Worried residents at a major private housing estate in Hong Kong lined up to have their water meters cleaned after bitumen particles were found in their drinking supply, with many also complaining that their hot taps had run dry.
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More than 10 people queued at a service counter set up by the Water Supplies Department at Taikoo Shing in Quarry Bay on Monday afternoon, after laboratory tests confirmed that the black particles found in the drinking water of 14 blocks the night before were bitumen.
Bitumen, a black, sticky substance obtained from crude oil, was used to line water pipes before Hong Kong banned its use in 2005.
Some residents feared that the bitumen particles might have become stuck in their meters, which would also need to be cleaned.
Others complained that their hot water had stopped running, as the particles were believed to have affected the heating system.
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“I was very worried because I had already drunk quite a lot of water that morning,” said Linda Wong, a resident in her 60s. “My tap water did not look as bad, maybe because we have a filter installed. But still, I’ve started buying bottled water.”