Black particles in water? Hong Kong says supply at public housing estate is safe

The freshwater supply at a Hong Kong public housing estate in the New Territories is safe, authorities have said, after residents voiced worries over black particles found in their drinking water.

The Water Supplies Department on Saturday sought to reassure tenants of Queen’s Hill Estate in Fanling following complaints about a delayed official response to reports of impurities in the water supply.

Residents on Friday began posting photos to social media of tap filters that had collected a large amount of black specks, with one of the tenants describing the particles as sticky.

The department told one of the residents on Saturday morning that it had been aware of the case since 10am on Friday, according to a social media post.

The author of the post asked why there had been no public acknowledgement and suggested residents were left to drink contaminated water.

Another user also posted a photo of a bowl of water containing black particles.