It may not be immediately obvious to the naked eye, but even taps which run water every day, it can still accumulate dirt. Similar to other domestic appliances, taps also require regular cleaning. Even though water has been treated at the treatment works with contaminants removed, the water may still be contaminated at the tap because of easily contact of a tap with raw meat, seafood, detergents or chemicals, and even pet’s saliva. These tiny particles, bacteria or chemicals are all potential sources of contamination. It is essential to clean taps to ensure water safety "from source to tap" - do not fail short of success for lack of a final effort!
Many households install water flow controllers or filters at the tap spout, which can accumulate impurities and dirt. These devices should be removed and cleaned regularly and disinfected by wiping with alcohol. The WSD also advises to run fresh water for two minutes to flush away any residue after cleaning and before using taps again. To make the best use of resources, the flushed water can be saved for non-potable purposes to avoid wastage.
The treated water in Hong Kong is soft, but still contains trace amounts of minerals such as calcium and magnesium. You may notice a thin white deposit, known as "limescale", at the bottom of your water boiler or kettle. This is caused by the accumulation of minerals in the water - primarily calcium and magnesium compounds - but does not affect water quality nor human health. To remove limescale, add lemon juice, baking soda, or white vinegar to the water and boil it for a few minutes.
