The Government Spokesperson Office and some related departments hold a joint press conference to announce the test results of water samples from water distribution system taken from public housing estates
In response to local residents’ recent concern over the quality of water supplies for newly built public housing estates, the Government attaches great importance to the issue and has initiated a series of follow-up work. Water quality tests have recently been conducted for household water supply systems of new public housing estates. The Office of the Spokesperson of the Government held a joint press conference on 29 July with all relevant departments to announce the test results, which showed that the lead content of the water samples tested complies with World Health Organization (WHO) safety standards. Also, the Government has formulated a contingency plan for potential incidents related to water safety. The press conference was hosted by the Spokesperson of the Government, Mr Victor Chan, at 3pm in the multi-function conference hall of Government Headquarters. Those present included Chairman of the Administration Committee of the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau (IACM), Mr Vong Iao Lek; Director of the Health Bureau, Mr Lei Chin Ion; Director of the Marine and Water Bureau, Ms Wong Soi Man; Director of the Housing Bureau, Mr Ieong Kam Wa; and Coordinator of the Infrastructure Development Office, Mr Chau Vai Man. Mr Victor Chan stated that the Government and the Chief Executive have been high concerned about drinking water safety for residents. In view of the public housing water supply situation of the nearby region, the Government has launched a series of preventive measures. A number of departments have recently launched an inter-departmental cooperation and communication mechanism, and held an inter-departmental meeting on public housing tap water quality and safety. The meeting was immediately followed by a series of water sample tests for household water supply systems of newly built public housing estates, to assess the situation regarding lead content in water. The Chief Executive also held a meeting on 28 July to hear reports from all departments concerned. He instructed the departments to set residents’ health as their first priority, and collaborate to develop contingency plans. Mr Victor Chan emphasised that Government monitoring of water quality will continue, to ensure safety and stability of water supplies. The Director of the Housing Bureau, Mr Ieong Kam Wa, said that, starting from 17 July, the 50 new public housing estates completed since 2007 are being targeted for water testing. Staff from the inter-departmental task force collect samples from the management office and the unoccupied units of every building. Water samples from the public water supply pipeline network are also collected, and sent to the IACM laboratory for lead content tests. After discussion, the inter-departmental task force decided that another phase of water quality tests will be carried out, for the 12 older public housing estates. Mr Ieong pointed out that the Government has now stipulated that the management companies of public estates must schedule a water tank and water supply facility cleaning at least every six months, to ensure safety of water supplies. The Chairman of the Administration Committee of the IACM, Mr Vong Iao Lek, presented the results of the water sample tests, which show that in the 49 water samples collected by the management offices of 50 public housing buildings, the lead content complied with the WHO safety standards, with lead contents lower than 10ug/L. In the samples of this round of tests, the highest lead content recorded was 3.5ug/L. Lab tests have been completed for 70 percent of the samples collected from unoccupied public housing units, and no excessive amounts of lead have been found. It is estimated that all tests can be completed within this week. The Director of the Marine and Water Bureau, Ms Wong Soi Man, stated that Macao and mainland China have a well-designed cooperation mechanism for monitoring the safety of water supplies to Macao. Every day, the Macao Water Supply Company Limited conducts tests on the quality of water from the water supply plant; it regularly submits water quality reports to the Marine and Water Bureau. The IACM laboratory carries out regular tests of samples from the water supply plant and the public water supply network. Throughout the years, the heavy metal content of Macao’s public water supply system has been in line with the WHO standards, indicating that Macao’s water quality is safe and stable. Ms Wong also mentioned that the Government has formulated its water supply safety contingency plan, to tackle potential incidents related to water supplies. When necessary, the Government will immediately activate the contingency plan and establish an inter-departmental working unit to promptly set up temporary water supply stations, to provide safe drinking water for the affected residents. In addition, the Government launched the Guidelines on Tap Water System Maintenance for Buildings last year, to promote improvements in maintenance of tap water systems by the property owners and management bodies of residential buildings, to ensure water safety. The guidelines are now being implemented on a pilot basis in public housing estates. The management service tenders for public housing estates already include the guidelines as part of the tender requirements. In addition, the Government will establish an industry directory to help property owners find appropriate suppliers for management, repair and maintenance of their water supply systems. The Coordinator of the Infrastructure Development Office, Mr Chau Vai Man, stated that the Government has a regulated review mechanism for the construction materials used in public housing estates. This includes a stipulation that all construction materials should strictly follow the standards specified in the tender document and set forth by the designer. Before the materials are transported into a construction site, the inspection company commissioned by the Government will carry out tests and inspections of the materials. Quality control units will verify the information on the materials entering the construction site. He emphasised that the construction materials used in public housing estates of Macao strictly follow international standards. All water supply pipes are made of copper. The soldering materials used between the pipes comprise mainly silver, copper, and lead-free soldering. The Director of the Health Bureau, Mr Lei Chin Ion, stated that the process of water sampling mainly followed WHO guidelines. He said that in the event of a water supply incident, the bureau will deploy medical staff to carry out lead content blood tests for residents of the affected buildings. If an excessive level of lead is found in any blood samples, the affected individuals will be evaluated by the hospital for follow-up and treatment. He emphasised that the Health Bureau has sufficient staff and facilities to manage the tests, evaluation and treatment. At the same time, the bureau will enhance public education on how to reduce lead exposure in daily life. He said the risk to the human body from lead in drinking water depends on whether the individual has other exposure to lead. If there is no other exposure to lead, the trace amounts of lead in drinking water will not affect health; and if the lead content in water does not exceed 10g/100ml, it will not affect human health. In general, if there is no further exposure to lead, a somewhat elevated lead level in blood will become normal again in a few months.