WSD's registered consumer convicted of failing to provide relevant information or documents for suspected case of overcharging for water
The Water Supplies Department (WSD) announced that a registered consumer of a subdivided flat in Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, was convicted today (January 8) of failing to comply with the Water Authority's request to provide relevant information or documents for a suspected case of overcharging for water, in contravention of regulation 47A of the Waterworks Regulations. The registered consumer pleaded guilty to the offence at the Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts. This case is the first conviction pursuant to the new regulation of 47A of the Waterworks Regulations, which has been effective since the enactment of the Waterworks (Amendment) Ordinance 2024 (the amended WWO) on April 19, 2024.
A spokesman for the WSD said that the amended WWO has strengthened the power of the Water Authority in evidence collection and information disclosure during the investigation of suspected cases of overcharging for water. The Water Authority can request landlords, their agents, consumers, etc, to provide the tenancy agreement, receipt or payment record for water charges. Failure to comply with such a request can be an offence and the offender is liable on conviction to a maximum fine of $10,000 and a further fine of up to $1,000 for each day the offence continues. It is anticipated that there will be more prosecution cases. The maximum penalty for overcharging for water has been raised to $25,000 to deter this illegal act. Moreover, providing false or misleading information to the Water Authority is also an offence with a maximum penalty of a $25,000 fine and six months' imprisonment.
The WSD spokesman strongly appealed to landlords to apply for the installation of separate water meters for their subdivided units (SDUs), which can greatly reduce the risk of contravening the amended WWO. The water fee deposit and the charge for providing a meter for each separate meter installed under the Scheme for Installation of Separate Water Meters for Subdivided Units will be waived. Individual water bills will be provided for each water meter account. The first 12 cubic metres of water are free at four-month intervals. SDU tenants can contact the WSD to request separate water meters. Upon receiving such requests, the WSD will contact the landlords for the installation of separate meters. If the landlords refuse, the WSD may require them to provide information on the recovery of water charges from their tenants in suspected overcharging cases. Details of the scheme can be obtained from the WSD website
(www.wsd.gov.hk/en/customer-services/application-for-water-supply/pilot-scheme-for-installation-of-separate-water-me/index.html).
The WSD encourages the public to report any illegal act of overcharging SDU tenants for water for follow-up and investigation by the department. The public can call the WSD Hotline 3468 4963 or WhatsApp 5665 5517 to apply for the installation of separate water meters for SDUs. The WhatsApp hotline also handles matters relating to water overcharging in SDUs. Alternatively, the public can call the WSD Customer Enquiry Hotline 2824 5000 to report water overcharge cases. After calling the hotline and choosing a language, they can press "7" for reporting to staff directly.
Hong Kong and Macao cohost investment promotion seminar to encourage Macao enterprises to expand overseas via Hong Kong
The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, met with the Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region, Mr Sam Hou-fai, at Government House last month to exchange views on further promoting Hong Kong's co-operation with Macao and the high-quality development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). To implement and enhance co-operation between the two places, Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) cohosted an investment promotion seminar with the Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute of the Macao Special Administrative Region in Macao yesterday (March 6), receiving about 90 local representatives from various sectors, including manufacturing, branding, retail, food and beverage (F&B), import and export trading, as well as chambers and associations. The seminar aimed to update Macao enterprises on Hong Kong's latest business environment and new opportunities, especially in retail, F&B and trade sectors, encouraging them to leverage Hong Kong's unique advantages to expand overseas.
Entitled Macao Enterprises Expansion Series - Hong Kong's New Business Opportunities Seminar (Retail, F&B and Trade), the seminar marked the first collaboration between the two promotion agencies in 2025, aiming to enhance learning from each other and strengthen co-operation between the two cities, as well as to explore new business opportunities in the GBA.
"Hong Kong and Macao share a strong bond as dynamic and complementary economies within the GBA," said Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion at InvestHK Mr Arnold Lau. "Macao goods have long been a favourite among Hong Kong consumers, showcasing the strong cultural and economic ties between the two vibrant cities. By expanding into Hong Kong, Macao enterprises can extend their reach not only to the local market, but also promote their products to the international and Mainland visitors passing through Hong Kong. Moreover, Hong Kong has many trade shows that attract international buyers. The city is an ideal platform for Macao enterprises to connect to the world and expand globally," he explained.
At the seminar, the President of the Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute of the Macao Special Administrative Region, Mr Vincent U, said, "Hong Kong and Macao have maintained close business co-operation and commercial ties for many years, including holding joint investment promotion activities to promote opportunities in the GBA. Building on this long-standing collaboration, we aim to further strengthen two-way investment co-operation and explore more opportunities for Hong Kong-Macao collaborations and the development of the GBA market."
The Head of Consumer Products of InvestHK, Ms Angelica Leung, and the Head of Tourism and Hospitality of InvestHK, Ms Sindy Wong, highlighted the latest industry trends and shared case studies respectively with Macao enterprises during the seminar, helping them to gain a better understanding of Hong Kong's market and advantages. They also provided information on the latest government policies, including details on industry events and available funding support to help businesses expand, enhance competitiveness through digital transformation and explore international markets. Macao enterprises that have a presence in Hong Kong also shared their practical insights at the event, encouraging local enterprises to raise brand awareness and "go global" via Hong Kong.
InvestHK will continue to collaborate with related Macao organisations to jointly promote business opportunities in Hong Kong, assisting local enterprises to expand overseas via the city.
Hong Kong and Macao cohost investment promotion seminar to encourage Macao enterprises to expand overseas via Hong Kong Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong and Macao cohost investment promotion seminar to encourage Macao enterprises to expand overseas via Hong Kong Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong and Macao cohost investment promotion seminar to encourage Macao enterprises to expand overseas via Hong Kong Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong and Macao cohost investment promotion seminar to encourage Macao enterprises to expand overseas via Hong Kong Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong and Macao cohost investment promotion seminar to encourage Macao enterprises to expand overseas via Hong Kong Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong and Macao cohost investment promotion seminar to encourage Macao enterprises to expand overseas via Hong Kong Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
