Two water samples collected at Lingnan University found to contain lead higher than World Health Organisation's safety level
According to the results of tests commissioned by Lingnan University, two water samples collected on campus were found to contain lead higher than the World Health Organisation (WHO)’s safety level. Immediate arrangements have been made to discontinue water supplies and provide distilled water for consumption by staff and students at the locations concerned.
Lingnan University has commissioned the Hong Kong Productivity Council to collect 58 initial draw-off water samples from different locations throughout the campus with the aim to investigate on the presence of lead in those water samples. The confirmed test report received by the University late yesterday afternoon indicates that, among the 58 water samples, lead levels of the samples collected from a water boiler at the dining hall of the student canteen and a water dispenser at the Multi-Purpose Outdoor Sports Ground were 12 and 25 micrograms per litre respectively, which exceeded the World Health Organisation (WHO)’s provisional health guidelines value for drinking water quality (which is set at not more than 10 micrograms per litre).
After recognising the test results, the University has made immediate arrangements yesterday to discontinue the operation of all the water boilers located at the dining hall of the student canteen. The water dispensers at the Multi-Purpose Outdoor Sports Ground have also been disconnected. At the same time, distilled water dispensers were made available at the two locations concerned to provide drinking water to staff and students.
In order to ensure the quality of drinking water for hostel residents, NSF53 certified water filters that are capable of reducing a number of impurities including lead in drinking water have been installed at the pantries of all student hostels since 2008. Therefore, despite the fact that the pre-filtered water samples collected from the pantries of (1) 2/F, Chung Shun Hall and Yee Min Hall, (2) 7/F, Lam Woo Hall, (3) 16/F, Wong Hoo Chuen Hall and (4) 3/F, Simon and Eleanor Kwok Building had exceeded WHO’s safety level according to the test report, their lead levels all turned out to be in compliance with WHO’s safety standard after passing through the water filters. This proved that the water filters installed are functioning properly and effectively as intended.
Apart from the water samples mentioned above, all other samples were found to have lead levels meeting WHO’s safety standard.
“Safety and health of our staff and students are always the top concern of the University,” said a spokesperson for Lingnan University. “We have communicated to all staff and students on the test results, as well as our follow up actions earlier today.”
To ascertain the test results, the University will arrange further tests on water collected from the locations concerned. The Office of the Comptroller will arrange to install NSF53 certified water filters to the water boilers located at the dining hall of the student canteen and the water dispensers at the Multi-Purpose Outdoor Sports Ground. The University will also extend the scope of water test to more locations around the campus to further ascertain the quality of drinking water on campus. Meanwhile, the University will attempt to trace the origin of excessive lead and refer to guidelines stipulated by relevant authorities to set up new requirements on works related to water supply systems so as to ensure the supply of quality drinking water on campus.