Water Supplies Department Enquiry Contacts Tel. No. : 2824 5000 Fax No. :2824 0578 Website: wirw.wsd.gov.hk pied oi cus riaiell oy eeecctisoeinaion Aes, Piste the We pps Ores N aintenance Guide |BG Punting maintenance Guide Contents Page No. 1. Introduction 2 > 2. Recommended Practices 2.1 Cleaning of Water Tanks 2.2 inspection of Fresh Water Plumbing Systems 2.3 Replumbing 2.4 Use of Fiters or Puritiors 2.8 Checking of Weter Westage > 3. Quality Water Recognition Scheme for Buildings 8 > APPENDICES ‘Appendix 1: Troubleshooting 9 ‘Appendix 2: Examples of Maintenance Practices 11 ‘Appendix 3: Cleaning Procedures for Water Tanks 13, ‘Appendix 4: Typical Inspection Checklists for 14 Components of a Fresh Water Plumbing System1. Introduction ‘The quality of treated water from the Water Supplies Department fully complies with the World Health Organization guidelines for tinking water. To ensure good quality of water at the taps, the ‘maintenance of the fresh water plumbing systems in buildings has tobe consistently kept a a high standard ‘According to the Waterworks Ordinance, the responsibility for {resh water plumbing maintenance lies with the registered ‘consumers (Le. the customers) or the registered agents (10. the ‘owners’ corporations or management agents). However, some registred consumers and registered agents are not aware of tis. ‘As a result, ther fresh water plumbing systems are not properly ‘maintained. The tap water may become discoloured or diy. (Choked or burst water pipes cause weak water flow oF no water ‘Supply at taps. In extreme circumstances, leaking water pipes ‘may cause waisr seepage at the celing or wall and nuisance to ‘other patios. Please refer to Appendix 1 on how to deal with ‘some ofthese probloms. To avold these probloms, the fresh water plumbing systems have to be inspected regularly and any dofects Identified have to be rected immediatly. The sump water tanks land root water tanks have to be cleaned regulary. Some ‘examples of good and bad practices in ration to fresh water plumbing systems are shown in Appendix 2. ‘The purpose of ths “Fresh Water Plumbing Maintenance Guide” is to provide the registered consumers and registered agents with ‘advice on how to inspect and maintain their fresh water plumbing systems properly. 2. Recommended Practices 2.4 Cleaning of Water Tanks “The fresh water plumbing system in a bul often inciudes a ‘sump water tank anda roof water tank, The registered consumers or registered agents should clean all their water tanks regularly according to proper procedures to prevent ‘accumulation of dit, rust etc, which may lead to clscolowed water. (2) Frequency of Cleaning ‘The sump water tanks and the roof water tanks should ‘normaly be cleaned at least once every 3 months or mare trequenty it necessary. {() Preparation Work before Cleaning of Water Tanks Before cleaning the water larks, the registered consumer or registered agent should (1) programme the cleaning in off-peak hours to minimize ‘causing inconvenience tothe occupants inthe building: {@) serve notice to the cccuparts in conspicuous lecations detaling the date and duration of water supply ‘suspension necessary for facilitating water tank ‘leaning. The notice should also contain advice on ‘what the occupants shouid do immediately before and ‘after water tank cleaning (such as Keeping all taps ‘losed), and an emergency contact telephone number, (9) cheok that the relevant statutory requirements, such 3s, ‘the Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Confined ‘Spaces) Regulations, Cap S9AE. are complod with; and (4) employ a person or agent who fs conversant wth the ‘leaning procedures and is capable of cleaning the ‘water tanks to clan the water tanks. {6) Cleaning of Water Tanks For detalis of the cleaning procedures, please refer to Appendix 3. (0) Post Cieaning Review ‘After cleaning the water tanks, the registered consumer or ‘registered agant should review the whole process and E \ working procedures taken. They should also adress the: [robiems encountered and complaints received due to the ‘leaning work and provide feedback to the occupants 3s. me z a2. Recommended Practices 2.2 Inspection of Fresh Water Plumbing Systems (a) Inspection FRogular maintenance wil help to ensure that the fresh wator plumbing systoms will perform as intended. It may also avoid unplanned interruption of water supply and extend the service Ile of the systems by identifying and recityng the defects at an early stage. To facitate plumbing inspection and emergency uso, the registered consumer or