Black particles in Fanling public housing tap water identified as bitumen
發佈日期: 2025-06-05 21:47
TVB News
An explanation from the government today for mysterious black particles found in tap water at two public housing estates in Fanling.
Director of Water Supplies Roger Wong said preliminary tests identified the particles as bitumen, which could be leftovers from a similar water quality incident in 2022.
He stressed the water there is safe to drink.
Mysterious black specks were found in tap water at Queen's Hill Estate and Shan Lai Court in Fanling over the past week.
To address public concerns, Director of Water Supplies Roger Wong explained the particles are non-toxic bitumen.
Bitumen was used as an inner coating material in water pipes in the past.
But it had been banned from use in pipes when the two housing estates were constructed.
He believes the black particles could be leftovers from a similar water quality incident in the area in 2022.
Roger Wong, Director of Water Supplies said, " in 2022, there was a similar incident. At that time, we flushed the pipes and installed a filter so as to screen out all the black particles and sediments that may move in the internal plumbing system. We frequently clean the filter and do not find any sign of black particles. We frequently flush our water pipes and also do not find any sign of black particles. So we deduce that the black particles or the sediments may (have) moved in or floated in the internal plumbing system before the installation time of our filters."
The authorities said they cleaned the water tanks at both housing estates after complains emerged, and laboratory test results showed the water is still safe for consumption.
Wong stressed the water does not contain toxic substances or carcinogens.
Roger Wong, Director of Water Supplies said, "based on our professional experience, these sediments or substances are very likely to be fragmentised from our internal plumbing system or water pipes. We have very stringent requirements for the use of materials for our water pipes and internal plumbing system, so we consider that even some materials or fragments are in the drinking water, they will not pose harmful effects to the public."
Wong said the authorities are very concerned with public health and pledged to install filers at Shan Lai Court and clean the pipes until no more particles are found in the water.
