with a full explanation of the entire case. So far, this has been the only thing that the Urban Services Department can do.
Mr. Chan KWOK-LEUNG (in Cantonese);—Chairman, I would like to know whether the Buildings Department involves itself in the seepage cases in the early or later stage, because to a large extent, water seepage has to do with the building structure. It is possible only in a few cases to detect the cause with the Urban Services Department's chemical dye test, because the factor leading to water
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HONG KONG PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
295
MR. IP KWOK-CHUNG (in Cantonese):—I have two follow-up questions which I hope Mr. Chan will answer. The first point, I am quite interested in the figures quoted in paragraph 6 în the reply. It is mentioned in the paper that since January 1995 to date, a total of 7042 complaints have been received, of which the Department has successfully identified the cause in 2 081 cases. In other words. less than 30% has had the cause detected, while nearly 71% has failed to do so. The figures are quite astounding because the cause of water seepage cannot be identified in the majority of cases. As far as this is concerned, I wonder whether the Council or the Department would further examine a more effective way to identify the cause of water seepage, because seepage has a serious effect on environmental hygiene. I would not say any more about this. As far as this is concerned. I hope Mr. CHAN will lead us, especially the Council, in handling this question more effectively. This is the first point.
The second question, paragraph 7 in the reply document mentions that further action will be taken, that is, if the cause of seepage cannot be detected, the complainant will be informed. How many cases are there in which the Department subsequently ends the tests and informs the persons concerned in writing? We often receive complaints saying that the complaints are not solved and no results are secured. Could Mr. Chan tell us the number of cases in which the complainants are informed in writing?
Mr. Joseph Chan Yuek-sut (in Cantonese):~Mr. Chairman, there are many factors leading to water seepage in buildings, such as leakage on external pipes, rainstorm pipes, sewage, flushing systems, bathtubs, sinks, water heater connections or floor slabs. or cracks in the building structure (cement structure). These may all result in water seepage. As I mentioned just now, the Buildings Department is now coordinating a study on the most effective ways to find out the causes of water seepage and on remedial measures. The Buildings Department will submit an investigation report in due course. The Buildings Department is now following up this issue. It is hoped that a comprehensive report will be available in future to solve and ease the problem.
As for the figures, the Department definitely would refer those cases of which the cause cannot be identified to the Water Supplies and Buildings Departments for further investigation. We would inform the complainant concerned, saying that the case has been referred to the departments concerned. If even the above two departments cannot find out the cause, we would provide the complainant with a full explanation of the entire case. So far, this has been the only thing that the Urban Services Department can do.
Mr. Chan KWOK-LEUNG (in Cantonese);—Chairman, I would like to know whether the Buildings Department involves itself in the seepage cases in the early or later stage, because to a large extent, water seepage has to do with the building structure. It is possible only in a few cases to detect the cause with the Urban Services Department's chemical dye test, because the factor leading to water
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JOE SUE TOTE
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