registered agent should maintain {an upto-dato record of tho plumbing eystom layout. Tho registered consumer or regisiered agent should employ a licensed plumber, a bulking services surveyor or an fenginear to inspect the plumbing system at least once every tree months er more frequent if necessary. A ‘ypical inspection checklist for components of a fresh water plumbing system is in Appendix 4 for reference. The licensed plumber or bulding vices surveyor or engineer should follow the manufacturer's recommendations or instructions regarding preventive maintanance ofthe water Pipes, fitings, pumps, prassure reducing valves, taps, valves, etc. Hotshe should rectity any datects ound during the inspoction immediatly. (b) Licensed Plumbers ‘A licensed plumber Is @ person licensed under the Waterworks Ordinance to corstuct, instal, maintain, alte, repair or remove water supply plumbing. The licensed Plumber droctory is availablo in WSD's wobsite tps wsd gov hkfenttmliplumbsindex him. For fresh water plumbing systems, @ lconsed plumber ‘should be employed fr: (0 instaling plumbing in connection with new water meters; @ instaling waterusing appliances suen as water tanks, washing machines, water heaters or baths; and Gi instating oF removing water taps, water ppes and tings. It is an offence if any person, other than a licensed plumber, cates out instaation or moditictions of the ‘resh water plumbing systems in buldings. However, alterations of repairs to plumbing systems which in the pinion of the Water Supplies Department are minor in ‘ature may be caried out by a person other than a licensed plumber. Typical examples of minor works are roplacoment of dofoctive wator pipes, taps, stopcocks, gate valves, ball valves, repairs of leaking water pines orfitings and rewashoring of tps. 2.3 Replumbing ‘The quality of water is affcted by the conditions of the fresh water plumbing systoms, which aro of rolted tothe age of the buildings. Since December 1995, the use of unlined gaNvanlized iron pipes and fitings as fresh water plumbing systoms in now buildings or replumbing of existing buildings has been prohibited. As a result, new buldings constructed or existing buildings replumbed after 1995 should have used corrosionresistant water pipes. The problem of discolouration «ue to rusting water pipes for these buldings i not common. | the registered consumor or the registered agent exporioncos water quality problems due to cortaded water pines or fins, helshe should consider replacing the coroded water pipes and fitings by new ones. When rephumbing is necessary, the registered consumer or registered agen! should obtain approval ofthe Water Supplies Department betore carying out the replumbing work, ‘The "Buléing Safety Loan Scheme’ maraged by the Buildings Department sims to provide loane to individual owners of all \ypes of private buildings including domestic, composite, commercial and industrial buiings who may wish to obtain financial assistance in carrying cut works (including replacing water supply pipes) for improving the safely oftheir bulging. ‘The reqisterec consumer or registered agent may apply for financial assistance from the scneme if applicable, f ZRecommended Practices Ny | % Choice of Pipe Materials, The pipes and fitings used in the fresh water plumbing systems. shall conform to Part | of Schedule 2 of the Waterworks. Regulations. The folowing table summarizes the diffrent types of pipe materials commonly used in the fresh water plumbing systoms: ot) Ee Standards ed eee) Copper 7 7 BSEN 1057 Duct ron z 7 BSENSAS ‘Giwith PVC-Cinng |v ¢ BS 13678 Intema tning of an approved type Giwih PREUT 7 #6810878 PE ining Intema ining of an approved type Polyoutyene PB) Zi 7887231 Poiystyiene PE a * BSe5T2 {below aroun) 7 * | BS6730 (aboveground) Gorinated paiyenyh | 76S 7231 chloride (Pve-cy ‘Unplsteuadpoywing | | BS3805 Cass Dor Chloride PVCU above Crosslinked 7 7 BS 7251 polyetryiene rex" Siaiss steal Z 7 lesae7 1 Suteiaterae wanna oan sca recone 1 Unasspscy reat, dost mae ony wit aga en rooraed cae tou laa 2.4 Use of Filters or Purifiers ‘The qual of treated water supplied by the Water Supplies Department to the customers atthe connection points atthe building lot boundary fully complies with the World Health Organization guidelines for dinking water. Provided that tha waters free from contamination within the plumbing system in a building, tis not nscessary to uso filter or pri. It the registered consumer or registered agent wishes to use fiters or purifers in the plumbing system, he/she should ‘maintain the fit or purtiors properly by claaning them or replacing the fiter cartridges regulary. Fiters or purfiors which are not property maintained will easly provide breeding ‘grounds for bacterial growth and will give rise to health hazards. 