Replies to Questions from Finance Committee Members

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2003-04
CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY TO
WRITTEN/SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTION
Head : 194 Water Supplies Department Subhead (No. & title) :
Programme : 2 Water Quality Control
Controlling Officer : Director of Water Supplies
Director of Bureau : Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works
Question :
How much resources will be reserved and what measures will be taken in 2003-04 to ensure
that the quality of potable water in the territory conforms to international standards for
drinking water?
Asked by : Hon. WONG Yung-kan
Reply :
We have allocated $158.8 million for water quality control in 2003-04. This allocation is
mainly for control of the quality of fresh water to ensure compliance with the World Health
Organisation Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality (1993). A small portion of the
allocation is for the control of the quality of sea water for flushing. As the facilities and
staff are shared for the control of fresh water and sea water quality, they are not accounted
for separately.
The treated fresh water in Hong Kong is subject to a stringent and comprehensive quality
monitoring programme. Samples are regularly taken from fixed points and random
locations throughout the entire treatment, supply and distribution system including catchment
intakes, pumping station receiving Dongjiang water, storage reservoirs, water treatment
works, service reservoirs, distribution systems and consumers' taps.
Gototop
Signature
Name in block letters
Post Title
Date
P W CHAN
Ag. Director of Water Supplies
19 March 2003
Reply Serial No.
ETWB(W)033
Question Serial No.
0530