Cecil Wong reports
The judge leading an inquiry into the lead contamination of tap water on Thursday questioned the way the government checks water supply components installed in public housing estates.
The Commission of Inquiry heard that while Housing Department officials physically inspect toilets installed in public housing estates, there are no mandatory checks for components like taps and valves.
Mr Justice Andrew Chan questioned this approach and deputy housing director, Ada Fung, said this should not be an issue because the paperwork submitted by contractors would have been verified. But the answer did not satisfy Chan.
On the day four of the inquiry into the lead contamination of tap water at 11 public housing estates, contractors also sought to explain why there was lead in the soldering materials used for connecting pipes.
One of them, Shui On, said the pipes could have been contaminated through contact with air, or that the wrong materials could have been delivered.
China State Construction said it suspects that its subcontractor and workers had used "non-compliant" materials behind its back.
The Commission of Inquiry heard that while Housing Department officials physically inspect toilets installed in public housing estates, there are no mandatory checks for components like taps and valves.
Mr Justice Andrew Chan questioned this approach and deputy housing director, Ada Fung, said this should not be an issue because the paperwork submitted by contractors would have been verified. But the answer did not satisfy Chan.
On the day four of the inquiry into the lead contamination of tap water at 11 public housing estates, contractors also sought to explain why there was lead in the soldering materials used for connecting pipes.
One of them, Shui On, said the pipes could have been contaminated through contact with air, or that the wrong materials could have been delivered.
China State Construction said it suspects that its subcontractor and workers had used "non-compliant" materials behind its back.
http://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1221805-20151105.htm