2.5 Checking of Water Wastage “The registered consumer or registered agent can check ifthe fresh water plumbing system is leaking and wasting water by the folowing simple “Do-t-Yoursef Method” {@) Tum offal water taps in the premises. (b) Compare the water meter readings taken at the start and atthe end of @ 20-minute period (or longer if necessary) to see if the water meter i registering ow. (@) Ifthe water motor registers flow when all water taps are ‘ured oft suggests that the plumbing system is leaking. ‘The registered consumer or registered agent should employ 4 licensed plumber to conduct an investigation and to rectly the detects immediately It snoule be noted that tne above method cannot detect very small leakage such as seepage. For seepage cases, the registered consumer oF registered agent should employ a licensed plumber to conduct a thorough investigation and to rectity any defects found, & eZ3. Quality Water Recognition Scheme for Buildings ‘re ate at pov yh te Spe Deptt con {Syn sans bray enn ne ee ton Ogi Tove nO ee at Cros et ony eat ayo wae a eg, lng owes he ah er Fircy sane pont as wa Yo wosuag ry oe Go Sr ne ara Aoyama en Cua ee Sts ACG, ate Sa Drone Gy ate Reson Shee Bans fet town a ah We Png Aharon Sr on 22 20, Pattn he Score set. 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(2) Water Quality Problems Diinking water ehould be clear with a very sight ehlrine odour \tectable only to those sensitive consumers. ‘Sometimes, tap water may appear milky weite, One possible Cause of this is the minute air bubbles trapped in the fresh water plumbing system, These minute air bubbles are air {drawn in through the air vaives installed in the plumbing system, This has nothing to do with the water quality. When the minute air bubbles escape from the water, the water wall ‘become clear again {tthe water remains stagnant in rusty water ppas for a Tong time, it may look cloudy and cisccloured due tothe presence cof very fine suspension of ron oxide. In most eases, athough the water may be aesthetcally unplesent, itis stil suitable for etinking asthe amount of on very minut. It thoee is suspected water qualty problems in the premises, the registered consumer Is suggested to leave the water running for a moment to see if the water will become clear gain | the problem parsists, the registered consumer is suggested to check with the neighbours first. If the neighbours ‘experience no water quality problem, the problem likey fies within the registered consumer's own plumbing system, in hich case the registered consumer should employ a licensed plumber to check hisher plumbing immediatly | water quality problem is also experienced by the neighbours, the registered consumer is suggested to check with the rogistered agent to see ifthe roof water tank and sump wator tani have been cleaned recently or there Is any corroded pipework in the plumbing system. Ifthe registered agent stil gt ‘cannot find out the cause, please contact WSD's Customer, Teleohone Enquiry Centre at te. no. 2824 5000.fees ries Appendix 1 (cont'd) Troubleshooting (©) Weak Water Supply Ha registered consumer experiances weak flow at the taps, he/she should chock with the registered agont to s0e if the problem is due to any works in the bulding or due to dofects ‘ofthe pumps or the plumbing system such asthe main control valve, stopcocks et. the problem isnot due to the above defect, the registered consumer is suggested to engage a licensed plumber to ‘conduct an investigation. Ifthe loensed plumber eannot find ‘ut the cause ofthe problem, please contact WSD's Customer “Tlophone Enquiry Conte a el. no. 2824 5000 for assistance, (c) No Water Supply Hf a registered consumer has no water supply in his/her premises, he/she should check with his/her neighbours to eae if they have normal water supply. lf hisher neighbours have oral supply, the problem likely les within the ropitored ‘consumer's own plumbing system, in which case the registered consumer should employ a licensed plumber to ‘check histher plumbing immediately. Hi neighbours also do not have water eupply, the registered ‘consumer should check with the regstered agent fo see itis ‘due to defects of the common sump-and-pump system of ‘emergency maintenance works in the building. If the regstered consumer stil cannot find out the cause, please