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Registered Consumers

The Water Supplies Department (WSD) is committed to provide a reliable and adequate supply of wholesome potable water and sea water. To enable consumers to enjoy quality fresh water and sea water inside their buildings, registered consumers and registered agents are encouraged to properly maintain their internal plumbing systems and thus create a healthy environment for water consumption. Regular checking of the plumbing system can identify and rectify small defects before they develop into major problems.

Maintenance Responsibility

• Registered Consumer* is responsible for the maintenance of the internal plumbing systems serving his/her own house/flat only, as illustrated below.
  
• The WSD provides and maintains water meters but the registered consumers are responsible for safe custody of the individual meters serving their own flats.

Plumbing Works Associated With Renovation of a Flat/Unit

• When carrying out renovation of a flat/unit, it is not uncommon that plumbing works may be required.
• Before constructing, installing, altering or removing a fire service or an inside service system, the registered consumers should read the FAQs on Plumbing Works associated with renovation of a flat/unit on the requirements of obtaining permission from the Water Authority and employing licensed plumbers to carry out the plumbing works.
• On the other hand, the Water Authority may waive the requirement of permission regarding alterations to a fire service or an inside service system which are of a minor nature, and the works do not require the involvement of a licensed plumber. Please refer to Works of a minor nature for more details.

Leakage of Internal Plumbing

• Internal plumbing systems should be maintained in good condition to prevent leakage in order to avoid loss of precious water.
• Consumers could adopt the below simple do-it-yourself method to check leakage in insider services:

   

  

  1. Turn off all water taps in your premises.

  

  2. Observe the water meter for 30 minutes to see if there is any change to the last digit of the meter reading.
  

  3. If this digit changes, it shows that the inside services are leaking because the water meter reading will not change, upon turning off all taps.

  

  4. Employ a licensed plumber to rectify the leakage.

  Note: The above method may not be able to detect trace of leakage. In such case, a licensed plumber should be employed to follow up the problem thoroughly.

Water Seepage

• Water seepage at the ceiling or on the walls in a premises may not be caused by leakage from water supplies pipes. It may be due to leakage of drainage pipes, defective seals, or rain water seeping from the roof/external walls.
• To know more on how to resolve the problem, please click Seepage of Internal Plumbing.

* If you live in a public housing estate, you should contact the management office who maintains all the estate internal plumbing, when maintenance is required.