Jazmin Li
Hong Kong International Airport provides over 30 water drinking fountains throughout its terminals, as well as hot drinking water facilities in restricted areas. While tap water in Hong Kong is generally safe to drink, meeting WHO standards, travellers often wonder if they should stick to bottled water to avoid any potential health risks. The main concern with tap water in Hong Kong is the quality of pipes in older buildings, which may contain contaminants like heavy metals and microplastics. While boiling tap water is a common practice among locals, it may not be necessary, especially in modern hotels or buildings with renovated pipes. Ultimately, the choice between tap and bottled water in Hong Kong is a matter of personal preference, as both options are generally considered safe for consumption.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tap water safety in Hong Kong | Tap water in Hong Kong is generally considered safe to drink, meeting WHO, EPA, and EU standards. |
| Water treatment | The water treatment in Hong Kong matches that of the US and Western European countries. |
| Water sources | 80-90% of Hong Kong's water supply is imported from the Dongjiang River and other surface water sources in Guandong. |
| Water quality tests | Hong Kong's Water Supply department conducts over 160,000 quality tests annually, with results available to the public. |
| Water quality comparison | Hong Kong's tap water quality is comparable to that of New York, London, or Munich. |
| Risks and concerns | The main risk is contaminants from pipes in older buildings, including heavy metals and unregulated contaminants like microplastics. |
| Tourist considerations | Tourists staying in well-maintained hotels, especially those built in the last 20 years, can likely consume tap water safely. |
| Local habits | Many locals traditionally boil their tap water or use water filters due to historical concerns and taste preferences. |
| Bottled water | Bottled water is readily available and affordable in Hong Kong, but there is no scientific evidence that it is safer or healthier than tap water. |
| Hong Kong Airport | The airport provides over 30 water drinking fountains and hot drinking water facilities throughout the terminals. |
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What You'll Learn
- Hong Kong's tap water is safe to drink, meeting WHO standards
- The water treatment matches that of the US and Western Europe
- The main risk is contaminants from pipes in older buildings
- Locals traditionally drink boiled tap water, but this is changing
- Hong Kong Airport has over 30 drinking water fountains
Hong Kong's tap water is safe to drink, meeting WHO standards
Hong Kong's tap water is generally safe to drink, meeting WHO standards. The water treatment in Hong Kong matches that of the US and Western European countries. Hong Kong's Water Supply department carries out over 160,000 quality tests every year, and these reports are available for anyone to view. These quality reports consistently show that the tap water is comparable to that in New York, London, Munich, and Singapore.
However, the main risk is contaminants from pipes in older buildings and unregulated contaminants such as microplastics. Therefore, Hong Kong residents living in older buildings may prefer to use a water filter. For tourists, especially those staying in hotels built in the past 20 years, tap water is most likely safer than bottled water.
Tap water in Hong Kong is generally clean, and the chance of getting sick from drinking it is relatively low. Hong Kong's advanced water treatment infrastructure means it has the capacity to remove all known pollutants. The last reported incident with tap water in Hong Kong was in 2015, when some samples from specific estates and buildings contained lead and other heavy metals above recommended levels. This issue is related to the quality of pipes in older buildings.
There is no evidence that tourists get sick from tap water in Hong Kong, even if they have sensitive stomachs. It is more likely that you will get sick from air pollution, food, or catching a local illness. Tap water in Hong Kong is safe to drink unless the building is old and poorly maintained. Most locals will tell you to drink bottled water or boiled tap water, but this is mainly out of habit, as boiling water does not remove contaminants.
Hong Kong International Airport has over 30 drinking water fountains available throughout the terminals, as well as hot drinking water facilities in restricted areas.
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The water treatment matches that of the US and Western Europe
Although opinions vary, tap water in Hong Kong is generally considered safe to drink. The water treatment in Hong Kong matches that of the US and Western Europe, and the water supplied to the networks in Hong Kong is safe to drink according to WHO standards (similar to EPA and EU standards). Hong Kong's Water Supply Department carries out over 160,000 quality tests annually, and these reports are available for the public to view. These tests consistently show that the tap water is comparable to that in cities such as New York, London, or Munich.
The main risk is contaminants from pipes in older buildings. Pipes in older buildings can leech heavy metals such as lead, nickel, and cadmium. The water quality can also be affected by the building's maintenance and the quality of its water tanks. If you are staying in an older building or hotel that hasn't been renovated or maintained in the past 20 years, it is recommended to drink bottled water or boil tap water.
For tourists staying in hotels, especially those built in the past 20 years, tap water is likely safer than bottled water. Bottled water may not be what it advertises and may simply be filled from a municipal tap. There is also no scientific evidence that bottled water is cleaner or healthier. In fact, tap water in Hong Kong is cleaner and safer than bottled water.
