Replies to LegCo questions

LCQ15: Water quality of private swimming pools

     Following is a question by the Hon Li Kwok-ying and a written reply by the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr York Chow, in the Legislative Council today (October 13):

 

Question:

 

     Regarding the regulation of water quality in private swimming pools, will the Government inform this Council of:

 

(a) the respective numbers of sample laboratory tests conducted by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department on the water quality of private swimming pools in 2003 and so far this year, the relevant test results and the follow-up actions that have been taken; and

 

(b) the frequency of such sample tests on the water quality of individual private swimming pools?

 

Reply:

 

Madam President,

 

(a) Under the Swimming Pools Regulation (Cap. 132 sub. leg.), a swimming pool licensee is required to comply with bacteriological standard of -

(i) absence of E. coli in pool water samples of 100ml each; and

(ii) total bacterial count not exceeding 200 bacteria per ml of pool water sample.

 

     Furthermore, pool water must meet the standard of clarity as prescribed in the law.  Non-compliance with the bacteriological and clarity standards is an offence.

 

     From January 2003 to June 2004, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) took a total of 12,982 and 793 samples for bacteriological examination and chemical analysis respectively to ascertain compliance with the statutory bacteriological and clarity standards.  During the period, 2 licensees were prosecuted for the presence of E. coli in pool water samples.  The irregularities were subsequently rectified by the licensees concerned.  All water samples taken for chemical analysis were found to comply with the statutory standard of clarity.

 

(b) At present, staff members of FEHD take pool water samples for bacteriological examination on a monthly basis during the period when the swimming pools are open for use.  Water samples are taken once a year for chemical analysis to ascertain compliance with the statutory standard of clarity which does not have direct impact on human health. 

 

Ends/Wednesday, October 13, 2004

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