contact WSD's Customer Telephone Enquly Cente at tl no. 2824 5000, Appendix 2 Examples of Maintenance Practices Some common examples of good and bad practices in relation to Fresh water plumbing systems are ilustrated below: Good Practices Bad Practic CClaan Water Tank Wator Tank with Raised Defective Waler Tank Cover Neck & Double-cealed Cover Overtiow Pipe with Selcising Lid Overflow Pipe without LidAppendix 2 Examples of Maintenance Practices Good Practices Bad Practices Water Tank with Poorly Maintained Proper Maintenance ‘Water Tank Properly Maintained Water Pipe 1 ay Proper Meter Box Inacoessible Water Meters Appendix 3 Cleaning Procedures for Water Tanks “The water tank cleaning procedures areas follows: {@) Close the niet and outlet valves of the water tank; to save water, water should be consumed to aval of about SG0mm above the bottom ofthe tank before cleaning, (b) Empty the water tank through the washout pipe (6) Thoroughly scrub and clean the water tank and the inleoutlet pipes with frsh water. (6) Drain away the dirty water through the washout pipe. (6) Serub the water tank thoroughly with a solution of chlorce of lime or bleaching powder containing not less than 80 parts per millon of chlorine Solution. (For chloride of lime or bleaching powder contains 33% of availabe chlorine in weight, a 50 parts per milion chlorina solution can be prepared by mixing 15 grams of chore of ime or bleaching power in 100 litres of water. Please wear protective gloves and mix the solution with care) (0) Rinse the water tank thorougnly with fresh water, (6) Drain away tho water through the washout pipe, (ty Ref the water tank with fresh water. (© Open the inlet and outlet valves and the water tank is ready for f ZGT Ptumbing Maimenance Guide Appendix 4 Typical Inspection Checklists for Components of a Fresh Water Plumbing System cod gistered Agents Te the fresh water tan connected {o the fre service water tank? Coren Tt gives rise Contamination to the fresh water plumbing ‘ystem. The regstered agent should apply for an independent tre service sonnestion immessatety 15 the ofginally approved sump ‘and pump system converted ‘rect supply system? Yes Te may ge re To weak water supply, A licensed plumber should be employed to resiore the supply system 10 the oignally approved sump and pump system. oter of Accounts | Ragistred Ts the water meter registering The water meter does not “Tho water meter may be delecive, Please Agenis & rormally? register flow when the tap is | roquest the Wator Suppes Department to Registered arrangp for an inspection Coneumere when the water i fowing ‘Sloadly out ofthe taps. Doos the water motor repistor | Yes “Ths is an idicaion tha the waler ppe ow when all tans in the at are leaking. A leenced phimber should bo dosed? cempioyodto chock is tho wator motor housed a | No, “To pretect the wator meter agaist exposure mtr room or box? to weather, fang objects and other undue ‘extemal interlerences, @ leensed plumber ‘should be employed to house the water ‘moter in ameter oom or box. Water Pipes Registered “ae the pipes oF tings the | The pipes or Titings are | Ths may give rise to potential leakage a the Agents & propery? loosely ee. pe jits or ings and viraten noise. A Registered licensed plumber should bo employed 10 fhe Consumers the supports or itings prope. Ts hare any vbaion nai? ‘Veraton nose oocxs when the water tap or vane is ‘pened or locos quickly, "Tho walor laps oF valves should bo opened Cor closed somly to prevent vexaton noise. 11 Vibration noise stil persis, @ licensed lumber should be employed Io check “Are the water pipes i good ‘oncions? "The water pipes may leak or even burs A licensed plumber should be employed to check and replace thom, “ie the water pipes Fee oF any sign of coresion or leakage? There are signs of covosion ‘orleakage inthe water pipes. “are abandoned wale pipes and ‘tings esconectoa” Ne, Teed pur shoud Be WEFT rack ane 1 replace em |Z 7 cosed pmbor shoud bo onptyed © [Lk ‘scone the abandoned wator pipes ane fitings and to plug the ends of the iscomecied pipes. aSY Prumbing Maintenance cuice Appendix 4 (cont'd) Typical Inspection Check Components of a Fresh Water Plumbing System ists for eee ee aoe Recommendations / alban | atnicatl oa Follow up actions Water Pipes Registered x Teosh water ppe Tes pola danger of contamination ‘goris & erected to he fishing war tothe rch vaterpumbig system. A Teensed Fegisored bes? umber shou be employed to dsconed the Consumers ‘enna mada. WaterTape Fogitred “othe watortaps wateright? | Water fs Teaking out of tho | A beensed plumber should be employed fo ‘geris & water tas. repair orepiace thom. Registered Isher ay atachmert(reuding | Attachment such asa hose [To prevent water trom backowing to the Consumers «& hose pe) feed fo a tap of | pips esto atapor ote. | fresh wale umding system, he atactment ult 10 cause backtow of ‘shoul be dacormected water? 