FEHD Honors Efforts to Combat Dripping Air Conditioners at Annual Awards Ceremony

FEHD holds awards ceremony to commend property management agents, owners' corporations and district organisations for assisting in tackling dripping air conditioners

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (February 2) held the Awards Ceremony for Tackling Dripping Air-conditioners 2025 to commend and express gratitude to property management agents (PMAs), owners' corporations and district organisations for their dedicated efforts and contributions over the past year through active participation in the Scheme of Participation by Property Management Agents in Tackling Dripping Air-conditioners. The ceremony also echoed the department's slogan, "Fix Air-con Drips, Harmony Comes Without Gripe", encouraging more organisations and citizens to join hands in paying attention to and properly addressing dripping air conditioner issues, so as to improve the community environment together.

A spokesman for the FEHD said the department has been adopting a multipronged approach to tackle dripping air conditioner issues. The FEHD stepped up inspections and enforcement across districts in Hong Kong last summer. By combining publicity and education, the application of innovative technology and adjustments to operational strategies, the measures have achieved notable results.

The spokesman said, "The FEHD has handled a cumulative total of approximately 8 600 dripping air conditioners in 2025, a number that has risen by approximately three times compared to 2023, and recorded an increase of more than 30 per cent compared to 2024. The problem of dripping air conditioners has shown considerable improvement at locations identified as black spots."

The FEHD adopted a new operational strategy last year. In addition to sustaining the effort in handling public complaints, FEHD officers proactively conducted door-to-door inspections and took enforcement action at about 300 key follow-up locations with dripping air conditioners across districts. Thirty dripping black spots causing significant nuisance to the public, including bus stops, minibus stops and pedestrian passages, were also targeted, with enforcement actions conducted at least once a week. To address the prevalence of dripping issues during night-time and early morning hours, the department reallocated manpower for investigations, shifting from the previous 70 per cent daytime and 30 per cent night-time distribution to 30 per cent daytime and 70 per cent night-time.

By leveraging innovative technology, the FEHD also collaborated with the Logistics and Supply Chain MultiTech R&D Centre under the Innovation and Technology Commission to develop the Dripping Air Conditioner Investigation System. Equipped with infrared night-vision recording, the system can quickly identify the source of dripping at night or in low-light conditions. With a detection range of up to 120 metres, it can cover buildings of around 40 stories high, significantly reducing the time required for investigation and evidence collection and enhancing work efficiency.

In addition, the FEHD strengthened publicity and education in collaboration with District Council members, district organisations, owners' corporations and PMAs. Leaflets and posters were distributed, promotional materials were displayed at bus stops, and feature videos were released through social media, radio and television, reminding the public to check their air conditioners regularly and promptly address any dripping issues to avoid creating a nuisance.

The spokesperson emphasised that PMAs play a key role at the district level. The FEHD collaborated with the Property Management Services Authority to develop the Best Practice Guide on Handling Dripping Air Conditioners, providing guidance for licensed PMAs and property management personnel. Moreover, as PMAs are familiar with the situation of their housing estates and the residents, they are capable of handling the issue of dripping air conditioners in housing estates effectively. Therefore, the FEHD initiated the Scheme to solicit the assistance of PMAs in handling complaints about dripping air conditioners in private housing estates during the summer season (from May to November). Currently, over 290 PMAs are participating in the Scheme. On average, over 5 000 complaints against dripping air conditioners were followed up and handled through the Scheme annually in the past three years.

To commend participating PMAs, as well as owners' corporations and district organisations assisting in the implementation of the new strategy, the FEHD held an awards ceremony today to express gratitude for their efforts.

The spokesman added, "PMAs, owners' corporations, District Council members and district organisations play an important role in addressing dripping air conditioners and other environmental hygiene matters. The FEHD looks forward to continuing and enhancing co-operation with them to create a better living environment for the public."

The FEHD calls on members of the public to check their air conditioners regularly and take immediate action if water dripping happens. For more information, please refer to the leaflet on the FEHD website (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/pleasant_environment/library/aircon/Pamphlet_water_dripping_from_air_conditioner.pdf)

FEHD holds awards ceremony to commend property management agents, owners' corporations and district organisations for assisting in tackling dripping air conditioners Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FEHD holds awards ceremony to commend property management agents, owners' corporations and district organisations for assisting in tackling dripping air conditioners Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FEHD holds awards ceremony to commend property management agents, owners' corporations and district organisations for assisting in tackling dripping air conditioners Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CHP investigates two epidemiologically linked food poisoning clusters

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (February 2) investigating two epidemiologically linked food poisoning clusters affecting a total of four persons. The CHP reminded the public to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent foodborne diseases.

The clusters involve one male and three females aged between 30 and 59. They developed diarrhoea, abdominal pain, vomiting and fever about 25 to 38 hours after having dinner at L'Amour located at Shop A & B, G/F, Grand Progress Building, Nos. 58-62 D'Aguilar Street, Nos. 15-16 Lan Kwai Fong, Central, on January 27.

One of the affected persons sought medical advice but did not require hospitalisation.All of the affected individuals are currently in stable condition.

A preliminary investigation revealed that raw oysters and salad were the food items that the affected individuals had in common at the aforementioned restaurant. Officers of the CHP and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (including personnel of the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) and the Environmental Hygiene Branch) conducted a joint investigation and examined the handling processes and food hygiene at the restaurant. The CFS's field investigation revealed that affected persons may have contracted food poisoning from consuming raw food. The CFS immediately instructed the premises concerned to suspend serving the incriminated food items and to carry out cleaning and disinfection of the premises. The officers have also provided health education related to food safety and environmental hygiene to the staff of the premises.

The investigation of the CHP and the CFS is ongoing.

To prevent foodborne diseases, members of the public are reminded to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene at all times. When dining out, one should:

Avoid eating raw seafood;

Be a discerning consumer in choosing cold dishes, including sashimi, sushi and raw oysters at a buffet;

Choose pasteurised eggs, egg products or dried egg powder for dishes that often use undercooked eggs;

Patronise only reliable and licensed restaurants;

Ensure food is thoroughly cooked before eating during a hotpot or barbecue meal;

Handle raw and cooked foods carefully and separate them completely during the cooking process;

Use two sets of chopsticks and utensils to handle raw and cooked foods;

Avoid patronising illegal food hawkers;

Drink boiled water;

Susceptible populations, including those with weakened immunity, the elderly, pregnant women and young children, are at a higher risk of foodborne diseases, so they should not consume raw or undercooked foods;

Refrain from trying to use salt, vinegar, wine or wasabi to kill bacteria as they are not effective; and

Always wash hands before eating and after going to the toilet.

Source: AI-found images