New salinity classification system for water supply

The Government would introduce a classification scale to inform the public on degree of salinity in the city's water supply. An inter-departmental task force, chaired by the Director of Port Authority, Ms Wong Soi Man, held a meeting today to discuss measures to tackle the seasonal increase in salinity of the water supply during the winter and early spring. The task force decided to introduce a four-level-scale to clearly notify the public on the quality of the water supply. Moreover, starting from early next month, the Government would educate the public through the mass media, with leaflets, hotline and website, on the effect of the increase in salinity to people's health. During the period of high salinity in water supply, the Macao Water Company would not collect the minimum charge from consumers, and the Government would distribute bottled water to the underprivileged and those in need.