Residents and business owners in Hong Kong’s Eastern district faced continued disruption on Monday after the restoration of fresh water services was delayed beyond the promised deadline. The extended outage left many households and restaurants without running water for more than a day, forcing people to collect water from temporary supply wagons despite heavy rainfall.
The Water Supplies Department had expected normal service to return by 6 a.m. on Monday following repair work on damaged water pipes. However, the repairs took longer than anticipated, leaving many customers without access to fresh water during the morning hours.
Officials later announced that water supply gradually resumed at around 11 a.m. They said some neighborhoods would continue to experience delays of one to two hours because of their higher elevation or their position at the end of the water distribution network.
The prolonged interruption caused frustration among residents who had already spent more than a day coping without a reliable water supply. Many people traveled to water wagons set up by authorities to collect water for drinking, cooking, and other daily needs while waiting for service to return.
Restaurant operators also reported difficulties as the outage affected normal business operations. Without access to fresh water, many businesses struggled to prepare food, clean equipment, and serve customers. Some owners expressed disappointment that the restoration took longer than originally announced, making it harder to plan their operations.
Authorities said repair crews worked throughout the outage to restore service as quickly as possible. The department explained that restarting a large water supply network takes time and that customers in certain locations may receive water later than others because of pressure differences within the system.
After the supply resumed, officials warned that some customers might notice water appearing cloudy or milky white. The department said this is a normal condition caused by tiny air bubbles entering the pipes during the restoration process and does not necessarily indicate poor water quality.
To help clear the water, the department advised residents to remove the strainer from their taps and allow the water to run for several minutes. Once the water becomes clear and the air bubbles disappear, the strainer can be reinstalled.
The department emphasized that the temporary discoloration should improve naturally as the water continues flowing through the network. Officials encouraged residents to follow the recommended steps if they notice cloudy water after service is restored.
Water supply interruptions can create significant challenges for homes and businesses, especially in densely populated areas where daily activities depend on a stable water system. Authorities said restoring service safely remains the top priority after major repair work.
The Water Supplies Department will continue monitoring the network to ensure pressure returns to normal across the affected districts. Officials are also expected to respond to any remaining reports of delayed service as the system fully stabilizes.
While fresh water has gradually returned to most affected areas, the unexpected delay highlighted the difficulties that residents and businesses face when essential public services are interrupted. Authorities hope the completed repairs will restore reliable water service and reduce the risk of similar disruptions in the future.