Hong Kong's tap water is imported from the Dongjiang River and other surface water in Guangdong. As with most Chinese surface water, the Dongjiang has been polluted due to farming, factories, hydropower, and waste leakage. However, Hong Kong treats its water to match the standards of the US and Western Europe, making it safe to drink.
Hong Kong International Airport provides over 30 water drinking fountains throughout the terminals, and hot drinking water facilities are also available in restricted areas.
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The main risk is contaminants from pipes in older buildings
While tap water in Hong Kong is generally safe to drink, the main risk is contaminants from pipes in older buildings. The water treatment in Hong Kong matches that of the US and Western European countries and meets WHO standards. However, the quality of pipes in older buildings can be an issue. Older pipes can leech heavy metals such as lead, nickel, and cadmium into the water, which can be harmful to health.
The last reported incident of contaminated tap water in Hong Kong was in 2015, when some samples from specific estates and buildings were found to contain lead and other heavy metals above recommended levels. This was attributed to the quality of the pipes in those buildings. As a result, it is recommended that residents of older buildings, or those with poorly maintained pipes, use a water filter or drink bottled water to reduce the risk of contamination.
For tourists staying in hotels, especially those built or renovated in the past 20 years, tap water is most likely safe and may even be safer than bottled water. Bottled water may not offer any additional benefits and can contribute to plastic pollution. However, some tourists choose to boil their tap water or use a filter as an extra precaution, as it is common for locals to do the same.
It is worth noting that Hong Kong's Water Supply department conducts over 160,000 quality tests every year to ensure the safety of the tap water. These tests are available for the public to view and consistently show that the tap water quality is comparable to that of other major cities worldwide. While the water leaving the reservoir is safe for consumption, individuals should be mindful of the potential risks associated with older or poorly maintained pipes in their buildings.
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Locals traditionally drink boiled tap water, but this is changing
Hong Kong's tap water is generally considered safe to drink. The water treatment in Hong Kong matches that of the US and Western European countries and meets WHO standards. Hong Kong's Water Supply Department conducts over 160,000 quality tests each year to ensure water safety, and these tests are available for public viewing.
However, the main risk lies in the infrastructure of individual buildings and their water pipes. Older buildings, particularly those constructed before the year 2000 or with pipes that have not been renovated, may have pipes that leech heavy metals such as lead, nickel, and cadmium into the water supply. As a result, locals traditionally drink boiled tap water, likely a habit from when tap water was not safe to drink. Boiling water can kill bacteria and remove chlorine, although it may not eliminate all contaminants.
While some locals continue to boil their tap water out of habit, this practice is slowly changing. More families are installing water filters to purify their tap water, which is more effective in removing contaminants than boiling. Tourists, especially those staying in newer hotels or buildings, are advised to drink tap water to reduce plastic pollution, as bottled water is not scientifically proven to be cleaner or healthier.
At Hong Kong Airport, hot and cold drinking water facilities are available throughout the terminals, and passengers can fill their bottles at drinking fountains past security.
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Hong Kong Airport has over 30 drinking water fountains
While there are differing opinions on the safety of drinking tap water in Hong Kong, it is generally considered safe to drink. The water treatment in Hong Kong matches WHO standards and those of the US and Western European countries. Hong Kong's Water Supply Department conducts over 160,000 quality tests each year to ensure water safety.
Hong Kong International Airport provides convenient access to drinking water for travellers, with over 30 drinking water fountains located throughout the terminals. Additionally, hot drinking water facilities can be found in restricted areas. This abundance of drinking water options ensures that passengers can easily fill their water bottles before boarding their flights.
The availability of these drinking water fountains at the airport aligns with Hong Kong's overall commitment to providing safe and accessible drinking water. While some locals in Hong Kong have traditionally boiled their water due to historical concerns, the water quality has improved significantly. Today, travellers can rest assured that the tap water in Hong Kong is generally safe for consumption.
However, it is important to note that the quality of water pipes in older buildings may be a concern. If you are staying in an older hotel or building that hasn't been renovated or maintained properly, it may be advisable to follow local advice and opt for bottled water or boiled tap water as a precaution.
In conclusion, Hong Kong Airport's provision of over 30 drinking water fountains reflects the city's efforts to ensure safe and convenient access to drinking water for travellers passing through the airport.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the tap water in Hong Kong Airport is safe to drink. The water treatment in Hong Kong matches that of the US and Western European countries and meets WHO standards. There are over 30 drinking water fountains available throughout the terminals.
The main risk of drinking tap water in Hong Kong is the quality of the pipes in the building you are in. Older buildings may have corroded pipes that leech contaminants such as heavy metals and microplastics into the water.
There is no scientific evidence that bottled water is safer or healthier than tap water in Hong Kong. However, if you are staying in an older building, it may be safer to drink bottled water or boil your tap water.
