District governance: New approach to tackling air conditioner leaks

Troubleshooting is key to uncovering the hidden culprit behind dripping air conditioners.

Vital help: Food & Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) Health Inspector Tam Yee-wan (right) describes the cameras with infrared night-vision function as key to assisting teams in tracking down the source of the dripping during nighttime. Source from news.gov.hk

In the scorching summer, people turn on their air conditioner for comfort. But if they are not maintained properly, this can lead to environmental problems such as dripping water, especially during the evening when most people are home. This not only causes noise but also poses potential health risks.

Investigation-enhancing tool

The Food & Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has recently introduced new technology using cameras with infrared night-vision function to assist teams in tracking down the source of the dripping during nighttime.

Food & Environmental Hygiene Department Health Inspector Tam Yee-wan describes the challenges inspectors face during nighttime investigations:

“When our team conduct investigations during the night, sometimes we face difficulties due to insufficient lighting or air conditioners being blocked by clothes drying racks. Our new series of infrared night-vision cameras can clearly capture the source of dripping water from high-rise buildings in dark environments, significantly improving the efficiency of nighttime investigations.”

Critical operation: Assistant Director of Food & Environmental Hygiene (Operations) Wan Chi-shun says to step up efforts to address this environmental issue, a city-wide operation, launched between May and September, has so far identified 30 black spots where enforcement action will be conducted at least once a week. Source from news.gov.hk

Currently, the FEHD has equipped all its 19 district offices with these devices, capable of detecting the source of dripping water up to 20 floors high. The newly introduced second-generation device can observe such problems up to 40 floors high.

Widespread problem

According to the data from the FEHD, complaints about dripping air conditioners have been on the rise in recent years, increasing from approximately 31,000 cases in 2023 to about 34,000 last year, especially in old urban districts like Sham Shui Po and Yau Tsim Mong.

Yau Tsim Mong District Councillor Ann Au stated that such areas face significant challenges due to ageing buildings and facilities. As there is no communal drainage system for many of these old buildings, wastewater from the air conditioners drips directly onto the streets below, which not only affects environmental hygiene but also causes nuisances to citizens.

Widespread problem: Yau Tsim Mong District Councillor Ann Au explains that old urban districts face serious problems concerning air conditioning leaks due to ageing buildings and facilities. Source from news.gov.hk

City-wide operation

To step up the FEHD’s efforts to address this environmental issue, it has conducted a city-wide operation from May to September.

Assistant Director of Food & Environmental Hygiene (Operations) Wan Chi-shun shared more information on how the operation works.

“We have adopted a multipronged approach, including publicity and education as well as law enforcement. We have also selected 30 black spots of dripping air conditioners in various districts which are affecting citizens who queue up for buses on the streets. Our staff will conduct enforcement actions at these black spots at least once a week at different times of the day.”

He highlighted that such stringent enforcement will be maintained throughout the summer and extra manpower will be deployed to support areas with more black spots.

As of mid-July, the FEHD has issued about 700 nuisance notices in this targeted operation.

Intensified publicity: Yau Tsim Mong District Councillor Chung Chak-fai (left) stresses that the district council is willing to serve as a bridge, co-ordinating residents, community organisations and the FEHD in tackling dripping air conditioners. Source from news.gov.hk

Public education

In addition to law enforcement, public education is also important. As such, the FEHD actively collaborates with the Home Affairs Department and district councillors to enhance awareness about the matter through community networks.

Yau Tsim Mong District Councillor Chung Chak-fai stressed that the district council is willing to serve as a bridge, co-ordinating residents, community organisations and the FEHD in tackling the issue.

Preventive actions: Property Management Services Authority Chairperson James Wong encourages the industry to actively collaborate with the FEHD to address such complaints. Source from news.gov.hk

Industry participation

For private housing estates, the FEHD has been working with property management agents, inviting them to participate in a scheme to assist in handling such complaints. If the property management agents cannot resolve the complaints, the FEHD will intervene by taking up the case for follow-up action.

An average of more than 80 property management agents and over 200 private housing estates participate in the scheme each year. The scheme has successfully handled over 4,000 related complaints in five years.

Property Management Services Authority Chairperson James Wong encourages the industry to actively participate in the scheme as there are clear advantages to having property management agents follow up on these key issues.

“As property management agents thoroughly understand residential facilities, they can identify the issues quickly. Plus, their familiarity with the residents can enhance communication and reduce conflicts.”

