The Water Supplies Department said the supply had gradually resumed at 11am after engineers repaired an additional leak. The weather and other underground pipes beside the affected water main had made repairs more difficult. This followed a burst pipe in North Point recently, resulting in a 10-metre geyser that halted traffic. Such incidents are reminders of the need to conduct thorough checks and update ageing infrastructure.

Given the weather and the delay in the latest incident, most residents bore the ordeal stoically. A 70-year-old man, collecting water for the third time, said it was “a real struggle” but added that the government had provided enough water and that he understood the situation. “The government certainly doesn’t want this to happen either,” he said. Such incidents cannot be ruled out while the city still has ageing pipes. The department has said it plans to replace old pipes in the next three years.

Wong King, executive president of the International Institute of Utility Specialists, said the leaking pipe was made from cast iron, which needed repairs after about 50 years. He said the leak did not surface above ground as the pipe ran above a drainage pipe, allowing the leaked water to flow directly into the sea through the lower pipe.

Ageing infrastructure poses an ongoing problem in densely developed cities with ageing populations. While Hong Kong is a globally competitive regional hub and a bridge between China and the world, it is no exception in that regard. It must rise to the challenge and ensure basic livelihood needs are met.

Reports of the elderly lining up in the rain to fill their water bottles do nothing for the city’s image as an advanced society.

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