1s the seal ofthe tps ih Gn0d | Water 1s leaking out of the | A Weonsed lumber shoul be employed to cerson? water taps. tepaiorrepace them, ‘ve there sient cleansing | No. lease apply or new waler supp fo ar oF tape provided at the ear parks ‘oor washing om the Water Supplies {or caror oor washing? Dearie Vaiee Fogitred ‘Ae the working parts of the | Tho woking pare athe vaves | Tho valves aro not naioning propowy._A acris & Nalves operated propery? | cannot move Westy. licensed plumber should be employed to Registered ore teow repar or replace thom Consumers iter is leaking trom the valves when they are being ‘petted Pressure Reduorg | Regiioved Ts the wator pressure at te] We “The pressure reducing vale fe not working Vanes doors Glownsttoam aide sot 19 tha propery. licensed plumber shoul be esignd value? ‘employed to check the pressure reducing ‘ave and replace Ft necessary Tater orVane | Registered Ty the access door or Cover | Wo: To fasts melt reading and manirance Chamber coms | Agents easy 1 open? of te water meter, the sonss doorioover Shou be kept easy 0 open Ts here adequate for space, | Wo To facile meter reading end mantras headroom, ging, vertiaion of the water meters, acequete Noor space, and ‘drainage, satisactory eacoom,ighing,ventlaion and eanag Gaal go00 mygieic. envionment and. an spate eta 1 Independent entance tothe moter or vale water meter or vave chamber rere rel ead Pome Roginered Ts the pump operaing wirout | The pump l= operating wih | Ths fan idesion tat he pump i not ‘aeris bora noise? sorrel noise. working propery beensee pum should bo ompley to check the pup ana replace ii necessary. "heal componeris he panp | There ae signe of casion in| A Weansea pumbor shoud bo onployed to free ofcorsion? some components of the | replace tha corradedomponants with pum. Components that are not susceptible to eo reBE Plumbing Maintenance Guide Appendix 4 (cont'd) Typical Inspection Checklists for Components of a Fresh Water Plumbing System Cd Water Tanks DeLay Ragistoes Agents ered ‘are the tosh and flushing watr tanks connectog? Cr Yes. “Tis gos rs9 to potential contamination to the fresh water tank A licensed plumber should be empiyed to isconnect the connection immediately. isthe water tank feo ofeakage or overfow? “Thor are signs of leakage or coverow inthe water tane “The ie an inceation that te water tank nok ‘working propery. A izensed plumber shoul bbe employed to inspect the wale tank and rechty the detects, ‘Are all components of the water tank ae of corrosion? There are signs of canosion In some components of the water tank 7 icorsod plumber should be employed to fepiacs the cowreded. components with ia ate not susoeptbie To Tre the suppor of te water tank rigid and secured? Ne. "The water tank supooris should be Tred propery. Ts he overow oF warning pip working propery and Kep ree from obstrtions? The overlow pipe or warning Pe is backed ‘The blockage of the veriow or warring pipe shouldbe cleared immediately Ts he overiow or waring pipe | No. 7A icensod pluriber shoud be employed to provided with a grating and provide the overtow or warring pipe wh & Sal-tosing norturn Nap? tating and sel+cosing non-return fap. Ts te access manhole proved | No. “Tho access manhole shouldbe provided with with raged. necks to. prevent raised neck Ingioss of an wate ote? Te the access manhole oover | No. 7 doube-taalad saver undar lack should be double sealed and locked to provent ingress of water and Insect ee? provides, ‘eal intemal euvface of foo, wals and clings of the fresh water tarks ined with & ‘white nontoxic smooth tnish such as ceramic es? Not all internal surface of floors, walls and colin of tho fresh wator tanks ae lined wih a wile nontoxe sma fri To telltale Sleansing of water Tanke, al Intemal sutace of tears, walls and cengs ofthe fresh water tanks shouldbe ted with ‘while nontoxic smoath finish Suen as ceramic ti Ts here any poli plate or board provided to record the dates when the wale tanks are ‘eaned? No 7 notice plate of board with the cleaning datos records should be provided. The notce plaleboaré should be securely hod ft a conspicuous locaton easily accessible ‘and visible by the resents and the building ‘management sat &