Water Supplies Department

The Water Supplies Department is the government body responsible for Hong Kong's water supply infrastructure and services. Recently, the department was in the news due to a significant pipe burst in Shau Kei Wan, which led to a 24-hour fresh water supply disruption for approximately 10,000 homes in the Eastern district. Department staff were immediately deployed to address the issue, with service restoration expected. In a separate development, the Water Supplies Department was impersonated by a cross-border phishing syndicate that defrauded victims of HK$16.8 million. Hong Kong and mainland police successfully dismantled this syndicate, leading to 15 arrests. These events highlight the department's critical role in public utility provision and the challenges it faces, from infrastructure maintenance to combating fraudulent activities that exploit its name.