Government water scandal further erodes public confidence in Hong Kong administration
In the latest development, a contract for a mainland supplier of civil service water in Hong Kong has been "partially terminated." The move comes amidst ongoing concerns about water quality issues in the region, particularly in areas like Queens Hill Estate.
The termination is due to suspected procurement fraud related to the supply of water. However, the supplier in question has not been identified in the news report. The Water Supplies Department of Hong Kong has not issued a formal statement regarding the termination of the contract.
The water quality issues in Hong Kong have been a long-standing problem, with incidents dating back at least a decade. In 2010, opposition lawmaker Helena Wong Pik-wan discovered excessive lead in drinking water affecting 11 public housing estates and 29,000 households in Hong Kong. The Water Supplies Department was criticized for having an inadequate understanding of World Health Organization guidelines it adopted in 1994.
The termination of the contract is the first major action taken against a water supplier since the discovery of excessive lead in drinking water in 2010. It is a sign of the ongoing efforts to address the water quality issues in Hong Kong.
The termination could potentially restore public trust in the Water Supplies Department of Hong Kong, which has been questioned due to past incidents. The water quality issues in Hong Kong, such as those in Queens Hill Estate, have raised concerns about public trust in the department.
One recommendation from an independent, judge-led inquiry conducted in 2016 was for the water authority to establish a robust licensing regime for plumbing installations. This could help ensure the quality and safety of water supply systems across Hong Kong.
For more than a decade, the Water Supplies Department did not fully comprehend the standards it was supposed to monitor and uphold. The termination of the contract is a potential step towards improving the water supply system in Hong Kong, which has been plagued by issues for over a decade.
The termination of the contract raises questions about the oversight and management of water supply contracts in Hong Kong. The ongoing water quality issues indicate a broader problem with the water supply system in the region, and it remains to be seen how the termination of this contract will impact the situation.
As the situation develops, it is crucial that the Water Supplies Department takes decisive action to address the water quality issues and restore public trust in its operations. The termination of the contract is a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to ensure the safety and quality of Hong Kong's water supply.
