More than 10,000 households affected after Shau Kei Wan pipe burst

A cast-iron water pipe measuring 18 inches in diameter was suspected to have burst in Shau Kei Wan after being damaged by ongoing road excavation works, affecting over 10,000 households in the area.

This as the Water Supplies Department is attempting to repair the pipe before the early hours of tomorrow and restore water supply.

Large quantities of water shot to ground level flooding parts of Shau Kei Wan Road.

The burst was located just outside Asia Harvest Commercial Centre, with the Water Supplies Department (WSD) noting that the incident involved a damaged cast-iron water pipe measuring 18 inches in diameter.

Initial investigations indicated the burst was not caused by aging infrastructure.

WSD chief engineer Lin Tang-tai said the affected pipe remains in decent condition when taking its age into consideration, adding that the more-than-one-metre-long damage done to it was likely caused by external forces via road excavation works.

This as a local elderly care home's windows were suspected of being struck by debris from the moment of the pipe burst.

Large amounts of silt could be seen inside the facility with an 82-year-old resident who suffered from leg injuries requiring treatment at hospital.

A nearby restaurant was subject to similar damage.

Chan Yip-lun, a chief highway engineer of the Highways Department, said the contractor involved in local road renovation works had previously assessed the area, and made sure that the its work would not affect underground water pipes.

He apologised for the incident disrupting the community and emphasised his department will lend its full support to the Water Supplies Department.

This as the Water Supplies Department said it has turned off the water valve, adding that there is a temporary water cut in more than 10,000 households in Shau Kei Wan, Sai Wan Ho and Aldrich Bay.

Authorities have arranged 10 water trucks, over 100 water tanks and brought close to 10,000 water bottles to assist affected residents.

This congee shop owner said no patrons have dined at his shop since the pipe burst which resulting in 5,000 dollars' worth of losses.

While this woman hopes authorities can quickly fix the pipe so elderly residents will not have to queue for long durations just to wait for water.

The government noted it aims to fully repair the pipe before the early hours of tomorrow.