Lead content of all water samples collected from new public housing estates meet the standard of the World Health Organization (WHO).

The results of the second round tests showed that lead content in all 48 water samples collected from kitchen and water meters of unoccupied units in public housing buildings was at the highest 3.2ug/L, in line with the WHO safety standards with lead content lower than 10ug/L.

The similar results were also found in the first round of tests, which showed the highest lead content recorded in 49 water samples was 3.5ug/L.

To ease public concern over water quality in public housing estates following the incident in neighbouring area, the Government had formulated a contingency plan for potential incidents related to water safety and had activated an inter-departmental mechanism for testing water quality in 50 new public housing estates completed since 2007.

The Government would also conduct water testing in 12 older public housing estates to further assure the public the safety and stability of water supplies in Macao.

The Government Spokesperson Office held a joint press conference last week with all relevant departments to announce contingency plan to tackle potential incident related to water supplies and a string of measures to monitor and to ensure water quality in Macao, including regular water testing and measures to strengthen management for water supply facilities in public housing buildings.