Essential participation: The FEHD is working with property management agents, inviting them to participate in a scheme to assist in handling water dripping complaints. Source from news.gov.hk

Preventive measures

Mr Wong also pointed out that the property management agents should proactively conduct inspections, post notices and promote regular maintenance to prevent leaking air conditioners.

Street hygiene and anti-rodent work are key aspects of the Government’s district governance, with the Food & Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) playing a significant role.

Accurate monitoring: Thermal imaging cameras capture images from 7pm to 7am over three consecutive nights and artificial intelligence analysis of the thermal images then enables Food & Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) staff to identify the presence of rodents precisely. Image source: news.gov.hk

Cleaning tech

A recent inspection carried out in Tsuen Wan highlighted the department’s progress, with the use of advanced cleaning technologies and enhanced pest control measures.

FEHD outsourced cleansing workers used a newly introduced pressure washer surface cleaner to thoroughly remove stubborn stains from the streets. 

One of the workers, Chu Chui-yin noted that using the cleaner instead of the previous method of dragging hoses to wash the streets meant they were able to work more efficiently while also obtaining a better cleaning result.

“What’s more, the cleaner is light, handy and uses less water, which makes our work much easier than the former practice of scrubbing the streets hard to clean the stains.”

Efficient process: By using a pressure washer surface cleaner, cleansing workers can more effectively remove stubborn stains from the pavement. Image source: news.gov.hk

Waste management

In an effort to maintain the cleanliness of the city’s alleyways, the department has rolled out a trial scheme to regulate the disposal of waste generated by food premises.

Under specific conditions, food premises are permitted to place large containers in adjacent back alleys for storing waste, which are then collected by cleaning workers hired by the premises.

Department personnel regularly inspect these areas to ensure proper waste management, while strict enforcement targets illegal dumping and clutter in back alleys. 

Stringent checks: FEHD staff regularly inspect the alleyways behind restaurants to ensure proper waste management. Image source: news.gov.hk

Positive response

Chairman of the Tsuen Wan South Area Committee William Chan lauded the initiative.

“After the implementation of the programme on the black spots, the FEHD has proactively tackled the problem, resulting in a marked improvement in the hygiene conditions of the community.

“Streets are clean and hygienic, rear lanes are free from piles of miscellaneous items and stubborn stains, and the condition of road surfaces has improved. Both traders and residents have reported a drastic reduction in rodent sightings.”

Recent data showed a substantial increase in the number of rodents caught in 2024. Across the city, approximately 89,600 live rodents were captured - about 40% more than in 2023.

Near Hau Tei Square in Tsuen Wan, around 270 rodents were caught in 2024, a threefold increase from the 89 recorded in 2023, demonstrating the effectiveness of new control measures.

Efforts recognised: Chairman of the Tsuen Wan South Area Committee William Chan says the FEHD’s work in tackling blackspots has resulted in a marked improvement in the hygiene conditions of the community. Image source: news.gov.hk

AI support

Apart from traditional trapping and baiting, the FEHD has introduced thermal imaging cameras equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) technology as a more accurate means of detecting rodent activity.

FEHD Chief Health Inspector (Tsuen Wan) So Yeung-fung explained that the cameras capture images from 7pm to 7am over three consecutive nights. AI analysis of the thermal images then enables staff to identify the presence of rodents more precisely than conventional methods such as searching for gnaw marks on sweet potato bait. 

“Staff can get a clear picture of the rodents’ activities and their dispersal routes at the locations concerned, which enables them to take more appropriate anti-rodent actions.”

Community collaboration: The FEHD works with estate property management companies to encourage community participation in daily rodent control efforts. Image source: news.gov.hk

Fruitful partnership

Community involvement remains a key component of success. The FEHD partners with property management companies to promote participation in routine anti-rodent efforts.

Management Office of Tsuen Wan Plaza Anti-rodent Liaison Ambassador Ran Lau pointed out that the Anti-rodent Charter launched by the FEHD has already yielded good results.

“Since our estate signed the charter in February this year, the FEHD has deployed staff to our estate to provide free technical support and offer professional advice on our rodent prevention and control measures, significantly enhancing the overall effectiveness of rodent prevention.

“Our liaison ambassadors have also attended seminars organised by the FEHD to keep abreast of new anti-rodent information and exchange our experience with other estate management offices, thereby increasing rodent prevention capability in the community.”