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BEAM PLUS FOR NEW B UILDINGS WATER USE (WU)
V ERSION 1.2 W U P1 WATER QUALITY S URVEY
Copyright © 2012 BEAM Society Limited. All rights reserved.
Page 123
5 WATER USE 5.P PREREQUISITE
WU P1 WATER QUALITY S URVEY
EXCLUSIONS None.
OBJECTIVE Ensure that the quality of potable water delivered to building users is
satisfactory.
REQUIREMENT Demonstrating that the quality of potable water meets the referenced
drinking water quality standards at all points of use.
ASSESSMENT The Client shall provide details of the analysis of samples taken from a
selection of potable water outlets used to supply human consumption.
Sampling should be systematic, such as described in ISO 5667 [1], but
as a minimum samples shall be taken at all the farthest point(s) of use in
the distribution system from the storage tank, and shall include sampling
for each water supply tank used in the building. If water quality at all
sample points meets with Water Supplies Department (WSD) Guidelines
the requirement shall be fulfilled.
BACKGROUND According to the agreement between Guangdong and Hong Kong, "all
water supplies to Hong Kong will meet the water quality standard of
Guangdong Province currently in force and will not be inferior to the
Class II water quality standard stipulated in the Environmental Quality
Standard for Surface Water GB 3838-83 published by the People’s
Republic of China in 1983" [2].
QUALITY OF WATER
SUPPLIED FROM THE
MAINLAND
It is closely monitored by WSD on entering Hong Kong at reception
points at Muk Wu Pumping Stations at the border and again at all
treatment works receiving the raw water. Laboratory tests are performed
daily on various parameters such as ammonia and manganese for
monitoring because their levels in the raw water are useful reference for
dosing of treatment chemicals. The sampling and testing frequencies of
individual parameters vary from 4-monthly to three times per day, and if
necessary as frequently as hourly. All raw water is delivered to water
treatment works where it is treated to comply chemically and
bacteriologically with the WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality
(2006) before being supplied to consumers.
SUPPLY QUALITY According to WSD [3] Hong Kong’s water is of the safest quality and
among the best in the world. However, it is affected in some instances by
the inadequate maintenance of internal plumbing systems before it
reaches customers’ taps and this can cause discolouration of the water.
To encourage building owners to maintain their plumbing systems
properly and with the endorsement of the Advisory Committee on the
Quality of Water Supplies (ACQWS), the Water Supplies Department
launched the Fresh Water Plumbing Quality Maintenance Recognition
Scheme [ 4 ] in 2002. Since 1 January 2008, the Scheme has been
renamed the Quality Water Recognition Scheme for Buildings.
Successful applicants will be awarded a Certificate to recognise proper
maintenance of the plumbing systems inside a building for keeping the
good quality of government-supplied water throughout the inside service
up to the consumers’ taps.
1 ISO 5667-5: 1991. Water quality — Part 6: Sampling — Section 6.5 Guidance on sampling of drinking water and water
used for food and beverage processing.
2 Water Supplies Department. ACQWS Paper No. 5. Raw Water Quality Monitoring in Hong Kong.
3 Water Supplies Department. Annual Report.
4 Water Supplies Department. Fresh Water Plumbing Maintenance Guide.