Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

Hong Kong Government urged to improve water quality monitoring in public pools

Hong Kong Government urged to improve water quality monitoring in public pools
August 4, 2016

Water quality monitoring in Hong Kong’s swimming pools has become a political issue with the opposition party in China’s Special Administrative Region collecting water samples showing chlorine levels below government standards and a possible carcinogen.

The Democratic Party, which conducted the pool tests, has called for more stringent monitoring of the quality of the city’s swimming pool water after chlorine levels in several samples collected from Hong Kong’s 12 public pools were found to be below government standards.

The Democratic Party also said Hong Kong’s Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) should test for a possible carcinogen in regular monitoring of pool water quality after two samples were found to contain the substance in excess of European standards.

Among the 16 water samples collected between 7th and 10th June, five, including those from Kowloon Park and Ho Man Tin, were found to contain chlorine below the standard set by the government.

Another sample from Kowloon Tsai was found to contain chlorine higher than the government requirement.

Democratic Party spokesperson Helena Wong Pik-wan stated “if there isn’t enough chlorine, bacteria will grow when more people are using the pool.”

Meanwhile, two of the three samples tested for possible carcinogen Trihalomethanes (THMs) - which is not tested by LCSD - were found to contain the substance in excess of German and Swiss standards.

THMs are produced when chlorine reacts with organic substances from swimmers, such as sweat, sunscreen and cosmetics.

Wong added “the Department should include THMs in its surveillance for swimming pool water quality and set standards.”

Wong also called for LCSD to remind swimmers to shower to wash away sweat and sunscreen before entering a pool.

A LCSD spokesman said THMs were not one of the regulated chemicals in swimming pools as set by the World Health Organisation.

The spokesman added that pool water is collected once every hour for testing, including for chlorine.

Image: Kowloon Park Swimming Pool.

19th July 2016 - HONG KONG LIFEGUARD UNION STRIKE LEADS TO CLOSURE OF BEACHES AND SWIMMING POOLS

18th May 2016 - INNOVATIVE HONG KONG POOL WINS CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT AWARD

30th July 2014 - BECSYS5 POOL PH AND CHLORINE CONTROLLERS LEAD THE WAY IN REMOTE COMMUNICATIONS

14th March 2013 - HONG KONG MUSEUM OF ART ANDY WARHOL EXHIBITION GREETS 200,000TH VISITOR

12th January 2012 - ASCTA PRESENTS FIRST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE


Asking a small favour
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

The news we publish at www.ausleisure.com.au is independent, credible (we hope) and free for you to access, with no pay walls and no annoying pop-up ads.

However, as an independent publisher, can we ask for you to support us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine - if you don't already do so.

Published bi-monthly since 1997, the printed Australasian Leisure Management differs from this website in that it publishes longer, in-depth and analytical features covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues management.

Subscriptions cost just $90 a year.

 

Click here to subscribe. 


Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

 

supplier directory

The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.

See the directory see all

BH Fitness

BH Fitness, part of the long-standing and iconic bike manufacturer BH Group, is a global leader in fitness equipment for both Commercial and Home markets. The company, with the headquarters based in…

read more

Fitness / Recreation / Sport / Technology / Wellness

 
 

Momentus Technologies

About: Momentus Technologies is a global provider of industry-leading venue and event management solutions that empower organizations to create extraordinary moments. With over 50,000 users in more…

read more

Entertainment / Events / Hospitality / Technology / Venues

 
 

SWIMPLEX AQUATICS

Swimplex Aquatics are a world-class company dedicated to the commercial pool, waterslide industry. We are Australian market leaders servicing all states Australia wide. Swimplex provide a full…

read more

Aquatics / Attractions / Design / Play / Waterparks

 
 

Parkequip

Parkequip is an approved supplier under the NSW LGP Contract 308 for a range of products including play equipment, shade, shelters, safe fall, park furniture and school outdoor seating. All materials…

read more

Fitness / Parks / Play / Recreation / Surfaces

 
 

Links Modular Solutions

Links Modular Solutions was a leading provider of high-quality, innovative software solutions for aquatic and recreation facilities. Links Modular Solutions is now part of Xplor Technologies.

read more

Access / Billing / Finance / Fitness / Technology

 
 

Envibe

With its sleek good looks and easy-to-use yet powerful functionality, Envibe is the premium fitness club software for the Australasian leisure, recreation and fitness industry. We are the most…

read more

Aquatics / Fitness / Recreation / Technology

 
 

ProSlide Technology

ProSlide is the global leader in water ride design and manufacturing, supplying high-performance water attractions to new and expanding water parks around the world. For over three decades, ProSlide…

read more

Aquatics / Play / Waterparks

 
 

Ticketworx Pty Ltd

Ticketworx (formerly House of Tickets) is Australia and New Zealand’s foremost ticket specialist servicing some 2,700 clients and producing in excess of 30 million per tickets per annum.…

read more

Entertainment / Events / Technology / Ticketing / Venues

 
 
 
 

get listed with our suppliers directory

Get your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!

list your business