Marine and Water Bureau (DSAMA) Director Susanna Wong Soi Man said yesterday that the city’s tap water supply would be fully restored in one or two days.
A Macao Water spokesperson told The Macau Post Daily early this morning that the utility’s water treatment equipment damaged by Typhoon Hato was still being repaired.
Wong said if the [repair] and treatment process went smoothly, the tap water supply would be restored right away.
Many households, offices and shops were still without electricity and tap water last night, following Typhoon Hato’s onslaught on Wednesday.
Wong made the remarks after a special press conference held by the government about the typhoon response disaster.
Many residents have complained about the government’s insufficient warning about the approaching typhoon and the authorities’ inefficient response to the catastrophe.
Wong said that according to a “conservative” estimate, the restoration of the water supply to the whole city – including Taipa, Cotai and Coloane – could be achieved in one or two days, i.e. today or tomorrow.
Almost all of Macau’s tap water is imported from the mainland.
A spokesperson for Macao Water told The Macau Post Daily on the phone late last night that 60 percent of the water supply in the city had already been restored , adding that Macao Water staff members were putting a great deal of effort into repairing the equipment.
Meanwhile, a total of eight temporary water supply points have been set up for residents, according to a statement by Macao Water yesterday. The water supply points are in Beco do Padre António Roliz, Rotunda de Carlos da Maia, Avenida de Horta e Costa, Travessa da Barca, outside Mong Sin Building in Avenida de Venceslau de Morai, and outside McDonalds’ in Fai Chi Kei. There is also one in Avenida de Guimarães in Taipa and the other is near the footbridge at One Oasis in Coloane.
The statement also said two temporary water supply vehicles would provide water to residents in circular routes in the following locations: Toi San, Iao Hon, Areia Preta, Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro, near the S. Lourenço Municipal Market Complex and the Red Market.
Moreover, the Macau Customs Service said in a statement last night the setting-up of three tap-water supply points for residents. According to the statement, the points are at its headquarters in Barra, the Marine Enforcement Department Building in Ilha Verde and its station in Coloane.
Meanwhile, according to a CEM statement late last night, 20,000 households were still without electricity.
The statement said CEM had restored power to over 90 percent of its customers at midnight.
According to the statement, the extent of the damage brought about by the typhoon-induced flooding of the utility’s power facilities in Praça de Ponte e Horta, Areia Preta, Cotai, Patane, Inner Harbour, Fai Chi Kei and the northern district varies, adding that the power supply to about 20,000 customers still needed to be reinstalled.
According to a CEM spokesperson, the power utility has about 250,000 customers.
Meanwhile, the Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO) said in a statement last night that of the city’s 64 three- to five-star hotels, 36 had already got their power and water supply back.
The Lands, Public Works and Transport Bureau (DSSOPT) announced last night that 30 building were severely damaged by Typhoon Hato, requiring immediate remedial action.
Marine and Water Bureau (DSAMA) Director Susanna Wong Soi Man speaks to reporters at Government Headquarters after yesterday’s special press conference about its response to Typhoon Hato. Photo: Tony Wong
