Crystal clear: Director of Water Supplies Ma Lee-tak encourages landlords, owners' corporations, property management companies and management agents to join the Quality Water Recognition Scheme for Buildings.

The Water Supplies Department has awarded 2,144 certificates to landlords, owners' corporations, property management companies and management agents of hospitals, hotels, schools, universities and public institutions for good maintenance of fresh water plumbing systems.

Director of Water Supplies Ma Lee-tak issued the certificates at a ceremony today, urging more landlords, owners' corporations and building management agents to join the Quality Water Recognition Scheme for Buildings. He said the scheme is growing more popular with this year's figure well above the 1,804 certificates awarded last year.

"Since the launch of the scheme in July, 2002, numerous buildings have pledged their support with more than 1.1 million households having benefited from the scheme," Mr Ma said. "Whether the certificate is gold, silver or blue, it signifies proper maintenance of plumbing systems and quality building management."

The voluntary scheme encourages landlords, owners' corporations and building management agents to regularly maintain their fresh water plumbing systems. Buildings joining the scheme must ensure licensed professionals inspect their fresh water plumbing every three months and all defects promptly rectified. Water tanks also need to be cleaned quarterly.

Advisory Committee on the Quality of Water Supplies Chairman Professor Ho Kin-chung said Hong Kong enjoys one of the safest water supplies in the world, complying with the World Health Organisation's Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality. Water quality is stringently monitored with samples taken from treatment works, supply and distribution systems, and consumers' taps.

Professor Ho said the satisfaction rate of domestic and commercial customers with the department's services has grown 12.1% and 20.8% to 91.9% and 95.1% respectively from 2002 to 2007, according to a recent department survey.

More details and application procedures are available on the department's website or by calling 2824 5000.