Authorities on Monday said that water supply to Tung Chung was restored shortly after 10am, after the area was cut off from fresh water for about 12 hours due to urgent overnight repairs.

The Water Supplies Department had originally planned to restore the supply of water at 6am but was forced to delay it several times.

Islands District Councillor Lau Chin-pang told RTHK the arrangements were unsatisfactory.

“I think the delay is not good for our residents because 7am to 8am is the most important time for the students and for the workers. So I don't think it's a suitable case. I think they can improve,” he said.

Huizaifa, a food delivery worker who lives in Yat Tung Estate in Tung Chung, was one of the affected residents.

“Now I go to work [but there was] just a little water only [for] face wash… I feel very bad because when I came home, no water and when I go toilet no [water]” he said.

At a wet market, an angry congee shop owner surnamed Fu said no water meant no business.

“Of course the water outage has a huge impact, affecting the whole world. It makes things very inconvenient. Everything needs water. Even if you want to eat, there’s nothing to eat. So there’s no business,” he said.

The department said earlier that it ordered water trucks and water tanks to the area to provide a temporary supply of fresh water to residents and businesses.

It said the repairs for the 1,200-millimetre-diameter fresh-water pipe were needed following an operational incident near the Siu Ho Wan Water Treatment Works.

A department document said the works is a key facility to supply water to Tung Chung, Hong Kong International Airport, Tai Ho, and Discovery Bay.
_____________________________
Last updated: 2024-11-04 HKT 12:22